Gößweinstein Anniversary Festival Year 950 Years
Festival year for the 950th anniversary of the pilgrimage site in Franconian Switzerland
About 950 Years Gößweinstein
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Pilgrimage Site with 950 Years of History
The market village of Gößweinstein in Franconian Switzerland was first mentioned in a document in 1076 — as the property of Count Friedrich II of Schweinfurt — and is therefore celebrating its 950th anniversary in 2026. Today, Gößweinstein is primarily known as a pilgrimage site: the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, a masterful Baroque building by Balthasar Neumann (1730), is one of the most important Marian pilgrimage destinations in Bavaria and attracts thousands of pilgrims annually. The medieval Castle Gößweinstein, one of the best-preserved castles in Franconian Switzerland, towers over the village.
A Festival Year with a Packed Program
The 2026 festival year runs from Sunday, January 11th, to December 31st, 2026, and is designed as a continuous program. The kickoff is the market community's New Year's reception on January 11th, during which the anniversary year will be officially opened. From then on, program points will follow throughout the year — concerts, open house days, garden parties, anniversary services, and cultural events.
Castle Gößweinstein as a Venue
Castle Gößweinstein, privately owned by the von Wedel family, is normally only publicly accessible on a few days a year. In the 2026 anniversary year, it can be visited to an unusual extent on the Open House Days on May 23rd and 24th and during the Garden Party on May 29th and 30th — a rare opportunity to see this impressive castle complex from the inside.
250 Years of Gasthof Stern
An exceptional program highlight is the 250th anniversary of the Gasthof Stern inn — one of the oldest and best-known inns in Franconian Switzerland. The Sponsel family has run the establishment for generations and is celebrating the double anniversary as part of the grand Gößweinstein festival year.
Night Watchmen, Concerts, and Pilgrims
In addition, numerous special events are planned: a police concert on May 22nd, a meeting of historical night watchmen from the entire region (a Franconian tradition maintained in several villages), anniversary services in the Basilica, and special programs for pilgrimage groups. The entire program will be communicated via the Tourist Information and the festival year website.
950 Years Gößweinstein — edition 2026
The 2026 festival year runs all year round and utilizes the entire cultural repertoire of the Gößweinstein location. The official kickoff is the market community's New Year's reception on January 11th, 2026, during which the market community opens the anniversary year.
In May, several central program points are scheduled: the police concert on May 22nd, the Open House Days at Castle Gößweinstein on May 23rd and 24th, and the garden party at the castle on May 29th and 30th. In June, the Gasthof Stern inn celebrates its 250th anniversary — also as part of the Gößweinstein anniversary program.
Programme 950 Years Gößweinstein 2026
January 2026
- Sunday, January 11th, 2026 — New Year's reception of the market community and official opening of the festival year
May 2026
- Friday, May 22nd, 2026 — Police concert
- Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th, 2026 — Open House Days at Castle Gößweinstein
- Friday, May 29th and Saturday, May 30th, 2026 — Garden Party at Castle Gößweinstein
June 2026
- 250 Years of Gasthof Stern — Celebration of the double anniversary of one of the oldest inns in Franconian Switzerland
Meeting of Historical Night Watchmen
- Regional meeting of night watchmen groups from all over Franconian Switzerland (date in summer)
Year-Round Program
- Anniversary services in the Basilica of the Holy Trinity
- Special programs for pilgrimage groups
- Cultural events (concerts, readings, exhibitions)
- Guided hikes related to local history
Highlights 950 Years Gößweinstein 2026
- 950th anniversary of the pilgrimage site (first mentioned 1076)
- Open House Days and Garden Party at Castle Gößweinstein
- 250th anniversary of the Gasthof Stern inn
- Police concert and meeting of historical night watchmen
- Anniversary services in the Balthasar Neumann Basilica
Prices 950 Years Gößweinstein 2026
Most of the program is free. Concerts and the garden party at the castle are subject to an admission fee (5-30 € depending on the event). Details via the Tourist Information.
Practical information — 950 Years Gößweinstein
Getting There
By car via the A9 (exit Pegnitz) and country roads. By train to Pegnitz or Forchheim and connecting bus.
Program Overview
Current program overview and registrations via the Gößweinstein Tourist Information (Burgstraße 6, Tel. +49 9242 456, E-mail [email protected]) and the festival year website ferienzentrum-goessweinstein.de.
Admission
Most of the program is free. Concerts and special performances may have an admission fee (5-20 €). Admission fee for the garden party at the castle (details via the Tourist Information).
Tip
Combine your visit to the festival year with a pilgrimage to the Basilica or a hike through Franconian Switzerland — one of Bavaria's most scenic regions.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place 950 Years Gößweinstein
Gößweinstein (Markt) und Burg Gößweinstein
Burgstraße 6, 91327 Gößweinstein