Johannisbergfest Freudenberg
Upper Palatinate Pilgrimage and Mountain Festival since 1711
About Johannisbergfest
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A Pilgrimage with Over 300 Years of Tradition
The Johannisbergfest in the Upper Palatinate municipality of Freudenberg dates back to a pilgrimage tradition documented as early as 1711. On the Johannisberg, a prominent elevation of 605 meters above the Naab Valley, stands the simple Johannisbergkirche (St. John's Church) – the destination for pilgrims from the entire region around the feast day of John the Baptist on June 24th.
Pilgrimage and Mountain Festival in One
The festival combines two worlds: the religious pilgrimage with pilgrim masses, devotions, and torchlight processions on one hand, and the popular mountain festival with a festival tent, delicacies, and folk music on the other. Even Baroque sources speak of a mixture of "piety, food, drink, and merriment" – a combination that has preserved the festival over the centuries.
St. John's Bonfire and Festival Days
The festival season opens on the eve of June 24th with the Johannisfeuer Freudenberg (St. John's Bonfire Freudenberg), organized by the Katholische Landjugendbewegung (KLJB) Freudenberg – a traditional solstice bonfire with brass music and catering. This is followed by the actual four-day festival with pilgrimage services, a festival tent, catering, and festival evenings. In years with high visitor numbers, up to 13,000 pilgrims and festival guests are counted on the Johannisberg.
Freudenberg and the Amberg-Sulzbach Region
Freudenberg is located in the Amberg-Sulzbach district in the Middle Upper Palatinate (Bavaria), between Amberg and Vohenstrauß. The Johannisbergfest is one of several well-known pilgrimage festivals in the Amberg-Sulzbach region – an area whose spiritual landscape is characterized by numerous mountain and pilgrimage churches (Mariahilfberg, Habsberg, Eichelberg). The Johannisberg is one of the highest of these pilgrimage mountains and is also a popular excursion destination.
Johannisbergfest — edition 2026
The Johannisbergfest 2026 is listed in the official event calendar of the municipality of Freudenberg for June 21st to 24th, 2026. However, the festival season begins already on Friday, June 19th, 2026, with the St. John's Bonfire of the KLJB Freudenberg – a traditional solstice bonfire with brass music and catering on the approach to the Johannisberg.
From Sunday to Wednesday, pilgrimage and mountain festival will be celebrated on the mountain itself. Festive services in the Johannisbergkirche, an evening torchlight procession, and the feast day of John the Baptist on June 24th form the religious highlights; the festival tent with catering by local clubs, delicacies, and brass music provides the folk festival atmosphere.
On the busiest days, several thousand pilgrims and festival guests are expected on the Johannisberg.
Programme Johannisbergfest 2026
Tentative Schedule
- Fri 19.06. – St. John's Bonfire Freudenberg (KLJB Freudenberg) as the opening of the festival days
- Sun 21.06. – Opening of Johannisbergfest with festive service and festival activities
- Mon 22.06. – Festival tent evening with brass music
- Tue 23.06. – Pilgrim mass, evening torchlight procession
- Wed 24.06. (St. John's Day) – Grand festive service for the feast day of John the Baptist, festival activities on the Johannisberg
Highlights Johannisbergfest 2026
- Over 300 years of tradition – Pilgrimage since 1711
- Festive service on St. John's Day (June 24th) in the Johannisbergkirche
- KLJB Freudenberg's St. John's Bonfire on June 19th as a prelude
- Up to 13,000 visitors in busy years
- Mountain backdrop at 605 meters altitude with views of the Naab Valley
Prices Johannisbergfest 2026
Free admission to pilgrimage masses and the festival grounds. Food and drinks are paid for on site.
Practical information — Johannisbergfest
Getting There
By car: A6 exit Vilseck, then towards Freudenberg. By train: Amberg station, then bus or car to Freudenberg. From the town center, pilgrimage paths lead on foot up to the Johannisberg (approx. 30–45 minutes on foot).
Admission
Free admission to services and the festival grounds. Food and drinks are paid for on site.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Johannisbergfest
Johannisberg (605 m), Johannisbergkirche, Freudenberg
Johannisberg, 92272 Freudenberg