Kipfenberg Limes Festival
Four days of Volksfest at the UNESCO World Heritage Limes with Romans and Germans
About Limesfest Kipfenberg
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Volksfest at the UNESCO World Heritage Site
2,000 years ago, the border of the Roman Empire ran right through present-day Kipfenberg: the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005. Today, once a year, the market town of Kipfenberg brings this past to life for four days. At the Kipfenberg Limes Festival, taking place from August 14th to 17th, 2026, Roman legionaries march across the market square, Germanic warriors meet historical groups from all over Germany and Europe, and thousands of visitors experience a Volksfest and history at the same time.
The Limes Queen on the Roman Chariot
The heart of the festival is the Limes Queen, who is re-elected every two years and serves as the official representative of the festival on all days. She introduces herself to the public in the market square during the opening march on Friday evening; during the grand parade on Sunday afternoon, she rides in style on a Roman chariot. Over 30 historical groups from Germany, Austria, and Italy accompany her through Kipfenberg.
Four Festival Days between History and Volksfest
The Limes Festival combines two aspects: during the day, the historical program with camps, demonstrations, crafts, and markets; in the evening, the classic Bavarian festival tent atmosphere with brass music, beer benches, and culinary catering. The market square in the historic town center becomes the main stage, while the festival grounds host the tent and catering. Family-friendly concept, admission to the entire festival area is free.
Kipfenberg – the Heart of the Bavarian Limes
Kipfenberg (Lkr Eichstätt) is located in the middle of the Altmühl Valley Nature Park, where the Limes bends from the Altmühl Valley towards the Danube. Kipfenberg Castle, housing the Roman and Bavarian Museum, towers over the town, uniquely connecting the two eras: the last Romans of the 5th century and the first Bavarians. The Limes Festival stages this historical narrative every year and is one of Bavaria's most important historical events.
Limesfest Kipfenberg — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Kipfenberg Limes Festival begins on Friday, August 14th at 6 PM in the market square with the ceremonial march of the Romans and Germans, the presentation of the Limes Queen, and the beer tapping by the mayor. This officially opens the festival tent – four days of program with brass music, historical catering, and demonstrations.
The highlight is traditionally Sunday afternoon: starting at 2 PM, the festival takes visitors on a journey back to Roman and medieval times, and from 3 PM, the grand historical parade winds through the town center. Over 30 groups from Germany, Austria, and Italy participate – legionaries, Germans, medieval groups, Bavarians, crowned by the Limes Queen on a Roman chariot.
Programme Limesfest Kipfenberg 2026
Program Kipfenberg Limes Festival 2026
- Friday, August 14, 2026 – Opening (from 6:00 PM)
- March of the Romans and Germans in the market square
- Presentation of the new Limes Queen 2026
- Beer tapping by the mayor
- Festival tent program with brass music
- Saturday, August 15, 2026 – Geißbrunnen Frühschoppen
- 10:30 AM — Traditional morning pint at Geißbrunnen, sale of Limes glasses
- Historical camps open, demonstrations, markets
- Evening festival tent program with live music
- Sunday, August 16, 2026 – Historical Parade
- 2:00 PM — Start of the journey into Roman and medieval times
- 3:00 PM — Grand Parade with over 30 historical groups from Germany, Austria, and Italy; the Limes Queen on a Roman chariot
- Followed by a long festival evening in the tent
- Monday, August 17, 2026 – Winding Down
- Family day, children's program
- Last historical demonstrations
- Winding down in the festival tent with Bavarian brass music
Detailed program and list of participating historical groups: kipfenberg.de/limesfest.
Highlights Limesfest Kipfenberg 2026
- March of the Romans and Germans on Friday evening
- Presentation of the new Limes Queen
- Grand historical parade on Sunday afternoon with 30+ groups
- Morning pint at Geißbrunnen with Limes glasses (collector's items)
- Festival tent program with brass music on all four days
- Living history at the UNESCO World Heritage Limes
Prices Limesfest Kipfenberg 2026
Free admission to the entire festival grounds and the festival tent. Food and drinks at festival tent prices. Collector's items like the official Limes glass are available during the Geißbrunnen morning pint on Saturday.
Practical information — Limesfest Kipfenberg
Getting Here
By car: A9 exit Altmannstein or Denkendorf, then B299 into the Altmühl Valley. By train: Kinding-Pfraundorf station on the Altmühl Valley Railway, from there a short bus or taxi ride to Kipfenberg.
Admission
Festival grounds in the market square and the festival tent are freely accessible.
Accommodation
Guesthouses and small hotels in Kipfenberg and the surrounding area. Camping and parking facilities in the Altmühl Valley. Book early due to the festival.
Contact
Market Kipfenberg, Tel. +49 8465 9410-0, Info hotline +49 8465 941040, kipfenberg.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Limesfest Kipfenberg al mejor precio.
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