Name: Kirchseeoner Perchtenlauf 2026
Start: 2026-11-26T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2027-01-06T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Marktplatz Kirchseeon und Ortsteile

Perchtenlauf Kirchseeon

About Perchtenlauf Kirchseeon

The Kirchseeoner Perchtenlauf is one of the most famous Perchtenläufe in Bavaria and has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage since 2024. In the Upper Bavarian market town of Kirchseeon in the Ebersberg district, masked Perchten parade through the districts from Advent until the Great Rauhnacht in early January — with artistically carved masks, cowbell ringing, circle dances, and spoken sayings. The Perchten are considered good luck charms that drive away the spirits of darkness and awaken the new.

Dates 26 Nov — 06 Jan 2027

Venue Kirchseeon (09175)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Perchtenlauf Kirchseeon — edition 2026

The Kirchseeoner Perchtenlauf for the 2026/27 season traditionally runs from Advent (starting around the 1st Advent, approx. end of November 2026) until Perchtennacht on January 5th/6th, 2027. Masked Perchten parade on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the districts of Kirchseeon and Eglharting; the highlight is the Große Rauhnacht with guest groups on the market square in early January. The exact schedule for 2026/27 will be published in autumn 2026 on the website.

The 2026/27 Perchten season follows the established rhythm: starting around the 1st Advent (end of November 2026), parades on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during Advent, and concluding with Perchtennacht on January 5th/6th, 2027.

Around 13 parades lead through the districts of Kirchseeon (Dorf, Süd, Nord, Moos, Markt, Spannleitenberg) and Eglharting, as well as surrounding villages. The highlight is the Große Rauhnacht with guest groups on Kirchseeon market square in early January. The exact schedule for 2026/27 will be published in autumn 2026 on the website.

Highlights Perchtenlauf Kirchseeon 2026

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bavaria (since 2024)
Hand-carved Perchten masks and costumes
Circle dances, cowbell ringing, and spoken sayings
Große Rauhnacht with guest groups on the market square
Figures such as Klaubauf, Holzmandl, and Frau Percht

Programme Perchtenlauf Kirchseeon 2026

Typical Course of a Season

End of November — Opening parade around the 1st Advent
Advent Season — Parades on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the districts of Kirchseeon and Eglharting
Early January — Große Rauhnacht with guest groups on Kirchseeon market square
January 5th/6th — Perchtennacht to conclude the season

Prices Perchtenlauf Kirchseeon 2026

Watching the Perchtenläufe is free of charge.

Practical information

Practical information — Perchtenlauf Kirchseeon

Getting There

Kirchseeon is located in the Ebersberg district east of Munich and is accessible by S-Bahn (line S6, Kirchseeon station) and via the A94/B304. The parades take place in the districts and on the market square; the exact schedule is published on the website.

Admission

Watching the Perchtenläufe is free of charge.

Period

Advent season until Perchtennacht (January 5th/6th), parades on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Living Customs in the Ebersberg District

The Kirchseeoner Perchtenlauf is one of the most traditional and well-known Perchtenläufe in Bavaria. The setting is the Upper Bavarian market town of Kirchseeon in the Ebersberg district. In 2024, the custom was added to the directory of intangible cultural heritage by the German Commission for UNESCO as part of Bavarian cultural heritage.

The Perchten and Their Masks

The procession consists of characteristic figures: musicians, Klaubauf, Holzmandl, Schnadernschlenzernde, and the double-faced Frau Percht. The hand-carved masks and costumes are regularly maintained, repaired, or newly made. The Perchten are considered good luck charms that symbolically banish the spirits of darkness and awaken the spirits of new beginnings — without violence, with circle dances, cowbell ringing, and spoken sayings.

Course of the Season

The Perchten parade on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays during Advent, as well as on Perchtennacht (January 5th to 6th), through the districts of Kirchseeon (Dorf, Süd, Nord, Moos, Markt, Spannleitenberg) and Eglharting, as well as surrounding villages. The highlight is the Große Rauhnacht with guest groups on Kirchseeon market square in early January.

Sponsorship

The custom is upheld by the Perschten-Stiftung Kirchseeon, which cultivates knowledge of dances, sayings, and the mask carving art year-round and passes it on to new participants. The history of the custom is conveyed museally in the Maskeum Kirchseeon. The Perchtenlauf is one of the most defining winter traditions in the state of Bavaria.