Kirchweih Breitenbrunn (Assumption of Mary)
Old Bavarian Kirchweih on the Patron Saint's Day in the Upper Palatinate
About Kirchweih Breitenbrunn
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Feast of Mary and Village Festival
August 15th is the Assumption of Mary in Catholic Bavaria — a public holiday in communities with a predominantly Catholic population, and at the same time, Breitenbrunn's patron saint's day for its parish church. This dual significance — religious feast day and church patronage — has led to the development of the Breitenbrunn Kirchweih over generations. It combines ecclesiastical and secular customs more closely than most other folk festivals in the state of Bavaria.
Breitenbrunn in the Upper Palatinate
The market town of Breitenbrunn, with around 2,000 inhabitants, is located in the southwestern district of Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate, approximately between Beilngries and Hemau. Its location on the edge of the Franconian Jura and its proximity to the Altmühltal valley make it a touristically interesting area — however, the Kirchweih here is not a tourist festival, but a matter for the locals and guests from the surrounding villages.
Raising the Tree and Feast Day
On the eve of August 15th, the Kirchweih tree is erected in the market square under the guidance of the local youth groups and associations — an old Bavarian tradition that attracts hundreds of spectators to the market square every year. On the feast day itself, the day begins with High Mass in the parish church of the Assumption of Mary, followed by a procession of associations and traditional costume groups to the festival grounds. The Breitenbrunn brass band plays for the morning pint, creating an open-air atmosphere in the market square with bratwurst, beer, and the old Bavarian way of life.
Religious Background
The Assumption of Mary — officially the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven — is one of the highest Marian feasts in the Catholic Church and is particularly deeply rooted in Bavaria. In Breitenbrunn, the feast coincides with the patronage of the parish church, giving the Kirchweih a particularly solemn setting. The blessing of herbs after High Mass — traditionally, blessed bunches of herbs are taken home — is one of the oldest preserved customs of the Marian feast day.
Kirchweih Breitenbrunn — edition 2026
Patron Saint's Day and Kirchweih
From Friday, August 14th, with the raising of the tree, through the main festival day on Saturday, August 15th (Assumption of Mary), to Sunday, August 16th, 2026, Breitenbrunn celebrates its Kirchweih on the patronage day of the parish church. The organizers are the market town of Breitenbrunn and the Catholic parish community of the Assumption of Mary.
Highlights include the traditional raising of the Kirchweih tree in the market square on the eve, the High Mass with blessing of herbs on the feast day, and the subsequent open-air festival with the Breitenbrunn brass band. A detailed program will be published a few weeks before the festival on the website of the market town of Breitenbrunn.
Programme Kirchweih Breitenbrunn 2026
Friday, August 14 — Eve
- Evening: Raising of the tree in the market square under the guidance of the youth groups and associations
- Followed by a convivial evening in the market square with beer and snacks
Saturday, August 15 — Main Festival Day (Assumption of Mary)
- Morning: High Mass in the parish church of the Assumption of Mary with blessing of herbs
- Followed by a procession of associations to the market square
- Morning pint with the Breitenbrunn brass band
- Afternoon and Evening: Open-air event in the market square, catering by the associations
Sunday, August 16 — Festival Conclusion
- Morning pint and festival conclusion
Exact times will be announced by the market town of Breitenbrunn before the festival on tourismus-breitenbrunn.bayern.
Highlights Kirchweih Breitenbrunn 2026
- Raising of the tree on the eve in the market square
- High Mass with blessing of herbs on August 15th
- Breitenbrunn brass band during the morning pint
- Open-air event in the market square with catering by local associations
Prices Kirchweih Breitenbrunn 2026
Free admission to all festival parts. Food and drinks at the association stalls in the market square at usual village festival prices.
Practical information — Kirchweih Breitenbrunn
Getting There
Breitenbrunn is accessible via the B 299 and district roads, about 30 km south of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz. By car from Nuremberg via A 9 and B 299, it takes about an hour. Train station Berching/Sengenthal, then continue by bus.
Admission
Free admission to all festival events. Food and drinks at the stalls at usual village festival prices.
Accommodation
Guesthouses and private accommodations in the market town of Breitenbrunn and the surrounding area, upscale hotel offerings in Beilngries and Berching in the Altmühltal valley.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Kirchweih Breitenbrunn al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Kirchweih Breitenbrunn
Marktplatz Breitenbrunn
Marktplatz, 92363 Breitenbrunn