Kreismusikfest Aubstadt

What is a Kreismusikfest?

Kreismusikfeste (KMF) are highlights of Franconian-Bavarian brass band life. They are organized by the Nordbayerischer Musikbund (NBMB) and awarded in rotation to music associations within a district. The organizing committee – usually the host music association – sets up a large festival tent in their hometown, invites the associations of the district, and combines competition performances for the music bands with festival activities, a parade, and catering. In the Rhön-Grabfeld district (Unterfranken region), the Aubstädter Musikanten will take on this role in 2026.

The Aubstädter Musikanten

The Aubstädter Musikanten e.V. are an established brass band from Aubstadt, a community of just under 800 inhabitants on the border with Thuringia. The association was founded in 1976 and has been part of the NBMB for decades. For the community, hosting a Kreismusikfest is a highlight of the association's year – the entire village helps organize the weekend.

Typical Kreismusikfest Program Schedule

The choreography is largely uniform within the NBMB region:

• Friday: festive opening in the festival tent with a beer tapping ceremony, opening concert by the home band, convivial evening.
• Saturday: during the day, competition performances (or star march) for registered associations; in the evening, festival gala with a major performance by several bands.
• Sunday: festive church service, joint lunch, in the afternoon a grand festival parade with all participating associations through the town, followed by a mass choir / joint performance on the festival grounds.
• Monday (if three days long): festival finale.

In 2026, the Aubstadt Kreismusikfest is scheduled for May 16th and 17th. The date is officially listed in the central music festival list of the NBMB.

What Guests Can Expect

Visitors to the Kreismusikfest will experience a concentrated display of Unterfranken brass band culture: marches, polkas, original Bohemian-Moravian pieces, modern concert literature – depending on the occasion and competition class. The festival tent is traditionally open to everyone, and admission is free – with the exception of individual special concerts. Culinary offerings range from Franconian sausages to hearty delicacies and coffee and cake on Sunday afternoon; beer comes from regional breweries in Unterfranken.

Aubstadt and Rhön-Grabfeld

Aubstadt is located near Bad Königshofen in Grabfeld, a gently rolling landscape between the Rhön and the Main valley. Those who wish to extend their weekend can combine the festival visit with a short tour through the Grabfeld region, the spa town of Bad Königshofen, or the nearby Bavarian Rhön Nature Park.