Kreuzbergfest with Pilgrimage Market Pleystein
Traditional pilgrimage market for over 200 years on the Oberpfälzer Kreuzberg
About Kreuzbergfest Pleystein
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Kreuzbergfest Pleystein al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Over 200 Years of Pilgrimage Tradition
The Kreuzberg in Pleystein is a striking hill directly above the old town, whose pilgrimage church St. Kreuz has been attracting pilgrims from the Oberpfälzer Wald and the Bohemian border region for centuries. The Kreuzbergfest with Pilgrimage Market has been celebrated twice a year for over 200 years — on May 3rd (Feast of the Finding of the Cross) and September 14th (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross). The exact dates for 2026 are: Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, and Sunday, September 20th, 2026.
Torchlight Procession on Saturday Evening
The kick-off for the May edition is the torchlight procession on Saturday evening, May 2nd, 2026, at 8:00 PM. Thousands of believers follow the procession with candles and torches through the town up to the Kreuzberg. The procession is accompanied by the Stadtkapelle Pleystein (Pleystein Town Band), flag bearers from local associations, and the parish of St. Sigismund Pleystein. An impressive sea of lights forms in the forest above the town — one of the most atmospheric forms of popular piety in the Oberpfalz.
Sunday — Festive Service on the Open-Air Altar
The main festival day is Sunday. The highlight is the solemn open-air altar service on the Kreuzberg at 9:30 AM, celebrated by the parish of St. Sigismund. Thousands of believers from the entire region participate; seating is limited, so most stand or bring a folding chair. Afterwards, the pilgrimage market takes place at the foot of the Kreuzberg and on Neuehammerstraße: stalls with devotional items (rosaries, holy pictures, religious souvenirs), sweets (gingerbread, pastries, candied almonds), regional specialties, and souvenirs.
Concert and Closing Devotion
At 1:00 PM, the Stadtkapelle Pleystein plays a concert on the market square in front of the historic town hall — a meeting point for believers after the mountain service, for market visitors, and for the entire community. At 2:00 PM, a sermon and sacramental adoration in the Kreuzbergkirche at the top concludes the festival.
Pleystein and the Kreuzberg Panorama
Pleystein, a small town with just under 2,500 inhabitants in the Neustadt an der Waldnaab district, belongs to the northern Oberpfälzer Wald. The Kreuzberg, with its pink rock (Pleystein has the largest rose quartz deposits in Europe), is the town's visual landmark. Visitors to the Kreuzbergfest experience not only an ancient pilgrimage tradition but also one of the lesser-known, most beautiful corners of Bavaria: forests, clear streams, architecture with Bohemian influences, and hospitable people.
Kreuzbergfest Pleystein — edition 2026
The spring edition of the Kreuzbergfest in 2026 falls on the weekend of May 2nd to 3rd. Saturday evening, May 2nd, at 8:00 PM: the traditional torchlight procession through the town and up to the Kreuzberg, accompanied by the Stadtkapelle Pleystein and flag bearers from the associations. Thousands of believers follow the procession with candles and torches.
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026: The day begins at 9:30 AM with the solemn open-air altar service on the Kreuzberg. Afterwards, the pilgrimage market takes place at the foot of the mountain and on Neuehammerstraße with devotional items, regional specialties, and souvenirs (8:00 AM–5:00 PM). At 1:00 PM, a concert by the Stadtkapelle Pleystein is held on the market square. At 2:00 PM, a sermon and sacramental adoration in the Kreuzbergkirche concludes the festival.
The autumn edition follows on Sunday, September 20th, 2026 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross) with the same program structure.
Programme Kreuzbergfest Pleystein 2026
Kreuzbergfest Pleystein Spring Edition — May 2–3, 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Torchlight Procession through the town and up to the Kreuzberg, with the Stadtkapelle Pleystein and flag bearers from local associations
Sunday, May 3, 2026
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM — Pilgrimage Market on Neuehammerstraße and at the foot of the Kreuzberg (devotional items, gingerbread, regional specialties, souvenirs)
- 9:30 AM — Festive Service on the Open-Air Altar on the Kreuzberg, celebrated by the parish of St. Sigismund Pleystein
- 1:00 PM — Concert by the Stadtkapelle Pleystein on the market square in front of the town hall
- 2:00 PM — Sermon and sacramental adoration in the Kreuzbergkirche to conclude the festival
Autumn Edition
- Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Second edition of the Kreuzbergfest with an identical program structure (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross)
Detailed program and current information at pleystein.de or from the parish office St. Sigismund (Tel. +49 9654 234).
Highlights Kreuzbergfest Pleystein 2026
Prices Kreuzbergfest Pleystein 2026
Practical information — Kreuzbergfest Pleystein
Getting There
Pleystein is located in the Oberpfälzer Wald, approx. 50 km east of Weiden i.d.OPf. By car via the A6 (Munich–Prague, Vohenstrauß exit), then via the B14 towards Pleystein. Limited train access: nearest train stations are Weiden or Vohenstrauß, from there by bus or taxi. Parking available in the town center and at the foot of the Kreuzberg.
Admission
Free admission to all events. Food and goods at the pilgrimage market at usual prices. Donations for the parish during the festive service are welcome.
Tips
Bring sturdy footwear for the ascent to the open-air altar — the path to the Kreuzberg is steep. A folding chair or blanket is recommended for the mountain service. Weather-dependent depending on the season (May edition often sunny, September edition sometimes rainy). The torchlight procession on Saturday evening is the most emotionally impressive element — definitely participate.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Kreuzbergfest Pleystein al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Kreuzbergfest Pleystein
Kreuzberg Pleystein und Marktplatz
Neuenhammerstraße 1, 92714 Pleystein