Laufer Kunigundenfest
Historic school and folk festival with over 500 years of tradition – Bavarian Intangible Cultural Heritage
About Kunigundenfest Lauf
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One of Bavaria's Oldest School Festivals
The Kunigundenfest in Lauf an der Pegnitz, the district town of Nürnberger Land in Middle Franconia, Bavaria, is one of the oldest and most unique festivals in Franconia. It dates back to the consecration of the St. Kunigunde Chapel on Kunigundenberg and is celebrated today at the beginning of July with great solemnity and equal joy. The festival has been established in its current, scholastic form since 1807; in 2026, the 219th edition will take place.
The Motto "On the Trail of Happiness"
Each year, the Kunigundenfest has its own theme. In 2026, it is under the motto "On the Trail of Happiness". The participating primary school – a Lauf primary school that rotates annually (in 2025, it was GS Heuchling) – stages a festival play about happiness, modern technology, and children's worlds. The pupils wear historical costumes and spend weeks rehearsing round dances, flag throwing, and spoken parts.
Processions from Wenzelschloss to Kunigundenberg
The highlights are the processions on Sunday and Monday, each starting at 1:30 PM. From the historic Wenzelschloss – a medieval moated castle on an island in the Pegnitz river – the children march via Altdorfer Strasse, Wasserbrücke, Marktplatz, Simonshofer Strasse, Urlasstrasse, and Kunigundenstrasse up to Kunigundenberg. On the Reigenplatz, the Prologue of Empress Kunigunde, the address by the First Mayor, the Weisser Reigen (White Round Dance), the Fahnenreigen (Flag Round Dance), and the actual festival play follow.
Folk Festival on Heldenwiese
Parallel to the historical program, Heldenwiese is transformed into a classic festival ground with a festival tent, carousels, shooting galleries, amusement rides, and Franconian festival culture. Here, families, clubs, and groups of friends celebrate the Kunigundenfest as a down-to-earth folk festival – with beer from the local brewery, sausages, fish on a stick, and gingerbread hearts.
Empress Kunigunde – The Namesake
The festival owes its name to Empress Kunigunde of Luxembourg, the wife of Emperor Henry II, who was canonized in 1200 and is particularly venerated in Franconia. The chapel on Kunigundenberg was consecrated to her, and her image adorns the processional banners. Thus, the Kunigundenfest is also a piece of lived Franconian piety – but also, in the 21st century, primarily a school and town festival.
Bavarian Intangible Cultural Heritage
Since 2024, the Laufer Kunigundenfest has officially been designated Bavarian Intangible Cultural Heritage – an award from the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and Heimat. It joins a small list of Franconian-Bavarian festival traditions considered particularly worthy of cultural-historical protection.
Kunigundenfest Lauf — edition 2026
Kunigundenfest 2026 – "On the Trail of Happiness"
The 219th edition of the Laufer Kunigundenfest takes place from July 3rd to 7th, 2026. The rotating primary school – the exact school will be announced on lauf.de – stages the festival play for the motto "On the Trail of Happiness", which deals with the concept of happiness in today's world and in the context of modern technologies.
Processions to Kunigundenberg
The highlights are the processions on Sunday, July 5th, and Monday, July 6th, 2026, both at 1:30 PM. The pupils march in historical costumes from Wenzelschloss through the old town to Kunigundenberg, where the festival play, the White Round Dance, and the Flag Round Dance are performed.
Folk Festival on Heldenwiese
Parallel to the historical program, a classic Franconian folk festival with a festival tent, amusement rides, and stalls takes place on Heldenwiese. Festival beer, sausages, and fish on a stick are part of the culinary program.
Programme Kunigundenfest Lauf 2026
Friday, July 3rd, 2026
- Opening of the folk festival on Heldenwiese with beer tapping
- Festival tent operation in the evening
Saturday, July 4th, 2026
- Folk festival operation on Heldenwiese (amusement rides, festival tent, family afternoon)
- Program in the festival tent in the evening
Sunday, July 5th, 2026 – Procession I
- 1:30 PM: Assembly of school procession Luitpoldstrasse
- Route: Altdorfer Strasse – Wasserbrücke – Marktplatz – Simonshofer Strasse – Urlasstrasse – Kunigundenstrasse – Kunigundenberg
- On Reigenplatz: Prologue of Empress Kunigunde, Address of the First Mayor, Festival Play, White Round Dance, Flag Round Dance
- Folk festival operation on Heldenwiese
Monday, July 6th, 2026 – Procession II
- 1:30 PM: Repeat of the procession and performances on Kunigundenberg
- Folk festival operation on Heldenwiese
Tuesday, July 7th, 2026
- Last day of the folk festival with closing program in the festival tent
- Family day with reduced prices on amusement rides
Venues
- Wenzelschloss – Starting point of the procession
- Lauf Old Town – Procession route
- Kunigundenberg / Reigenplatz – Festival play and round dances
- Heldenwiese – Folk festival, festival tent, amusement rides
Highlights Kunigundenfest Lauf 2026
Prices Kunigundenfest Lauf 2026
Practical information — Kunigundenfest Lauf
Getting There
Take the S-Bahn (S1) from Nürnberg Hbf for approx. 20 mins to Lauf left Pegnitz, then a 5-min walk to the old town. By car via the A9 (exit Lauf/Hersbruck) or the B14. Parking available around Heldenwiese.
Admission
Entry to the procession, festival plays on Kunigundenberg, and the festival grounds is free. Food and drinks in the festival tent and at the stalls are at your own expense. Grandstand seats for the performances can be reserved via [email protected].
Program Schedule
Processions on Sunday, July 5th, and Monday, July 6th, 2026, both at 1:30 PM starting from Luitpoldstrasse. Folk festival on Heldenwiese from July 3rd to 7th (exact opening hours see lauf.de).
Organizer
City of Lauf an der Pegnitz, Culture and Tourism Office. Information at lauf.de/kunigundenfest.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Kunigundenfest Lauf al mejor precio.
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