Pentecost Volksfest Neustadt an der Donau

Tradition at the Danube Knee

The Pentecost Volksfest Neustadt an der Donau is a fixture in the Lower Bavarian folk festival calendar. It takes place every year around Pentecost – usually for four days from Pentecost Friday to Pentecost Monday. The annual event on the Volksfestplatz on the edge of the town center attracts visitors from all over the Hallertau region, the Danube Knee, and the surrounding districts of Kelheim, Pfaffenhofen, and Eichstätt.

Beer Tapping and Grenzstoarucka

The traditional opening on Pentecost Friday is the Bieranstich (beer tapping): after a procession by the festival band Grenzstoarucka through the town center, the First Mayor taps the first barrel of freshly brewed festival beer in the festival tent around 7 p.m. Afterwards, cover bands and party musicians take over the program, ensuring a lively atmosphere in the packed festival hall until late at night.

Program Structure

The festival program follows a proven pattern: Friday is the festive opening with tapping and live music, Saturday is Family Day with an afternoon for seniors and discounted ride prices for children, Sunday features a morning pint concert by a regional brass band and an evening show, and Monday includes a festive church service in the beer tent and a relaxed conclusion. The grounds around the beer tent feature classic amusement rides, from the Ferris wheel and bumper cars to roller coasters, chain swings, and children's rides, as well as shooting galleries.

Shuttle Bus and Free Parking

A special feature of the festival is the well-developed shuttle bus network: on Friday and Saturday evenings, buses run to the districts of Neustadt and the neighboring municipalities of Siegenburg, Abensberg, Münchsmünster, and Pförring – day ticket €5. Parking is available free of charge around the festival grounds, including in supermarket parking lots about 700 meters away, as well as at schools and along the town wall.

A Danube Town in Festive Attire

Neustadt an der Donau has around 13,000 inhabitants and is located between Regensburg and Ingolstadt on the Danube Knee, below the Hall of Liberation in Kelheim. The 'Große Kreisstadt' (major district town) is home to the famous spa town of Bad Gögging with its Roman roots. The Pentecost Volksfest is considered the most important folk festival date for the town – alongside the also popular Stadtfest (town festival) in July.