Name: Perlesreuter Schmalzlerfest 2026
Start: 2026-07-17T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Sportplatz Perlesreut

Schmalzlerfest Perlesreut

About Schmalzlerfest Perlesreut

The Perlesreuter Schmalzlerfest is one of the most traditional local festivals in the Bavarian Forest. Every year on the third weekend in July, SV Perlesreut transforms the sports field into a lively festival mile for four days with a festival tent, brass music, and party bands. The highlight is the big 'Wettschnupfen' (snuff competition) on Sunday — a snuff tobacco competition that celebrates Perlesreut's history as a stronghold of 'Schmalzler' (a type of snuff tobacco) and attracts participants from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. With a parade, Weißbier Frühschoppen (a traditional Bavarian beer morning gathering), children's and seniors' afternoon, and a grand raffle, the festival is firmly anchored in the life of the market town in the Freyung-Grafenau district.

Dates 17 Jul — 20 Jul 2026

Venue Perlesreut (09272)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Schmalzlerfest Perlesreut — edition 2026

The 2026 Perlesreuter Schmalzlerfest is the 52nd edition and takes place from Friday, July 17, to Monday, July 20, at the Perlesreut sports field. Four days of festival tent, brass music, and party bands, with the big 'Wettschnupfen' (snuff competition) on Sunday as the highlight. The date follows the fixed rhythm of the third weekend in July (51st edition 2025: July 18–21).

The Schmalzlerfest follows a fixed rhythm: the third weekend in July, Friday to Monday. After the 51st edition in 2025 (July 18–21), the 52nd edition in 2026 is scheduled for July 17 to 20. The venue is, as always, the Perlesreut sports field.

The festival kicks off on Friday with a parade, followed by brass music in the festival tent. Saturday brings party and mood music, Sunday features the Weißbier Frühschoppen, the big 'Wettschnupfen', and a Bavarian evening with a raffle. Monday concludes with a children's parade, a children's and seniors' afternoon, and the day of the businesses.

Highlights Schmalzlerfest Perlesreut 2026

Opening parade, brass music and party bands, Weißbier Frühschoppen, the big 'Wettschnupfen' on Sunday, Bavarian evening with grand raffle.

Programme Schmalzlerfest Perlesreut 2026

Schmalzlerfest 2026 Program

Friday, July 17

6:00 PM — Festive parade, followed by brass music in the festival tent

Saturday, July 18

from 4:00 PM — Festival operations; from 8:00 PM party music

Sunday, July 19

10:00 AM — Weißbier Frühschoppen
afternoon — Big 'Wettschnupfen' ('Snuff as long as your nose holds out!')
evening — Bavarian evening with grand raffle

Monday, July 20

2:30 PM — Children's parade
Children's and seniors' afternoon, day of the businesses

Program: sv-perlesreut.de.

Prices Schmalzlerfest Perlesreut 2026

Free admission to the festival grounds. Food and drinks available in the festival tent on site. Registration for the 'Wettschnupfen' on site.

Practical information

Practical information — Schmalzlerfest Perlesreut

Getting There

Perlesreut is located on the B 533 between Passau and Freyung. By car via the A 3 (exit Aicha vorm Wald) and then continue on the B 533. The festival grounds are the Perlesreut sports field.

Admission

Free admission to the festival grounds. Food and drinks available in the festival tent on site. Registration for the 'Wettschnupfen' on site.

Contact

Tourist Information Perlesreut-Fürsteneck, Tel. +49 8555 961910, [email protected]. Organizer: SV Perlesreut.

Local Festival with Lower Bavarian Tradition

The Perlesreuter Schmalzlerfest is a fixture in the Bavarian Forest event calendar. For four days — from Friday to Monday — the Perlesreut sports field becomes the center of the market town. A festival tent, brass music, party bands, and a rich program of customs make the festival the social highlight of the summer.

What is a Schmalzlerfest?

The name refers to 'Schmalzler', a special snuff tobacco closely associated with the region. Perlesreut was historically a center for the production and consumption of this tobacco. The festival keeps this tradition alive — most visibly in the big 'Wettschnupfen' on Sunday.

The Big Wettschnupfen (Snuff Competition)

The highlight of the festival is the snuff tobacco competition on Sunday under the motto 'Snuff as long as your nose holds out!'. Whether passionate snuffers or newcomers — everyone is welcome to compete. Participants come from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria; guests have also participated with surprising results.

Four-Day Program

The festival kicks off on Friday with a festive parade followed by brass music. Saturday is dedicated to party and mood music, Sunday begins with the Weißbier Frühschoppen and culminates in the 'Wettschnupfen' and a Bavarian evening with a grand raffle. Monday is the children's and seniors' afternoon with a children's parade and the day of the businesses.

Perlesreut — Market Town in the Bavarian Forest

Perlesreut is a market town in the Freyung-Grafenau district in the state of Bavaria, in the heart of the Bavarian Forest. With over 600 members, SV Perlesreut is the largest club in the municipality and organizes the festival on a voluntary basis — a prime example of community spirit in rural Lower Bavaria.