Name: Pilgrimage Festival Maria Schnee Aufhausen 2026
Start: 2026-08-02T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-02T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Wallfahrtskirche Maria Schnee Aufhausen

Maria Schnee Aufhausen

About Maria Schnee Aufhausen

The Maria Schnee pilgrimage festival in Aufhausen celebrates the patronal feast of the baroque pilgrimage church in the district of Regensburg on the first Sunday in August. The tradition dates back to 1668, when parish vicar Johann Georg Seidenbusch set up a copy of the Roman Marian shrine of Maria Schnee in Aufhausen, thus founding the pilgrimage. The highlight of the festival, weather permitting, is a festive evening mass on the large church square followed by a candlelight procession through the parish village. The pilgrimage is now looked after by the Spiritual Family of the Holy Blood.

Dates 02 Aug — 02 Aug 2026

Venue Aufhausen (09375)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Maria Schnee Aufhausen — edition 2026

The Maria Schnee pilgrimage festival 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, in Aufhausen – the first Sunday in August. The highlight is the solemn consecration to Mary and, weather permitting, the evening mass on the church square followed by a candlelight procession through the parish village. During the renovation of the pilgrimage church, masses will be held in the parish church of St. Bartholomew.

In 2026, the first Sunday in August falls on August 2nd – on this day, the patronal feast of the Maria Schnee pilgrimage church is celebrated in Aufhausen. The actual Maria Schnee feast in the liturgical calendar is on August 5th (a Wednesday in 2026), but it is traditionally moved to the first Sunday in Aufhausen so that as many pilgrims as possible can attend.

Due to the ongoing renovation work, services in 2026 are expected to still take place in the parish church of St. Bartholomew. If the weather is dry, a festive evening mass on the large church square followed by a candlelight procession is planned.

Highlights Maria Schnee Aufhausen 2026

Renewal of the consecration to Mary on the patronal feast day
Candlelight procession through the parish village in the evening
Shrine from 1668, a copy from Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome
Spiritual guidance by the Spiritual Family of the Holy Blood
Free admission, pilgrim catering at the parish rectory

Programme Maria Schnee Aufhausen 2026

Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 — Planned Schedule

Morning — Festive pilgrim masses in the parish church of St. Bartholomew (Aufhausen) with renewal of the consecration to Mary
Afternoon — Opportunity for silent adoration and confession
Evening — Solemn evening mass on the large church square (weather permitting)
Following — Candlelight procession with candles through the parish village of Aufhausen
Conclusion with Marian songs and blessing

The exact timetable will be announced before the festival day via the Aufhausen parish (Tel. 09454 / 94 90 53-11) and the Diocese of Regensburg.

Prices Maria Schnee Aufhausen 2026

Admission to the pilgrimage and procession is free. Donations for the maintenance of the pilgrimage church during the renovation are welcome.

Practical information

Practical information — Maria Schnee Aufhausen

Getting There

Aufhausen is located about 25 km southeast of Regensburg in the district of Regensburg. By car, take the A3 (exit Regensburg-Süd) and the St2660 towards Pfatter/Aufhausen. Free parking is available around the church.

Parish Office

Hofmark 6, 93089 Aufhausen. Phone 09454 / 94 90 53-11. Office hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 AM–12:00 PM.

Current Notice (Renovation)

The Maria Schnee pilgrimage church is undergoing extensive renovation until approximately 2027/2028. Until completion, masses are held in the parish church of St. Bartholomew. Current program information is available from the parish office or the parish website.

A Pilgrimage Site Since 1668

Aufhausen, a small municipality in the southern district of Regensburg, has been one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in the Upper Palatinate for over 350 years. The history begins in 1668 with parish vicar Johann Georg Seidenbusch (1641–1729), who had been given a statue of the Mother of God during his studies in Munich – a replica of the famous Roman shrine Maria ad Nives from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Seidenbusch placed the image in a small wooden chapel, thus founding the pilgrimage to Aufhausen.

The Patronal Festival on the First Sunday in August

The patronal feast of the pilgrimage church falls on August 5th, the feast of Maria Schnee (Latin Dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Nives). Since the main festival in the Aufhausen parish community is celebrated on Sunday, the pilgrimage festival takes place every year on the first Sunday in August. The solemn consecration to Mary is renewed for this festival – a tradition deeply rooted in the parish.

Candlelight Procession Through the Parish Village

Weather permitting, a festive mass takes place on the large church square in the evening. This is followed by a candlelight procession through the parish village: hundreds of pilgrims and parishioners accompany the shrine with candles through the night streets of Aufhausen. The procession is one of the most impressive Marian processions in the Upper Palatinate.

The Baroque Pilgrimage Church by Johann Michael Fischer

The current pilgrimage church is a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo. It was designed by architect Johann Michael Fischer; the foundation stone was laid on June 12, 1736, the shell was completed in 1740, the consecration took place in 1751, and the tower was finished in 1761. The octagonal interior, measuring 35 × 22 meters, houses the original shrine on the high altar and ceiling frescoes by Franz Joseph Zitter. The church is currently undergoing extensive renovation (funded by over 3.1 million euros from the compensation fund); masses are held in the parish church of St. Bartholomew until the planned completion in 2027/2028.

Host: Spiritual Family of the Holy Blood

The pilgrimage is now pastorally cared for by the Spiritual Family of the Holy Blood, a church-recognized spiritual community focused on Eucharistic and Marian spirituality. Pilgrimages, Saturdays of Atonement for the Heart of Mary, and spiritual retreats take place throughout the year.