Pilsting Pentecost Volksfest

Pentecost in the Vils Valley — when TSV Pilsting opens the festival grounds

The Pentecost Volksfest is not an anonymous major event in Pilsting, but a club affair with a long tradition. TSV Pilsting e.V. 1888 — the gymnastics and sports club founded in 1888 — has been the organizer of the festival for decades and involves the entire market community around Pentecost.

Opening on Whit Friday — Opening Concert and Tapping Ceremony

The traditional opening in Pilsting is the opening on Whit Friday. In 2026, the festival opens on Friday, May 22nd. On the festival grounds, a stand concert by the local brass band begins at 4:45 PM. Afterwards, the festival stage takes over with the first dance evening, traditionally with a party band — in 2026, this includes a performance by Frontal Party Pur.

Program Structure Over Five Days

As with most Lower Bavarian Volksfests, the Pilsting Pentecost Volksfest follows a proven schedule:

• Whit Friday — Opening concert, beer tapping, dance evening in the festival tent
• Whit Saturday — Family afternoon with reduced prices on rides, dance music in the evening
• Whit Sunday — Festival service, morning pint, continuous festival operation
• Whit Monday — Volksfest parade of the clubs, children's afternoon, evening festival operation
• Whit Tuesday — Traditional closing day (Kehraus)

The Volksfest parade on Whit Monday starting at 5:00 PM is one of the highlights: the Pilsting clubs — from the fruit and gardening association to the fire department and the youth group of TSV — march through the town with music bands and festival floats to the festival grounds.

Pilsting in the Dingolfing-Landau District

The market town of Pilsting is located in the Lower Bavarian district of Dingolfing-Landau, nestled between the Vils valley and the Isar floodplain. The state of Bavaria traditionally celebrates Pentecost with numerous Volksfests — Pilsting joins a chain of Lower Bavarian Pentecost festivals that are considered the season opener of the Bavarian Volksfest calendar. While the larger sister festivals in Straubing or Landshut attract hundreds of thousands, Pilsting retains its club-driven village character.

Delicacies and Beer

In the festival tent, you'll find classic Bavarian delicacies: grilled sausages, chicken, spare ribs, as well as pretzels and Schmalznudeln (a type of fried dough pastry). Beer is served in liter steins, along with non-alcoholic drinks and, upon request, cocktails. Outside the tent, carousels, shooting galleries, candy stalls, and snack stands with Lower Bavarian specialties invite you to stroll.