Plauer Burghoffest

The Summer Festival of Plau's Associations

While the Burgfestspiele Plau am See (Castle Theatre Festival) fill the summer evenings in the castle courtyard with theatre and musicals, one of these summer afternoons traditionally belongs to the town's associations: the Plauer Burghoffest, organized by the Heimatverein Plau am See e.V. (Local Heritage Association). Unlike the professional festival plays, the Burghoffest is a folk festival – free entry (donations welcome), program organized by the association, catering by volunteers, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Program Between Salutes and Sea Shanties

The festival traditionally starts at midday with a salute from the Plau Marksmen's Guild, followed by a performance from the Plau Fanfare Band. Throughout the afternoon, the Plau Sea Shanty Choir, local dance groups, and solo artists perform. A recurring program item is a ventriloquist show, and occasionally a Roland Kaiser tribute act, which creates a lively atmosphere. For children, there's face painting, a throwing game, and free entry to the adjacent Plau Museum.

Regional Culinary Delights

Catering is provided by Plau associations and restaurateurs: Bratwurst (sausage), pea soup, soft-serve ice cream, fresh waffles, homemade cakes, and sweets. Accompanied by draft beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Prices are kept affordable, with proceeds supporting the association's work and the heritage association's town history projects.

Plau and its Heritage Association

The Heimatverein Plau am See manages the museum at Burgplatz and is dedicated to preserving Plau's town history. The Burghoffest is its most important event of the year and also a venue where the small town's association landscape is showcased: marksmen, athletes, singers, dancers, museum staff. If you want to get to know Plau beyond the tourist facade – the Plau of the locals – this is the place to be.

In the Context of Plau's Summer Events

Plau am See in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district is a vibrant small town on the lake during the summer: the Castle Theatre Festival, Plau Summer of Music in St. Marien Church, harbor festivals, beach festivals, and the Quetzin beach festival follow one after another. The Burghoffest fits in as the most popular of these summer offerings – an open-air event in the historic castle courtyard, held on a summer weekend, with free admission.