Rakoczy Festival Bad Kissingen
Historic Spectacle in the Spa Town
About Rakoczy Festival
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A Historical Spectacle of European Rank
The Rakoczy Festival is the most traditional and largest folk festival in the town of Bad Kissingen, the famous state spa in the Lower Franconian district of Bad Kissingen in Bavaria. Every year on the last weekend of July, the spa town transforms into a magnificent backdrop of the imperial era: historic costumes, carriages, riders, and costumed extras bring the glamorous past of the world-renowned spa back to life.
The Rakoczy Spring as the Origin
The festival celebrates the rediscovery of the eponymous Rakoczy Spring in 1737. This mineral-rich healing spring founded the rise of Bad Kissingen to a fashionable world spa, where emperors, kings, tsars, and artists from all over Europe took cures in the 19th century. During the festival, numerous extras slip into the roles of these famous historic spa guests and mingle with the visitors.
Festival Ball, Parade, and Fireworks
Highlights include:
- The Rakoczy Festival Ball in the magnificent Regentenbau with historic figures, a festive menu, and dance music
- The grand historic parade on Sunday through the town center and the spa facilities
- The evening Rakoczy Illumination in the Rosengarten
- The grand finale fireworks over the historic spa facilities
Three Days of Festival Culture
In many places in the town – in Luitpoldpark, the Kurgarten, on Rathausplatz, and in the pedestrian zone – concerts, dance performances, interactive activities, and Franconian specialties provide a varied program. The Rakoczy Festival thus combines the historic identity of the spa town with vibrant festival culture, turning the UNESCO World Heritage spa resort into a grand stage for a weekend.
Rakoczy Festival — edition 2026
The Rakoczy Festival 2026 spans the last weekend of July, from July 24 to 26. The opening ceremony on Friday at the Rathausplatz kicks things off, followed by the horsemen's quadrille in Luitpoldpark and the atmospheric Rakoczy Illumination in the Rosengarten. Saturday brings concerts, historic tours of the spa facilities, and lively activity in the town center. On Sunday, the grand historic parade winds through the spa town. The social highlight is the Rakoczy Festival Ball in the Regentenbau with historic figures, a festive menu, and dance music.
Programme Rakoczy Festival 2026
Friday, July 24, 2026
- 7:00 PM: Opening Ceremony at Rathausplatz
- 8:00 PM: Horsemen's Quadrille in Luitpoldpark
- 10:00 PM: Rakoczy Illumination in the Rosengarten
Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Concerts and musical performances in the town center
- Historic tours of the spa facilities
- 2:00 PM: "Colorful Activities" in the town center
- Rakoczy Festival Ball in the Regentenbau (ticket required)
Sunday, July 26, 2026
- Grand historic parade through the spa town
- Grand finale fireworks over the spa facilities
Highlights Rakoczy Festival 2026
- Historic parade with hundreds of costumed participants
- Rakoczy Festival Ball in the Regentenbau
- Rakoczy Illumination in the Rosengarten
- Grand finale fireworks
- Lively portrayal of famous historic spa guests
Prices Rakoczy Festival 2026
The city festival on public squares is free. The Rakoczy Festival Ball in the Regentenbau is subject to a charge; tickets must be purchased in advance (until shortly before the festival). The Rakoczy Shuttle costs €2 per ride, children under 10 ride for free.
Practical information — Rakoczy Festival
Getting There
Bad Kissingen is located in Lower Franconia and is accessible via the A7 motorway (exit Bad Kissingen/Oberthulba) and by train via Bad Kissingen station. During the festival, a Rakoczy Shuttle operates to the surrounding districts (fare €2, children under 10 free).
Admission
The city festival on public squares is free to enter. A ticket is required for the Rakoczy Festival Ball in the Regentenbau (advance booking through the Tourist Information).
Tip
Arrive early for the historic parade on Sunday and the grand finale fireworks – the town center gets very crowded. Tourist Information: Arkadenbau, Kurgarten, 97688 Bad Kissingen.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Rakoczy Festival al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Rakoczy Festival
Innenstadt und Kuranlagen Bad Kissingen