Riedenburg Volksfest

76 Years of Riedenburg Volksfest

The Riedenburg Volksfest looks back on a remarkably long history. The first festival took place on the former Volksfest meadow as early as 1950; over the years, various attractions were added – a pig market in 1952, a bike race in 1953, an ox race in 1959. Today, the festival has focused on a modern folk festival format without losing its village character. The 76th edition will be celebrated in 2026.

Riedenburg in the Altmühltal Nature Park

Riedenburg is a small town with around 6,000 inhabitants in the Kelheim district in Lower Bavaria, picturesquely located in the Altmühltal Nature Park. The town is known as the "Three-Castle Town" – because of its three castles Rosenburg, Rabenstein, and Tachenstein, which shape the cityscape. This is also the origin of the folk festival queen's name: the Drei-Burgen-Königin (Three-Castle Queen).

Three-Castle Queen – Since 1970

Since 1970, a new Three-Castle Queen has been elected every year during the Volksfest – a ritual that will take place for the 54th time in 2026. The crown and scepter are traditionally handed over from the reigning queen to her successor on the festival Friday – a ceremonial and social highlight of the festival.

Riedenburg Breweries as Festival Hosts

The festival beer comes from the Riedenburg Krieger brewery – one of the three Riedenburg breweries (alongside Brauhaus Riedenburg and formerly Brauerei Riemhofer, now merged). The Krieger brewery supplies the festival beer and is responsible for catering in the festival tent.

Program Structure – Five Days of Festival Tent Operation

A classic Lower Bavarian folk festival program unfolds over five days:

• Friday: Festival opening with beer tapping, followed by the ceremonial crowning/handover of the Three-Castle Queen.
• Saturday: Full festival tent program; Schafkopf tournament from 3:00 PM with cash and non-cash prizes.
• Sunday: Festival service, morning pint with a brass band, lunch with Lower Bavarian festival cuisine.
• Monday: Family day and a quieter program.
• Tuesday: Festival finale with a live band and closing party.

Brass Bands and Show Bands in the Festival Tent

A special feature of the Riedenburg Volksfest: every evening, traditional brass bands or modern show bands create the atmosphere in the festival tent. The festival thus combines the preservation of customs (brass music, Maypole costumes, traditional attire) with a modern festival tent character (show, dancing, party). The band lineup for each edition is published by the City of Riedenburg and the Krieger brewery.

Special Tent for Wine Lovers

In recent editions, a wine tent has been added as a special zone – featuring Franconian and Bavarian wines. The Volksfest thus responds to the growing demand for wine alternatives to traditional festival beer.

In the Lower Bavarian Folk Festival Calendar

The Riedenburg Volksfest fits into the dense Lower Bavarian folk festival calendar – with the nearby Gillamoos (Abensberg), Kelheim Volksfest, and the Straubing Gäubodenvolksfest as regional giants. Riedenburg's charm: smaller, more intimate, and neighborly – but unique with the Three-Castle Queen and the Schafkopf tradition.