Name: Schaumburgfest Schalkau 2026
Start: 2026-06-12T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-14T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Ruine Schaumburg

Schaumburgfest

About Schaumburgfest

The Schaumburgfest is a traditional medieval market held on the ruins of Schaumburg castle in Schalkau (Sonneberg district, Thuringia). The organizer is the Schaumburg-Verein Schalkau e.V., which has been caring for the castle ruins for decades. Three days of medieval life with knight camps, minstrels, dance, jester troupes, and a rich market — against the unique backdrop of one of Thuringia's oldest hilltop castles. 2026: June 12–14.

Dates 12 Jun — 14 Jun 2026

Venue Schalkau (16072)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Schaumburgfest — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 2026 Schaumburgfest runs from June 12 to 14 at the Schaumburg castle ruins. Friday evening opening with minstrels Vogelfrei and Mollfolk and a minstrel competition. Saturday features a grand procession, knight camps, jesters from Schabernackrakeel, dancers from Varisha, and the Schalkau school choir. Sunday begins with a church service on the upper castle, with the program continuing until 6 p.m. and concluding with a tavern play.

The 2026 festival continues the traditional three-day format. Friday, June 12: Market opens in the evening, with minstrels Vogelfrei and Mollfolk providing the musical kickoff. A minstrel competition is part of the program.

Saturday, June 13: The castle gate opens to the public at 1 p.m. Knights and traveling folk set up a large camp at the foot of the ruins, artisans showcase their skills, and merchants offer their wares. Music and show acts include: Vogelfrei, Waldträne, Schabernackrakeel, Varisha, and the Schalkau school choir. Knight games take place in the camp before all camp groups participate in the grand procession.

Sunday, June 14: The day begins with a church service on the upper castle. The program runs until shortly before 6 p.m., after which a tavern play concludes the spectacle.

Highlights Schaumburgfest 2026

Minstrels Vogelfrei, Mollfolk, Waldträne
Schabernackrakeel — Jester Troupe
Varisha — Dancers
Grand Procession of all Camp Groups on Saturday
Tavern Play to conclude on Sunday

Programme Schaumburgfest 2026

Friday, June 12, 2026 — Opening Evening

Market opening in the evening
Vogelfrei — Minstrels (Music and Dance)
Mollfolk — Minstrels
Minstrel Competition

Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Main Festival Day

From 1:00 PM — Castle gate opens to the public
Large camp of traveling folk at the foot of the ruins
Vogelfrei and Waldträne — Music
Schabernackrakeel — Jester Troupe
Varisha — Dancers
Schalkau School Choir
Knight Games in the Camp
Grand Procession of all Camp Groups

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Morning church service on the upper castle
Market activities until shortly before 6:00 PM
Conclusion: Tavern Play — A short comedy in the castle courtyard

Detailed program and tickets: schaumburgverein-schalkau.de.

Prices Schaumburgfest 2026

Tickets are available from the organizers and at the box office. Reduced admission for visitors in medieval costume.

Practical information

Practical information — Schaumburgfest

Getting There

By car via the A73 (Eisfeld-Süd exit) or the B89 from Sonneberg. Sonneberg-Schalkau train station with a bus to the castle. The final ascent is on foot via the Burgweg (castle path).

Admission

Tickets are available from the Schaumburg-Verein and at the box office on-site. Reduced admission for those in costume.

Tip

Wear sturdy footwear — the ascent to the castle involves unpaved paths. The camp life is particularly atmospheric in the late evening.

Schaumburg Castle above Schalkau

Schaumburg Castle, perched high above the small town of Schalkau in the southern Thuringian district of Sonneberg, is a medieval hilltop castle ruin dating back to the 12th century. It was once the seat of the Counts of Schaumburg and controlled the Steinach valley. Today, it is a popular excursion destination and the venue for one of Thuringia's most atmospheric medieval festivals.

Schaumburg Association as Organizer

The Schaumburg-Verein Schalkau e.V. maintains the ruins, organizes the annual festival, and works on securing and restoring the site to preserve it. The Schaumburgfest significantly finances this work — a classic example of the connection between volunteer club life, monument preservation, and festival culture in Thuringia.

Three Days of Medieval Life at Pentecost

The festival runs from June 12 to 14, 2026. It kicks off on Friday evening, with the main program on Saturday and Sunday. Merchants, minstrels, jesters, and knights gather in the castle courtyard and on the ramparts for a packed program.

2026 Program: Vogelfrei, Mollfolk, Schabernackrakeel, and Varisha

The 2026 lineup features well-known acts from the medieval scene. On Friday evening, the minstrels Vogelfrei and Mollfolk will provide the musical entertainment, and a minstrel competition is part of the program. On Saturday, the jester troupe Schabernackrakeel, the dancers from Varisha, and the Schalkau school choir will also perform. Knight games in the camp are another highlight, and a grand procession of all camp groups will bring all participants together.

Tavern Play to Conclude Sunday

Sunday begins with a church service on the upper castle. The program continues until shortly before 6 p.m., followed by a tavern play to conclude the spectacle — a short comedy performed in the castle courtyard, traditionally by one of the participating groups.

Schalkau and the Coburg Region

Schalkau is located in the southernmost tip of Thuringia, on the border with Bavaria. The Sonneberg district is part of the cross-border Coburg-Rennsteig region — popular for hiking, with a heritage of glassblowing and medieval castles. Visitors to the Schaumburgfest can combine their trip with a weekend in the region.