Schönberger Volksfest

Tradition since Corpus Christi 1968

The Schönberger Volksfest is a classic of the Lower Bavarian summer. Since 1968, it has traditionally taken place on the Corpus Christi weekend — a religious high holiday that has always been associated with processions, festive meals, and village gatherings in Bavaria. The local festival of yesteryear has evolved into a vibrant event that continues to this day, entering its 56th edition in 2026.

Three Days Between Festival Tent and Carousel

For three days, the festival grounds in the center of the market town transform into a small festival world. Brass bands and dance bands play in the beer tent, while outside, carousels spin, shooting galleries and sweet stalls glitter. Showmen from Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate travel to Schönberg every year — the fixed date for the first major summer Volksfest in the Bavarian Forest.

Markt Schönberg in the Bavarian Forest

Schönberg is a state-recognized health resort with around 3,700 inhabitants in the Freyung-Grafenau district, in the heart of the Bavarian Forest. The market town lies on the Saldenbach stream, nestled between the ridges of the Vorderer Bayerischer Wald. Sights include the Marktstraße with its characteristic architecture, Schönberg Castle (now a boarding school), and the pilgrimage church of Maria Hilf. Tourism, forestry, and crafts shape the town.

Corpus Christi in Bavaria — The Region's Festival Day

In Bavaria and Austria, Corpus Christi (ten days after Pentecost) is a public holiday and one of the major festivals in the Catholic calendar. The procession through the village, decorated altars, and the festive meal characterize the day — in Schönberg, the market town directly builds upon this custom with its Volksfest. This creates a long weekend that is simultaneously shaped by religion, tradition, and conviviality.

Culinary Delights: Hearty Bavarian Fare

Roast chicken, bratwurst, pork roast with dumplings and sauerkraut, accompanied by festival beer from regional breweries. Sweet treats include gingerbread hearts, candied almonds, Magenbrot (a type of gingerbread), and Schaumkuchen (meringue cake). The culinary offerings are typical of a classic Bavarian Volksfest — nothing more, nothing less.