Straßenfest Altenstadt (Vohenstrauß)

Altenstadt — the historic heart of Vohenstrauß

Altenstadt near Vohenstrauß is now a district of the town of Vohenstrauß in the Neustadt an der Waldnaab district. The history of the place dates back a long way: As early as 1124, Bishop Otto of Bamberg consecrated the church in »Vohendreze« — meaning today's Altenstadt. Altenstadt was the main town of the region for a long time before Vohenstrauß was elevated to a town and the status changed. This old identity is palpable in the club life: the Altenstadt/Voh. Volunteer Fire Department and the SV Altenstadt/Voh. carry the local name with pride and host their street festival every year.

Neumühlstraße and Buchengasse as the festival zone

The festival doesn't take place in a festival tent or on a central square, but along the two parallel streets — Neumühlstraße and Buchengasse. Tables, benches, stalls, and a small stage are set up between the houses. The residents participate, the neighboring clubs bring their specialties — a typical Upper Palatinate way of »showing off« right in front of their own doorstep.

Musical centerpiece: Voglwüd

On Saturday evening, a live band traditionally takes over the main stage. In 2026, it will be »Voglwüd«, a popular party band known in the Upper Palatinate and neighboring Upper Franconia, who will get the tables tapping along with Schlager, cover hits, and party music. On Sunday afternoon, things will continue more calmly with Bavarian brass music and a Frühschoppen atmosphere.

FFW and SV — the two pillars

The Altenstadt/Voh. Volunteer Fire Department and the SV Altenstadt/Voh. share the organization. Both clubs have been the backbone of the district's identity for decades — the fire department in terms of fire protection and assistance, the SV with football and recreational sports. The street festival also partially finances the youth work of both clubs: a classic win-win model that works in Vohenstrauß just as it does in hundreds of Upper Palatinate villages.

In the context of the Vohenstrauß festival season

The street festival in Altenstadt kicks off the warm festival season in Vohenstrauß. Later in the year, the Vohenstrauß Old Town Festival in the city center, the SV Altenstadt Summer Festival on the sports grounds, the Heritage Festival in Friedrichsburg, and the Whitsun Bonfire in the outer districts will follow. Those looking for an impression of real Upper Palatinate club culture will find it here rather than at the big Volksfeste in Regensburg or Amberg.