Waldfest Lichtenberg – 100th Anniversary

One Hundred Years of Tradition in the Frankenwald

The Waldfest Lichtenberg has been the most important festival in the small Upper Franconian town since 1926. One hundred years later, in June 2026, it will celebrate its grand anniversary – "the biggest Waldfest anniversary you will ever have," promise the organizers. The festival calendar has been expanded accordingly: four days instead of the usual three, with a densely packed program and special highlights for the milestone anniversary.

Lichtenberg in the Frankenwald

Lichtenberg is a small town with around 1,100 inhabitants in the Hof district (Upper Franconia, Bavaria), located in the Frankenwald region, near the Thuringian border. The historic castle, whose Renaissance ornamentation was once among the most magnificent in Franconia, shapes the town's skyline. Haus Marteau, a renowned musical educational institution, and the recreational lake with camping and hiking facilities also make Lichtenberg an interesting tourist destination.

Anniversary Program 2026

The highlight is the parade on Sunday, June 28, 2026, themed "Journey Through 100 Years of Waldfest" – with scenes and stations from each decade of the festival's history. The festival begins on Thursday afternoon with a senior citizens' afternoon in the festival tent: music, coffee, cake, and dinner starting at 4:00 PM, along with the presentation of a new local history book about Lichtenberg and its districts.

Franconian Specialties

Culinary, the Waldfest emphasizes classic highlights: Flecke (a baked sausage specialty), Kesselgulasch (kettle goulash), Bratwurst from a charcoal grill, fresh fish from the nearby Frankenwald, accompanied by beer from Upper Franconian breweries. A special touch is the Waldfestbar with specially composed cocktails that extend the festive mood beyond the sober hours.

Community Participation

The organizers are actively inviting the public to help shape the anniversary program: photos, texts, videos, posters, brochures, trophies, newspaper articles, diary entries, and objects from 100 years of Waldfest are being collected and will be integrated into an anniversary exhibition.