Name: Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Unteraufseß 2026
Start: 2026-11-29T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-29T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schloss Unteraufseß

Weihnachtsmarkt Aufseß

About Weihnachtsmarkt Aufseß

In front of the impressive backdrop of Unteraufseß Castle, the municipality of Aufseß in the Bayreuth district invites you to a atmospheric Christmas market every year on the first weekend of Advent. In the romantic courtyard of the castle, which has been family-owned for over 800 years, regional exhibitors present crafts, gift ideas, and culinary specialties from the Franconian Switzerland. Aufseß is known as a beer village with the highest density of breweries per inhabitant worldwide according to the Guinness Book of Records – no wonder the market also offers Franconian beer specialties. A festive service and an Advent sing-along round off the program in the wintry, picturesque castle atmosphere.

Dates 29 Nov — 29 Nov 2026

Venue Aufseß (09472)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Weihnachtsmarkt Aufseß — edition 2026

The Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Unteraufseß takes place on the first Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2026, in the romantic courtyard of the Renaissance castle. It begins at 1:30 PM, following the festive service at 9:15 AM in the parish church of Aufseß. The market concludes in the evening with the traditional Advent sing-along.

On the first Sunday of Advent 2026, the courtyard of Unteraufseß Castle will once again transform into a winter marketplace. Regional exhibitors from Franconian Switzerland will offer crafts, Advent arrangements, honey, gingerbread, and delicacies, while the four Aufseß breweries will provide Franconian beer specialties and mulled wine.

The day begins with a festive service at 9:15 AM in the parish church. The market opens its gates at 1:30 PM. The highlight in the late afternoon is the joint Advent sing-along at 6:00 PM, where choirs and brass bands from the region perform classic Advent songs.

Highlights Weihnachtsmarkt Aufseß 2026

Castle courtyard as a unique Advent backdrop
Franconian beer from the four Aufseß breweries
Festive service to open the event
Traditional Advent sing-along in the evening

Programme Weihnachtsmarkt Aufseß 2026

Program 2026

9:15 AM – Festive service in Aufseß parish church
1:30 PM – Opening of the Christmas market in the castle courtyard
Throughout the day – Stalls with crafts, Franconian beer, mulled wine, and delicacies
6:00 PM – Advent sing-along with choirs and brass bands

Prices Weihnachtsmarkt Aufseß 2026

Free admission. Food and drinks payable at the stalls.

Practical information

Practical information — Weihnachtsmarkt Aufseß

Getting There

Schloss Unteraufseß is located in the Unteraufseß district of the municipality of Aufseß in the Bayreuth district. By car via the A9 (exit Pegnitz or Trockau) or the B470. Parking is available on the outskirts of the village. By public transport via Bayreuth or Ebermannstadt, then take bus line VGN 389.

Admission

Admission to the Christmas market is free.

Best Time to Visit

First weekend of Advent, traditionally as a Sunday market. Festive service at 9:15 AM, market in the afternoon, Advent sing-along at 6 PM.

A Fairytale Setting in Franconian Switzerland

The Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Unteraufseß is one of the most charming Advent markets in Franconian Switzerland. The venue is Unteraufseß Castle, a castle complex in the Aufseßtal valley that has been family-owned by the Barons of Aufseß since 1114. With its medieval walls, residential tower, and atmospheric courtyard, it forms a picture-book backdrop. When hundreds of lights illuminate the courtyard on an Advent Sunday, the market unfolds a particularly intimate, almost magical atmosphere.

Aufseß – The Beer Village with a World Record

The small municipality of Aufseß in the Bayreuth district of Upper Franconia is more than just a picturesque castle village: it holds the Guinness World Record for the highest density of breweries per inhabitant worldwide. Four traditional family breweries – Stadter, Rothenbach, Kathi-Bräu, and Reichold – ensure that hearty Franconian beer is also served at the mulled wine stands. The Brewery Trail, a 14-kilometer circular hiking trail, connects the breweries and makes the town famous far beyond the borders of Bavaria.

Exhibitors and Offerings

In the castle courtyard, the castle hall, and the surrounding rooms, regional craftspeople present their products: pottery, wood carving, felt work, Advent arrangements, honey, and natural cosmetics from Franconian Switzerland. In addition, there are stalls with gingerbread, candied almonds, crêpes, bratwurst, mulled wine, and delicacies from the Aufseß breweries. The market consciously positions itself as a quiet, high-quality alternative to the large urban Christmas markets.

Religious Framework

The program traditionally begins with a festive service in the morning. The grand finale in the evening is the Advent sing-along, where choirs and brass bands from the region perform classic Advent songs. Between these two program points, guests have the whole day to enjoy the castle, the stalls, and the beer specialties at their leisure.