Weißenburg Old Town Festival

A City Festival with Imperial Heritage

The Weißenburg Old Town Festival is a staple in the event calendar of the Bavarian district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen. Every year on the third weekend in July, the historic old town of the former Free Imperial City opens its alleys and squares for a three-day festival that attracts locals and guests from the entire Franconian Lake District. The festival is organized under the leadership of the City of Weißenburg together with the local Trade and Commerce Association.

Music, Enjoyment, and Vibrant Activity

Stages, beer and wine gardens, and numerous stalls are set up throughout the city center. Luitpoldstraße forms the central entertainment mile, while around Stadtgraben and Pulverturm, the Historical Society creates a small market with a medieval flair. Concerts take place in St. Andreas Church, and celebrations are held in the old town's inns – such as »Zur Kanne«. Street musicians, jugglers, a flea market, and culinary specialties ranging from Franconian beer to regional wines complete the program.

The Imperial City Marksmen's Guild (Reichsstädtische Schützenzeche)

The heart and cultural highlight is the Imperial City Marksmen's Guild (Reichsstädtische Schützenzeche). The ceremonial parade of the Weißenburg marksmen with the festive proclamation of the City Marksmen's King connects to a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, when marksmanship played an important role in the defense and civic pride of the Imperial Cities. For a younger audience, there is also a large party at the Schranne (ages 18 and up) with DJs, cocktails, and elaborate decorations.

Weißenburg as a Backdrop

The almost completely preserved city wall, the Imperial City Museum, and the city's Roman heritage make the Old Town Festival an experience where history and festival culture intertwine. Weißenburg is located in the Altmühltal Nature Park on the border of the Franconian Lake District and is easily accessible via the Altmühltal cycle paths.