Name: Weißenburg Old Town Festival 2026
Start: 2026-07-17T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-19T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Altstadt Weißenburg

Altstadtfest Weißenburg

About Altstadtfest Weißenburg

Every year on the third weekend in July, the Weißenburg Old Town Festival transforms the medieval city center of the former Imperial City in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district into a large festival mile. Between Luitpoldstraße, Stadtgraben, and the historic towers, stage music and dancing, beer and wine gardens, street musicians, and jugglers await. The highlight is the traditional Imperial City Marksmen's Guild (Reichsstädtische Schützenzeche) with the ceremonial parade of the Weißenburg marksmen and the proclamation of the City Marksmen's King – a custom dating back to the Middle Ages. Admission is free.

Dates 17 Jul — 19 Jul 2026

Venue Weißenburg i.Bay. (09577)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Altstadtfest Weißenburg — edition 2026

The Weißenburg Old Town Festival 2026 will take place from Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19, 2026, in the old town. Celebrations will be held from Friday evening, Saturday from the morning, and Sunday all day in beer and wine gardens, on stages, and in the alleys, accompanied by the Imperial City Marksmen's Guild. The detailed program will be published by the City of Weißenburg before the festival; admission is free.

The 2026 edition of the Weißenburg Old Town Festival spans the third weekend in July, from Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19, 2026. It traditionally opens on Friday evening, Saturday starts in the morning, and Sunday offers an all-day program. Music and dancing, beer and wine gardens, street musicians, and jugglers await guests throughout the old town. The central element remains the Imperial City Marksmen's Guild (Reichsstädtische Schützenzeche) with the marksmen's parade and the proclamation of the City Marksmen's King. The detailed program will be published by the City of Weißenburg before the festival; admission is free.

Highlights Altstadtfest Weißenburg 2026

Imperial City Marksmen's Guild with marksmen's parade
Proclamation of the City Marksmen's King
Beer and wine gardens in the historic old town
Street music, jugglers, and flea market

Programme Altstadtfest Weißenburg 2026

Friday, July 17 – Opening in the evening, music in the beer and wine gardens
Saturday, July 18 – All-day program, Imperial City Marksmen's Guild, concerts, and party at the Schranne (ages 18+)
Sunday, July 19 – Family program, market activities, winding down in the evening

Prices Altstadtfest Weißenburg 2026

Free admission. Individual program items, such as the party at the Schranne, have age restrictions (18 years and older).

Practical information

Practical information — Altstadtfest Weißenburg

Getting Here

Weißenburg is on the Treuchtlingen–Nuremberg railway line; the station is within walking distance of the old town. By car via the B2 / A6; parking is available on the outskirts of the city. The old town is largely car-free during the festival.

Admission

Admission to the Old Town Festival is free. Separate conditions apply for individual program items (e.g., the party at the Schranne), some with an age limit of 18 years.

Tip

Tourist Information Weißenburg, Tel. +49 9141 907124, for current program flyers.

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.