Name: Wunsiedel Fountain Festival 2026
Start: 2026-06-20T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-21T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Innenstadt Wunsiedel (35 Brunnen)

Brunnenfest Wunsiedel

About Brunnenfest Wunsiedel

The Wunsiedel Brunnenfest is one of the most atmospheric folk festivals in the Fichtelgebirge and has been recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by the German UNESCO Commission since 2016. On the Saturday and Sunday before St. John's Day (Johanni), 35 fountain communities decorate the city's fountains with flowers, wreaths, and garlands. As dusk falls, the fountains are illuminated with candles and lights, and singers and musicians move from fountain to fountain, performing short serenades – a true midsummer night's dream, calm, contemplative, yet deeply charming. The festival has been documented since 1833.

Dates 20 Jun — 21 Jun 2026

Venue Wunsiedel (09479)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Brunnenfest Wunsiedel — edition 2026

The Wunsiedel Brunnenfest 2026 takes place on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, 2026 – the weekend before St. John's Day (June 24). 35 fountain communities decorate the city's fountains; at dusk, they are illuminated, and singers and musicians move with serenades from fountain to fountain. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, free admission.

On June 20 and 21, 2026, Wunsiedel celebrates its Fountain Festival – traditionally on the Saturday and Sunday before St. John's Day (June 24). During the day, the 35 fountain communities gather flowers, tie wreaths and garlands, and decorate the town's over 35 fountains early in the morning.

The actual highlight begins at dusk: the fountains are illuminated with candles and lights, and singers and musicians move from fountain to fountain, performing a short serenade at each one. The town transforms into a silent sea of lights – a unique experience recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO Commission.

Highlights Brunnenfest Wunsiedel 2026

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (since 2016)
Over 35 fountains decorated by fountain communities
Illumination with candles and lights at dusk
Serenades by singers and musicians from fountain to fountain

Programme Brunnenfest Wunsiedel 2026

Program of the Wunsiedel Fountain Festival 2026

Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, 2026 (weekend before St. John's Day):

During the day – collective flower picking, tying of wreaths and garlands by the 35 fountain communities; early morning decoration of the over 35 fountains
At dusk – illumination of all fountains with candles and lights
Evening / Night – singers and musicians move from fountain to fountain, performing a short serenade at each one

The festival consciously unfolds its magic only after dark. The town of Wunsiedel will publish exact times and participating choirs/music groups for 2026 on wunsiedel.de.

Prices Brunnenfest Wunsiedel 2026

Admission to the Brunnenfest is free. Free parking is available in the town.

Practical information

Practical information — Brunnenfest Wunsiedel

Getting There

Wunsiedel is located in the heart of the Fichtelgebirge, Wunsiedel district (Upper Franconia). By car via the A93 (exit Marktredwitz) or A9. By public transport via Marktredwitz and bus to Wunsiedel. Free parking is available in the town.

Admission

Visiting the Brunnenfest is free of charge.

Contact

Stadt Wunsiedel, Marktplatz 4, 95632 Wunsiedel, Tel. +49 9232 602116, E-mail [email protected]. Tip: The special magic truly unfolds after dark – it's best to come in the evening.

A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Fichtelgebirge

The Wunsiedel Brunnenfest is the great summer tradition of the town of Wunsiedel in the Wunsiedel district of the Fichtelgebirge (Upper Franconia, Bavaria). It is considered one of Germany's most peculiar and poetic festivals and was added to the national register of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the German UNESCO Commission in 2016.

35 Decorated Fountains

The focus is on decorating over 35 fountains throughout the town. 35 fountain communities are responsible for this – each elaborately designs a fountain. Together, they pick flowers, tie wreaths and garlands, and decorate the fountains early on the morning of the festival day. The actual festival only begins at dusk when the fountains are illuminated with candles and lights.

Serenades from Fountain to Fountain

When darkness falls, singers and musicians move from fountain to fountain, performing a short serenade at each one. The town is bathed in warm candlelight, soft music fills the air – a quiet, contemplative, yet charming festival, aptly described as a "Midsummer Night's Dream" by the Frankenpost newspaper.

History and Origin

According to tradition, Wunsiedel citizens decorated the fountains with arnica wreaths and flowers in the 18th century after a severe drought – out of gratitude that the water returned. What may have begun as a pre-Christian water-blessing ritual evolved into this unique civic festival, which has been documented since 1833. The town of Wunsiedel is the organizer.