Tradition
Bavarian Tradition - a selective overview
Bavaria is well-known for its bigger festivals and events like the "Oktoberfest" in Munich and the "Christkindlsmarkets" like in Munich, Nuremberg or Rothenburg. We want to show you a little bit more about the Bavarian style of living, the traditions, festivals and events.
Highlights in Bavaria 2010
(Adobe PDF, 190 kb)
Traditional Festivals and Events
January/February
- Hornschlittenrennen (sledge race on a traditional sledge)
A "Hornschlitten" is a traditional sledge which allowed the transportation of hay and wood down into the valley during winter times in earlier days. Today , mostly around carnival time, there are some spots in the Bavarian and Allgaeu Alps where people, sometimes in costumes, race down the hill and over big jumps. - Fasching (Carnival)
Carnival in Bavaria begins in early January and ends at Shrove Tuesday. There are a lot of different traditions all over Bavaria. In some regions people wear old masks ("Larven") which make them look like demons and in processions the noisy crowd intends to drive out the winter. In other regions people wear costumes and ski down hills or take part in a "Hornschlittenrennen" as mentioned above.
March/April
- Starkbierzeit (Strong Beer Season)
Strong lent beer had already been served during this period of carneval since the mid 15th century. Monks brewed lent beer, because they weren't allowed to eat during this period. All these strong beers have the suffix "-ator" in their name, like: "Delicator", "Triumphator", "Animator" and so on. One of the most famous events takes place at the "Nockerberg" where a barrel of "Salvator" is tapped and the politicians have to face their critics in a very humorous way - which is called "Derblecken". - Palmsonntag (Palm Sunday)
First of all, Palm Sunday is a religious feast-day. But beside the religious meaning it always makes people call the one who gets out of bed last this day the "Palmesel" (palm donkey). This is because the donkey is said to be a lazy and easy-going animal. So never get up to late that day (Sunday before Easter), else someone might call you the "Palmesel".
Or simply appeal to the bible: "The latter will be first!"
May/June
- Maibaumaufstellen (Maypole raising)
Every year there is fierce competition between the towns and cities in Bavaria for where the highest (some up to over 90 feet) and most majestic pole is erected. The Maypole can look different in each region. In some places it is planted with the tree bark, and in others it is stripped and painted blue-and-white, hu ng with colorful ribbons, decorated with carved figures and adorned with a wreath. The pole is erected by without technical assistance just with thick, long rods (“Schaibeln”) bound together into “Scheren”. This work can stretch out over two hours. In neighbouring communities the young men's associations often try to steal the maypole. According to a custom the stolen pole has to be redeemed by a ransom consisting of beer and food which both communities share together. - Pfingsten (Whitsun)
Bavaria celebrates very interesting customs and festivals at Whitsun. In Kötzting (Bavarian Forest) hundreds of riders on decorated horses move to a small church outside the town and all the way back. Other Whitsun Rides are held for example in Sankt Englmar (Bavarian Forest) and in Ochsenfurt (Franconia) where beside the ride the "Bratwurstfest" (franconian speciality). And, of course, there are also some beerfestivals around Whitsun, for example the "Erlanger Bergkirchweih" (Mountain Church Consecration Fair). - Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi)
Many Processions take place in Bavaria. One of the most interesting ones is the only lake procession near Murnau at Lake Staffelsee where hundreds of people meet with their small boats for a mass celebrated by the local priest. - Sonnwendfeiern (Midsummer/Solstice Festivals)
The night before summer officially starts (June 21st of each year), the sun reaches its zenith. In heathen times summer has been welcomed by many fires on hills and mountains. Nowadays these old customs are more and more re-established. So you can enjoy some wonderful Midsummer Festivals in the Bavarian and Allgaeu mountains with the surrounding peaks illuminated by small fires. In Franconia and East Bavaria you can find these customs as well.
July/August
- Ritterspiele in Kaltenberg (Kaltenberg Knights Tournament)
The world's largest Knights Tournament is held in Kaltenberg, not far from Munich, on three weekends in July. 1,200 participants contribute to an incomparable atmosphere at the mediaeval market: juggling and music, the life of knights and historical handicrafts, minstrelsy and magic, food and drink, everything your heart could desire. And in the arena, the world-famous “Cascadeurs Associés” hold a jousting tournament, as breath-taking as any in the 14th century could have been. - Further Drachenstich (Slaying the Dragon in Furth)
Every August Furth im Wald, situated halfway between Nuremberg and Prague on the border of the Czech Republic, prepares for the years most important celebration, the historic "Drachenstich". An historic parade made up of 1,500 participants in costumes, over 200 horses, bands and floats depicting 1000 years of the area´s history winds its way through town. At the centre of the festivities is the historic play "Drachenstich" (= slaying of the dragon), the oldest folk play in Germany. - Kinderzeche Dinkelsbühl
(Very old historic festival)
During 30 Years War (1618 - 1648) broad parts of germany have been destroyed, while the mediaeval city of Dinkelsbühl has been left in good condition. This is because of the children of Dinkelsbühl who plead for favour with the swedish colonel. For more than 100 years Dinkelsbühl is celebrating its rescue with a festival where the whole story is performed again. And the city still shows its grateful appreciation for their help by giving coloured bags with sweets to all children taking part in the procession.
September/October
- Viehscheid or Almabtrieb
(an autumn cattle-drive from the high alpine pastures)
In early september the cows are driven back downhill. The lead cows (only one per herd) are adorned with ornamental head-dresses and huge clanking bells. By doing so, people celebrate their safe return in towns and villages. - Weinfeste (wine festivals) in Franconia
No other wine region in germany possesses such a density of mediaeval towns and villages and they have more than a hundred wine festivals between May and November. A Wine Queen is elected - not just for her beauty, but for her knowledge about the local wine. - Oktoberfest in Munich
More than 6.2 million visitors, 6.7 million litres of beer served in a "Maßkrug" (1 kilolitre stein) make the Oktoberfest the largest beer festival in the world. Click here for more information about the Oktoberfest (beer festival).
November/December
- Christkindlmarkt (christmas market)
Traditional german christmas markets are becoming more and more famous amoung tourists. Just think about the world famous Nuremberg Christkindlsmarkt, the mulled wine (Glühwein), the gingerbread (Lebkuchen) and all the other typical stuff. Most christmas markets in Bavaria start in the last week of November and last until two or three days before Christmas Eve.
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