Alphorns and yodeling, brass bands with booming beats, waltzes, and Zwiefacher (a southern German folk dance). The spectrum of Bavarian folk music and dance is vast – ranging from deeply traditional to crossover blends with rock, jazz, hip-hop, or world music. The best way to experience it? Check out these 20 events and festivals...
Bavarian Folk Music and Traditional Dance: 20 Event Tips
Folk music and folk dance in Upper Bavaria
Munich Tanzboden: Join In at the Hofbräuhaus!
The Hofbräuhaus in Munich is a truly fitting venue for keeping traditions alive. If you want to dance Bavarian-style – or learn how – it’s worth heading to the festival hall, where the “Münchner Tanzboden” (Munich Dance Floor) regularly takes place. Under this motto, the city’s cultural department invites everyone to dance.
Dance masters demonstrate how to turn and spin according to Bavarian custom, performing classics like the waltz, polka, Dreher, and Zwiefacher. Live folk bands provide the perfect musical accompaniment. No prior knowledge of folk dancing is required, and there’s no dress code. Whether in jeans, lederhosen, or a dirndl, everyone eager to dance is warmly welcomed. And those who come alone are certain to find a partner.
Münchner Tanzboden (only in German) | Hofbräuhaus Musicians
Kocherlball in Munich: The Early Bird… Hits the Floor
In the late 19th century, Munich’s domestic servants would gather on summer mornings to celebrate and dance near the Chinese Tower. Since they typically worked from dawn to dusk, these festivities took place on Sundays from 5 to 8 in the morning! Up to 8,000 servants attended these early-bird parties, giving rise to the term “Kocherl,” which referred to housemaids, cooks, errand boys, and other domestic workers. In 1904, the Kocherlball was banned due to “a lack of morality” and wasn’t revived until 1989, as part of celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the English Garden.
Today, the Kocherlball is held annually on the third Sunday in July, from 6 to 10 a.m., with live music for dancing around the Chinese Tower. Everyone is welcome to join in, with dance masters teaching the steps to traditional Bavarian dances. There’s no formal dress code, though many attendees come in dirndls, lederhosen, or even historical costumes. In the beer garden, you can refuel with a hearty breakfast of Brotzeit (bread, cheeses, and cold cuts), coffee, and Schmalznudeln (fried dough pastries).
Date: 20 July 2025
kocherlball.de (only in German)
Brass Wiesn in Eching: For Party Animals
The Brass Wiesn Festival, held annually in August, is where traditional folk music meets party vibes, and brass meets beats. This music festival in Eching, just 15 kilometers north of Munich, blends classic brass music with modern rhythms. Over the course of four days, around sixty bands perform, featuring a mix of international artists and well-known Bavarian folk musicians. The brass-heavy sound spans a spectrum from traditional to rock, jazz, and pop.
Alongside tubas, trumpets, and trombones, you might hear alphorns or even electric guitars. Enthusiastic crowds yodel or rock along, with barefoot “Dirndl girls” mingling with tradition-minded locals in full Bavarian attire. The festival grounds offer a quirky combination of beer tents, beer gardens, alpine huts, vintage tractors, and a traditional maypole. And there’s even a lake for swimming!
Date: 31 July to 3 August 2025
brasswiesn.de (only in German)
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Heimatsound in Oberammergau: With Passion
Every year, in late July or early August, the Passion Play Theatre in Oberammergau opens its doors for two days of worldly sounds. Since its inception in 2013, the “Heimatsound” (Sounds of Home) event has become a cult favorite, with tickets selling out quickly. The seating is removed from the Passion Play Theatre for the concerts, transforming the “sacred hall” into a space where festivalgoers can dance and celebrate. The festival showcases “Neue Volksmusik” (New Folk Music) from Bavaria and the Alpine region.
Emerging artists get a chance to perform for a large audience, while established stars like Hannes Ringlstetter, Attwenger, and Ringsgwandl delight their fans. Attendance at the Passion Play Theatre is capped at around 4,500. Many attendees stay overnight, camping on a nearby meadow, with dedicated parking available for camper vans. Live performances are broadcast by Bavarian Radio on both TV and radio.
Date: 8 and 9 August 2025
passionstheater.de (only in German)
Chiemgau Alm Festival: Open Air
For two weeks in summer – from late June to early July – the alpine pastures and inns around the Chiemgau peaks transform into concert stages. The Alm Festival offers mountain and music enthusiasts a unique blend of art, hearty Bavarian snacks, and stunning mountain views.
Acting as an ambassador for authentic Chiemgau music, the event spans all genres and appeals to all generations. The lineup ranges from traditional dance and folk music to classical, crossover, “Alpine rock,” and “Alpine jazz.” Most of the musicians performing at the festival are from the Chiemgau region.
Many of the alpine venues can be reached with an easy hike. Notable locations include the Hindenburghütte near Reit im Winkl, the Schwarzachenalm near Ruhpolding, and the natural stage at Rachlhang near Grassau. Concerts take place even in bad weather, with alternative venues available if needed.
Date: 28 June to 13 July 2025
chiemsee-chiemgau.info (only in German)
Folk Music and Traditional Dance in Franconia
Limmersdorf Kirchweih Festival: Dancing in the Linden Tree
Since 1729, the Lindenkirchweih in Limmersdorf, located 15 kilometers northwest of Bayreuth, has been officially documented. This Franconian festival of church consecration is one of the last of its kind, centered around an ancient, gnarled dance linden (lime) tree – both figuratively and literally, as “Kerwaburschen” (festival lads) and their “Kerwamadla” (festival lasses) spin and waltz around the tree and beneath its canopy. The linden tree was planted in 1686 and stands approximately 16 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of five meters. The dance platform, uniquely situated four meters above the ground, rests nestled among its branches.
The celebration lasts for four days, from Saturday to Tuesday, around or just after Bartholomäus Day (August 24). The festival grounds surrounding the dance linden are called the “Plootz.” Each year, four single men, known as the “Plootzborschen” or “Plootzbum,” come together to organize the Kirchweih. They’re supported by four young women, the “Plootzmadla.”
Date 23 to 26 August 2025
lindenkirchweih.de (only in German)
Würzburg Kiliani Festival: A Day of Brass Music
St. Kilian, according to tradition, was an Irish bishop who lived in the 7th century. He is said to have preached in the area of modern-day Würzburg and is the city’s patron saint. His feast day on July 8 is celebrated with the Kiliani Festival. The festival originated from a medieval trade fair and is still referred to as the “Mess.” It lasts two weeks, running from early to mid-July, and takes place at Talavera Square. As the largest folk festival in Lower Franconia, it features a variety of attractions.
Date: 4 to 20 July 2025
wuerzburg.de/kilianivolksfest
Plantanz in Gochsheim: Top Hats and Tradition
The communities of Gochsheim and Sennfeld – located south of the Main River near Schweinfurt – celebrate the “Plankirchweih” every year on the first weekend in September. This event is recognized as intangible UNESCO cultural heritage. The festival dates back to 1649, commemorating the restoration of imperial freedom and the right to practice Protestant faith after the Thirty Years’ War.
The highlight in Gochsheim is the historic Plantanz (“Plan” meaning village square, and “Tanz” meaning dance). The Planburschen (young men of the square) and their Planmädchen (young women) ceremoniously proceed to the marketplace, accompanied by music. The men wear black frock coats and top hats adorned with colorful ribbons. No specific attire is required for the women. The event begins with a welcoming drink, after which the men first dance with young girls, affectionately called Gensdreckli. Next comes the main dances of the Planpaare (pairs from the square), with rounds of waltz, Rheinländer (a lively folk dance), schottisch (a traditional polka-like dance), and, finally, the Dreher (a fast spinning dance).
Afterward, the village square opens for public dancing. The festival lasts until Tuesday and concludes the following Sunday with a “Nachkirchweih” (post-festival celebration). The Sennfeld version of the festival is nearly identical to that of Gochsheim.
Date: 8 September 2025
gochsheim.de
“Horch amal” in Sennfeld: The Brass Music Festival
In July, the town of Sennfeld in the Schweinfurt district of Lower Franconia comes alive with both traditional and modern brass music. Three days of top-notch brass music keep audiences entertained. The festival was first celebrated in 2022.
The programme for 2025 has not yet been determined.
Date 2025 to be announced
horch-amal.de (only in German)
A Day of Folk Music at the Franconian Open Air Museum Bad Windsheim
The Franconian Open Air Museum Bad Windsheim offers fascinating insights into centuries of Franconian rural life. With around 120 historic buildings, including farmhouses, shepherds’ huts, artisans’ workshops, mills, a school, brewery, summer palace, and a recently added historic rural synagogue, the museum paints a vivid picture of life in the countryside of old. The houses are grouped by region and theme, giving visitors the sense of walking from village to village during their tour.
The museum provides the perfect setting for traditional music to come alive, especially during the “Day of Folk Music.” This annual event, held on the last Sunday in June, is the largest gathering of singers and musicians in the region. About thirty folk music and singing groups perform, alongside readings and singing and dance activities for both adults and children.
Date: 29 June 2025
freilandmuseum.de (only in German)
Folk Music and Traditional Dance in Eastern Bavaria
Drumherum in Regen: : The Folk Music Spectacle
The “drumherum” event was founded in 1998 in Regen, a spa town in the Bavarian Forest. Its name, “drumherum” (meaning “all around”), reflects the fact that it takes place during the days around Pentecost. This beloved gathering of folk musicians, singers, and dancers is held every two years. Around 300 ensembles from all over Bavaria and other European countries participate. Performances take place on open-air stages, in the spa park, or in the town’s inns. Music and singing even spill into the courtyards of the town, and the main square is transformed into a dance floor with wooden boards.
The event also offers numerous ways to experience authentic folk culture: workshops like beginner dance courses or tips for playing music without sheet music, dialect readings, a folk music Mass, informational booths from organizations, dance events, open singing sessions, a craft market, and more.
Date: 21 to 25 May 2026
drumherum.com (only in German)
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Bluval in Straubing: A Musical Autumn
The international music festival “Bluval” boasts a 30-year history. Its name is a creative blend in German referring to a “Bläserisches Musikfestival” (Festival of Brass Music) in the Straubing region, encompassing the city of Straubing and the Straubing-Bogen district. Bluval runs for over five weeks during September and October, featuring more than seventy ensembles performing music from classical, jazz, folk, and sacred repertoire.
Venues range from churches and inns to courtyards, public squares, concert halls, and even unique locations like construction pits and industrial buildings. The highlight of the festival is Bluval Saturday, the last Saturday in September, with numerous concerts held throughout Straubing’s city center. Another key element is the series of international masterclasses led by renowned instructors.
Date: in September and October 2025
bluval.de (only in German)
The Upper Palatinate Dances: It’s All About the Zwiefacher!
The Zwiefacher is a Bavarian-Bohemian musical genre that can be played, danced, and sung. Its hallmark is a quick tempo and an irregular alternation between uneven and even meter – most commonly switching between 3/4 time (waltz) and 2/4 time (Dreher). Dancers traditionally perform it in a closed waltz hold.
The oldest Bavarian written record of a Zwiefacher dates back to 1740, and since 2016, it has been recognized as part of Germany’s intangible cultural heritage. There are three theories about the origin of its name: It could refer to paired dancing, two-step styles, or two melodies. This rhythmically intricate genre is especially popular in Eastern Bavaria and remains a staple of the region’s folk music scene. Since 2018, a festival dedicated to the Zwiefacher has been held in the Upper Palatinate, featuring dance, singing, workshops, and more. The location changes annually.
Date: 10 May 2025
zwiefachentag.de (only in German)
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Folk Music Picnic in Landshut: Flavor and Folk!
Since 2008, the Cultural Affairs Department of Lower Bavaria has hosted an annual folk music picnic in early August. Musicians and fans of traditional tunes gather on the meadow in Landshut’s Prantlgarten for this delightful event. This small park, located at the base of Hofberg hill and in front of the KOENIGmuseum dedicated to the famed Landshut sculptor, offers a picturesque setting for the event.
Attendees can dance under the open sky, with newcomers learning the basics in a quick folk dance crash course. For those who’d rather not dance, simply watching the lively scene and soaking in the green surroundings is just as enjoyable. Bring along a picnic basket to savor tasty bites to the sound of live music. A picnic blanket and perhaps a sunshade are also recommended. Admission is free.
Date: 3 August 2025, 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.
volksmusik-niederbayern.de (only in German)
Forest Folk Dance in Gebensbach: Equality
“Let’s go to the Forest Folk Dance!” is the motto in August in Gebensbach, a village near Taufkirchen in Lower Bavaria, about 25 kilometers south of Landshut. Since 1987, this folk dance event has taken place annually on the second Saturday evening in August. A dance stage is set up in the Boma-Hoiz forest, creating a unique atmosphere for fans of traditional Bavarian folk dancing. Dance leaders guide participants through a variety of dances, from simple circle dances to more intricate figure and switch dances.
Couples twirl enthusiastically to Boarischer (a Bavarian folk dance), Landler (an Alpine folk dance), waltzes, polkas, the Dreher (a spinning folk dance), and the Zwiefacher (a fast-paced dance with irregular rhythm changes), enjoying both instrumental music and songs. The event is organized by the local traditional costume club, “d’Vilstaler” from Gebensbach.
Date: 9 August 2025
trachtenverein-gebensbach.de (only in German)
Folk Music and Traditional Dance in the Allgäu/Bavarian Swabia
The Day of Folk Music at the Swabian Open-Air Museum Illerbeuren
The Day of Folk Music in Illerbeuren is the largest folk music festival in Swabia. It is organized in collaboration with the Open Air Museum and the Folk Music Advisory Office of the Swabian District. Visitors experience the full spectrum of Swabian folk music – from string and brass music to performances by solo musicians and large ensembles. Music is played inside or in front of every historic house in the farming museum. Activities include children’s singing, open sing-alongs, and performances by traditional costume and folk dance groups showcasing old dances on multiple dance floors.
During the festival, the “Schwäbischen Nachtigall” (Swabian Nightingale) award is presented. This biennial prize honors individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the preservation of folk music traditions. The open air museum features over thirty houses and farms from Bavarian Swabia, dating from the 17th to the 20th century, as well as special collections and exhibits on rural everyday life. The Day of Folk Music typically takes place on the second Sunday in July.
Date 2025 to be announced
bauernhofmuseum.de
Monheim: Brass Music Open Air Amid Historic Walls
The town of Monheim, located in the Donau-Ries district halfway between Nuremberg and Augsburg, lies about 15 kilometers north of Donauwörth. Known as the “Three-Tribes Town,” it sits at the historical crossroads of the Bavarian tribes of Alemanni, Bavarians, and Franconians. The towers and gates of the town wall and the half-timbered houses on the marketplace lend Monheim a romantic charm. Each year, the marketplace and Old Town host the Brass Music Open Air event.
In this enchanting setting, visitors enjoy brass music performed by four to five music ensembles from Swabia, Upper Bavaria, and Franconia. The repertoire spans traditional brass music favorites, contemporary waltz/polka/march arrangements, and modern brass compositions. Admission is free. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a Sternmarsch (a ceremonial parade) of the ensembles, starting at the Upper and Lower Town Gates and proceeding to the stage. The concert concludes around 11 p.m.
Date: 19 July 2025
monheim-bayern.de (only in German)
Mountain Mass at Fellhorn with Alphorn Sounds
aint James is the patron saint of alpine shepherds, and in his honor, the annual Berglar-Kirbe festival features a festive mountain mass around his feast day, July 25. The event takes place at the Schlappoldsee station of the Fellhornbahn cable car, starting at 11 a.m.
The Mass is accompanied by Alphorn players and the Wertacher Singföhla – a name derived from the Allgäu dialect for “young girls.” After the Mass, folk musicians perform on the terrace of the Schlappoldsee station, and the various alphorn groups play at the most beautiful spots on the mountain – with over 120 flowers and plants, the Fellhorn is considered the flower mountain of the Allgäu Alps.
The mountain is particularly famous for its large fields of alpine roses. The day concludes with a joint concert at Schlappoldsee station at 3 p.m.
Date: 20 July 2025
oberallgaeu.info
Cattle Drive in Nesselwang: The Sounds and Dances of the Allgäu
The Viehscheid, or cattle drive, is a celebrated holiday in the Allgäu region. This traditional autumn event marks the return of the Schumpen (young cattle) from the mountain pastures to the valley. The cattle are adorned with decorative bells, which announce their approach to the village from afar. Once they arrive, the livestock are separated as each herd is returned to its respective owner by the herders.
Nearly every village in the Allgäu celebrates its own Alpabtrieb (cattle descent), but Nesselwang’s event is renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and spans several festive days. The festivities include a parade with brass bands, a Heimatabend (an evening of local culture) in a festival tent, as well as dance performances in traditional costumes, and the spectacular appearance of Geißelschnöllarn (whip crackers).
Date: 15 - 16 September 2025
nesselwang.de (only in German)
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Bad Hindelang: Alphorn Sounds on the Mountain
Every other Thursday during the summer, the soothing tones of alphorns echo from the heights above Bad Hindelang, accompanied by yodelers filling the mountain air with song. The event, called “Musik am Horn” (Music at Horn Mountain), takes place at the Hornbahn gondola station “Hornbahn Hindelang.” This gondola lift in the Allgäu Alps ascends the northern slope of the 1,655-meter-high Imberger Horn mountain, with the station situated at an altitude of about 1,300 meters.
The musical performances, delivered by various groups, are enhanced by the breathtaking views. From the top, visitors can look out over the spa town and Kneipp health resort of Bad Hindelang, the Ostrachtal valley stretching to Hinterstein, and the high valley of Oberjoch. The alpine concerts begin at 6 p.m. The Hornbahn gondola runs on these days until 9:30 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the sunset from the mountain station in good weather. (The concerts only take place in dry weather.)
Dates 2025 to be announced
hornbahn-hindelang.de (only in German)
16 Great Folk Festivals
Folk festivals in Bavaria have historical roots and are characterized by regional traditions. 16 popular folk festivals before and after the Oktoberfest.
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