Bayrischzell doesn't celebrate all the time, but when it does, it does it properly. Here are the festivals and traditions through the year, the way I experience and photograph them myself. From the maypole in spring to the Advent market in winter.
Through the Year
The Maypole
When a maypole goes up in Bayrischzell, half the village turns out for it. The men haul the tree upright by hand, the brass band plays, the folk dancers do their Schuhplattler, and eventually there it stands, 25 meters (about 80 feet) or more, dead straight, painted in blue and white. It takes three to four hours. In between there's beer, a hearty spread, and a mood that's hard to put into words.
Corpus Christi in Bayrischzell
Corpus Christi is one of those days when you can really see that village life in Bayrischzell is still alive and well. The church is packed, the town is dressed up for the occasion, the local clubs march through the streets in traditional Bavarian dress, and blessings are given at four altars. It's not an event or a spectacle, it's a Catholic high feast that's still celebrated here the same way it has been for generations.
Herb & Elderflower Market in Fischbachau
Once a year, the monastery courtyard in Fischbachau turns into a market for herbs, elderflower, and handmade crafts. Around 30 vendors from the Leitzach Valley and the surrounding area.
Tag der Vereine: The Clubs' Day in Bayrischzell
Once a year, the clubs of Bayrischzell turn out as one to honor the members they've lost. The flag bearers gather at the Klosterhof zur Post, the brass band strikes up, a procession winds through the village to the church service, and then wreaths are laid at two memorials. It's the day the whole village stands together in full traditional dress. Not to be looked at, but to remember.
950 Years of Bayrischzell
In 2026, Bayrischzell celebrated a very special anniversary. The story goes all the way back to 1076, when two hermits named Otto and Adalbert built a small cell with a little church up here. That tiny hermitage grew into a monastery, which was later moved to Fischbachau and eventually to Scheyern. But the village stayed put. And this year it celebrated together with Scheyern Abbey: 950 years of history.
Bayrischzell Advent Market: Crafts, Wendelstein-Männlein and Christmas Trees
The big Advent market in Bayrischzell, a good part of it inside the festively decorated town hall on two floors, with high-quality crafts and the Wendelstein-Männlein.
Geitau Winterzauber: A Tiny Advent Market by the Rote Wand
One of the first Christmas markets in the county, and one of the smallest: a little picture-book Advent market on the village square in front of the Rote Wand in Geitau.
For current dates, check the events calendar on this site.