What is the Landshut Wedding?
In November 1475, the Bavarian town of Landshut hosted one of the most lavish weddings of the Middle Ages. George, son of Duke Louis the Rich of Bavaria-Landshut, married Hedwig Jagiellon, daughter of the King of Poland, in St. Martin's Church, with princes, knights and thousands of guests celebrating for days. Every four years, the town brings that wedding back to life in the Landshuter Hochzeit 1475, one of the largest historical festivals in Europe.
The tradition began in 1903, organized by an association of citizens called Die Förderer, founded the year before to keep the memory of the wedding alive. After being held at different intervals, the festival has taken place every four years since 1985. It was added to Germany's national register of intangible cultural heritage in 2018, and its next edition is in the summer of 2027.
What makes it remarkable is the scale and the attention to detail. About 2,000 to 2,500 people from Landshut take part, all in costumes recreated from historical sources, from the bride and groom and their noble guests to knights, soldiers, musicians, jesters, craftsmen and townspeople. Many participants grow their hair and beards for the occasion, and the same families have taken part for generations.
Over three weeks, the town fills with the life of the fifteenth century. The highlight is the wedding procession on Sunday afternoons, when the whole wedding party parades through the old town, past the Gothic houses and St. Martin's Church, with its record-breaking brick tower, to the tournament ground, where knights on horseback joust. There are also medieval dances, plays, music, a camp and taverns, and hundreds of thousands of visitors come over the festival.
What to expect
The 2027 festival runs from June 25 to July 18, with the main events on the weekends.
Weekends
The wedding procession
On Sunday afternoons, the wedding party parades through the old town with knights, musicians and hundreds of costumed townspeople.
After the procession
The tournament
The procession ends at the tournament ground, where knights joust on horseback in front of the bride and groom.
Throughout
Medieval life
Dances, plays, music and medieval camps fill the town, with taverns and games, on many days of the festival.
Pikemen in the wedding procession
Photo by Giorgio Montersino / flickr · CC BY-SA 2.0
Planning your trip
Getting there
Landshut is about an hour northeast of Munich, with regular trains from Munich's main station. Munich Airport is closer still, about 30 to 40 minutes away by road or regional bus. The old town is a short walk or bus ride from Landshut station. Expect road closures around the old town on procession days, so the train is the easiest way in.
Where to stay
Landshut has hotels and guesthouses, which are booked up far ahead for the festival weekends. Munich and Freising are good alternatives, with easy train connections.
What it costs
Watching parts of the festival from the streets is free, with tickets for the stands, the tournament and some events. Bavaria is moderately priced, with hearty food and excellent beer.
Go like you know
- Climb up to Trausnitz Castle, above the town, for views over Landshut.
- Visit St. Martin's Church, whose brick tower is among the tallest in the world.
- Try a Bavarian beer and Brezn in a beer garden after the procession.
- Look for the costumed participants in the town's streets and taverns throughout the festival.
- Siena's Palio is another great medieval spectacle, held in July and August.
- Brussels' Ommegang recreates a Renaissance pageant on the Grand-Place.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Landshut Wedding?
The festival is held every four years. The next edition runs from June 25 to July 18, 2027, with the main processions on Sundays. After 2027, the next is expected in 2031. Check the official website for the detailed programme and ticket sales.
What is being celebrated?
The festival recreates the wedding of George of Bavaria-Landshut and Hedwig Jagiellon, daughter of the King of Poland, held in Landshut in 1475. It was one of the most magnificent celebrations of the Middle Ages, attended by princes and knights from across Europe.
Who takes part?
About 2,000 to 2,500 people from Landshut, all members of the organizing association, take part in costumes based on historical sources. Many families have participated for generations, and participants often grow their hair and beards in the months before to look the part.
Do I need tickets?
You can watch parts of the procession from the street for free, but the best views are from the ticketed stands, and the tournament and many plays, dances and evening events also need tickets. They go on sale well in advance and sell out quickly, so check the official website early.
