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Augsburg’s events calendar runs year-round, anchored by a Christmas market that dates to 1498 and two big Plärrer fairs each year. The city also has a unique claim: the Hohes Friedensfest on 8 August is a public holiday that exists only in Augsburg. Use the best time to visit guide to line up your trip with these festivals, and the things to do guide for what to see between events.
Augsburg Events in Winter: Christmas Market and Brecht Festival
Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt
The Christkindlesmarkt fills Rathausplatz from late November to 24 December, with over 100 stalls selling glühwein, lebkuchen and crafts, plus a 2,000-lamp Christmas tree and a living Advent calendar projected onto the town hall. It is one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, first recorded in 1498, and runs roughly 10:00 to 20:00 daily. For December weather details, see the Augsburg weather by month guide.
Bertolt Brecht Festival
Each February the Brecht Festival stages new productions of Bertolt Brecht’s plays across the city’s theaters, honoring the playwright born in Augsburg in 1898. Program details are published in January, and the Brechthaus museum runs special tours during the festival. The Augsburg city guide links to the full series of articles.
Augsburg Events in Spring: Plärrer and Stadtmarkt
Spring Plärrer
The spring Plärrer runs about two weeks from late April to early May on the Plärrergelände fairground, with roller coasters, beer tents and food stalls. It is one of Bavaria’s largest folk festivals and draws most of its crowd on weekends and evenings. Hotels book out early for the Plärrer, so check the where to stay in Augsburg guide before you go.
Stadtmarkt
Augsburg’s permanent food market on the Stadtmarkt square runs Monday to Saturday from about 7:00 to 18:00, with butchers, cheesemongers and florists under one roof. It is free to browse and the best place to pick up local produce for a picnic along the Lech. The Augsburg neighborhoods guide covers the districts around the market.
Augsburg Events in Summer: Friedensfest and Mozartfest
Hohes Friedensfest
On 8 August Augsburg marks the Hohes Friedensfest, a public holiday observed only here, commemorating religious peace in the city and the 1648 Peace of Westphalia. Expect a program of concerts, guided tours and an open-air celebration, with most shops closed for the day. For navigating the holiday closures, see the Augsburg travel tips guide.
Mozartfest
The Mozartfest is a classical music festival linking Augsburg with Mozart’s father Leopold, who was born in the city in 1719. Concerts run across several weeks in late summer and autumn, often in the Golden Hall and Schaezlerpalais, with tickets from about €20.
Augsburg Events in Autumn: Plärrer and Kunstnacht
Autumn Plärrer
The autumn Plärrer runs about two weeks from late August to early September, mirroring the spring fair with rides, tents and a fireworks finale. It is the larger of the two editions and marks the end of summer in the city.
Lange Kunstnacht
The Lange Kunstnacht opens museums, galleries and studios across Augsburg for a single evening, usually a Saturday in October, with a single wristband granting access. It is a cheap way to see the Schaezlerpalais and tim museum after hours, and details appear a few weeks before the date.
