Traunstein Culture Calendar: Georgiritt, Kultsommer & Gaufest
Traunstein for Culture Enthusiasts – The Most Important Events Throughout the Year
What if a year begins with clashing swords and, on three summer evenings a week, the entire city center becomes a stage? And did you know that an ancient tradition in Traunstein has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage since 2016 – and that in 2025, two major events will have shaped the July weeks? This guide takes you through the cultural year of a city that sets its own rhythm between Chiemsee and the Alps: vibrant, tradition-conscious, and surprisingly modern.
Whether you live here or are just visiting: With our overview, you can plan your cultural year with ease – from spring customs and summer open-air nights to atmospheric Advent highlights. Two details we’ll clarify right away: why the sword dance is performed twice on the same day – and why Tuesday to Thursday is so special in summer.
Spring Kick-off: Georgiritt and Sword Dance
The cultural starting shot in Traunstein falls on Easter Monday with the Georgiritt and the historic Sword Dance. The tradition has been listed as intangible cultural heritage since 2016 in Germany – a badge of honor for living culture. According to the city, the sword dance begins at the town square at 9:30 a.m., the procession rides out from 10:00 a.m.; a second sword dance performance traditionally follows at 2:00 p.m.. This is our first clarification: The double performance allows many people to enjoy the dance at their leisure.
Experience Tips
- Arrive early and allow extra time for arrival – the city center fills up quickly.
- Standing spots with a slight elevation facing the town square are popular; from there, you can see the riders and the dance well.
- With children, the afternoon performance is often more relaxed.
- Use public transport: The old town is a short walk from the train station.
Spring also brings chamber music of the highest quality: The Spring of Music focuses on several high-caliber evenings in May (for instance, 2025 on 17th, 20th, 22nd, and 23rd of May). The city’s annual overview also lists events such as Maypole Raising, Spring Festival, and Rose Days for this season – opportunities to connect handicraft tradition, regional cuisine, and social encounters. Also note the spelling Georgiritt as a set search term.
Summer in the City: Kultsommer Open-Air
The second mystery is solved by the summer nights: From the end of June to early September, an open and free open-air program turns the city center into a stage on Tuesday to Thursday evenings. In 2025, it officially ran from 24.06. to 09.09. – with recurring highlights such as the atmospheric Italian Night. The name says it all: the urban space resonates, people stroll, and the gastronomy provides a Mediterranean vibe at the heart of Chiemgau.
The series is commonly called Kultsommer by many locals. It is consciously low-threshold: no ticket, no dress code – just music, encounters, and a city that loves playing host. If you drop by spontaneously, you can usually find a spot around the main square quickly; those who want to dance are often in the midst of a small circle of audience after just a few bars.
The musical finale to the summer is traditionally set by the Summer Concerts as a chamber music week at the beginning of September in the Kulturforum. The artistic focus is on masterfully interpreted chamber music, partly with ensembles that have had a close relationship with Traunstein for years. Future dates vary; for example, 01.–07.09. for 2026 were mentioned.
2025 Highlights: Festival Weekend and Gaufest
In 2025, Traunstein also marked the 650th anniversary of city rights. The centerpiece was a big festival weekend from 04.–06.07. with stage programs, family offerings, and experiences focused on city history.
- Exhibitions: for example, 12.03.–27.04. and 11.04.–01.06.
- Evening city stories: 03.06.–05.08. every Tuesday
- Themed day on administration and authorities: 14.06.
- Juried summer exhibition: 13.07.–03.08.
- Firefighters’ Day: 02.08.
Only a few weeks later came the Gaufest from 18.–27.07.2025 – a unique major event in the annual calendar and a core part of regional identity. Traditionally, highlights include beer tapping, Gau Homeland Evening, Prize Schuhplatteln, and Gaudirndldrahn, before a colorful costume parade and the Gautrachtenfest set the grand finale. If you want to experience the interplay of music, costume, craft, and community, this is the most concentrated form – authentic and open to guests.
Practically Planned
- Public transport saves you from searching for parking and is usually quicker during major events.
- Families choose quieter times at the edges of peak visiting hours.
- For photographers, the golden evening hours during the festivities are a gift.
Autumn Sounds: Wine Festival and Concerts
As the days get shorter, the cultural rhythm shifts indoors – without losing any intensity. The program often includes symphonic concerts, the conclusion of regional series, and convivial events such as the Wine Festival. People meet here to taste, chat, and listen, often accompanied by small stages and ensembles that fill the autumnal cityscape with sound.
Special attention goes to the Chiemgau Culture Days. Since 2014, they have developed as a platform for regional culture – exhibitions, concerts, theater, and participatory formats – from 2025 in a two-year cycle. The 2025 theme was “Art Outdoors”. This focus suits Traunstein: art becomes a topic of conversation and a walk through the city, sharpening perception and creating encounters.
Winter Magic: Krampus Run and Open-Air
The cold season in Traunstein belongs to the Krampus Run, the Christmas Market, and a winter open-air in the park. Lights, soft music, steaming mugs – the city presents its atmospheric side. Between market stalls, you can often find small stages, choirs, or the sounds of alphorns.
Warmth and Safety Tips
- Dress in layers, wear gloves, and bring a thermos for late hours if needed.
- Arrange fixed meeting points for groups/families in the crowd.
- Enjoy considerately: keep your distance, respect traditions.
Planning, Service, and Date Overview
Dates may vary each year. The city maintains a central, continuously updated calendar of events. For specific daily dates – from the first Kultsommer concert to the start of the summer concerts – you should definitely check here.
- Arrival: Use public transport where possible; city center distances are short, many venues are within walking distance.
- Come early: Arriving early at the Georgiritt and on big open-air evenings assures good visibility.
- Accessibility: Check designated accessible areas and entrances early on.
- Bad weather: Many events have alternatives; check for up-to-date advice at short notice.
- Accommodation: Book early for festival weeks, especially during festival weekends and Gaufest.
Quick Notes – Yearly Overview
Georgiritt on Easter Monday with sword dance (9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., procession from 10:00 a.m.), Spring of Music in May, Kultsommer with free Tuesday–Thursday evenings (2025: 24.06.–09.09.), Festival weekend for the city rights anniversary (2025: 04.–06.07.), Gaufest with beer tapping, Gau Homeland Evening, Prize Schuhplatteln, Gaudirndldrahn and Gautrachtenfest (2025: 18.–27.07.), the Summer Concerts at the beginning of September, the Chiemgau Culture Days every two years as well as Wine Festival, Krampus Run, Christmas Market and winter open-air at year’s end.
For daily updates, visit the city's event calendar (under the “Culture & Leisure” section).
Transparency: How This Was Researched
This overview brings together publicly accessible information from the city of Traunstein and regional cultural players, as well as reliable foundations on traditions and customs. Some date examples refer to 2025 and are for orientation; please always check the current information from the organizers.
- German UNESCO Commission: Intangible Cultural Heritage (Germany) — Classification, procedures and registers; 2016 entry for the Traunstein Georgiritt and historical sword dance (accessed 2025-11-13)
- City of Traunstein – Official Website — Event calendar and city notes on Georgiritt, sword dance, Kultsommer, summer concerts (accessed 2025-11-13)
- Gauverband I — Information on Gaufests, customs, prize Schuhplatteln, and Gaudirndldrahn (accessed 2025-11-13)
- Chiemsee-Chiemgau Tourism — Regional event information and seasonal cultural formats (accessed 2025-11-13)
- Bavaria Timetable — Public transport connections for travel to events in Traunstein (accessed 2025-11-13)
