Waldmünchen open-air festival: Trenck the Pandur

A summer evening turns into a journey through time

Picture this: the sun is sinking behind the hills of the Upper Palatinate Forest. On an open-air stage in the middle of Waldmünchen, riders thunder across the scene, swords clash and gunpowder smoke rises. Hundreds of spectators sit spellbound on the stands, children crane their necks and even forget their popcorn. This is the Waldmünchen open-air festival, one of the most tradition-rich folk plays in Bavaria.

Every July and August the small border town turns into a historic stage. At its centre stands a man who kept the region in suspense almost 300 years ago: Franz Freiherr von der Trenck and his notorious Panduren.

Who was Trenck the Pandur?

Franz von der Trenck was born in Reggio di Calabria in 1711 and grew up on the family estate in Slavonia (today's Croatia). As a young man he assembled an irregular force, the so-called Panduren. This troop of border fighters, adventurers and mercenaries fought in the War of the Austrian Succession on the side of Empress Maria Theresa.

In 1742 Trenck and his Panduren marched through the Upper Palatinate and the Bavarian Forest. Waldmünchen became the setting of dramatic events. The Panduren were feared for their unconventional warfare, but also for plundering and raiding the civilian population. At the same time Trenck was seen as a charismatic leader with a flair for the theatrical.

His life ended tragically: after a military trial he was imprisoned in the Spielberg fortress in 1749, where he died a few months later. A story full of contradictions that still fascinates today.

Why Waldmünchen of all places?

The town has a direct historical connection to Trenck. His passage in 1742 left a deep mark on the collective memory of the region. Since 1950 the people of Waldmünchen have brought this story to the stage, with steadily growing effort and rising quality. Today more than 400 amateur performers take part, including riders, musicians and entire families. The play is no dry history lesson but a vivid spectacle with humour, drama and impressive crowd scenes.

What awaits you at the festival

The performances take place on the open-air stage on the edge of Waldmünchen. The venue seats around 1,500 spectators and is embedded in the natural landscape. Trees, hills and the evening sky form the backdrop.

The play

The festival play lasts about two and a half hours (including intermission) and tells the events around Trenck's incursion into Waldmünchen. You will witness battle scenes with riders and cannons, dramatic confrontations between the Panduren and the townspeople, love stories and comic scenes that lighten the mood. The production is elaborate: real horses on stage, historic costumes, pyrotechnics and live music.

The performances usually begin at 8:00 p.m., when daylight slowly fades and the spotlights take over. This mix of natural light and stage light gives the atmosphere something special.

What age is it suitable for?

The festival is recommended from about six years old. Younger children often have trouble sitting still for two and a half hours, and individual battle scenes with cannon thunder can frighten three-year-olds. From the age of six children understand the plot well enough to be drawn in, and the horses, riders and battle scenes make sure no boredom sets in.

Many families from the region bring their children for the first time at six or seven. That is a good guideline.

Tickets and practical tips

The performance dates for July and August are published in spring on the official Waldmünchen open-air festival website. Reserve your tickets in good time, because the premiere and Saturday performances are often sold out weeks in advance.

A few practical notes:

• Clothing: Even in summer it can get cool on the open-air stage in the evening. Pack a jacket or blanket.
• Seats: The front rows offer the best view of the riding stunts. For children, seats further up are often better, because they can see the whole stage from there.
• Getting there: From our hotel it is just a few minutes on foot to the stage. You need no car and no parking space.
• Food and drink: At the entrance there is a snack stand with drinks and snacks. Or have dinner at the hotel beforehand and start the evening well fed.

The Drachenstich in Furth im Wald: another summer highlight

If you are in the region for the open-air festival anyway, you should mark another date in the calendar. Just 15 kilometres from Waldmünchen, the Furth im Wald Drachenstich takes place in August. Germany's oldest folk play has been performed since 1590. That is not a typo: for over 430 years.

What is the Drachenstich?

The Drachenstich tells the story of a brave knight's fight against a dragon that threatens the town. The special twist: the dragon is a 15-metre, four-legged robot that breathes fire on stage, moves and faces the knight in combat. It is considered the largest four-legged walking robot in the world and is a technical sensation.

For children the Drachenstich is an absolute experience. A huge, fire-breathing dragon on the open stage, plus a knight in shining armour. That is the stuff childhood memories are made of.

Drachenstich festival week

The Drachenstich is not just a single performance but a whole festival. For a week there are parades, a historic market, fairground rides and a colourful programme for all ages. The main performances take place on several evenings in August.

The combination of the open-air festival in Waldmünchen (July/August) and the Drachenstich in Furth im Wald (August) makes a summer stay in the region especially attractive. Two completely different events, both family-friendly, both with a historical background and both within a short distance of each other.

Two festivals, one family holiday

If you plan your holiday in the first half of August, you can take in both events. One evening with Trenck the Pandur in Waldmünchen, one evening at the Drachenstich in Furth im Wald. In between there is plenty of time for Lake Perlsee, hikes in the Upper Palatinate Forest or a trip into the Bavarian Forest.

In our Bavarian Forest Guide you will find more ideas for day trips and activities to round off the festival evenings.

What your week could look like

• Day 1: Arrival, explore Waldmünchen, evening at Lake Perlsee
• Day 2: Hike in the morning, hotel pool in the afternoon, Waldmünchen open-air festival in the evening
• Day 3: Day trip into the Bavarian Forest (treetop walkway, wildlife enclosure)
• Day 4: Lake Perlsee day with swimming and pedal boats
• Day 5: Trip to Furth im Wald, Drachenstich in the evening
• Day 6: Relaxed day at the hotel with pool and sauna
• Day 7: Departure after breakfast

One week, two historic festivals, plenty of nature and a family hotel as a base that covers the rest. That is a summer holiday everyone will remember.

Read more

• Things to see in Waldmünchen
• Summer trips

At the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof the evening is well prepared

Our hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the open-air stage. You can have a relaxed dinner, let the children splash in the pool one more time and then stroll to the show. After the play you are back in a few minutes.

For the days between performances the hotel offers everything families need: indoor pool, kids club, all-inclusive board with drinks all day. That is how a festival visit becomes a real family holiday.

Plan your summer in Waldmünchen and experience Trenck, the dragon and the Bavarian Forest. Book now.