Traditional costume magic in Vilsbiburg: 77 clubs celebrate Lower Bavaria!

Traditional costume magic in Vilsbiburg: 77 clubs celebrate Lower Bavaria!

On June 13, 2025, the city of Vilsbiburg celebrated the 4th Lower Bavarian Traditional Costume Meeting, an important event that brought together numerous traditional costume clubs from the region. The meeting was organized by the Trachtengau Lower Bavaria, the Bavarian Waldgau and the Three Rivers Trachtengau Passau. Mayor Sibylle Entwistle emphasized in her opening speech that this meeting was a special honor for the city of Vilsbiburg. This year, 77 traditional costume clubs took part in the parade, which was the highlight of the meeting on Sunday. The commitment of the traditional costumers was also acknowledged by Prime Minister Markus Söder in a welcoming speech in which he thanked the participants.

The traditional costume meeting is not only a cultural festival, but also an important platform for the exchange and maintenance of traditional customs in the region. The performances by the various traditional costume clubs gave visitors an insight into the diversity of Bavarian costumes and customs.

Historical significance of the region

A further look at the cultural traditions in the region shows the importance of historical festivals. In towns like Grafenau and Grainet, annual mule festivals take place that are reminiscent of the historic “Goldener Steig” trade route. From 1010 to 1706, this route was the most important trade route between Bavaria and Bohemia, over which large quantities of salt were transported. The Salzsäumerfest in Grafenau turns back time by half a millennium and attracts numerous visitors.

At the Salzsäumerfest, the program includes a historical salt-säumer procession, a medieval market, comedians and musical performances. The event takes place annually on the first Saturday in August and highlights historical crafts in the form of potters, saddlers, weavers and other professions. Visitors can look forward to a lively market in the town square, where old crafts are presented.

Special attention is also given to the salt seamer journeymen who perform on Friday in the Hofmarkplatz in Haus i. Set up camp for the night in the forest, 8 km from Grafenau. On Saturday they then move with horses and covered wagons over the Haselberg to Grafenau, where they are ceremoniously welcomed. Entertainment by comedians, jugglers, the “traveling people” and musicians ensure a lively ambience.

The cultural activities that take place both in Vilsbiburg and at the mule festivals in Grafenau and Grainet are a valuable contribution to preserving Bavarian traditions and the local community.

For more information about the Lower Bavarian Traditional Costume Meeting, visit PNP and for the mule festivals take a look Bavarian Forest National Park Holiday Region.