Here in Upper Franconia, the first of May is not just celebrated as “Labor Day”. The first of May is a day full of traditions and customs here.
For example, have you ever heard of the traditional maypole theft? Around the first of May, there is a competition between individual communities in the countryside. In elaborately planned “raids”, the rural youth groups of the villages steal each other’s maypoles. The thieves are usually rewarded with beer and a “good snack”.
Another custom is the dance into May. On the evening of April 30, the so-called “Witches’ Night” or “Walpurgis Night”, large bonfires are often lit in many places. The “broom burning” takes place to drive away evil spirits. But even without a fire, people dance into May in pubs and discos – after all, almost everyone has the day off on Labor Day.
This is also the reason why people sometimes pack up their broom carts on the first of May and set off with friends on a May hike to the next festival.
There are also numerous festivals and events in our region around May 1st that you shouldn’t miss. We have listed some of them for you:
Dance into May – Wednesday, April 30, 2024
Konradsreuth
17.00 am: May festival with maypole raising at the Bürgerpark
Hof
18:00: Walpurgis Night Witches’ Bonfire 2025
FSV Viktoria Hof Sports Grounds / Schleizer Str. 103
Selb
19:00: Broom burning at the Porzellanikon
One of the largest bonfires in the region is lit on the fairground in front of the Porzellanikon in Selb. The festival takes place with fire, May punch, beer, grilled food and music. Two fires will once again burn in front of the Porzellanikon and provide guests with cozy warmth.
Stobersreuth
19:00: Maypole erection at the fire department
Wurlitz, Rehau
19:00: Broom burning in the center of the village
Kaiserhammer, Thierstein
20:00: “Dance into May” with live band “Farmers Five” (Schlossstr. 7)
May Day celebrations – Thursday, May 1
Schönwald
09:00 am: Maypole erection in the town center
Regnitzlosau
10:00 am: Maypole festival on the Postplatz
Court
10:00 am: May Day celebration in Wiesental at the settlers’ association Hof-Wiesental
Hof – Krötenbruck
10:00 a.m.: May festival
The Krötenbruck interest group kicks off May Day with an open-air church service at 10 am at the Krötenbrunnen/Eppenreuther Straße, followed by festivities and live music.
Hohendorf near Töpen
11:00 a.m.: May Day celebration with live music by “Simple Men”
Kautendorf
11:00 a.m.: Maypole erection at the old schoolhouse
Hof-Moschendorf
12:00 pm: May Day celebration at the playground on Oberkotzauer Straße
Hof
14:00: May festival in the “Meinel’s Bas”
As you can see, there really is a lot going on in Hof and the surrounding area on the first of May. So get out and set off on a hike to one or more May festivals in the region!
(all information without guarantee – no claim to completeness)
