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Midsummer fire at Königssee delights hundreds of spectators at night!
Schönau am Königssee celebrated an impressive solstice bonfire on June 22, 2025 with music, festivities and thousands of spectators.
Midsummer fire at Königssee delights hundreds of spectators at night!
Last weekend, the residents of the Berchtesgaden basin celebrated the tradition of the solstice fire in two lively events. The kick-off took place on Saturday, June 21st, in the picturesque Bischofswiesen-Winkl, followed by a spectacular fire on Sunday, June 22nd, in Schönau am Königssee. These traditional celebrations, also known as St. John's Day or mountain fires, have been an integral part of summer traditions since the Middle Ages and attract many spectators bgland24 reported.
In Bischofswiesen, hundreds of onlookers gathered around the large pile of wood, which consisted of slats, boards and trees. The volunteer fire department organized the event and ensured the safety of the visitors by tying a rope around the pile of wood. The spectacular fire was ignited around 9:30 p.m. and reached impressive flame heights of up to 20 meters. During the event, the Calimeros Revival Band provided musical entertainment and there were numerous food and drink stalls offering guests access to local delicacies.
Impressive flames in Schönau am Königssee
The midsummer fire followed on Sunday in Schönau am Königssee with an 8 meter high pile of wood in the shape of a tipi. In order to ignite the fire more effectively, the wood was previously soaked with oil. Numerous locals and holidaymakers came to witness the impressive spectacle of the first flames, which shot up to 15 meters into the night sky. Here too, visitors enjoyed drinks and musical entertainment, and the celebrations lasted until the early hours of the morning.
The solstice customs attract not only locals but also numerous tourists who want to experience the festive atmosphere and the impressive fires. The custom of the midsummer fire has a long tradition and is practiced in many regions of Germany and Austria. In Bavaria, such fires are often lit around June 21st, which marks the peak of the turn of summer Bavaria vacation highlights.
The anticipation for these traditional festivals is unbroken. Many people have the opportunity to take part in local celebrations, which are usually accompanied by music, food and socializing. Numerous other solstice bonfires are also planned in the coming weeks, which will be held in various regions, including the events on June 27th and 28th, 2025. Such celebrations not only offer visual highlights, but also strengthen the sense of community and connection to old customs.