Farmers’ Autumn in the Salzburg region

Experience tradition and enjoy it in style. When the forests around Mittersill turn shades of gold and red, one of the most beautiful seasons in the Salzburg region begins: the Salzburg Bauernherbst.

With its cattle drives, traditional festivals, regional cuisine and living customs, the region reveals its most authentic side. For guests at the Hotel Schloss Mittersill, the ‘Bauernherbst’ is the ideal opportunity to combine authentic traditions with a stay in a historic setting.

What is the Salzburg Farmers’ Autumn Festival?

The Salzburg Bauernherbst is one of Austria’s largest folk festivals. From late August through to October, numerous towns and villages across the Salzburg region celebrate the bountiful harvest with regional specialities, music, crafts and traditional festivities. Visitors can experience culture in action, genuine hospitality and the diversity of this region renowned for its Alpine culinary delights.

Farmers’ Autumn around Mittersill

Visitors can look forward to numerous events in and around Mittersill during the Bauernherbst festival. Particularly popular are the Mittersill Strudel Festival, regional weekly markets featuring local produce, and harvest festivals, which offer an insight into the traditions of the Pinzgau region.

Those who extend their stay will also discover farmers’ markets, cattle drives and regional festivals in the surrounding villages of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Mittersill Strudel Festival – The culinary highlight of the Salzburg Bauernherbst

Over 30 different types of strudel to enjoy

When, in early September, the scent of freshly baked apple strudel wafts through the historic streets of Mittersill, one of the most popular autumn festivals in the Pinzgau gets underway. The Mittersill Strudel Festival transforms Lebzeltergasse and Hintergasse into a delightful promenade and is one of the highlights of the Salzburg Bauernherbst. Whether it’s classic apple strudel, creamy quark strudel or creative, savoury variations – at the Strudel Festival, regional restaurants and producers present more than 30 different strudel specialities. From traditional family recipes to modern interpretations, visitors can discover the culinary diversity of the Pinzgau in a particularly delightful way.

The perfect autumn weekend at Mittersill Castle

The Strudel Festival is far more than just a culinary celebration. The ceremonial procession featuring the Bürgermusik Mittersill, regional music groups and traditional folk music creates an authentic atmosphere that makes the Salzburg Bauernherbst so special. Set amongst the historic houses, numerous stalls invite you to linger, sample and discover regional specialities. Just a few minutes from the historic town centre, the Hotel Schloss Mittersill offers the ideal retreat after a day full of new experiences. After visiting the Strudel Festival, you can look forward to the tranquillity of the castle, regional gourmet cuisine, relaxing hours in the spa and a panoramic view of the peaks of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

What else is there to experience at the Bauernherbst festival in Mittersill?

Alpine cattle drives featuring festively decorated animals and traditional music.

As summer draws to a close in the alpine pastures, the festively decorated cows, sheep and goats return to the valley together with their herdsmen and herdswomen. With artfully woven floral wreaths, bells and traditional costume, the cattle drive down from the alpine pastures becomes a colourful festival. Accompanied by brass band music, regional delicacies and craft stalls, visitors experience one of the most beautiful traditions of the Salzburg Bauernherbst.

Weekly markets selling regional produce such as cheese, bacon, honey and farmhouse bread.

At the farmers’ markets and weekly markets, local producers showcase their high-quality produce. From tangy Pinzgau cheese to homemade bacon and fresh farmhouse bread, right through to honey, jams, herbal products and fine spirits – here, visitors can discover and sample regional specialities and take them home as souvenirs. Many producers also offer fascinating insights into their work and share the stories behind their products.

Craft demonstrations showcasing traditional Pinzgau craft techniques.

The Farmers’ Autumn festival keeps traditional crafts alive. At demonstrations, visitors can see how intricate carvings are created, baskets are woven and felt items are made. Spinning, weaving and baking using old recipes are also demonstrated in many places. This highlights just how much knowledge and passion have been passed down through the generations and continue to shape life in the Pinzgau to this day.

Traditional evenings and open-air concerts featuring folk music and local customs.

On balmy autumn evenings, traditional sounds fill the village squares. Brass bands, folk costume groups and folk dance clubs organise atmospheric folk evenings, where guests can discover the musical and cultural diversity of the Salzburg region. The warm atmosphere invites you to linger and offers an authentic insight into the region’s living traditions.

Harvest festivals and farmers’ markets in the communities surrounding the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Harvest festivals are among the most important traditions of the ‘Bauernherbst’ (Farmers’ Autumn). Lovingly decorated churches, festive processions and regional customs all express gratitude for the year’s harvest. Afterwards, many communities host farmers’ markets and convivial celebrations, where regional delicacies, music and a sense of community take centre stage. Here, visitors can experience the close bond people have with their homeland and their traditions.