Weiden's Solstice Fire: Thousands celebrate the longest night of the year!

Weiden's Solstice Fire: Thousands celebrate the longest night of the year!

The traditional solstice fire of the Oberpfälzer Waldverein (OWV) Weiden branch sent more than just a few torches and a few light bulbs into the sky: on June 21, 2025, this fiery spectacle took place at the Dekan-Pfeiffer-Ruhe, at the “Stone Table” near Tröglersricht. Many visitors - families, OWV members and guests - flocked to celebrate the longest day of the year. The event turned into a happy atmosphere that strengthened the community. The anticipation was palpable as the area filled with people enjoying the summer atmosphere and looking forward to the highlights to come.

The event was ceremoniously opened by the singing of the “CHORISma” choir, who performed their performance under the direction of Larissa Burgardt. Retired pastor Gerhard Pausch provided an emotionally powerful speech, discussing the meaning of John the Baptist and the solstice fire. “John was born on June 24th, which gives this celebration a special Christian connection,” explained Pausch as he blessed the fire before it was finally lit. This happened in the harmonious light of the setting sunlight, which made the moment particularly impressive.

Comfort and customs

The tradition of solstice fires has deep roots. As described at Praxistipps, the custom goes back to the Middle Ages, where there was already a worship of the sun that emerged from the earliest human cults. The solstice fire is a symbol of strength and warmth and was supposed to drive away demons and ensure a good harvest. Many bring their luck by jumping over the fire. This tradition is very popular in both Germany and Austria and is often celebrated in conjunction with family celebrations.

As in Weiden, food was an integral part of the evening. The grill team took care of delicious bratwursts and steaks as well as refreshing drinks that were enjoyed until late into the night. These culinary delights contributed to the harmonious atmosphere and invited the participants to get together in a friendly atmosphere.

A look into the future

Event organizer and OWV board member Gerhard Ertl emphasized the importance of such traditions for the community: “The midsummer fire is not only a celebration of the longest day, it also promotes cohesion in our region.” The guests of honor, including Mayor Jens Meyer, Mayor Reinhold Wildenauer and mayoral candidate Dr. Benjamin Zeitler, drew a positive conclusion and praised the commitment of the organizers and the lively participation of the citizens.

This event once again showed how important it is to maintain traditions and strengthen a sense of community. Preparations for the next celebration are already underway and are intended to make the solstice fire even bigger. All those involved can only hope that the fiery spectacle attracts many enthusiasts in the coming years and becomes a symbol of the joy of life in Weiden.