Leavenworth's 55th Maifest returns with Maibaum dances, Festzug, new beer garden

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Josh McLaughlin, left, of the Tirolean Dancers of Oregon weaves hung ribbons around the Maibaum, or maypole, while dancing with other performers during the traditional Maifest celebration on Front Street on May 11, 2024, in Leavenworth.

May brings warmer weather, brighter days, vivid landscapes and celebration to Leavenworth as residents and visitors enjoy the 55th Maifest.

"Maifest Weekend is the heart of spring in Leavenworth, and it's where our community comes together to celebrate Bavarian tradition in its most authentic form, from the festive dancing around the maypole (Maibaum) to the Festzug and live music filling Front Street," said Leavenworth Chamber Executive Director Troy Campbell in a news release. "This 55th anniversary is especially meaningful, as we honor the traditions that have defined this event for generations while thoughtfully enhancing the experience for today's visitors."

Immigrant-, Germanic- and Celtic-inspired Bavarian-themed festivities run May 1 through May 24. Tens of thousands of tourists visit Leavenworth in May to celebrate spring and Maifest traditions.

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Darin Rienks, center, of Aspen, Colo., Nick Pankow, left, of Leavenworth, and Taylor Boyd, of Leavenworth, carry bakery, garden, and craft tradesman backpacks as they participate in the Festzug, or Grand March, along Front Street, May 11, 2024, in downtown Leavenworth.

"While Maifest celebrates our Bavarian roots, those roots reach back even further than many realize," according to the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. "Long before Bavaria became distinctly ‘Bavarian,' Celtic tribes inhabited the region, shaping early culture, traditions, and even place names. Over centuries, Celtic and Germanic influences blended to form the rich heritage that defines Bavaria today."

Maifest (May Festival) itself runs May 8 through May 10. Highlights returning this year include the Festzug Grand March, traditional Maibaum (maypole) dances, Tirolean Dancers of Oregon, Bernese Mountain dogs (Berner Sennenhund in German), horses, wagons and carriages, Bavarian Alphorns and music, townsfolk in traditional Trachten, and special guest Manuela Horn.

A tradition that began in 1971, Maifest continues to evolve while maintaining its classic spirit.

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Nick Bielby, of Port Angeles, chainsaw carves a small wood tree during the Leavenworth Maifest in 2025.

"With apple blossoms blooming and the mountains still capped in snow, Maifest marks the joyful arrival of spring in true Bavarian fashion - and this milestone year brings a number of new and exciting additions," the chamber said in the release.

New features this year include a second entertainment stage at the Festhalle and a Maifest Beer Garden open Saturday, May 9. A new Maibaum (maypole) will also be unveiled, crafted from a Douglas fir, bark removed and adorned with rings of greenery, symbolizing prosperity and community.

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Alpenfolk's Peter Pflug-Tilton, left, sings and plays guitar alongside his father, Thomas Tilton, on button box accordion at the Front Street Gazebo during the Leavenworth Maifest in 2025.

Other upcoming May events in Leavenworth include:

* May 10: Mai BlumenLauf (May Flower Run), a family-friendly marathon benefiting Cascade Medical Foundation. Visit teddriven.com/leavenworth-mai-blumenlauf.

* May 14–17: Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, celebrating migratory birds returning to the Upper Valley. Visit wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/bird-fest.

* May 16–17: Live Chainsaw Carving, demonstrating timber, logging and mountain craftsmanship. Visit leavenworth.org/event/maifest-live-chainsaw-carving-2/2026-05-17.

* May 23–24: Leavenworth International Alphorn Festival, featuring live music and special performances. Visit leavenworthalphorns.org/nw-alphorn-workshop.

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An aerial view of Front Street in Leavenworth during the 2024 Maifest.

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This story was originally published May 5, 2026 at 1:41 PM.