Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm is the capital of the district with the same name, right in the heart of Bavaria.
Oktoberfest is easily the biggest holiday in this part of Germany, and it would be nothing without the frothy golden beverage that has made the state famous. But beer production depends on quality ingredients, and nowhere can you find better hops for brewing than in the Hallertau region where this town reigns supreme.
Pfaffenhofen knows how to entertain and have fun. Each year the local government organizes a fun run known as the Hopfenmeile (Hops Mile) to celebrate yet another bountiful harvest.
Events such as spring’s Maypole festival, an annual People’s Fest, and the colorful Schäffler dance draw crowds from the neighboring towns and surrounding districts. There are also Sunday markets and monthly flea markets.
As further evidence of this, the town has developed a theater district for staging comedies, dramas, and concerts. Be sure to check the local events calendar as soon as you arrive.
Cabaret performances are quite popular, too. You will certainly want to enjoy an evening at the renowned Kabarett Stachelbär.
Sports and recreation are not neglected, either. Tennis, hiking, cycling and jogging are popular. There are indoor and outdoor pools for swimming, winter ice rinks for skating and hockey, a fine stadium for soccer, and a triple gymnasium in Niederscheyern for gymnastics.
With so much to do outside, don’t miss a visit Pfaffenhofen’s four museums. The Heritage Museum displays mainly religious art treasures, while the Depot Museum features agricultural equipment and tools of traditional craft guilds.
The Joseph Maria Lutz Museum is dedicated to the life and works of this noted local poet, and a small Wax Museum just off the main square offers a large collection of candles and candle-making apparatus dating back to 1587.
