WHAT
A program for the whole family with workshops, a city rally, creative programs, music, film screenings and much more.
Fancy a festival that is not only fun, but also makes a difference?
Then come to the Festival of Democracy on October 5, 2025 at the Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte and on the Donaumarkt.
Opening with our director Dr. Richard Loibl and Bavarian State Minister Ulrike Scharf
At 10:15 a.m., Dr. Richard Loibl and Ulrike Scharf, Bavarian State Minister for Family, Labor, and Social Affairs, will officially open our Festival of Democracy 2025—the second edition after the great success in 2024. There will be a free “Kraftschluck” (organic smoothie made from regional fruits and more) at the opening.
At 2:15 p.m., Regensburg's mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer will visit the festival and take over the second round of “Kraftschluck” distribution. Everyone is cordially invited.
Experience history
All our exhibitions - the permanent exhibition "How Bavaria became a Free State and what makes it special", the cabinet exhibition "Sau sticht König - Spielkarten aus Bayern" and the Bavarian State Exhibition "Ludwig I - Bavaria's greatest king?" are open free of charge from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
There are also special guided tours for children throughout the day through the permanent exhibition - every hour from 10:30 am - and the state exhibition - every hour from 10:00 am.
Registration for the guided tours is only possible on site on the day of the event at a dedicated tour desk. Please note: there is a maximum number of 25 participants per tour.
AI workshop and simulation game on democracy
In front of the House of Bavarian History on Donaumarkt, youth bridge Munich is holding an AI workshop. Join in if you are interested in the opportunities and dangers of AI!
Matthias Kürzinger also invites you to take part in a democracy simulation game in our museum education rooms. Here you can find out how our democracy works!
Actions at the Danube market
Would you like to immortalize yourself with chalk on the Donaumarkt? Then come along. By the way, we will capture the joint work of art with a drone. Or you can design an advertising pillar or create your own election poster. Our Danube market will become a creative stage for you!
Throughout the day, associations and clubs will be on site at the Danube market with information stands, for example the Kreisjugendring Dachau with its democracy mobile or Missio Munich with an impressive democracy tower made of wooden building blocks from the "Every stone counts" campaign , and a city rally that will take you to various places in Regensburg.
Stage program with bands from the region
This year, we are once again offering artists from Regensburg and the surrounding area a stage. They will be performing on October 5:
From 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., it's time for ‘Bavarokratie’: excerpts and songs from the play will be performed as street theatre. The play, Paula Schlagbauer's final project at the Munich Kammerspiele, revolves around Otto, the last Bavarian on the Greek throne.
Reading corner, book swap, poetry slam and "Ludwig, Lola and the Lions" at the Bavariathek
If you have problems with your bike, you've come to the right place between the museum and the Bavariathek: a bicycle workshop will be a guest on October 5.
The foyer of the Bavariathek will be transformed into a reading corner on Sunday: Bücherwurm Regensburg will be there with books on the subject of democracy. And at the book exchange you can bring your own books and swap them with others.
There will be a poetry slam, hosted by Lena Krebs.
And the movie "Ludwig, Lola and the Lions" will be shown in the Bavaria room. The film by Ludwigsgymnasium from Munich will be shown several times.
Food and drink
There will also be plenty to eat and drink on the banks of the Danube: there will be a fries paradise from Surf'n Fries, the Reisinger sausage roastery and coffee and cake from Café Jolie.
By the way: If you feel like it, you can make your own pizza in Pizzastraße by the play bus and then eat it too, of course.
