Rauris Sounds Like the Autumn Harvest Festival – with this year’s motto ‘Sung & Played 2026’

The Autumn Harvest Festival is something very special throughout Salzburger Land, as it combines the beautiful Rauris autumn landscape, living tradition, and enjoyment.

This year, the Autumn Harvest Festival in Rauris will take place on September 12, 2026, marking one of the highlights of the remaining year.

During the Autumn Harvest Festival weeks throughout Salzburger Land, the Raurisertal shows its authentic side. A diverse activity program invites you to experience the region with all your senses. Guided hikes through the autumnal mountains, special nature experiences, culinary events, and encounters with regional producers make these weeks a varied time for connoisseurs, families, and active holidaymakers.

Culture and the farming roots of the Raurisertal are central during this special time. Regional producers present their specialties, artisans offer insights into traditional techniques, and numerous regional products can be discovered at the lovingly designed market stalls. Folk music, dance, and a varied supporting program ensure a convivial and atmospheric ambiance.

Three girls in traditional dress eating pastries outdoors

Group in traditional dress on a decorated tractor during the festive parade

Where Music Meets Tradition

Under the motto “Sung and Played”, the Salzburg Autumn Harvest Festival 2026 in the Raurisertal is also entirely dedicated to tradition, music, and living customs. Look forward to atmospheric sounds, regional delicacies, and convivial hours at the Autumn Harvest Festival.

From mid-August, the “5th season” begins in SalzburgerLand. In the Raurisertal, authentic experiences await you with traditional music, rural crafts, and genuine hospitality. Together, we celebrate the harvest season and cultivate customs with great heart and regional flair.

This year, the focus is particularly on folk music, communal singing, making music, and living traditions.

When Cows Wear Crowns and Rauris Celebrates Autumn

The “crowned” cows during the cattle drive are not just a beautiful photo opportunity. Behind the magnificent head adornment lies an old tradition that is still alive in Rauris.

If the alpine summer has gone well and people and animals return healthy from the alpine pastures, the cows are specially adorned for their journey into the valley. Flowers, fir greenery, ribbons, and elaborate headwear are a visible sign of gratitude and joy for a good alpine summer.

The large bells are also part of the cattle drive. Their sound accompanies the animals on their way back to the farms.

Good to know: If there was a serious accident or death among people or animals during the alpine summer, the colorful adornment is traditionally omitted. In some regions, the lead cow wears black headwear instead – a silent sign of mourning and remembrance.

This is precisely where the special significance of the cattle drive lies: flowers, bells, and adornments tell the story of an entire alpine summer. They stand for living tradition, for joy, and sometimes for silent remembrance – but above all, for gratitude that people and animals have returned safely to the valley.

Decorated brown horse in front of spectators and a house facade adorned with flowers

Flower-decorated carrying frames with framed black-and-white portraits on a wall

What the Autumn Harvest Festival Brings to the Table

Now is the best time to get to know the rustic and hearty cuisine of the Raurisertal. Traditional recipes, regional ingredients, and plenty of flavor make the typical dishes so special. Fresh farm bread, spicy cheese, bacon and homemade sausages, cheese dumplings, regular dumplings, or sweet Bauernkrapfen can be found not only at the Autumn Harvest Festival but also at the open alpine huts or at farmers’ markets. Of course, seasonal products can be purchased directly from local farms or in our “Regiobox” at the municipal office to take a piece of Rauris home with you.

Carmen smiles in a dirndl in front of a wooden wall with trophies

Our receptionist Carmen Rathgeb reveals one of her favorite Rauris recipes:

Traditional Pinzgauer Kaspressknödel (Cheese Dumplings)

Golden brown and crispy on the outside, wonderfully savory on the inside – that’s how a true piece of Pinzgau tastes! For the Kaspressknödel, stale dumpling bread, eggs, onions, and a strong cheese mixture of mountain cheese and Pinzgauer Bierkäse are mixed together. The dumplings are then flattened and fried golden brown in clarified butter.

We prefer to enjoy them classically in a hot, hearty beef soup or with a nice, colorful mixed salad.

Carmen’s Tip: Feel free to be generous with the cheese – because that’s what gives it its typical savory taste.

Ingredients (for approx. 4 people)

300 g dumpling bread (or small pieces of stale rolls)
approx. 150–200 ml lukewarm milk
3–4 eggs
1 large finely diced onion
150 g spicy diced mountain cheese & beer cheese
2 tbsp butter (for sautéing the onions)
Fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg
Clarified butter for frying

Preparation

Sauté the diced onions in butter in a pan until translucent.
Place the dumpling bread in a large bowl. Add the sautéed onions and parsley.
Whisk the eggs with milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and pour over the dumpling bread. Mix in the diced or grated cheese.
Knead everything well with your hands and let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes so that the bread absorbs the moisture.
Form small dumplings with wet hands and then flatten them into patties (approx. 2 cm thick).
Heat clarified butter in a pan and fry the dumpling patties over medium heat for approx. 3 to 5 minutes on both sides until golden brown and crispy.

Have fun cooking and enjoying!

12 Things That Belong to the Rauris Autumn Harvest Festival

We asked our employees what the Autumn Harvest Festival means to them, here are the 12 best opinions…

The Cattle Drive – when the animals return to the valley after a good alpine summer and can present their beautiful head adornments
Thanksgiving – giving thanks together for what nature gives us
Dirndl & Lederhosen – traditional attire is a must at the Autumn Harvest Festival, and everyone in the valley dresses up properly
Alpine Cheese – spicy, regional, and best directly from the alpine pasture or from the farmer
Bauernkrapfen – sweet or savory, a MUST at the Autumn Harvest Festival
Authentic Folk Music – accordion, brass band, and traditional dance music, and convivial hours with a dance or two
Regional Delicacies – down-to-earth, hearty, and made with products from the region
Farmers’ Market – discover and taste local products
Traditional Crafts – ancient knowledge passed down with great passion to this day; a visit to the Rauris Valley Museum is particularly recommended
Herbs & Nature Knowledge – discover what grows in our meadows and mountains and what each herb is good for
Autumn Hiking – autumnal landscape, clear mountain air, and fantastic views
Togetherness – sitting together, celebrating, enjoying, and experiencing traditions together with our dear guests