It started with a question that was barely meant seriously: is Nordhalben ready for its own festival? The village has around 1,500 inhabitants and a great deal of Frankenwald around it. The answer came in November 2025 — below freezing, in the snow, in the Nordwaldhalle, with four bands and a crowd you could politely call "manageable". Everyone who turned up got to stand right at the front. And the organisers said the same night: we're doing this again.
On Saturday, 21 November 2026 they make good on it. The Wolfsnacht im Frankenwald is back, this time with six bands.
Top of the bill: Munarheim and their symphonic black and folk metal — bombast, blastbeats and "Nacht und Stürme" behind them. Below them Feuerwulf: seven people, guitars, fiddles, hurdy-gurdies, drums. They played the premiere and are back for round two — a home game.
Then Lykana, weaving bagpipes and heavy riffs into myth, with debut single "Medusa" out in 2026. The Mighty Dragonlords from Nuremberg and their playful fantasy power metal set in the invented land of Gloriador. Eldskål, also Nuremberg, medieval rock with plenty of pipes. And Balberskult from Kulmbach, casting old Franconian legends in black metal with a punk edge — about as local as it gets.
The small medieval market outside the hall opens at 12:00, free entry, with a bar serving mead and food including vegetarian options. Doors 14:30, music from 15:00.
What holds it together is stated plainly on the festival's own site: ticket income, minus fees, goes to the bands. The festival is run by Frischer Wind Nordhalben e.V.; the hall, security and organisation are carried by the association, a pile of volunteers and a few supporters. Not out of commercial interest, but for the music, the region and the people. Which is exactly why it's worth the drive.
