The first highlight in the new year: Glöcklerlauf (parade) in Bad Goisern 2026
This event has already taken place
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A time-honoured local tradition
The "Glöcklerlauf" is a time-honoured local tradition. This is hardly surprising, as it is believed that the illuminated head decorations and the ringing of the bells bring good luck into the community in the coming year, and that they protect us from unfortunate events. Processions take place on the evening of January 5th. Eager spectators gather to watch the parades of figures dressed all in white. The men carry large bells attached to their belts and wear elaborate head decorations. These are illuminated on the inside by large candles.
These decorations are hand made by those taking part in the procession, with finest attention to detail. The "caps" consist of a wooden frame, securely stuck together and covered in black paper clay. In earlier times, cardboard was used instead of paper. We have records of this dating back as far as 1906. Motifs are then cut from this outer frame, and coloured paper stuck behind each of the cut-outs. The seams are usually covered by tissue paper fronds.
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