Adelindisfest Bad Buchau

Adelindisfest — the Upper Swabian Homeland Festival on the Federsee

When the Adelindisfest takes place every two years in June in Bad Buchau, the small spa town on the Federsee experiences its major summer event. For five days — Thursday to Monday — the market square and town centre become the festival grounds. The homeland and children's festival honours Saint Adelindis, a noblewoman from Upper Swabia from the 8th/9th century, who founded the Buchau Convent for Women, thus shaping the town's historical significance. The festival is not tourist-oriented but a genuine event for Upper Swabian identity.

The Historical Festival Parade — Over 1,200 Participants

The highlight of the Adelindisfest is the grand historical festival parade on Sunday at 11 AM. Over 1,200 participants in historical costumes, traditional costume groups, and floats move through the town centre of Bad Buchau — scenes from the life of Adelindis, medieval convent nuns, Upper Swabian farmer costumes, fife and drum corps, marksmen groups, and children's groups in stylised historical clothing. The parade is one of the largest historical festival parades in Upper Swabia and attracts thousands of onlookers from the region and beyond.

Crossbow Shooting and "Feierabendhocketse"

An old Upper Swabian tradition is the crossbow shooting by the Buchau marksmen's clubs — both club members and interested guests can participate. Competitions are held over several days of the festival, with awards presented on Sunday evening. Every evening, the "Feierabendhocketse" (after-work get-together) is held in the large festival tent — the Upper Swabian term for a casual gathering after work. Live music with brass bands, cover bands, and Schlager singers, along with Upper Swabian specialities like Maultaschen, Spätzle with Sauerbraten, Saure Kutteln, Federsee wine, and Schussenrieder beer.

Adelindis Market and Fireworks

The Adelindis Market complements the programme on Monday morning from 7 AM to 4 PM — a classic Upper Swabian market selling textiles, household goods, tools, and regional specialities. On Sunday evening at 10:30 PM, a fireworks display illuminates the sky over the town centre, forming the emotional climax of the festival; beforehand, the town band plays traditional serenade music.

Saint Adelindis and Bad Buchau

The historical Adelindis was a noblewoman from Upper Swabia in the early 9th century who founded (or at least significantly supported) the Buchau Convent for Women — one of the oldest convents for women in Southern Germany. The convent existed until 1803 and shaped the town politically and economically. The late Baroque Collegiate Church of St. Cornelius and Cyprianus in the city centre is an expression of this heritage. Adelindis was venerated as a saint; her feast day serves as the spiritual and historical anchor of the festival.

Bad Buchau on the Federsee — Spa Town and World Heritage Region

Bad Buchau is a small town with around 4,000 inhabitants in the Biberach district, located on the northern edge of the Federsee — the second-largest lake in Baden-Württemberg. The town is a health resort with a long spa history; around the Federsee stretches a UNESCO World Heritage area with prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements. The Federsee Museum in Bad Buchau displays finds from the Stone and Bronze Ages from these settlements. In summer, the region is popular for birdwatching, hiking, and cycling tours — the Adelindisfest is the social highlight of a beautiful Federsee weekend.