Altdorfer Bachfest-Hocketse

A Hocketse with a Water Jump

Anyone who grew up in Altdorf near Böblingen has probably dared to take the plunge at least once: from the weir in Bachstraße into the bright green, cool Würm river. The Altdorfer Bachsprung is what sets the Bachfest of the Altdorf Gymnastics Club apart from any ordinary Hocketse. It's a harmless but crowd-pleasing test of courage: a jump from the low weir edge into the natural stream, cheered on by hundreds of spectators. Who jumps first, who lands most gracefully, who shows the biggest fright — these are the topics of conversation in the days after the festival.

Bachstraße, Würm Riverbank, Festival Atmosphere

The venue is Bachstraße in the town center of Altdorf, a Heckengäu village of around 4,500 inhabitants situated between Holzgerlingen and Weil im Schönbuch. The Altdorf Gymnastics Club (Turnverein Altdorf e.V.) sets up beer garden tables along the stream, connects the Bachfest tent to the historic mill, and closes off a section of Bachstraße. On Friday evening, the festival opens with barrel tapping — followed by live music with regional cover bands and festival bands. Saturday is all about the Bachsprung in the afternoon, followed by a long festival evening with a DJ.

Sunday with Frühschoppen and Children's Program

On Sunday, the festival opens with the traditional Frühschoppen (morning pint) — featuring Weißwurst, pretzels, beer, and brass band music. During the day, the Hocketse turns into a family festival: carousel and children's sports activities organized by the Gymnastics Club, suckling pig from the grill, a cake buffet with baked goods from the members' kitchens. The atmosphere remains relaxed; many Altdorf residents attend multiple times throughout the weekend. For the Gymnastics Club as the organizer, the festival is the most important source of income for the year, funding youth work and club life.

More Than 40 Years of Tradition

The Hocketse has been running since the 1980s — the 44th Bachfest took place in 2024, dating the event back to the early 1980s. Over the decades, it has become an identity-defining event for Altdorf. Visitors from outside the town come from the Böblingen district, from Stuttgart, and from the Schönbuch region. Those who have dared the jump traditionally receive a T-shirt — and an entry into the club's oral history. The exact date for 2026 will be announced in the spring; in recent years, the festival has taken place on the first or second weekend of July.