Bad Waldsee Old Town and Lake Festival

2026 Program

The town of Bad Waldsee is organizing the festival in 2026 in the proven two-day format. The Saturday evening parade gets the entire old town moving — fanfares, the Bürgergarde, traditional costume groups, and friendly bands like the Highland Pips and Drums march from the assembly point to the lake promenade. The festivities on the promenade continue late into the night.

The actual highlight is the Sunday evening spectacle: the 4,000 floating lights are released onto the Stadtsee in a choreographed action by volunteer helpers, making the water surface appear to glow. This is followed by the grand pyrotechnic fireworks with musical accompaniment — one of the most attended fireworks displays in Upper Swabia.

Saturday, August 1st, 2026 — Old Town Festival

• From 6:00 p.m.: Parade of fanfares and music bands through the old town
• Participants: Bürgergarde, traditional costume groups, Highland Pips and Drums, Upper Swabian brass bands
• Parade route from the old town to the lake promenade
• Following: Festivities along the entire promenade — catering, live music, culinary specialties

Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 — Lake Festival

• 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.: Grand flea market — over 150 stalls along Bleichestraße, Wurzacher Straße, Lakefront
• Afternoon: Catering in the old town, club mile on the lake shore
• Late afternoon/evening: Dragon boat races on the Stadtsee — clubs, companies, groups of friends
• 10:00 p.m.: 4,000 floating lights are released onto the Stadtsee
• Approx. 10:00 p.m.: Grand pyrotechnic fireworks with musical accompaniment

• 4,000 floating lights on the Stadtsee on Sunday evening
• Grand pyrotechnic fireworks with music at 10 p.m.
• Dragon boat races on Sunday
• Large flea market with over 150 stalls on Sunday 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Parade of fanfares and music bands on Saturday evening
• Highland Pips and Drums as regular guests
• Free admission
• Unique lake setting in the middle of the old town

Getting There

By car via the B 30 (Ravensburg–Memmingen), exit Bad Waldsee. By train to Aulendorf, then a connecting train to Bad Waldsee. If arriving for the Sunday Lake Festival, early arrival is highly recommended — the flea market ensures high visitor numbers from the morning onwards.

Program Highlights 2026

Sat, Aug 1st, from 6 p.m.: Parade and festivities on the lake promenade. Sun, Aug 2nd: Flea market 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. (>150 stalls), dragon boat races in the late afternoon, 10 p.m.: 4,000 lights on the lake + grand fireworks.

Admission and Flea Market Stall Spaces

Free admission. Stall spaces for the flea market can be booked from April 13th, 2026, at 9 a.m. via Reservix or Tourist Information Bad Waldsee (Tel. 07524 941342).