Bächtlefest Bad Saulgau

A 240-Year Tradition

The Bächtlefest was founded in 1786 by citizens and schoolchildren of Bad Saulgau and has since been one of the oldest children's and homeland festivals in Southern Germany. It takes place every year on a fixed date between mid-July and the end of July — in 2026, from Thursday, July 16, to Monday, July 20. The town — with just under 18,000 inhabitants — transforms into a festival mile, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Upper Swabia, Württemberg, and Bavaria.

Thursday — Barrel Tapping and Opening Ceremony

The festivities kick off on Thursday evening, July 16, 2026, at 7 PM in the festival tent with the ceremonial tapping of the first beer barrel by the mayor, accompanied by the Stadtmusik Bad Saulgau. A festive evening with beer, bratwurst, and Swabian-Upper Swabian festival music — the official start of the five festival days.

Friday — Musical Evening with 700 Children

On Friday, July 17, it's the Musischer Abend (Musical Evening) — the city's schoolchildren perform in large choirs and orchestras, a spectacle with over 700 young participants that carries the folk-educational character of the Bächtlefest to this day. Parallel from 4 PM, the Bad Saulgauer Jahrgängertreffen (Bad Saulgau Year Group Reunion) — the various birth year groups of the city meet, a Swabian peculiarity that connects young and old. In the evening, a rock concert in the festival tent.

Saturday — Historic Market and Fireworks

Saturday, July 18, starting at 9 AM, the Historischer Handwerker- und Bauernmarkt (Historic Craft and Farmers' Market) opens in the old town — old professions (blacksmith, basket weaver, cooper), farmers' market stalls, medieval music. It ends at 3 PM. From 9 PM, a serenade in the Oberschwaben Stadium with the Stadtmusik and guest bands, at 10:30 PM, spectacular synchronized fireworks — one of Upper Swabia's most beautiful festival fireworks.

Sunday — Festival Service, Jazz Brunch, and Adler Shooting

On Sunday, July 19, the day continues with a festival service, jazz brunch, and the traditional Adlerschießen (Eagle Shooting — a competition with bow and rifle on a wooden eagle symbol) in the stadium, along with children's games and a family program.

Monday — Grand Historic Parade

The highlight is the Großer Historischer Festzug (Grand Historic Parade) on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 9:30 AM from the city center through Bad Saulgau: 3,000 participants, over 60 flower-adorned floats with horse-drawn carriages, over 250 horses, approx. 20 music bands. The themes range from biblical scenes and the history of Bad Saulgau to professional guilds, regional costumes, and living tableaux. Afterwards, a raffle at 6 PM in the stadium to conclude the festival.

Bad Saulgau and Upper Swabia

Bad Saulgau is a spa town and the center of the Swabian Spa Region between the Danube and Lake Constance. The Bächtlefest is not just a folk festival (Volksfest), but a source of identity: schoolchildren march in the parade, families plan vacations and weddings around the date, and the festival has been entered in the calendar of every Upper Swabian family for generations.