Bonndorf Castle Festival

Over 40 Years of Castle Festival at the Black Forest Castle

Bonndorf in the Black Forest—the “Ham Town”—cultivates its own festival culture, the highlight of which is the annual Bonndorf Castle Festival on the last weekend of July. With over 40 years of tradition, it is one of the oldest castle festivals in the southern Black Forest. The venue is the area around the historic Bonndorf Castle—the 17th-century castle in the town center, which now serves as a town museum and event location.

Three Stages, 19 Club Stands

The festival concept focuses on musical diversity and gastronomic depth. The music program is spread across three stages: Brass bands from the Black Forest and the region play traditional Black Forest marches and Bohemian-Moravian pieces. A second stage presents Schlager and party music for those who love to dance. A third stage is reserved for live bands from the Black Forest and neighboring Switzerland. On Sundays, street musicians also perform on the Schlossplatz promenade.

Gastronomically, 19 club stands cater to guests: Bonndorf clubs—music club, sports club, fire department, shooting club, traditional costume club, rural women's association, church communities—as well as guests from the French partner town Bains-les-Bains in the Vosges. Those who want to combine Bonndorf Black Forest ham, game specialties, Black Forest gateau, and draft beer with French quiches, tarts, and Crémants will find an extraordinary international variety here—the Black Forest meets the Vosges.

Saturday — Traditional Barrel Tapping

The opening takes place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. with the traditional barrel tapping by the mayor of Bonndorf. The opening beer cut officially kicks off the festival, after which the three stages begin. In the evening, the program becomes more intense—party music, dance stage, beer service until late into the night.

Sunday — Morning Pint from 11:30 a.m.

Sunday traditionally begins with a morning pint from 11:30 a.m. The brass bands play their classic Sunday morning programs, and the Schlossplatz fills with families and guests from all over the High Black Forest. Lunch specialties include Bonndorf specialties, Black Forest ham platters, game goulash, and Sauerbraten. In the afternoon, there are children's programs at special stations—face painting, craft activities, games. The festival ends on Sunday evening with the final concert and a festive conclusion.

Bonndorf — Ham Town in the High Black Forest

Bonndorf in the Black Forest is located in the Waldshut district in southern Baden-Württemberg, at an altitude of 847 meters—one of the highest towns in Germany. The town is known primarily for three things: its Bonndorf Black Forest ham (hence the nickname “Ham Town”), the striking Wutach Gorge nearby, and its location in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park. The Castle Festival is an ideal opportunity to experience this Black Forest identity firsthand. Accommodation and hiking opportunities in and around Bonndorf make the Castle Festival days a perfect summer weekend.