15. Swabian-Alemannic Traditional Costume Parade Brackenheim 2026

Brackenheim — Hometown of Heilbronn with Fasnet Power

The town of Brackenheim (around 16,000 inhabitants, Heilbronn district) is located in the southern Heilbronn region — in the Zabergäu wine-growing area. The town is the birthplace of Federal President Theodor Heuss and the main town of Brackenheim's Zabergäu. Unlike the Catholic-Rhenish Carnival, Brackenheim's Fasnet is part of the Swabian-Alemannic tradition: Häs (costumes) instead of costumes, wooden masks instead of paper noses, centuries-old customs instead of carnival-style improvisation.

15th Traditional Parade — Kick-off to Fasnet 2026

The Swabian-Alemannic Traditional Parade in Brackenheim is in its 15th edition in 2026 — a firm fixture of the Southern German Fasnet season. The parade starts on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 2:30 PM and is one of the first major Fasnet parades of the season in the Heilbronn region — which is why it is attended by costume groups from far and wide.

Around 70 Costume Groups from Baden-Württemberg and Beyond

Around 70 groups will march through the historic city center. They come from the entire Swabian-Alemannic linguistic and traditional area: Baden-Württemberg (Heilbronn region, Hohenlohe region, Swabian Jura, Lake Constance, Black Forest), parts of Bavaria (Swabian Allgäu), and even Alsace is represented by a group. The diversity of the Häs is impressive: witches with wooden masks, devil figures, straw figures, goat figures, water spirits, demons from dark Black Forest folklore. They are accompanied by Guggenmusik groups with traditional accordion and brass band music.

Assembly and Parade Route

The assembly is at the schoolyard from 2 PM. Costume groups are asked to arrive by 2:00 PM at the latest. The parade starts punctually at 2:30 PM. The route leads through the historic streets of the city center:

1. Henry-Miller-Straße (Start)
2. Obertorstraße
3. Eichbrunnenstraße
4. Heilbronner Straße
5. Marktstraße
6. Marktplatz / Rathaus (Finish)

The route is a march through historic alleys — no large decorated floats, but lively costume groups marching in traditional style or with jumpers and acrobats.

Jester's Village on the Market Square from 1 PM

Starting at 1 PM, the jester's village will be set up on the market square: marquees, catering stands, local club stalls, Guggenmusik performances. Here you can warm up before the parade, have a mulled wine, and see the first costume groups up close. After the parade — from around 5 PM onwards — the celebration continues in the jester's village, with Guggenmusik concerts and the high school upper level as the catering team.

Beate Ramm — Guild Master in a Male Domain

The 1. Fasnetzunft Brackenheim e.V. is led by First Guild Master Beate Ramm — a remarkable top position in a traditionally male-dominated Fasnet scene. Under her leadership, the Brackenheim parade has become one of the most relevant Fasnet events in the Heilbronn region — characterized by openness to modern costume groups while simultaneously preserving centuries-old customs.