Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag — Bürgerfest
Multi-day commemoration festival for the liberation of Crailsheim with Horaffen tradition and Bürgerwache honour salute
About Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag
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A festival day that speaks of mourning and liberation
The Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag is a festival day with historical depth. It commemorates February 11th, when American troops reached the heavily destroyed city in 1945, marking the end of the war for Crailsheim. The city in the district of Schwäbisch Hall lost more than two-thirds of its historical buildings in the bombings of February 1945. From the trauma of destruction grew the tradition of an annual commemoration and citizens' festival, which now spans several days and combines cultural programmes with historical remembrance.
Programme 2026 — six days of city celebration
The 2026 edition runs from Friday, February 6th to Wednesday, February 11th, 2026. February 6th opens with a party night in the historic Ratskeller: from 8:30 PM, the band Harmonic Highway will perform, admission €5. On February 7th, the actual Bürgerfest follows in the Event Airport Hangar from 6:00 PM, with an opening speech by Lord Mayor Dr. Christoph Grimmer at 7:00 PM. The 2026 theme: "Journey through Crailsheim" — on stage, comedian Monsieur Momo, cabaret artist Rolf Miller with his programme „Wenn nicht wann dann jetzt", the acrobatics group Tridiculous, and live music ensembles will perform. Admission: €17.
February 8th invites you to the Historical Evening with Crailsheim's city archivist Folker Förtsch, who will lecture on the history of Crailsheim tourism, accompanied by live music (admission €10). An ecumenical service in St. John's Church at 10:45 AM opens Sunday. The highlight of the festival is February 11th: from 7:15 PM, the parade of the Bürgerwache 1830 on the market square, the traditional honour salute, and the subsequent reception by the Lord Mayor.
The Horaffen — a sweet symbol
One of the most moving traditions of the Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag is the distribution of Horaffen. These small, horn-shaped yeast pastries are distributed by the city on February 11th to schools, kindergartens, nursing homes, and social institutions. The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and symbolises gratitude and community spirit. For many Crailsheim residents, the Horaffen pastry connects childhood memories with the history of their city — a sweet, very everyday form of collective memory.
The Bürgerwache 1830
The Bürgerwache 1830 is a historical tradition association that preserves the military heritage of the pre-industrial city watch. During their parade on the Stadtfeiertag, members wear historical uniforms, march with flags and drums across the market square, and perform the honour salute in front of the town hall. The sight — historical uniforms, torches, military discipline in a southern German city in February — is one of the powerful images of southern German festival culture and makes the Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag a unique event.
Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag — edition 2026
Programme 2026
The 2026 edition offers the full six-day programme between party night, comedy, historical lesson, and ceremonial parade. The opening speech at the Bürgerfest on February 7th at 7:00 PM will be given by Lord Mayor Dr. Christoph Grimmer. The theme "Journey through Crailsheim" connects the stage acts with local references, highlighting Crailsheim's history and identity.
The highlights of the Bürgerfest in the Event Airport Hangar: Monsieur Momo (comedian, satirical-quirky style), Rolf Miller with his cabaret programme „Wenn nicht wann dann jetzt" (high-quality Baden dialect cabaret), Tridiculous (acrobatics group with physical comedy), and live music ensembles. Ticket pre-sale via reservix.de and the City Office.
Programme Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag 2026
Friday, February 6th, 2026 — Party Night
- 8:30 PM — Party night in the Ratskeller with band Harmonic Highway (Pop/Rock Covers)
- Admission €5
Saturday, February 7th, 2026 — Bürgerfest
- 6:00 PM — Admission Event Airport Hangar
- 7:00 PM — Opening by Lord Mayor Dr. Christoph Grimmer
- Stage Programme — Comedian Monsieur Momo, Cabaret Artist Rolf Miller („Wenn nicht wann dann jetzt"), Acrobatics Group Tridiculous, Live Music
- Admission €17
Sunday, February 8th, 2026 — Historical Evening
- 10:45 AM — Ecumenical service in St. John's Church
- 7:00 PM — Historical Evening with City Archivist Folker Förtsch on the history of Crailsheim tourism, accompanied by live music
- Admission €10
Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 — Stadtfeiertag
- During the day: Horaffen distribution by the city to schools, kindergartens, and social institutions
- 7:15 PM — Parade of the Bürgerwache 1830 on the market square with drums and torches, followed by the honour salute
- 7:30 PM — Official reception by the Lord Mayor
- Free admission
Advance Sale
Tickets via reservix.de or at the Crailsheim City Office, Tel. +49 7951 403-1289.
Highlights Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag 2026
- Parade of the Bürgerwache 1830 on Feb 11th at 7:15 PM
- Horaffen distribution to Crailsheim schools and social institutions
- Comedy highlight: Monsieur Momo and Rolf Miller at the Bürgerfest
- Acrobatics group Tridiculous
- Historical evening with city archivist Folker Förtsch
- Opening by Lord Mayor Dr. Christoph Grimmer
- Ecumenical service in St. John's Church
Prices Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag 2026
Party Night 6.2.: €5 — Bürgerfest 7.2.: €17 — Historical Evening 8.2.: €10 — Parade and Reception 11.2.: free of charge. Advance sale via reservix.de and Crailsheim City Office (Tel. +49 7951 403-1289).
Practical information — Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag
Getting there
By car: A6 exit Crailsheim (North or South). By train: ICE/IC and regional train connections at Crailsheim station; all venues are within walking distance. Parking in the old town is scarce — use multi-storey car parks.
Admission and tickets
Party night Ratskeller (6.2.): €5. Bürgerfest Hangar (7.2.): €17. Historical Evening (8.2.): €10. Parade on the market square (11.2.): free admission. Tickets available in advance at reservix.de or at the Crailsheim City Office, Tel. +49 7951 403-1289.
Tip
Come for February 11th — when the Bürgerwache 1830 marches across the market square in historical uniforms with torches and drums, it is one of the most impressive moments of southern German festival culture. Bring warm clothing; it gets dark and cold early in February.
Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses in Crailsheim city centre; the Hotel Post Faber and the Hotel am Schloss are within walking distance of the festival venues.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Crailsheimer Stadtfeiertag
Innenstadt Crailsheim, Marktplatz und Event Airport Hangar
Marktplatz / Ratskeller / Event Airport Hangar, 74564 Crailsheim