Donauwörther Inselfest with Fischerstechen

Town Festival on the Old Town Island

Donauwörth is one of the most beautiful old towns in Swabia and the gateway to the Romantic Road. In the middle of the city lies the Altstadtinsel „Ried“ — a small island surrounded by the Wörnitz and Danube rivers with a historic town center. This is where the City Initiative Donauwörth e.V., together with the Fischerzunft, hosts the Inselfest every year. In 2026, the festival will be celebrated from Wednesday to Saturday for the first time — a new weekly schedule for one of the most popular town festivals in the Donau-Ries district.

Fischerstechen — A Spectacle with History

The trademark of the Inselfest is the traditional Fischerstechen. Originally a sport event for the guilds of fishermen in the Middle Ages, it has been held in Donauwörth for three centuries. On narrow Fischerkähnen (fishing boats), two participants face each other on the Wörnitz river. Armed with long lances, they try to knock each other into the water with a targeted thrust. The rules of a fair knight's tournament apply — whoever touches the opponent without harming them wins. Whoever falls out of the boat has lost. It is a classic boat lance tournament.

Two Days of Fischerstechen

The Fischerstechen will take place on two days in 2026:

• Friday, June 5, 2026, 4:30 PM — Amateur Fischerstechen on the Wörnitz
• Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Grand festival day with parade at 2 PM and professional Fischerstechen starting at 3:30 PM

The boats start below the Donauwörther Reichsstraße; the competition is excellently visible from the Wörnitz bridge and the island's riverside paths.

Two Stages and Culinary Diversity

Throughout the entire festival weekend, there will be two stages with live music (regional bands, cover acts, folk music) and a large family area with games, face painting, and seating. The culinary offerings range from Swabian home cooking and fish specialties from the Donauwörth fishermen to burgers and vegan options. Catering is provided by Donauwörth restaurateurs and clubs.

Donauwörth Between the Danube and Wörnitz

Donauwörth is the district capital of the Donau-Ries district and lies at the confluence of the Danube and Wörnitz rivers. The historic Reichsstraße with the Liebfrauenmünster, the promenade, and the Käthe Kruse Doll Museum make the city one of the pearls of the Romantic Road. A visit to the Inselfest can be ideally combined with a walk along the Wörnitz or a drive along the Romantic Road.