40th Unterkirnach Village Festival

40 Years of Village Festival — A Tradition

The Unterkirnach Village Festival has been a firm fixture in the Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis since 1986 (or slightly earlier — the exact first edition is no longer clearly documented in the association's history). In 2026, the festival will celebrate its 40th edition — a remarkable anniversary for a village festival in a community of just under 2,500 inhabitants. The festival is organized by the municipality of Unterkirnach and the Association Community (an alliance of all local associations).

Saturday — Keg Tapping at Mühlenplatz

The festival kicks off on Saturday, July 18th, 2026, at 3 PM with the keg tapping ceremony at Mühlenplatz — the historic center of Unterkirnach. Afterwards, the Unterkirnach kindergartens will present their performances — dance, movement games, songs. In the evening, the live band “Audio” will play — a regional cover band from the Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis. After the concerts, the festival community traditionally heads to the fire station, where the Unterkirnach fire department continues the celebration late into the night.

Sunday — Service, Morning Pint, Dancing

Sunday, July 19th, 2026, begins at 10 AM with an ecumenical service at Mühlenplatz. At 11 AM, a morning pint (Frühschoppen) with the Unterkirnach Music Association and the band “À la carte” — brass band meets party music. The traditional costume band from Münzingen and the local folklore association will provide musical accompaniment throughout the day. Food and drinks will be served all day by the association stands — culinary specialties from all associations.

Monday — Traditional Craftsmen's Supper

The festival concludes on Whit Monday, July 20th, 2026, at 5 PM with the traditional “Handwerkervesper” (craftsmen's supper) at the fire station. A Swabian-Black Forest style supper with sausage, cheese, bread, and wine, which used to fortify the craftsmen after the festival weekend and today marks the convivial end of the village festival.

Raffle and Association Stands

Throughout all three days, the Association Community's grand festival raffle will be held with prizes from Unterkirnach's shops and hotels. The association stands offer culinary diversity: Black Forest ham on farmer's bread, Schäufele (pork shoulder) with potato salad, bratwurst from a charcoal grill, Schupfnudeln (potato noodles), Maultaschen (filled pasta), fries special. Accompanied by Black Forest wine, draft beer, and non-alcoholic options.

Unterkirnach — Health Resort in the Black Forest

Unterkirnach, with just under 2,500 inhabitants, is a health resort in the Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis, located at an altitude of 760 meters in the Middle Black Forest. The village is a starting point for hikes to Brogen, the Adlerschanze ski jump, and the Rohrhardsberg. In summer, the weather is mild and pleasant — ideal for an open-air festival.