88th Gaildorf Horse Market
The largest Volksfest in the Limpurger Land — four days of horse breeding, tradition, and a parade
About Gaildorf Horse Market
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Gaildorf Horse Market — Tradition since 1928
The Gaildorf Horse Market has been the largest Volksfest in the Limpurger Land since 1928 — that region in northeastern Baden-Württemberg named after the Schenken von Limpurg, characterized by a rich horse breeding tradition. Every January/February, the festival brings together breeders, carters, riding clubs, and horse enthusiasts from all over Southern Germany in Gaildorf. With 20,000 to 30,000 visitors annually, it is one of Southern Germany's most important equestrian events and, at the same time, a vibrant city festival that completely transforms the small town (around 11,700 inhabitants) for a weekend.
Horse Breeding and Horse Show
The central professional highlight is the Horse Award Ceremony on Sunday morning from 9 am — breeders from the region present their animals to a jury, with prizes awarded for breeding success, presentation, and movement. On Sunday afternoon, the Horse Show in the riding hall (1–5 pm) follows: demonstrations of various horse breeds, riding demonstrations, carriage demonstrations, and displays of different disciplines. A professional event that also has high entertainment value and attracts families.
Wagoners' Day "Horse and Forest"
A Gaildorf specialty is the Wagoners' Day "Horse and Forest" on Saturday from 10 am. Here, carters showcase their skills with draft horses in traditional forest work — skidding timber with horses, horse-drawn carriages pulling heavy logs, obstacle courses. A tribute to historical forestry with horses, which was common in the hilly region around Gaildorf until the 20th century.
Parade and Peddler's Market on Monday
The most popular highlight is the parade on Monday at 2 pm: horses, carriages, themed floats, brass bands, and walking groups march through the city center — a spectacle with sometimes hundreds of horses of different breeds. Before that, from 8 am, the Peddler's Market takes place throughout the city center — market stalls, showmen, food vendors, everything that belongs to a large Southern German market, until 6 pm. A regional trade fair on the exhibition grounds with local businesses, dealers, and clubs, as well as agricultural machinery in front of the animal hall, complement the program.
Gaildorf and the Limpurger Land
Gaildorf is located on the Kocher River, where the river flows from the Limpurger Bergland into the Heilbronn Basin. The town was the seat of the Schenken von Limpurg, a Swabian noble family, and has a beautiful historic city center with a castle and Renaissance half-timbered houses. The Horse Market is closely linked to this regional identity — Limpurg horse breeding (especially Limpurg cattle breeding and South German Coldblood) is part of the region's cultural heritage.
Gaildorf Horse Market — edition 2026
Gaildorf Horse Market 2026 — the 88th Edition
Four days of horse breeding tradition and Volksfest atmosphere in the Limpurger Land. From February 6th to 9th, 2026, the Gaildorf city center transforms into a large festival grounds with a riding hall, event area, peddler's market, and parade.
The festival is one of the oldest Volksfests in the Schwäbisch Hall district — the first Horse Award Ceremony took place in 1928. Today, with 20,000 to 30,000 visitors, the Horse Market is one of Southern Germany's most important equestrian events and, at the same time, one of the region's major city festivals.
Programme Gaildorf Horse Market 2026
Program 2026 — Day by Day
- Friday, February 6th: Expert Lecture "Fire Safety in Horse Stables" (evening event)
- Saturday, February 7th — from 10:00 am: Wagoners' Day "Horse and Forest" with draft horse demonstrations, timber skidding with horses, obstacle course
- Sunday, February 8th:
- 9:00 am — Horse Award Ceremony (breeders present their animals to the jury)
- 11:00 am — Jazz Frühschoppen with Mojo Blues Band
- 1:00 pm–5:00 pm — Horse Show in the Riding Hall with demonstrations of various breeds and disciplines
- Sunday Shopping in the Gaildorf city center
- Musical afternoon with the Gaildorf City Band
- Monday, February 9th:
- 8:00 am–6:00 pm — Peddler's Market throughout the city center
- 2:00 pm — Grand Parade with horses, carriages, themed floats, brass bands, and walking groups
Parallel on the exhibition grounds: regional trade fair with local companies, dealers, and clubs, agricultural machinery show in front of the animal hall.
Highlights Gaildorf Horse Market 2026
- 88th Edition since 1928 — almost 100 years of tradition
- 20,000–30,000 visitors annually
- Wagoners' Day "Horse and Forest" — demonstrations with draft horses in forestry work
- Horse Award Ceremony with breeders from the region (Sunday morning)
- Horse Show in the Riding Hall with various breeds and disciplines
- Grand Parade on Monday at 2 pm — the crowd-puller
- Peddler's Market 8 am–6 pm throughout the city center on Monday
- Jazz Frühschoppen, City Band, Sunday Shopping, regional trade fair
Prices Gaildorf Horse Market 2026
Free admission to all public program points. Food and drinks at club and showmen's stalls are typical Volksfest prices. Stall fees for Peddler's Market exhibitors are handled by the City of Gaildorf.
Practical information — Gaildorf Horse Market
Getting There
Train: Murrtalbahn line Stuttgart–Schwäbisch Hall, stop Gaildorf-West or Gaildorf-Stadt — a few minutes' walk to the city center.
Car: A6 exit Schwäbisch Hall, continue on B19 to Gaildorf. In case of large crowds (Sunday, Monday), Park-and-Ride with shuttle.
Address: Gaildorf City Center, Riding Hall and Market Square, 74405 Gaildorf.
Date 2026
Friday, February 6th — Monday, February 9th, 2026.
Friday: Expert lecture Fire Safety in Horse Stables.
Saturday: Wagoners' Day "Horse and Forest" from 10 am.
Sunday: Horse Award Ceremony from 9 am, Horse Show Riding Hall 1–5 pm, Sunday Shopping, Jazz Frühschoppen with Mojo Blues Band from 11 am, musical afternoon with the City Band.
Monday: Peddler's Market 8 am–6 pm throughout the city center, Parade at 2 pm.
Admission
Free admission to all public events. Food and drinks available at club and showmen's stalls. Trade fair on the exhibition grounds is freely accessible.
Organizer
City of Gaildorf — detailed program and current information at gaildorf.de/pferdemarkt.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Gaildorf Horse Market al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Gaildorf Horse Market
Innenstadt Gaildorf — Reithalle, Festgelände, Marktplatz
Innenstadt Gaildorf, 74405 Gaildorf