Geislingen Children's Festival with Procession

Since 1428 — Almost 600 Years of Children's Festival

The Geislingen Children's Festival is one of the oldest children's festivals in Germany. Its first documented mention dates back to the year 1428 — the format has been maintained and developed over almost six centuries. What began as a church-civic children's celebration to commemorate patron saints and town founding events is today the town's annual point of identity — Geislingen residents affectionately call it their "National Holiday".

Festive Procession — The Morning Highlight

Starting at 8:40 AM, the grand festive procession begins from the historic town center through the inner city. Participants include:

• All Geislingen Schools — from primary school to high school, in class groups with themed costumes
• Clubs — sports, music, heritage, carnival, and youth clubs
• Music bands and drum corps from Geislingen and neighboring towns
• Floats with annually changing themes (often historical scenes from the town's history)
• Riders and performance groups
• Clergy and town representatives

The procession is a colorful spectacle with hundreds of participants — the town's population fills the streets, families stand with their children at the edges, many generations meet.

Children's Park at the TVA Festival Grounds

After the procession, the festival moves to the TVA festival grounds (Turnverein Altenstadt). The Children's Park awaits there — activities specifically tailored for children:

• Game stations run by local clubs
• Carousels and small amusement rides
• Craft and hands-on activities
• Bouncy castles and play areas
• Snack stands with fries, sausages, ice cream, crêpes, drinks
• Sports demonstrations by school and club teams

Stäffelespredigt — The Famous Conclusion

The traditional conclusion of the festival is the Stäffelespredigt — a humorous town speech in Swabian dialect given from the staircase of the historic "Stäffele". The speaker — usually a well-known personality from Geislingen — comments wittily and warmly on the past year in the town, praises and criticizes, recalls anecdotes, and addresses politics and club life. The Stäffelespredigt is both cultural heritage and a program item — even outsiders only partially understand it (Swabian dialect!), but the atmosphere and the laughter of the Geislingen residents make the experience.

Geislingen an der Steige — Historic Town on the Albtrauf

The town of Geislingen an der Steige (AGS 08117, Göppingen district) is located on the Albtrauf, where the Swabian Jura drops steeply to the Filstal valley. 22,000 inhabitants. Known for the Geislinger Steige — the famous historic railway line with inclines, considered a technical monument and attracting railway fans from all over Europe. WMF (Württembergische Metallwaren-Fabrik) has its headquarters here and has shaped the town since the 19th century. Historic old town with half-timbered houses, market square, the famous "Maria-Hilf" pilgrimage chapel.

Why Visit

Anyone who wants to experience pure Swabian tradition will find it at the Geislingen Children's Festival. An unbroken line from the late Middle Ages to the 21st century, supported by the community, not a folklore theater, but living local heritage. Free admission, a must-attend family event on the Albtrauf, a unique experience of the Stäffelespredigt at the end. Follow-up tip: Take the train to the historic Geislinger Steige and witness the spectacular railway line.