43rd Gerlingen Street Festival 2026

43 Years of Gerlingen District Festival

The Gerlinger Straßenfest has been one of the most traditional district festivals in the Ludwigsburg district for over four decades. In 2026, the 43rd edition will take place on the weekend of September 12 and 13, 2026, on Rathausplatz and Hauptstraße — the two central locations of the Swabian town on the western edge of the Stuttgart region.

Volunteerism on a Grand Scale — 40 Clubs, 500 Volunteers

The special aspect of the Gerlinger Straßenfest is the scale of its volunteer-driven organization. Around 40 clubs from Gerlingen are involved, ranging from music and sports clubs to church groups, aid organizations, and cultural initiatives. In total, they bring up to 500 volunteers to the festival grounds — an extraordinary mobilization for a town with just under 20,000 inhabitants. The proceeds from the clubs go towards their respective club purposes and finance part of their year-round activities.

Culinary Delights — International and Regional

The gastronomic offer is one of the festival's strengths. The club stands offer crêpes, barbecue specialties, Hungarian specialties, onion cake, potato cake, and Schupfnudeln — a mix of Swabian tradition and international cuisine that reflects the diversity of the club landscape. Drink stands offer freshly tapped beer, Swabian wines, Aperol Spritz, and Mojitos.

Partner Town Atmosphere

Gerlingen maintains several international town partnerships — including with Tatabánya (Hungary), Sevenoaks (England), and a French partner town. These partnerships are visibly reflected in the street festival: delegations from the partner towns regularly visit and participate in the club stands. The Hungarian specialties thus have a direct partner-town background — elevating the festival's character beyond the local.

Live Music and Festival Atmosphere

Throughout the weekend, bands and club orchestras play on several stages. The focus is on brass music, cover bands, and regional acts — no major headliners, but a constant live background that musically enlivens the festival mile. The atmosphere on Rathausplatz and Hauptstraße is classically Swabian-cheerful: convivial, family-friendly, and well-catered.

Gerlingen — Town on the Western Edge of the Stuttgart Region

Gerlingen is located in the Ludwigsburg district on the western edge of the Stuttgart region, directly bordering Stuttgart-Weilimdorf. The town, with its approximately 20,000 inhabitants, is home to the European headquarters of Robert Bosch GmbH, making it economically and culturally strongly intertwined with Stuttgart. The street festival is one of the most important ways for citizens to identify with their town — and a worthwhile excursion for Stuttgart residents on a September weekend.