Heimattage Mengen 2026 — 750 Years of City History
Quadrennial Heimattage Mengen — 2026 as a Grand Anniversary Celebration for the City's 750th Birthday
About Heimattage Mengen
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A Quadrennial City Celebration for Centuries
The Heimattage Mengen is one of the oldest and most traditional local festivals in Baden-Württemberg. It takes place only every four years — a deliberate scarcity that makes each event a once-in-a-century occasion. In 2026, the festival coincides with Mengen's 750th anniversary as a city: in 1276, the settlement on the Andelsbach received its town charter, one of the oldest city privileges in Upper Swabia.
Four Days of Full Program
Friday, July 10th, 2026, opens the festival with the traditional kickoff — a parade and barrel tapping ceremony in the market square. The Mengen Bürgergarde marches through the old town in historical uniforms, and the mayor taps the ceremonial barrel. From the late afternoon onwards, festival tents offer live music.
Saturday, July 11th, 2026, is market day: a historical craft market throughout the old town featuring blacksmiths, turners, potters, weavers, and bow makers in historical attire. Simultaneously, a vintage car show takes place on the festival grounds. In the afternoon, culinary stations will be set up throughout the city for a "parcours gastronomique" — Mengen specialties at every corner. In the evening, the Serenade with the grand parade maneuvers of the Bürgergarde follows — a spectacular display of flag twirling against the city backdrop.
Sunday, July 12th, 2026, is the highlight: a grand historical parade through the old town with over 50 themed groups, equestrian groups, traditional costume associations, and music bands from all over Upper Swabia. In the evening, a grand fireworks display will illuminate the old town.
Monday, July 13th, 2026, concludes the festivities with the Children's Festival — a children's parade, play stations for toddlers, and family entertainment.
State Meeting of the Bürgergarden in Advance
From Friday, July 3rd, to Sunday, July 5th, 2026, the State Meeting of the Baden-Württemberg Bürgergarden and Fire Brigades will take place in Mengen, preceding the main Heimattage. Hundreds of marksmen and guild members from Baden-Württemberg will gather to watch, practice maneuvers, and greet each other — an impressive overture to the city's anniversary celebration.
Mengen in the Sigmaringen District
Mengen is located on the Andelsbach river shortly before its confluence with the Danube, in the southern district of Sigmaringen. The city, with nearly 10,000 inhabitants, boasts an exceptionally well-preserved old town core with remnants of walls, city gates, half-timbered houses, and the late Gothic city parish church of St. Martin. The Mengen Bürgergarde — the primary organizer of the anniversary — is one of the oldest marksmen's and civic associations in Upper Swabia.
Heimattage Mengen — edition 2026
Double Anniversary in 2026 — Heimattage and 750 Years of History
The 2026 edition is exceptional: it combines the Heimattage celebration, held every four years, with the 750th anniversary of the city. Mengen, which received its town charter in 1276, can look back on 750 years of documents, stories, civic pride, and urban culture — and celebrates this with a program that goes beyond the usual Heimattage format.
The city has established an anniversary committee for 2025/2026 to shape the special program. Highlights include: a special exhibition on the city's history at the museum, a commemorative book, a special stamp and coin issued by the city, and additional parades featuring historical costumes from various eras.
Programme Heimattage Mengen 2026
In Advance: July 3–5, 2026 — State Meeting of the Bürgergarden
- Meeting of the Baden-Württemberg Bürgergarden and Fire Brigades in Mengen
- Overture to the main Heimattage
Friday, July 10, 2026 — Opening
- Opening parade with the Bürgergarde Mengen
- Barrel Tapping ceremony in the market square by the mayor
- Festival tents open, live music in the evening
Saturday, July 11, 2026 — Craft Market Day
- All day: Historical Craft Market in the old town (blacksmiths, turners, potters, weavers, bow makers in historical attire)
- On the festival grounds: Vintage Car Show
- Afternoon: "Parcours gastronomique" with Mengen specialties
- Evening: Serenade with Parade Maneuvers by the Bürgergarde — spectacular flag twirling display against the city backdrop
Sunday, July 12, 2026 — Grand Parade (Highlight)
- Midday: Grand Historical Parade through the old town
- Over 50 themed groups, equestrian groups, traditional costume associations, music bands from all over Upper Swabia
- Special costumes for the 750th anniversary
- Evening: Grand Fireworks Display over the old town
Monday, July 13, 2026 — Children's Festival
- Morning: Children's Festival with play stations
- Afternoon: Children's Parade through the old town
- Family entertainment and closing festivities
Highlights Heimattage Mengen 2026
- Double Anniversary: Heimattage + 750 Years of City of Mengen
- Grand Historical Parade on Sunday with 50+ themed groups
- Grand Fireworks Display on Sunday evening
- Parade Maneuvers by the Bürgergarde on Saturday evening
- Historical Craft Market featuring blacksmiths, potters, weavers
- Preceded by the State Meeting of Baden-Württemberg's Bürgergarden from July 3–5
- Special exhibition, anniversary coin, and stamp
Prices Heimattage Mengen 2026
Admission to the old town and all parades is free. Purchases at market and club stalls are at usual local festival prices.
Practical information — Heimattage Mengen
Getting There
By car via the B 32 (Sigmaringen–Pfullendorf). By train to Mengen station (Donaubahn line). Parking available on the outskirts of town, with shuttle service to the old town.
Program Highlights 2026
In advance: July 3rd–5th, State Meeting of the Bürgergarden. Main festival: Fri, July 10th, Opening + Barrel Tapping; Sat, July 11th, Craft Market + Vintage Cars + Parade Maneuvers; Sun, July 12th, Grand Historical Parade + Fireworks; Mon, July 13th, Children's Festival.
Admission
Admission to the old town is free. Purchases at club and market stalls are at usual local festival prices.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Heimattage Mengen al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Heimattage Mengen
Innenstadt und Festplatz Mengen
Hauptstraße 90 (Stadtverwaltung), 88512 Mengen