Langenauer Kinderfest

Tradition since 1535 — from "Schulertanz" to Children's Festival

The festival's roots reach back to the century of the Reformation: a church visitation from 1535 documents the "Schulertanz" — an annual dance by schoolchildren, originally celebrated on the Wednesday before Pentecost. Over almost five centuries, this ecclesiastical school tradition evolved into today's Kinderfest, making it one of the oldest continuously celebrated school and children's festivals in Germany. The date shifted in the 20th century to the last weekend before the summer holidays — a symbolic transition from the school year to the free weeks.

The "Auf der Reutte" Festival Grounds

The venue is the traditional festival grounds "Auf der Reutte" in Jahnstraße — the sports facility and adjacent area are transformed into a festival site for three days. On the neighboring Keplerstraße parking lot, the funfair with carousels, dodgems, and game stalls is set up. In the middle of the grounds, the large festival tent with seating, a stage, and catering is erected, surrounded by game stations and hands-on activities for the children.

The Grand Schülerfestzug on Saturday

The highlight of every festival weekend is the grand Schülerfestzug on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 PM. Langenau's schools march through the town to the festival grounds with their classes, their own themes, and festive costumes. Music bands, sports clubs, and local heritage groups march before and behind the parade. The parade's central theme changes each year — historical, fairytale-like, natural science-themed, or international.

Three Festival Days — Program Structure

The festival classically spans three days: Friday with a ceremonial opening and reception of festival guests, Saturday as the main festival day with the grand Schülerfestzug at 1:30 PM and evening program in the festival tent, Sunday as the big family day on the festival grounds with the funfair, game stations, and festival tent program. The program is consistently accompanied by catering provided by clubs and schools, who finance their activities with the proceeds.

Langenau — Town in the Danube-Iller Region

Langenau (Alb-Donau-Kreis, AGS 08425) is located in northeastern Baden-Württemberg in the Donauried, about 15 km northeast of Ulm. With its approximately 16,000 inhabitants, it is a typical Swabian medium-sized town with a vibrant club scene and a strong connection to its local traditions. The Kinderfest is a central element of the town's identity — the approximately 5,000 schoolchildren in Langenau experience the festival as an emotional highlight of the school year.