Plochingen Marquardt Festival

Plochingen — Town at the Confluence of Three Rivers

Plochingen is located at the confluence of the Neckar, Fils, and Körsch rivers in the Esslingen district — a location that has attracted trade and commerce since the Middle Ages. The historic old town with the market square, the Fischbrunnen, and the Otmars Church serves as the backdrop for one of Plochingen's most important summer festivals: the Marquardt Festival. In 2026, the festival will take place on the second weekend of July, from July 10 to 12.

Three Days of Town Festival at the Fischbrunnen

The Marquardt Festival follows a classic town festival format: Friday and Saturday feature festival activities with live music, bars, and catering by the associations — rock, pop, schlager, and cover bands alternate. "Rock, Schwoof und Gaudi" (Rock, Dancing, and Fun) — as the organizers themselves describe it. Saturday is the busiest evening with the best musical lineup.

Sunday — The Traditional Day

Sunday, July 12, has a different character — more traditional and festive:

• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM — Festive church service with musical accompaniment by the Plochingen Town Band
• 11:00 AM to 1:45 PM — Concert by the Town Band on the Marktplatz
• Lunchtime — Frühschoppen (morning pint) with catering by the associations
• Afternoon — Festival winding down with family program

This makes the Marquardt Festival a blend of modern party atmosphere on the first two days and a traditional town festival on Sunday — both aspects of Plochingen's identity.

Organizer: AKPV — Working Group of Plochingen Associations

The organizer is the Working Group of Plochingen Associations (AKPV) — a coalition of all the important associations in the town: music association, sports clubs, singing societies, fire department, social clubs. This constellation makes the Marquardt Festival the "Vereinsmesse" (Association Fair) of Plochingen — each association has its own stand, presents itself, and raises funds for its work. The festival thus not only contributes to town life but also finances the association structure of the entire town.

Plochingen's Town History and Identity

The name "Marquardt Festival" refers to Plochingen's town history — Markward was an important citizen of Plochingen in the Middle Ages, whom the festival commemorates. The combination of town history and present-day association life makes the Marquardt Festival an identity-building event. Anyone who wants to get to know Plochingen's mix of industrial town (Daimler, BSH, railway hub) and association tradition will find it here.