Name: Memmingen Children's Festival 2026
Start: 2026-07-23T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-23T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Marktplatz Memmingen, Innenstadt, Stadiongelände

Kinderfest Memmingen

About Kinderfest Memmingen

The Memmingen Children's Festival is a tradition over 440 years old and is one of the oldest children's festivals in Bavaria. First documented in a council protocol from 1571, it originated from the custom of a school procession in spring. On this day, all primary school children in Memmingen gather in the morning in the market square, sing together with over 2,000 voices, dance, and march in the afternoon in a colorful parade to the stadium grounds. In 2026, the Children's Festival will take place on July 23rd, together with the Fishermen's Day on July 21st.

Dates 23 Jul — 23 Jul 2026

Venue Memmingen (09764)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Kinderfest Memmingen — edition 2026

The Memmingen Children's Festival 2026 will take place on July 23rd. From 9:15 AM, all primary school children in Memmingen will gather in the market square for joint singing (over 2,000 voices), dances, and a welcome address by the Lord Mayor. Five primary schools will each perform a dance, with the Theodor-Heuss-School performing the "Mautanz". From 1:30 PM, the parade will march from Hallhof through the city center to the stadium grounds. Fishermen's Day will be held on July 21, 2026.

Children's Festival 2026 — July 23rd

The 2026 edition follows the traditional schedule: singing and dancing in the market square in the morning, followed by the grand parade to the stadium grounds in the afternoon. The festival is part of Memmingen's festival week, which includes Fishermen's Day on July 21st.

Songs 2026

The song selection includes, among others, "Aufsteh'n, aufeinander zugeh'n" as a choral piece, the Swabian song "Handy Cap", the international "I like the flowers" (in German and English), and "Alle Pinguine" as a modern summer song; the closing song is "Weckruf" by Adalbert Maier.

Highlights Kinderfest Memmingen 2026

Over 440 years of tradition (first mentioned in 1571); joint singing by over 2,000 children's voices in the market square; dances by five primary schools; historic "Mautanz" by the Theodor-Heuss-School; grand parade through the city center to the stadium; part of Memmingen's festival week with Fishermen's Day.

Programme Kinderfest Memmingen 2026

Morning — from 9:15 AM, Market Square

Assembly of all primary school children after church services
Joint singing by over 2,000 children's voices (incl. "Aufsteh'n, aufeinander zugeh'n", "Handy Cap", "I like the flowers", "Alle Pinguine", closing song "Weckruf")
Welcome address by the Lord Mayor
Dances by five primary schools on the stage; "Mautanz" by the Theodor-Heuss-School

Afternoon — from 1:30 PM, Parade

Assembly at Hallhof
Parade through Maximilianstraße, Roßmarkt, Lindauer Straße, and Bodenseestraße to the Stadium Grounds
Program and conclusion at the stadium grounds

The complete Children's Festival program will be available from early July 2026 at the City Information Office.

Prices Kinderfest Memmingen 2026

Public city festival, attendance at the market square program and parade is free.

Practical information

Practical information — Kinderfest Memmingen

Getting There

Memmingen is located in the Allgäu region, easily accessible via the A7/A96 motorways and by train (Memmingen main station). The event locations (market square, city center, stadium grounds) are centrally located.

Admission

The Children's Festival is a public city festival; attending the market square program and the parade is free.

Schedule 2026

July 23, 2026: From 9:15 AM, assembly, singing, and dances in the market square; from 1:30 PM, parade from Hallhof through the city center to the stadium grounds. The Children's Festival program will be available from early July at the City Information Office. Organizers: City of Memmingen and the Memmingen Primary Schools.

One of Bavaria's Oldest Children's Festival Traditions

The Memmingen Children's Festival boasts a tradition spanning over 440 years. The earliest documented mention dates back to a council protocol from 1571; the custom originated from a spring school procession. To this day, it remains one of the largest and oldest children's festivals in the region and a symbol of identity for the Swabian city of Memmingen.

Joint Singing in the Market Square

At 9:15 AM, all children from Memmingen's primary schools gather in the market square. Following church services, songs ring out from over 2,000 children's voices, accompanied by dances and a welcome address by the Lord Mayor. Five primary schools each perform a dance on the stage in the market square — the Theodor-Heuss-School traditionally performs the "Mautanz" (guild dance).

The Grand Parade

In the afternoon, at 1:30 PM, the colorful children's parade forms up at Hallhof and marches through Maximilianstraße, Roßmarkt, Lindauer Straße, and Bodenseestraße to the stadium grounds, where the festival concludes with games and entertainment.

Connection to Fishermen's Day

The Children's Festival is closely linked to Memmingen's Fishermen's Day, another major traditional festival in the city. In 2026, Fishermen's Day will be held on July 21st, and the Children's Festival on July 23rd — both festivals shape Memmingen's festival week in high summer.