Nesselwanger Reiterspiele

An Allgäu Tradition on the Feast of the Assumption

On August 15th, the high feast of Mariä Himmelfahrt (Feast of the Assumption), a public holiday in Catholic Bavaria, the Reiterverein Nesselwang e.V. (Nesselwang Riding Club) hosts its traditional Riders' Games. The venue is the riding hall and festival meadow in the Gschwend district, high above the market town of Nesselwang in the Ostallgäu region. The event has been a firm part of the Allgäu cultural calendar since the late 1970s – the 48th edition is scheduled for 2026.

From the Schoolyard to the Riding Hall

At 10 a.m., the parade sets off from Nesselwang Primary School: riders in festive attire, carriages with old Allgäu horse breeds, traditional costume groups, brass bands, and the riding club itself process through the village up to Gschwend. At 11 a.m., the field service with a solemn blessing of the horses begins there – a moving moment where the club's animals, as well as horses from the surrounding area, are blessed individually.

Show Quadrilles, Western Riders, and Children's Program

From 12:30 p.m., the riding club opens the actual games on the festival grounds. The program includes classic show quadrilles, vaulting demonstrations, Western riders with trail courses, demonstrations of Noriker and Haflinger horses, and fun competitions for youth and adults. In parallel, there's pony riding, face painting for children, and a small creative market featuring local crafts. Allgäu specialties and homemade cakes cater to guests throughout the long festival day.

Embedded in the Allgäu Festival Year

The Riders' Games are part of Nesselwang's dense festival calendar – nestled between the mountain festival, market festival, cattle drive in September, and Advent magic. With the riding club, the Edelweißkapelle (a local band), and a vibrant tradition and club scene, the market town of Nesselwang at the foot of the Allgäu Alps embodies the image of a consciously lived rural tradition.