Nördlinger Stabenfest
Over 600 years of children's festival in the Ries crater city — intangible cultural heritage of Bavaria
About Stabenfest Nördlingen
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Six Centuries of Children's Festival in the Ries Crater City
The Nördlinger Stabenfest is one of Germany's oldest folk festivals. For over 600 years, the residents of the Swabian imperial city of Nördlingen in the Donau-Ries region have celebrated this children's festival, whose origins date back to the era of the medieval imperial cities. In 2020, the Stabenfest was added to the list of intangible cultural heritage of Bavaria — an official seal for a tradition that is still vibrantly maintained.
Stabenmontag — The True Heart of the Festival
The highlight is traditionally Stabenmontag with the 'Stabenumzug': Nördlingen's schoolchildren march in historical or festive attire, each carrying a staff — the 'Staben' — adorned with flowers and ribbons, through the old town. The parade moves from the schools through the city center to the fairground and is one of the most picturesque children's spectacles of spring in Bavaria.
Four Days of Festivities
The complete festival in 2026 runs from Friday, May 8th, to Monday, May 11th. In addition to the 'Stabenumzug' on Monday, it includes the classic fairground activities with a festival tent, amusement rides, showmen, and special festival beer — a folk festival that has developed around the children's festival highlight.
Nördlingen — City in a Crater
Nördlingen is located in the Nördlinger Ries, a 15-million-year-old impact crater from a meteorite — a geological phenomenon that continues to shape the city today. The almost completely preserved medieval city wall with its tower ring and the Gothic 'Daniel' church quarter make Nördlingen one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Southern Germany. The parade on Stabenmontag uses this old town as a backdrop — a historical scene of unique harmony.
Call for Flag Decorations
A unique feature of the festival: Each year, the city officially calls on citizens to decorate their houses with flags — on the festival day, white-blue, white-red, and Nördlingen flags fly from countless windows. This is also part of the intangible cultural heritage.
Stabenfest Nördlingen — edition 2026
Program Structure
- Friday, May 8th: Festival begins at the fairground with opening ceremony, festival tent operations, amusement rides
- Saturday, May 9th: Festivities with live music in the festival tent, evening celebration
- Sunday, May 10th: Family Day with program for children, further festival tent entertainment
- Stabenmontag, May 11th: Schoolchildren's 'Stabenumzug' through the old town to the fairground — the festival's highlight
'Stabenumzug' — Spectacle and Significance
Hundreds of schoolchildren march on Stabenmontag with staffs adorned with flowers and ribbons, dressed in festive attire, from their schools through the city center to the fairground. The traditional Stabenfest beer is served in the festival tents — specially brewed for the occasion.
Call for Flag Decorations
The city of Nördlingen officially calls on residents each year for Stabenmontag to decorate their houses with flags. White-blue (Bavaria), white-red (Swabia), and Nördlingen flags adorn the cityscape.
Programme Stabenfest Nördlingen 2026
Program Structure — May 8th to 11th, 2026
Friday, May 8th, 2026 — Opening
- Festival opening at the fairground with beer tapping ceremony
- Festival tent operations with brass band music
- Showmen and amusement rides begin operating
Saturday, May 9th, 2026 — Festival Weekend
- Daytime: Fairground operations with festival tent and amusement rides
- Evening: Festival evening in the tent with live band / party music
Sunday, May 10th, 2026 — Family Day
- Family program with special rates for children's rides
- Morning pint with brass band music
- Evening festival tent operations
Stabenmontag, May 11th, 2026 — Highlight
- Morning: Schoolchildren gather at their schools
- Staff parade of schoolchildren with decorated staffs through the old town
- Call for houses along the parade route to be decorated with flags
- Fairground operations with festival tent, festival beer, and showman offerings
- Evening: Festival winding down in the tent
You can find the detailed program with times on the City of Nördlingen's website and through reports from Donau Ries Aktuell about the 2026 Staff Parade.
Highlights Stabenfest Nördlingen 2026
- Schoolchildren's staff parade on May 11th (Stabenmontag)
- Over 600 years of tradition
- Intangible cultural heritage of Bavaria since 2020
- Festival beer specially brewed for the occasion
- Flag decorations throughout the old town
Prices Stabenfest Nördlingen 2026
Admission to the staff parade, old town events, and fairground is free. Food, drinks, and rides are at folk festival prices. Family Day on Sunday offers reduced rates for amusement rides.
Practical information — Stabenfest Nördlingen
Getting There
By Train: Nördlingen station, city center a 10-minute walk away. By Car: A7 (exit Aalen) or B25 (Romantic Road). Parking available on the outskirts of the old town.
Festival Locations
- Staff Parade: through the historic old town from the school center to the fairground
- Fairground with festival tent, amusement rides, and showman stalls
Admission
Admission to the staff parade and fairground is free. Food, drinks, and rides are at folk festival prices, festival beer is available in the tents.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Stabenfest Nördlingen al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Stabenfest Nördlingen
Altstadt Nördlingen und Festplatz