Peter-und-Paul-Fest Bretten
One of Germany's most significant historical city festivals — commemorating the 1504 Siege of Bretten
About Peter-und-Paul-Fest
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1504 — Siege as the Birth of a Festival
The Peter-und-Paul-Fest Bretten is one of Germany's most significant historical city festivals. It commemorates a historically documented event: the Siege of Bretten in 1504 by Duke Ulrich of Württemberg. The heavily fortified town of Bretten, part of the Electoral Palatinate, was besieged by a Württemberg troop; after days of bombardment, the defenders launched a sortie in the early morning hours of St. Peter and St. Paul's Day (June 29, 1504) — and disabled part of the Württemberg artillery. The city remained part of the Electoral Palatinate. This episode forms the historical basis for a city festival that has been celebrated in its current form since 1958 and has since developed into one of the largest historical reenactments in Southern Germany.
Four Days, Four Mottos
Each festival day has its own motto, tracing the historical course of events:
- Friday — “Brettheim Arms Itself”: Festival opening, setting up of historical camps, first group performances, market activities begin
- Saturday — “Brettheim Defends Itself”: The “Battle for Bretten” is reenacted in the Simmelturm Arena, followed by the Grand Tattoo (Zapfenstreich) and a Spectacular Fireworks Display over the city walls
- Sunday — “Brettheim Pays Homage to the Electoral Prince and Celebrates its Victory”: the absolute highlight, the Grand Parade in the afternoon through the city center with over 70 groups and 2,500 costumed participants; in the evening, the Plage-Umzug as a nocturnal 'plague' procession
- Monday — “Brettheim Celebrates”: Schwartenmagenumzug (a humorous procession), children's festival with its own program, winding down
60 Historical Groups — The Pillars of the Festival
The festival is supported by around 60 historical groups, organized for decades. Each group embodies a trade, social class, or function of the city's society in 1504:
- Knights and squires
- Patricians and city council
- Monks and clergy
- Market women and men
- Merchants and craftsmen
- Beggars, rogues, and “Krämer & Halunken” (merchants & rogues)
- Guards and city soldiers
- Farmers and villagers
- Musicians
- Torturers and executioners (for historical reenactment)
- Healers and midwives
Each group meticulously maintains its own costumes, insignia, language, and behavior — researched and passed down over decades. A total of 4,000 participants are involved in the festival.
Sunday Parade — The Climax
The absolute highlight is the Parade on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Around 2,500 historically costumed and uniformed participants march through the city center — led by the Electoral Prince and his retinue. 17 floats with a total of 33 horses join the parade. The route winds through the historic old town and lasts several hours — with streets densely lined with spectators. A total of 125,000 visitors are expected for the festival.
Simmelturm Arena and Spectacular Fireworks
The Simmelturm Arena, located by the medieval tower of the same name, is the stage for the battle reenactment on Saturday. A dedicated stage is set up where historical groups reenact the siege scenically — with cannon fire, burning straw bales, and sword fight sequences. Afterwards, the Grand Tattoo (Zapfenstreich) resounds, and a Spectacular Fireworks Display over the city walls provides the festive conclusion to the day.
Intangible Cultural Heritage
Since 2014, the Peter-und-Paul-Fest Bretten has been listed in the national register of Intangible Cultural Heritage — an award that officially recognizes its significance for the German cultural landscape. The festival is organized by the non-profit association Vereinigung Alt-Brettheim e.V., which has been responsible for its volunteer-driven organization for decades.
Bretten — Historic Town in the Kraichgau
Bretten, with around 30,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest towns in the Karlsruhe district (AGS 08215), located in the southern Kraichgau region between Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, and Pforzheim. The medieval city walls, the Simmelturm, the Collegiate Church, and the historic Market Hall shape the cityscape — and provide the authentic backdrop without which the Peter-und-Paul-Fest would be unimaginable.
Peter-und-Paul-Fest — edition 2026
2026 Program Highlights
Each festival day has its own motto and main program:
Friday, July 3, 2026 — “Brettheim Arms Itself”
- 6 PM — Festival opening with the Mayor and the Vereinigung Alt-Brettheim on the Market Square
- 6:30 PM — Setting up of historical camps around the old town
- 7 PM — First performances by historical groups, market activities begin
- 8 PM — Musicians and minstrels in the squares
- 10 PM — Day 1 winding down
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — “Brettheim Defends Itself”
- 11 AM — Full operation: all historical camps, market activities, performances
- 2 PM — Sword fighting demonstrations, equestrian games, medieval music
- 7 PM — “Battle for Bretten” in the Simmelturm Arena — scenic reenactment of the 1504 siege
- 9:30 PM — Grand Tattoo (Zapfenstreich) on the Market Square
- 10 PM — Spectacular Fireworks Display over the city walls
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — “Brettheim Pays Homage to the Electoral Prince”
- 10 AM — Market open, camps active
- 2 PM — Grand Parade starts — over 70 groups, 2,500 costumed participants, 17 floats, 33 horses march through the city center; led by the Electoral Prince and his retinue; duration approx. 2.5 hours
- 5 PM — Parade ends on the Market Square
- 8 PM — Stage program on the Market Square
- 10 PM — Plage-Umzug — nocturnal 'plague' procession through the old town
Monday, July 6, 2026 — “Brettheim Celebrates”
- 10 AM — Market and camps open
- 1 PM — Schwartenmagenumzug — humorous procession
- 2 PM–6 PM — Children's Festival with its own program (face painting, craft activities, children's performances by historical groups)
- 7 PM — Official closing ceremony and festival end
Programme Peter-und-Paul-Fest 2026
Peter-und-Paul-Fest 2026 — Four-Day Program
Friday, July 3, 2026 — “Brettheim Arms Itself”
- 6 PM — Festival opening Market Square
- 6:30 PM — Setting up historical camps
- 7 PM — First group performances, market activities begin
- 8 PM — Musicians and minstrels in the squares
- 10 PM — End of Day 1
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — “Brettheim Defends Itself”
- 11 AM — Full operation: all camps, market activities, performances
- 2 PM — Sword fighting demonstrations, equestrian games, medieval music
- 7 PM — “Battle for Bretten” Simmelturm Arena
- 9:30 PM — Grand Tattoo (Zapfenstreich)
- 10 PM — Spectacular Fireworks Display
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — “Brettheim Pays Homage to the Electoral Prince”
- 10 AM — Market and camps open
- 2 PM–5 PM — Grand Parade — 70+ groups, 2,500 costumed participants, 17 floats, 33 horses, led by the Electoral Prince
- 8 PM — Stage program Market Square
- 10 PM — Plage-Umzug — nocturnal 'plague' procession
Monday, July 6, 2026 — “Brettheim Celebrates”
- 10 AM — Market open
- 1 PM — Schwartenmagenumzug (humorous)
- 2 PM–6 PM — Children's Festival
- 7 PM — Official festival end
Festival Scope
- 60 historical groups
- 4,000 participants
- 2,500 costumes
- 140 program points
- 17 floats, 33 horses
- Expected visitors: 125,000
Tickets and detailed program at peter-und-paul.de/fest.
Highlights Peter-und-Paul-Fest 2026
- 60 historical groups with 2,500 costumes
- 'Battle for Bretten' reenactment on Saturday
- Grand Tattoo & Spectacular Fireworks on Saturday night
- Sunday parade with over 70 groups, 33 horses
- Plage-Umzug as a nocturnal 'plague' procession
- Intangible Cultural Heritage of Germany since 2014
- 4,000 volunteer participants
- 125,000 expected visitors
- Authentic medieval city wall backdrop
Prices Peter-und-Paul-Fest 2026
Admission fees apply for many main events:
- Simmelturm Arena (Battle): Grandstand seats require a ticket
- Grand Parade Grandstand Seats: Tickets available via ticket.io
- Market Square Stage Programs: partially require admission
Ticket prices for 2026 will be higher than in 2024 — early booking recommended. The Market Square, stalls, historical camps, and processions along the route are freely accessible. Tickets at peter-und-paul.de and the Bretten Tourist Information.
Practical information — Peter-und-Paul-Fest
Getting There
By Train: To Bretten station (S-Bahn S9 from Karlsruhe or Bruchsal), then an 8-minute walk to the old town. By Car: A5 or A8 towards Karlsruhe, then B35 to Bretten. During the festival, recommended parking is on the outskirts with a shuttle bus service.
Date and Program Structure
Friday, July 3, 2026: Festival opening from 6 PM. Saturday, July 4, 2026: Full program from 11 AM, Battle at Simmelturm from 7 PM, Tattoo and Fireworks from 10 PM. Sunday, July 5, 2026: Grand Parade from 2 PM (main event), Plage-Umzug in the evening. Monday, July 6, 2026: Schwartenmagenumzug, Children's Festival, winding down.
Admission and Tickets
Admission fees apply for many events (Simmelturm Arena, Grand Parade grandstand seats). Ticket pre-sales via ticket.io and the Bretten Tourist Information. Tickets will be more expensive in 2026 than in 2024 — please book early. Market square bustle and historical camps are freely accessible.
Tip
Secure grandstand seats for the Sunday parade early — very popular. For families with children: Monday's Children's Festival. Accommodation tip: Hotels are booked out months in advance — accommodation in Bruchsal or Karlsruhe is easily possible.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Peter-und-Paul-Fest
Historische Altstadt Bretten — Marktplatz, Simmelturm-Arena, Innenstadt
Marktplatz / Innenstadt, 75015 Bretten