Pfingstmusikfest Köngen

Pfingstmusikfest with Tradition

The Pfingstmusikfest Köngen is one of the largest Whitsun markets in the greater Stuttgart area. The organizer is the Musikverein Köngen e.V., which organizes a four-day festival from the Friday before Whitsun to Whit Monday. With around 10,000 inhabitants, Köngen is a municipality in the Esslingen district (AGS 08116), located at the transition from the Filderhang to the Swabian Jura — and the Whitsun market traditionally attracts up to 30,000 visitors on Whit Monday.

New Marquee in 2026

The 2026 edition is a special one: The music association has acquired a new marquee, which will be erected for the first time at the Pfingstmusikfest. The larger and more modern tent improves seating capacity and acoustics. The old tent had been in use for over two decades and has been replaced by a contemporary model.

Four Days, Four Program Pillars

Friday, May 22, 2026 — Opening Evening

• 3:00 PM: Festival grounds open
• 7:00 PM: Marquee Opening by the Musikverein Köngen with the traditional keg tapping by Mayor Scholz
• Main band program until late into the night

Saturday, May 23, 2026 — Music Evening

• 3:00 PM: Festival grounds and marquee open
• 6:30 PM: Stäudach Musikanten — Swabian brass music with Schlager interludes
• 9:00 PM: Beat 07 — Cover band, Pop and Rock classics
• Dancing until after midnight

Sunday, May 24, 2026 — Family Sunday

• 10:30 AM: Ecumenical Service in the marquee
• 11:30 AM: Morning pint (Frühschoppen) with the Musikverein Kohlberg
• 3:00 PM: Family afternoon with the MV Youth Band Köngen
• 7:00 PM: Köngener Muppets Partynacht with the Muppets Big Band — a local tradition

Whit Monday, May 25, 2026 — Market Day

• 7:30 AM: Whitsun Market (Pfingstmarkt) opens — the actual highlight of the festival
• Up to 250 vendors set up their stalls throughout the town center
• 10:00 AM: DRK rescue dog unit demonstrations in the castle courtyard — hourly
• 1:30 PM: MV Oberboihingen in the marquee
• 11:00 AM–4:00 PM: Sunday Shopping on Whit Monday in Köngen's shops
• 6:00 PM: Market closes

The Whitsun Market — Up to 250 Stalls

The Whitsun Market on Whit Monday is the main attraction. Up to 250 vendors set up their stalls throughout Köngen's town center — toys, household goods, crafts, spices, and international specialties. With approx. 30,000 visitors, this is one of the largest Whitsun markets in Baden-Württemberg. Sunday shopping from 11 AM to 4 PM in Köngen's shops complements the market offerings.

Beer Garden, Carousels, and Marquee

In addition to the marquee and the market, the Pfingstmusikfest also offers:

• Beer garden of the music association with draft beer, wine, and snacks
• Amusement park with children's carousels, dodgems, and game stalls
• Catering stalls with sausages, Maultaschen, steaks, and international dishes
• First aid service and childcare facilities on site

Köngen — Municipality in the Esslingen Filder Region

Köngen is located at the transition from the Filder plain to the Swabian Jura, directly on the Neckar river. The municipality, with around 10,000 inhabitants, has a long tradition of club life — the music association, the shooting club, the sports club, and several choirs shape the social landscape. The Pfingstmusikfest has been the highlight of club life for decades.