Name: Plochinger Frühling and Dance around the Guild Tree 2026
Start: 2026-04-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-04-26T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Marktplatz und Innenstadt Plochingen

Plochinger Frühling

About Plochinger Frühling

When the guilds erect the colorfully decorated Guild Tree on the market square on the last weekend of April in Plochingen, the spring festival of the year begins. Shops, clubs, and restaurateurs transform the city center on Saturday evening and Sunday into a festive backdrop: during the Dance around the Guild Tree, musicians and dancers in traditional costumes spin around the tall trunk – an old craft ritual symbolizing cohesion and joie de vivre. Sunday features market stalls, live music, culinary offerings, and a Sunday opening. A charming spring greeting in the Filder region, supported by Stadtmarketing Plochingen and local guilds.

Dates 25 Apr — 26 Apr 2026

Venue Plochingen (08116)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Plochinger Frühling — edition 2026

The Plochinger Frühling 2026 starts on Saturday, April 25, from 5 PM with the Dance around the Guild Tree on the market square (until 10 PM). On Sunday, April 26, from 12 PM to 5 PM, the Plochinger Frühling invites you to the city center with market stalls, live music, culinary delights, and a Sunday opening.

On the weekend of April 25 and 26, 2026, Plochingen's city center will once again transform into a festive spring stage. On Saturday evening, April 25, from 5 PM, the Plochingen guilds will erect the Guild Tree on the market square and dance around the decorated trunk in traditional costumes – the festival concludes with music and conviviality until 10 PM. On Sunday, April 26, from 12 PM to 5 PM, the main Plochinger Frühling takes place with market stalls, live music on several squares, culinary offerings from Plochingen's restaurateurs, and a Sunday opening that invites the city center to stroll and shop.

Highlights Plochinger Frühling 2026

Dance around the Guild Tree as a symbolic craft tradition
Sunday opening hours in the city center
Live music and market stalls
Spring start in the historic town center

Programme Plochinger Frühling 2026

Saturday, April 25, 2026

5:00 PM–10:00 PM — Dance around the Guild Tree on the market square
Traditional costumes and dance music
Refreshments by local clubs

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12:00 PM–5:00 PM — Plochinger Frühling in the city center
Market stalls from regional providers
Live music on several squares
Culinary delights from Plochingen's restaurateurs
Sunday opening hours

Prices Plochinger Frühling 2026

Free admission. Food and market goods for purchase.

Practical information

Practical information — Plochinger Frühling

Getting There

Plochingen is conveniently located on the A8 motorway (Stuttgart–Munich), Plochingen exit, and on the Stuttgart–Ulm railway line (S-Bahn S1 and regional trains). Plochingen station is a short walk from the city center.

Opening Hours

Saturday, April 25, 2026: from 5 PM Dance around the Guild Tree (until 10 PM). Sunday, April 26: 12 PM–5 PM Plochinger Frühling and Sunday opening hours.

Admission

Free admission.

Tip

Combine your festival visit with a walk along the Neckar and Fils rivers or a detour into the historic old town.

Plochingen Becomes a Spring Square

The Plochinger Frühling is one of the most beautiful spring festivals in the Esslingen district (state of Baden-Württemberg). Organized by Stadtmarketing Plochingen together with local guilds, clubs, and restaurateurs, Plochingen's city center around the market square transforms into a festival area on the last weekend of April, where the start of spring and craft traditions are celebrated equally.

The Guild Tree as a Symbol

The centerpiece of the festival is the Guild Tree – a tall, artfully decorated tree trunk adorned with coats of arms and symbols of the craft professions, which is erected on the market square. The tradition dates back to medieval guild regulations: each profession had its own coat of arms, and once a year the guilds gathered for a joint demonstration of their pride and cohesion. Even today, Plochingen residents in traditional costumes dance around the tree – a moving sight that connects past and present.

Dance around the Guild Tree (Saturday)

The highlight of the weekend takes place on Saturday evening: from 5 PM, guilds, musicians, and dancers gather on the market square. Traditional dance music plays until 10 PM, and the market square becomes a lively stage. Residents, guests, and guild members celebrate together – an authentic piece of Swabian customs that functions beyond tourist folklore.

Plochinger Frühling (Sunday)

On Sunday, the festival opens its stalls from 12 PM to 5 PM throughout the city center. Market stalls from regional providers, live music on several squares, culinary offerings from Plochingen's restaurateurs, and the Sunday opening hours attract families and strollers from all over the Esslingen region. Shops, clubs, and restaurateurs invite you to stroll, marvel, and enjoy – a Sunday when the city center shows its full vibrancy in the spring sunshine.

Plochingen on the Neckar

The town of Plochingen (~15,000 inhabitants) is located at the confluence of the Neckar and Fils rivers – an important transport hub between Stuttgart and the Swabian Jura. The historic old town with its market square, St. Mary's Church, and half-timbered houses forms the backdrop for the Plochinger Frühling. Those wishing to explore the region will find quick connections from Plochingen to Stuttgart, Esslingen, Kirchheim unter Teck, and the Fils valley.