Rettichfest Freiberg am Neckar
Four days of Volksfest with music, catering, and Swabian tradition at the Wasen festival grounds
About Rettichfest
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Freiberg am Neckar — Town between the Neckar and Beihinger Wald
Freiberg am Neckar is a young town with old roots. It was only formed in 1972 by the merger of the communities of Beihingen, Geisingen, and Heutingsheim in the Landkreis Ludwigsburg (Ludwigsburg district), in the fertile Neckartal (Neckar valley) between Ludwigsburg and Marbach. The agricultural tradition of the three original towns — vegetable cultivation in the Neckar meadows, viticulture on the slopes, fruit cultivation — has been preserved to this day in the town's festival calendar and identity. The Rettichfest is one of the most charming manifestations of this tradition: it celebrates the Swabian radish as a regional symbol.
2026 Programme — May 14th to 17th
The 2026 edition runs from Thursday, May 14th to Sunday, May 17th, 2026 at the Festplatz am Wasen (Wasen festival grounds) — Freiberg's traditional festival site in the Beihingen district. The organizer is the Musikverein Stadtkapelle Freiberg am Neckar e.V. (Music Association Town Band Freiberg am Neckar), one of the town's oldest and most active associations. Ascension Day in 2026 falls on Thursday, May 14th — the ideal opening day for a four-day May Volksfest.
Specific programme items:
- Festival tent catering with Swabian cuisine, draft beer, homemade cakes
- Music evenings with the Stadtkapelle Freiberg and friendly music associations (including Musikverein Tamm)
- Dance evenings with cover bands
- Morning pint (Frühschoppen) on Sunday
- Children's programme during the day (carousel, bouncy castle, face painting)
- Fairground stalls around the festival grounds (sweets, rides, sausages)
Why "Rettichfest"?
The Swabian radish was one of the most important agricultural products in the region in the 19th and early 20th centuries — the Neckar meadows around Freiberg, Marbach, and Bietigheim were among Württemberg's most fertile vegetable-growing areas. The white radish, often served sliced, salted, and with bread or beer, remains part of Southern German tavern culture to this day. With the name "Rettichfest", the Freiberg Stadtkapelle ironically and affectionately commemorates this tradition — even though the radish is no longer the town's economic backbone, it lives on in the festival name and in many Swabian kitchens.
The Music Association as Organizer
The Stadtkapelle Freiberg am Neckar is a traditional brass band with a youth band, youth work, and performances throughout the year. The Rettichfest is its most important self-organized event and finances significant parts of the association's work — instrument purchases, sheet music acquisition, concert tours, youth development. Friendly associations like the Musikverein Tamm also perform and support the festival operations.
Rettichfest — edition 2026
Four Festival Days 2026
The 2026 edition takes advantage of the Ascension Day weekend for the full festival programme. The festival tent opens as early as Thursday lunchtime — Father's Day hikers from the Neckar valley typically end their tours at the festival grounds. Catering, live music by the Stadtkapelle Freiberg, and festivities in the tent run all day. Friday and Saturday feature music and dance evenings, along with fairground attractions around the tent.
Sunday opens with a morning pint (Frühschoppen) starting at noon, followed by a family programme, performances by the youth band, and friendly music associations — including the traditionally friendly Musikverein Tamm. The festival concludes late Sunday evening.
Programme Rettichfest 2026
Thursday, May 14th, 2026 — Ascension Day / Father's Day
- Lunch/Afternoon — Festival tent opens, catering, welcome to Father's Day hikers
- Evening — Festival opening with a concert by the Stadtkapelle Freiberg
Friday, May 15th, 2026
- Evening — Music evening with a live band or friendly band, dancing in the festival tent
Saturday, May 16th, 2026 — Main Festival Day
- Daytime — Festival activities, fairground attractions, children's programme
- Evening — Grand festival night with a cover band, dancing
Sunday, May 17th, 2026 — Morning Pint and Closing
- Morning/Lunchtime — Morning pint (Frühschoppen) with Stadtkapelle Freiberg and/or Musikverein Tamm
- Afternoon — Family programme, youth band performance, coffee and cake
- Evening — Festival closing
Catering
- Swabian cuisine (Maultaschen, Käsknöpfle, Schnitzel, Bratwurst, Wurstsalat)
- Draft beer, soft drinks, wine
- Homemade cakes and pastries on Sunday afternoon
- Fairground stalls with sweets and rides
Details
The detailed daily and stage programme will be published by the Musikverein Stadtkapelle Freiberg via an official flyer and on the association's website.
Highlights Rettichfest 2026
- Four festival days over Ascension weekend
- Stadtkapelle Freiberg and Musikverein Tamm
- Father's Day hikers' final stop on Thursday
- Dance evenings Friday and Saturday
- Sunday morning pint with catering
- Fairground attractions and children's programme
- Homemade cakes on Sunday afternoon
- Free admission
Prices Rettichfest 2026
Admission to the festival grounds: free. Catering in the festival tent: Bratwurst €3–4, Maultaschen €7–9, draft beer €3–4, cake €2–3. Fairground stalls priced separately. Cash preferred.
Practical information — Rettichfest
Getting there
By S-Bahn: S4 from Stuttgart towards Backnang, stop Freiberg am Neckar — 10 min walk to the festival grounds from the station. By car: B27 or A81 (exit Ludwigsburg/Asperg), then follow signs to Freiberg am Neckar. Parking available at the festival grounds.
Admission
Admission to the festival grounds: free. Pay separately for food and drinks at the association and fairground stalls.
Tip
Thursday (Father's Day) is particularly busy — many Father's Day hikers from the Neckar valley end their tours at the festival grounds. If you're looking for a relaxed morning pint (Frühschoppen): Sunday morning is the right time. The homemade cakes from the music association's ladies are a classic on Sunday afternoons.
Accommodation
Hotels in Ludwigsburg, Marbach am Neckar, or Stuttgart. Easily accessible by S-Bahn.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Rettichfest
Festplatz am Wasen, Freiberg am Neckar
Festplatz am Wasen, 71691 Freiberg am Neckar