Rettichfest Harmonika-Club Neckarsulm

Rettichfest Schweinshag — An Accordion Club in the Woods

The Rettichfest is the annual club festival of the Harmonika-Club Neckarsulm e.V., an accordion club with a long tradition in the Württemberg Unterland region. The venue is the club's own Schweinshag forest festival grounds — a light mixed forest north of Neckarsulm, ideal for a cozy forest festival. The club itself is the organizer, and the festival serves to support the club's finances — anyone who eats a piece of radish here and listens to an accordion polka contributes to the preservation of an old South German musical tradition.

Radish — The South German Snack Specialty

The festival name says it all: In the Württemberg-Bavarian region, radish (long white variety, often called 'Bierrettich') is a classic beer garden and snack classic — spicy, sharp, with salt and beer, it's the perfect summer companion. At the Rettichfest, several variations are served:

• Radish salad (finely grated radish with salt)
• Whole radishes to grate yourself at the table
• Herb cheese on rye bread
• Obatzda (Bavarian cheese spread with onions and paprika)
• Grilled meatloaf and sausages from the grill
• Vegetarian options

On Sunday afternoon, the club serves coffee and homemade cakes — donated by club members and their families, one of the most relaxing parts of the entire weekend.

Accordion Music in the Woods

What sets the Rettichfest apart from many other forest festivals is its musical identity: The Harmonika-Club Neckarsulm plays accordion music on both days — polkas, waltzes, marches, popular songs, folk songs. An almost vanishing musical culture that was once widespread in Southern Germany and is consciously preserved by the club. Those who love accordion music (or are curious about it) will find an authentic experience here.

Family-Friendly Forest Festival

The playground at the festival grounds makes the Rettichfest family-friendly. Children can play while parents relax with music and snacks. The forest setting with shady beech trees creates a relaxed atmosphere, offering a pleasant alternative to the hectic city festival vibe in downtown Neckarsulm.

Neckarsulm and the Württemberg Unterland

Neckarsulm is located in the Württemberg Unterland region at the confluence of the Neckar and Sulm rivers (Heilbronn district). With around 27,000 inhabitants, the city is primarily known as an Audi location — Audi AG has its second German plant here. The Schweinshag grounds north of the city are a traditional local recreation area and host several club festivals throughout the year.