611. Schwyzertag Tiengen

1415 — Tiengen's Homeland Festival for over 600 Years

The Schwyzertag in Tiengen is one of the oldest documented homeland festival traditions in Southern Germany. First documented in 1415, the festival has taken place almost continuously every year since — wars and pandemics notwithstanding. In 2026, Tiengen marks the 611th edition. Four days of homeland festival, supported by local clubs and especially by the Stadtmusik Tiengen e.V., which coordinates the program.

The Name "Schwyzertag"

The name dates back to an old clause in the town's charter: on Schwyzertag, every citizen was allowed to attend the town's general assembly and voice opinions on community matters — an early form of civic participation. Over the centuries, this evolved into a civic festival where the entire town celebrated in the streets. The designation recalls the close historical ties to nearby Switzerland (Tiengen is located on the High Rhine, right on the border).

Four Days of Events

Friday, July 3, 2026 — Opening with Church Concert: Grand concert in the Catholic parish church of St. Mauritius with the Stadtmusik, church choir, and soloists. Afterwards, the festival grounds open.

Saturday, July 4 — Homeland Festival Show: The most spectacular show of the weekend — a homeland festival show on the open-air stage in the Schlosshof with traditional costumes, folk dances, scenes of local life, historical speeches, and music. Performed by the Heimatabend ensemble and Tiengen clubs. Starts around 7:30 PM, lasting late into the night.

Sunday, July 5 — The Grand Parade: The highlight for most visitors. Starting in the morning, the traditional parade winds through the town center — historical costume groups, musicians, folk bands, costume riders, the Stadtmusik, local clubs, and floats with themed scenes. Spectators line Hauptstraße and Schlossstraße. Afterwards, lunch and afternoon festivities on all squares.

Monday, July 6 — Request Concert: A classic festival finale with the request concert by the Stadtmusik Tiengen — an open concert where the audience can request pieces live. Evening with refreshments, followed by the festival's end.

Fairground and Refreshments

Alongside the program, a classic fairground operates on the Marktplatz — carousels, shooting galleries, swing rides, Ferris wheel trailers, candy stalls, crêpes, roasted almonds, and showman booths. Several refreshment stands run by Tiengen clubs offer beer, wine, pretzels, bratwurst, shashlik, fries, and vegetarian options. A classic Volksfest (people's festival) in a condensed form.

Tiengen and the High Rhine

Since 1975, Tiengen has been a district of Waldshut-Tiengen in the Waldshut district, but it has an independent, older history than Waldshut. The townscape is characterized by its medieval features — with the parish church of St. Mauritius (Baroque), Tiengen Castle (now the town hall), and Hauptstraße as a typical market street. Its location on the High Rhine, about 5 km from the Swiss border, shapes the town — many Tiengen residents work in Switzerland, and the region is bilingual in its character and economic relations.