Grand Lake Festival of the Kochel Traditional Costume Association

Traditional Costumes on Kochelsee

The Grand Lake Festival of the Kochel Traditional Costume Association has been organized for generations by the Mountain Traditional Costume Preservation Association »Schmied von Kochel« (G.T.E.V. for short). The association is one of the most traditional costume associations in southern Upper Bavaria and preserves the entire spectrum of Bavarian traditional costume and customs: Heimatabende (homeland evenings), Schuhplattler performances, folk dances, Goaßlschnoizen (whip cracking), and Plattler competitions.

The Scenery: Lake Promenade on Kochelsee

The venue is the lake promenade on the north shore of Kochelsee – one of the most picturesque lake promenades in the Bavarian Alps. In the background, the peaks of the Estergebirge and Karwendel mountains; before your eyes, the crystal-clear water of Kochelsee; and all around, the small guesthouses and inns of the Upper Bavarian pre-Alpine village. A stage, a festival tent extension, catering stands, and seating are spread along the promenade.

Mannschaftsziagln and Kochel Brass Band

The highlight on Sunday afternoon is the Mannschaftsziagln (team tug-of-war), a traditional Bavarian form of tug-of-war where mixed male and female teams from Kochel and friendly local associations compete against each other. The spectacle is accompanied by the Kochel Brass Band, which provides the musical backdrop for the entire festival weekend – with hearty Bavarian folk music, marches, and dances.

Kochel am See

Kochel am See is a municipality with a good 4,100 inhabitants in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen in Upper Bavaria (state of Bavaria). The municipality is located on the north shore of the lake of the same name, Kochelsee, one of Bavaria's best-known pre-Alpine lakes, nestled between the Estergebirge, Herzogstand, and Karwendel foothills. The name »Schmied von Kochel« (Blacksmith of Kochel) commemorates the legendary figure of Balthasar Mayr, who became a folk hero after the Bavarian Uprising of 1705 – the Sendlinger Mordweihnacht (Sendling Christmas Massacre) has established Kochel as the symbolic home village of the Bavarian resistance myth.

Pure Traditional Costume Tradition

The lake festival is not just a tourist event, but a genuine club festival – members appear in full Upper Bavarian traditional costume: men in short leather trousers with calf socks and a Janker (a type of jacket), women in colorful Dirndls with festive jewelry. Anyone who wants to experience authentic Bavarian traditional costume life without the Disneyfication will find the right place at the lake festival in Kochel.