18th Staufer Spektakel Waiblingen 2026 — Medieval Market

Medieval Times Meet Altstadtfest

The Staufer Spektakel is Waiblingen's major medieval festival and takes place every year parallel to the city's Altstadtfest. In 2026, the 18th edition will be held from Friday, June 26th, to Sunday, June 28th. The venue is the Brühlwiese and the Talaue directly on the Rems river — a green festival area just outside Waiblingen's historic old town.

The Staufer Era as a Backdrop

In the High Middle Ages, Waiblingen was a center for the Staufer rulers — the Staufer royal domain dominated the Remstal valley, and the Staufer castle crowned the nearby Hohenstaufen mountain. The spectacle connects to this history: knights with coats of arms, camp followers, monks, and castle lords in Staufer-inspired costumes define the scene. For three days, a living medieval camp with historically recreated settings will emerge.

Camp Life and Encampments

Several historical camp encampments will be set up. Viking camps will showcase the lifestyles of the Nordic warriors of the 9th–11th centuries — blacksmithing, looms, open fires, traditional food. Knight camps will demonstrate the way of life of the high medieval nobility and their squires. Bone carvers, leatherworkers, bow makers, and goldsmiths will display their workshops live.

Show Fights and Fire Shows

Throughout the three days, show fights with steel weapons will take place several times daily — sword fighting, axe combat, polearm duels. Catapult demonstrations will also show how medieval siege technology worked. In the evenings, fire shows with fire eaters, fire jugglers, and LED performers will dominate the festival grounds. Musical performances featuring medieval rock, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, and shawm will accompany the days.

Medieval Market — Leather Goods, Wood, and Metal

The market will gather around 80 exhibitors offering artistic works made from leather, wood, and metal, as well as fine jewelry, glassware, pottery, candles, incense, furs, and fabrics. All vendors are craft-oriented — mass-produced goods and plastic are excluded. Sword makers, goldsmiths, and leatherworkers often work right before the visitors' eyes.