Stockach Narrentreffen — 675 Years of the Narrengericht

675 Years of Narrengericht — A Historic Vintage

The Stockach Narrengericht — first mentioned in documents in 1351 — is the oldest jester court in the German-speaking world and one of the most prominent symbols of the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnacht. It traditionally prosecutes a prominent personality (in recent decades, mostly German federal ministers, state premiers, or top politicians) in a mix of political cabaret and ritualistic proceedings, presented in historical dungeon costumes and rhyming language. In 2026, the town will celebrate the 675th anniversary with a correspondingly expanded Narrentreffen from January 23 to 25, 2026.

The Narrentreffen — 6,000 Jesters, 12,000 Spectators

The 2026 Narrentreffen will bring together around 49 guilds from the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnacht region (Baden-Württemberg, Further Austria, Swiss Lake Constance region) — an estimated 6,000 costumed jesters and 12,000 spectators. The main element is the star march on Saturday evening: the guilds will march into the old town in a star formation from three directions. On Sunday, the grand parade will take place, crossing the main axes of the old town; SWR television will broadcast live from 1:45 PM.

Program Structure — Three Days of Fasnacht

Friday evening opens with the #Hästag Opening at Dillplatz with a get-together festival and brass bands. Saturday is dedicated to costume presentations, the night-time star march (6:30 PM), and extensive jester activities in alleys and houses. Sunday begins with the jester's service (9:30 AM, celebrated by Archbishop Stephan Burger), followed by the parade at noon. The weekend concludes with the Narrengericht trial — the traditional highlight — and evening events in the guild houses.

Stockach in the Lake Constance District

Stockach, with around 17,500 inhabitants, is a former Further Austrian town in the district of Konstanz in the state of Baden-Württemberg, located in the High Rhine-Lake Constance region. The town owes its reputation far beyond the region to the Narrengericht and its dense Fasnacht tradition: annual jester inns, raising the jester's pole, house singing, the dungeon — a continuous tradition since the 14th century, documented in its own Narrengericht archive. In 2026, the town will become the main stage for the entire Swabian-Alemannic Fasnacht season.