Tänzelfest Kaufbeuren

A Tradition from the 15th Century

The roots of the Tänzelfest reach back to the late Middle Ages. As early as 1497, Kaufbeuren city records mention a school festival where children reenacted the city's history. Over the centuries, this custom evolved into today's Tänzelfest, which turns the old town into a stage every July. It is Bavaria's oldest historical children's festival and, since 2017, part of the German federal register of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

Main Actors: The Children

Unlike purely performance-based festivals, the children are the focus in Kaufbeuren. They wear the costumes, play the roles, and dance the historical dances. Rehearsals with the city's schoolchildren take place over several months, as the grand parade, the entry of Emperor Maximilian I, and the historical plays are exclusively created by Kaufbeuren children.

A Multi-Act Programme

The festival programme spans twelve days and includes several highlights: the festival opening on the first Thursday, the atmospheric camp life of the rider, squire, and camp follower groups, the solemn entry of Emperor Maximilian I., the grand parade with hundreds of costumed children, and subsequently the traditional folk festival with a beer tent and amusement park.

Kaufbeuren in the Ostallgäu

Kaufbeuren is an independent city with around 45,000 inhabitants in the state of Bavaria, nestled between the Ostallgäu and Unterallgäu regions. The historic old town with its Fünfknopfturm (Five-Button Tower) and city walls provides the ideal backdrop for the festival. In July, Kaufbeuren becomes the travel destination in the Allgäu for anyone wanting to experience tradition and vibrant city history.