Tänzelfest Kaufbeuren
Bavaria's Oldest Historical Children's Festival in Kaufbeuren
About Tänzelfest
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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.
Tänzelfest — edition 2026
Schedule of Festival Days
The festival opening takes place on Thursday, July 9, at 7:30 PM at the Tanzrondell near the festival grounds. This is followed by the highly anticipated camp life on Friday and Saturday (July 10 and 11), where historical groups set up their tents in the city area.
The entry of Emperor Maximilian I. can be seen on Sunday, July 12, at 1:30 PM, followed by the grand parade with hundreds of costumed children at 2:30 PM and subsequent dances. On Monday, July 13, the parade is repeated, giving working people a chance to experience the spectacle during the week as well.
From July 11 to 20, the folk festival with an amusement park runs concurrently on the festival grounds.
Programme Tänzelfest 2026
Important Dates 2026
- Thursday, July 9, 7:30 PM — Festival opening at the Tanzrondell near the festival grounds
- Friday, July 10, 7:00 PM–1:00 AM — Camp life
- Saturday, July 11, 6:00 PM–1:00 AM — Camp life
- Saturday, July 11, 1:00 PM–11:00 PM — Amusement park opening
- Sunday, July 12, 1:30 PM — Entry of Emperor Maximilian I.
- Sunday, July 12, 2:30 PM — Grand parade with subsequent historical dances
- Sunday, July 12, 10:30 AM–11:00 PM — Amusement park
- Monday, July 13 — Parade repeat
- Monday–Friday, July 13–17, 2:00 PM–11:00 PM — Amusement park weekday operation
- until Sunday, July 20 — Amusement park closing
Highlights Tänzelfest 2026
- Parade with hundreds of costumed children (Sunday)
- Entry of Emperor Maximilian I. – historical equestrian spectacle
- Camp life on Friday and Saturday evenings in the old town
- Historical plays at the Tanzrondell
- Amusement park from July 11 to 20
Prices Tänzelfest 2026
Free admission to the parade, entry, and camp life. Food, drinks, and rides at usual folk festival prices. Tent reservations via the Tänzelfestverein.
Practical information — Tänzelfest
Getting There
By car: A 7 Memmingen–Füssen, exit Kaufbeuren. By train: Kaufbeuren station on the Munich–Buchloe–Lindau line. During the festival, the city centre is largely closed off – parking is available outside the old town, and shuttle buses facilitate access.
Admission
Parade and entry of Emperor Maximilian are free to attend. The beer tent and folk festival are free to enter; prices for food, drinks, and rides are payable on site.
Tip
To experience the entry of Emperor Maximilian or the parade from a prime spot, secure a place along the route at least an hour in advance.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Tänzelfest
Altstadt Kaufbeuren