Unterkochen Bear Days

Unterkochen — Aalen District on the Ostalb

Unterkochen is one of the six districts of the city of Aalen in the Ostalb district (AGS 08136). With around 5,000 inhabitants, it forms an independent town center with a town hall, district office, and club life — embedded in the Kocher valley on the eastern edge of the Swabian Jura. The name "Bear Days" likely comes from the local coat of arms with the bear symbol — the region maintains this historical connection with the annual district festival.

Festival Grounds Rathausplatz

The main venue is the Rathausplatz Unterkochen with seating, a stage, a carousel, and festival stalls. The adjacent streets are closed to traffic during the festival — a pedestrian zone for two days. Local clubs — sports clubs, music association, fire department, scouts, churches — provide catering at stalls around the square.

Children's Festival with Parade

A central element of the Bear Days is the Children's Festival with the traditional Children's Parade through the streets of Unterkochen. School children and kindergarten children march with costumes, drums, and swings, accompanied by parents and teachers. Play street on the Rathausplatz with craft activities, bouncy castle, games for the little ones, carousel.

Local Artists and Clubs

Local music associations regularly perform on stage, along with dance groups from schools, cheerleaders from the sports club, and traditional costume dancers. Catering by the clubs: Bratwurst, steak, fries, salad plates, beer, wine, coffee, and cake. The donation policy is clear — proceeds go directly to the club activities of the participating clubs.

Weekend with Family Program

Saturday, June 20, 2026: Opening in the morning, full operation throughout the day, live music in the evening with local cover bands or folk music. Sunday, June 21, 2026: Festival service, morning pint, festive menu at lunchtime, festival winding down in the afternoon.

Aalen and the Ostalb District

Aalen, with almost 70,000 inhabitants, is the district capital of the Ostalb district — a region located between the Swabian Jura, the Welzheim Forest, and the Härtsfeld. The individual districts (Unterkochen, Hofen, Wasseralfingen, Ebnat, Fachsenfeld, Dewangen) each have their own festivals — the Bear Days in Unterkochen are a classic example of this decentralized district identity.