Ursberg Summer Festival

A Festival with History and Mission

The Dominikus Ringeisen Werk (DRW) in Ursberg, in the district of Günzburg, is one of the oldest and largest facilities for people with disabilities in Bavarian Swabia. Founded in 1884 by Father Dominikus Ringeisen, several thousand people with disabilities now live and work in the Werk's houses and workshops. The summer festival, celebrated every two years in the summer, is one of the facility's largest public events – and at the same time an open day for the Swabian region.

Two Days Around Josefsplatz

The venue is the spacious Josefsplatz with its striking fountain in front of the mighty monastery church of St. Peter and Paul, complemented by courtyards, workshops, and outdoor areas of the DRW houses. The festival begins on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. and continues until 10:30 p.m., and on Sunday it runs from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Bands, choirs, dance groups, and musicians from the DRW facilities, as well as guests from the region, perform on several stages.

Music, Encounters, and Swabian Catering

Programmatically, the summer festival ranges from folk music to pop, rock, and inclusion bands, as well as participatory concerts. Stalls from the DRW workshops display products from the in-house carpentry, pottery, candle-making, and gardening departments. A wide range of culinary offerings serves Krautkrapfen (cabbage rolls), Spätzle (egg noodles), Swabian sausages, homemade cakes, beer from regional breweries, and non-alcoholic refreshments. Children's play areas, guided tours of the historic monastery complex, and opportunities for interaction with residents make the festival an inclusive meeting point.

More Than a Festival: A Statement

The Ursberg Summer Festival explicitly sees itself as a Day of Inclusion. Residents, relatives, employees, and guests from the Swabian neighbourhood meet on equal terms. Admission is free, and all areas are accessible. Those who want to get to know the DRW for the first time will find a low-threshold entry into one of the largest social institutions in Southern Germany.