Swabian Hocketse on Ascension Day in front of the community center — organized by Liederkranz 1875
The 'Hockete' (sometimes spelled 'Hocketse') is the Swabian version of the village summer festival — the name comes from the verb 'hocken' (to squat or sit) and describes the convivial gathering on wooden benches under the open sky. In Nehren, a community of 4,000 inhabitants in the Tübingen district in the Härten region (a plateau southeast of Tübingen), the Liederkranz 1875 singing club has been preserving the tradition of the Vatertagshockete for decades — every year on Ascension Day, the traditional Swabian Father's Day.
The 2026 Hockete will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, starting at 10:30 AM in front of the Nehren Community Center — right in the village center, easily accessible on foot from all parts of the town. It typically stays open until late afternoon, depending on the weather and attendance.
The culinary offerings are classic Swabian and homemade by the club members:
The Liederkranz 1875 Nehren e.V. is one of the oldest clubs in the community — founded in 1875, it is responsible for the singing and musical life in Nehren. The annual Vatertagshockete is one of the most important sources of income for the club's activities (sheet music purchases, travel for performances, rehearsal equipment) and, at the same time, an important social event for the village. Club members grill, slice cakes, serve beer — and are delighted to welcome every guest.
In the Härten region (the plateaus east of Tübingen, which include Nehren along with Dusslingen, Gomaringen, and Mössingen districts), Ascension Day is traditionally a day for Father's Day hikes. Many groups walk through meadows and forests with handcarts, beer crates, and musical instruments — often ending their tour at a Hockete. The Nehren Vatertagshockete is one of the well-known destinations for such hiking groups — cozy, Swabian, with homemade food.
The 2026 Hockete runs on Thursday, May 14 (Ascension Day) in front of the Nehren Community Center. The Liederkranz 1875 opens the grill station from 10:30 AM; the offerings range from Bratwurst and Swabian Saitenwurst to schnitzel with side dishes, and cold draft beer and non-alcoholic beverages.
From noon/afternoon, the cake stalls open with homemade pies and slices by the club's women — a classic that draws Father's Day hikers from the surrounding Härten villages and from Tübingen, Reutlingen, and Mössingen to Nehren. Festival runs until the early evening, depending on the weather and attendance.
At the club stalls, typically cash only — small bills and coins preferred.
Admission: free. Food and drinks are paid for at the club stalls on site — typical prices: Bratwurst with bread €3–4, Schnitzel with side dishes €8–10, draft beer €3–4, slice of cake €2–3, coffee €1.50–2. Cash only.
By car: Take the B27 from Tübingen or Hechingen, then turn off towards Nehren. By bus: NaldoBus lines from Tübingen and Reutlingen, stop in the center of Nehren. Ideally, wear hiking boots — Ascension Day is a hiking day.
Admission to the Hockete: free. Pay for food and drinks at the club stalls on site (typically cash only; small amounts preferred).
Come on foot or by bike — Father's Day is a hiking day, and the Härten landscape southeast of Tübingen is ideal for a tour ending at the Nehren Hockete. The homemade cakes from the Liederkranz women are often sold out by early afternoon — if you want Black Forest gateau or apple crumble, come around 2 PM for coffee time.
'Hockete' with a 'k' is the spelling commonly used in the Härten region; in the Stuttgart area, they tend to say 'Hocketse'. Both mean the same thing — a cozy get-together with sausage, beer, and cake.
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