Name: Viehscheid Immenstadt 2026
Start: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-19T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Viehmarktplatz (Scheidplatz) Immenstadt

Viehscheid Immenstadt

About Viehscheid Immenstadt

The Immenstadt Viehscheid is one of the largest and most attended cattle drives in the Allgäu region. At the end of September, around 800 animals return from the alpine pastures around Immenstadt to the valley — through the town center, past the Bräuhaus and train station, to the Viehmarktplatz (locally known as 'Scheidplatz'). There, the animals are returned to their owners. The evening before, there's a warm-up party in the festival tent, and on Saturday itself, the square fills with Allgäu folk music, cheese, beer, and snacks.

Dates 18 Sep — 19 Sep 2026

Venue Immenstadt i.Allgäu (09780)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Viehscheid Immenstadt — edition 2026

The Immenstadt Viehscheid 2026 begins on Friday, September 18, with the warm-up party in the festival tent (DJ duo Butzi & Double T, €5 admission for ages 16+). On Saturday, September 19, the cattle drive with around 800 animals will pass through the town center to the Viehmarktplatz starting at 9 AM. The Stadtmusikkapelle, Starzlachschwung, and Riedberg Quintett will perform in the festival tent.

Viehscheid 2026

The Oberallgäu Tourism Office and the town of Immenstadt confirm the Viehscheid 2026 with a warm-up on September 18 and the main event on September 19. As every year, around 800 animals will return from the surrounding alpine pastures, led by their respective decorated leader cows, through Immenstadt into the valley.

What Visitors Can Expect

Warm-up in the festival tent on Friday evening with DJ duo Butzi & Double T
Cattle drive on Saturday from 9 AM through Steigbachtal, Bahnhofstraße, Rothenfelsstraße to Viehmarktplatz
Distribution of animals from approx. 11 AM at Scheidplatz
Festival tent with Allgäu specialties
Stadtmusikkapelle Immenstadt, Starzlachschwung, and Riedberg Quintett for music

Highlights Viehscheid Immenstadt 2026

Warm-up with DJ duo Butzi & Double T on Friday evening
Arrival of around 800 animals from 9 AM through the town center
Festive bell ringing with the shepherds at 3:30 PM
Riedberg Quintett for dancing on Saturday evening
Decorated leader cows at the front of the herds

Programme Viehscheid Immenstadt 2026

2026 Schedule

Friday, September 18

7:00 PM — Warm-Up Party in the festival tent with DJ duo Butzi & Double T (Motto "g'scheid feiern" - celebrate properly), €5 admission, ages 16+

Saturday, September 19

from 9:00 AM — Arrival of the herds from Steigbachtal through the town center
10:00 AM — Stadtmusikkapelle Immenstadt at Scheidplatz
approx. 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM — Herds arrive at Viehmarktplatz
from 11:00 AM — Distribution of animals to owners
2:00 PM — Starzlachschwung plays in the festival tent
3:30 PM — Festive bell ringing with the shepherds
8:00 PM — Riedberg Quintett plays for dancing in the festival tent

Source: Official program of Oberallgäu Tourism.

Prices Viehscheid Immenstadt 2026

Watching the cattle drive: free. Festival tent on Saturday: free admission. Warm-up on Friday: €5 admission, access for ages 16+. Food and drinks (Allgäu cheese, Käsknöpfle, sausages, festival beer) at festival tent prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Viehscheid Immenstadt

Getting There

By train: Immenstadt main station, directly on the Munich-Lindau line. By car via the A7 motorway, exit Waltenhofen, then B19. Expect large crowds — travel by train is recommended.

Admission

Watching the cattle drive: free. Festival tent at Scheidplatz: free admission on Saturday. Warm-up on Friday: €5 admission (ages 16+).

Tip

Secure a spot on Bahnhofstraße early (best view of the herds). Weatherproof clothing recommended.

Cattle Drive — Living Allgäu Tradition

The Viehscheid (also called 'Alpabtrieb' or 'Almabtrieb' in the Allgäu) marks the end of the summer grazing season. For the entire summer, shepherds have herded the cattle on the alpine pastures — when the first cold breath of autumn arrives, the animals are driven down into the valley and returned to their owners. In Immenstadt, the ritual takes place on a grand scale: around 800 animals, seven alpine pastures, a completely cordoned-off town center.

The Decorated Leader Cow and Its Significance

A decorated 'Kranzkuh' (leader cow) heads each herd. It is adorned with flowers, ribbons, and a fir wreath — a symbol of a summer without a fatal accident on the alpine pasture. Each alpine pasture has a namesake who acts as an ambassador, leading the herd through Immenstadt. It is a living Allgäu tradition, not a tourist show spectacle.

What Visitors Can Expect

Warm-Up Party: on Friday evening in the festival tent with DJ duo Butzi & Double T
Arrival of the Herds: from approx. 9 AM on Saturday — route via Steigbachtal, Gottesackerstraße, Bräuhausstraße, Bahnhofstraße, Rothenfelsstraße to Viehmarktplatz
Scheidplatz: Distribution of animals to owners from 11 AM
Festival Tent: Refreshments with Allgäu cheese, Käsknöpfle, sausages, festival beer
Music: Stadtmusikkapelle Immenstadt, Starzlachschwung, Riedberg Quintett
Family Program: Children's carousel, play areas

Immenstadt in the Oberallgäu

Immenstadt in the Allgäu is the southernmost town in the Oberallgäu district (Bavaria), located on the Großer Alpsee lake and at the foot of the Allgäu foothills. With its compact old town, mountain backdrop, and proximity to Oberstdorf (12 km), it is one of the most distinctive small towns in the Allgäu.