Waldhornhock Krauchenwies

Hocketse — the Southern German summer institution

A "Hocketse" or "Hock" is the quintessential folk festival in Southern Germany: a cozy summer get-together where a club raises money for the club year and the village community meets. The Waldhornhock of the Musikkapelle Krauchenwies follows this tradition — three days of open-air hospitality at the Waldhornhalle, with live brass music from the band and friendly clubs.

The Musikkapelle Krauchenwies

The organizer is the Musikkapelle Krauchenwies e.V., a nearly 50-member intermediate-level band that rehearses on Thursday evenings in the Waldhornhalle. The repertoire ranges from traditional marches and polkas to rock and pop arrangements and symphonic brass music. At the Waldhornhock, the band plays its own sets and is joined by guest bands from the Sigmaringen district and nearby Upper Swabia.

Yellow umbrellas and Upper Swabian specialties

The visual trademark of the Waldhornhock: the yellow umbrellas over the long tables in the Waldhorn parking lot. In the tent area next to the hall, the band members serve in shifts: Leberkäs with pretzel, Bratwurst with sauerkraut, Swabian Spätzle with roast beef, Schupfnudeln, fries, fries special. Accompanied by Krauchenwies beer on tap, Württemberg wines, and soft drinks.

Three-day program structure

The schedule of a Swabian "Hock" is classic: Saturday evening opening concert by the band, Sunday morning church service and "Frühschoppen" (morning pint) with brass music, Sunday afternoon family area with children's program. Monday evening, the festival winds down. The exact program times for 2026 will be published by the Musikkapelle in spring 2026.

Krauchenwies — on the transition to the Danube

Krauchenwies, a municipality with just over 5,000 inhabitants in the Sigmaringen district, is located in the Ablach valley, south of the Danube. Krauchenwies Castle (formerly the summer residence of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen) and the castle park are worth seeing. For nature lovers, a detour to the Danube-Danube Valley Nature Park in the south of the district is worthwhile.