Waldshuter Sommernacht

City Festival with a Fashion Focus

Waldshut-Tiengen is the district capital of the Waldshut district and, with a good 23,000 inhabitants, a medium-sized town on the southernmost edge of Baden-Württemberg, directly on the High Rhine and opposite Swiss Koblenz (Canton Aargau). The town is famous for its historic city center with a city gate, Rhine promenade, and the traditional Chilbi (a type of folk festival) in August. The Waldshuter Sommernacht is the younger, more modern format in the event calendar – a city festival that deliberately focuses on fashion, music, and gastronomy.

Fashion, Music, Gastronomy

A special feature of the Sommernacht is its fashion focus: Waldshut's fashion boutiques and retailers present their autumn collections in fashion shows held on a main stage in the city center. In addition, live bands from the region – primarily from the High Rhine and Klettgau areas – play on several smaller stages in the alleys of the historic old town. Waldshut's gastronomy opens outdoor stalls with regional specialties: High Rhine fish, Black Forest ham, cheese from the Hotzenwald, and beer from the regional breweries Rothaus (Black Forest) and Brauereihaus Waldshut.

High Rhine Location and Swiss Connection

Waldshut is located on the High Rhine directly on the Swiss border – from the city center, it's only a few meters to the Rhine bridge to Koblenz (AG). This location shapes the Sommernacht audience: about a third of the visitors come from Switzerland, which leads to good business results for the boutiques (German price level, VAT-eligible purchases for Swiss customers). The event also benefits from the Basel–Schaffhausen train connection along the High Rhine, which easily brings Swiss day-trippers to the city.

Waldshut Advertising and Promotion Circle

The organizer is the Werbe- und Förderungskreis Waldshut e.V., the association of Waldshut's city center businesses. In addition to the Sommernacht, the association also organizes the annual Sunday shopping event, the Christmas market program, and smaller promotions – the Sommernacht is the association's most important own event of the year.