Anniversary Weekend with the Traditional Old Town Festival

It’s the highlight of the anniversary year in Radolfzell: On Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, 2026, the big anniversary weekend will take place in downtown Radolfzell and along the lakefront. The date was chosen deliberately—because September 13 is historically documented as the anniversary of the death of the city’s founder, Bishop Radolt of Verona.

Anniversary Saturday – 48th Radolfzell Old Town Festival

On September 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Radolfzell’s downtown will once again be transformed into a large festival area, serving as a gathering place for locals, guests, and visitors from across the region. For nearly 50 years, clubs, volunteers, restaurant owners, merchants, and cultural organizers have been working together to ensure the festival’s success.

Amid historic alleyways, the market square, and the lakeshore, visitors can enjoy music, art, culinary delights, entertainment, and historical attractions for the whole family. Throughout the day, a varied music program sets the mood on several stages and in various squares—ranging from brass band music, soul, and Latin to jazz and rock, as well as DJ sets featuring DJ Dennis Dorn on the market square stage.

There are also plenty of hands-on activities for children and teens, including acrobatic shows, bounce houses, a children’s carousel, water games organized by the youth fire department, the fire department’s traditional duck race on Kirchgasse, and a puppet show by the Sparkassen Puppet Theater on Gerberplatz. The children’s flea market on Fürstenbergstraße and Obertorstraße and the flea market on Teggingerstraße, along with arts and crafts, raffles, and store promotions, invite you to browse and discover. Various clubs and businesses from Radolfzell and the surrounding region will also be showcasing their offerings on Sankt-Johannis-Straße.

In this anniversary year, historical themes also play a special role: “time islands,” historical parades, a fashion show, and a medieval encampment featuring crafts and glimpses into life in times past bring Radolfzell’s history to life.

Anniversary Sunday—Festive Church Service and a Colorful Program

The festival Sunday, September 13, is all about history and faith. The day begins festively with a special Mass at 9:15 a.m. in the Cathedral of Our Lady. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., visitors can enjoy a varied program in the city center. Free guided tours of the city, the cathedral, and the city museum offer fascinating insights into Radolfzell’s history. The museum will open its doors with free admission, and the cathedral tower will also be open. On the market square, a colorful program featuring music, poetry, and dance will provide entertainment.

Münster

9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: Eucharistic Celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Gala Concert featuring the Münsterbläser and soloists

Marketplace

Food and drink, stage performances, games for kids, and much more

Stage Program:

11:15 Report from Reichenau

12:15 p.m.: Radolfzell Dialect: Chatting and Small Talk

2:00 p.m.: Historical Fashion Show

2:45 p.m.: Fun dances for everyone to join in with the traditional costume group and the accordion orchestra

4:15 p.m.: Anniversary song to sing along to

Experience History

11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Experience “time islands” and the town’s history in the Stadtgarten and at the Schützentorturm. Performers bring Radolfzell’s past eras to life and invite young and old alike to marvel, discover, and join in the fun.

11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Medieval camp of the Free Imperial Knights of St. Georgenschild in Herzebad

12:30 p.m.: Cannon firing at the Concert Sail

4:00 p.m. Film screening by the Open-Air Theater from the 3. & July 4 at the Universum Nostalgia Cinema (free)

Guided Tours (Free)

11:00 a.m.: Guided tour of the cathedral

11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Cathedral Tower Open House

11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.: Guided city tours for children with Marie the Maid; meet in front of the City Museum

11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.: “In the Footsteps of Radolt” city tour; meet in front of the City Museum

11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.: Guided tour of the City Museum

1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Self-guided tour of Villa Schmal at Untertorplatz, Untertorstraße 13 and 13a

City center

2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Exhibition “So! Or Something Else? 1,200 Years of Radolfzell” at Villa Bosch

11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: “ratoldescella – Radolfzell” exhibition at the City Museum (Free admission)

Gala Concert by the Münster Wind Ensemble and Soloists

To conclude the anniversary weekend, the Münsterbauverein is hosting a spectacular gala concert featuring ULF and the Münsterbläser on Sunday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Münster. Two world-class soloists have been secured for this concert: trombonist Uwe Schrodi, a native of Markelfingen, and trumpeter Reinhold Friedrich. With the participation of Reinhold Friedrich, one of the world’s leading trumpet virtuosos of our time, this concert promises to be a truly special musical treat. The program ranges from Hermann von der Reichenau to Johann Sebastian Bach and Richard Strauss. This special concert, held on the anniversary of the death of St. Radolt, the town’s founder, is organized by the Radolfzell Cathedral Building Association. Tickets are available at the rectory on Marktplatz and online at www.muensterbauverein-radolfzell.de.

The city of Radolfzell looks forward to your visit!