City Life
Major Events & Traditions
The 7 Bier-Bock-Böck are down to just six members today—Peter the miller still has work to do!
Yes, they still exist: those small music groups that play just for the sheer joy of it. They met in the Marktoberdorf Town Band, where brass music is played at the highest level.
Clubs play a major role here—whether music, traditional costume, or sports clubs—there’s something for everyone! We also have the bustling club scene to thank for the many festivals: Without volunteer organization, there would be no bonfires to drive away the winter witches, no Maypole raising, no district music festivals, and no hearty beer evenings in town and the surrounding communities. Well-known throughout the motorcycle scene is the annual ToyRun Marktoberdorf, a charity ride to benefit children in need. Things get athletic at the Relay Mix Marathon—one person skates, one cycles, one runs, and everyone celebrates together afterward! Carnival has been celebrated here with its own customs and traditions since time immemorial. On Carnival Sunday, one of Swabia’s longest parades—the GAUDIWURM—winds its way through the city with spectacular floats, marching bands, and imaginative costume groups! Preserving traditions and customs, maintaining our own style, and carrying them forward in a modern way.
Traditions Throughout the Year
Who would have thought that the quiet town of Marktoberdorf is a true carnival stronghold? For centuries, the people here have known how to celebrate the festive season, as historian Martin Dömling wrote in the Oberdorf local history book: “Even people who otherwise lead quite respectable lives are quite inclined to live beyond their means and want to enjoy to the fullest whatever there is to enjoy.” Today, the many Carnival balls in and around Marktoberdorf, the fun-filled Carnival evenings at the MODEON, and the grand parade are the highlights—true to the motto: “Oberdorf Carnival—nowhere else is there as much laughter as here!”
They are a real spectacle—the annual bonfires held on the first Sunday of Lent after Carnival. It is usually the young men who pile up huge mounds of wood on a hill or a knoll. Towering above it all is the Funkenhexe—a life-size doll made of straw and fabric: if she burns brightly, it promises to be a good year—but if the pile collapses before she does, it’s considered a bad omen! Either way, the fires drive away winter—we’ll tell you where the sparks fly around here!
It is a solemnity in the Catholic liturgical calendar and always falls on the first Thursday after Pentecost—Corpus Christi. In Marktoberdorf, the old tradition of the Corpus Christi procession is still observed: the parish priest leads the faithful and the town band through the decorated streets. The highlight of the procession is Holy Mass, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, which is celebrated together outdoors—a beautiful tradition!
It is a solemnity in the Catholic liturgical calendar and always falls on the first Thursday after Pentecost—Corpus Christi. In Marktoberdorf, the old tradition of the Corpus Christi procession is still observed: the parish priest leads the faithful and the town band through the decorated streets. The highlight of the procession is Holy Mass, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, which is celebrated together outdoors—a beautiful tradition!
They smell of yarrow, thyme, and St. John’s wort, adorned with wildflowers, with a mullein and a rose standing out in the center. Every year on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, hardworking women tie bouquets of herbs that are blessed in church. At home, these fragrant works of art are said to spread their healing properties; in the past, they were even fed to livestock during the Twelve Days of Christmas (link to Twelve Days of Christmas). In Marktoberdorf, there are still enthusiastic bouquet-makers—be sure to stop by!
Marktoberdorf has always had a strong agricultural character—it’s no coincidence that the Dieselross, the first tractor, was invented here and is still built here today! A large harvest festival is traditionally celebrated on Thanksgiving Sunday, featuring the blessing of the harvest in church, an ornate harvest wreath, and a festive meal in local restaurants and at people’s homes. Come celebrate with us—on the first Sunday in October!
Marktoberdorf is a town dedicated to St. Martin: the parish church is dedicated to the famous saint, the elementary school is named after him, and every year on November 11, the children celebrate his feast day. They make colorful lanterns, and at dusk, the little ones parade through the town with them, singing in his honor—St. Martin is a good man who helps wherever he can!
Hunting of the Klausen is a wild rite - scary looking Klausen (costumes of demons of the wild, with horns and chains, bells and wild fur) are driving cheeky boys and girls through the streets of the village. In Marktoberdorf, the Nikolaus is a lovely man and distributes sweets to the well behaved children while the Christmas market is open. But in the surrounding villages there are many naughty children – we can tell you where..
In the two weeks between Christmas Eve and Epiphany, a particularly large number of ghosts are said to roam about at night, according to old tales. To protect themselves, the people of the Allgäu tried to drive the spirits away with lots of noise and smoke. They burned the Kräuterboschen (link to Kräuterboschen) from the summer and set off firecrackers. According to the stories, this is how today’s New Year’s Eve fireworks tradition began—celebrate the New Year with us!
Our Major Events
It’s the longest and most beautiful parade in all of Swabia—the Oberdorf Gaudiwurm! Every year on Carnival Sunday, the parade starts right on time at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Marktoberdorf town hall and winds its way through the city center for about 3.5 kilometers. Spectacular floats, fantastic costumes, marching bands, and witty carnival announcers provide top-notch entertainment. Thousands of exited visitors are coming every year to shout the battle cry of the Oberdorfer Fasnacht – He Du Hee!
Founded in 2003 by passionate motorcyclists with the idea of raising money for a playroom in a pediatric cancer ward through a charity ride, the Toy Run MOD now brings together hundreds of bikers every year. Last year, 1,000 participants took part, and the total amount raised has now reached €85,000. Visitors are treated to an impressive sight when the seemingly endless line of motorcycles sets off. It’s that time again in mid-June—come ride with us!
Over Pentecost, Marktoberdorf takes on an international flair: the Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition and the Musica Sacra International Festival alternate annually. At the competition, the world’s best amateur choirs compete, while at Musica Sacra, ensembles from around the globe offer insights into the music of their religions. Both festivals are dedicated to fostering understanding through music and provide the residents of Marktoberdorf with unique concert experiences—don’t miss out!
Every year at the end of June, the big Marktoberdorf street festival is celebrated in front of and around City Hall. The flea market stalls are set up early in the morning, and soon the first shoppers arrive in search of rare finds. Starting at 8 a.m., white sausages are served, and the stalls run by local clubs also entice visitors with all kinds of delicacies. A children’s program and live bands provide great entertainment for all ages—come celebrate with us!
One skates, another cycles, and the last one runs—these are the disciplines of the Mixed Relay Marathon in Marktoberdorf. Every two years on this Sunday in July, the whole town is out and about—some as athletic teams of three, others cheering them on along the route around Marktoberdorf. Everyone then celebrates together in the town square—because taking part is what counts!
Museum Nights have long been a regular event throughout Germany. The museums in Marktoberdorf are always coming up with special activities and offers to attract visitors. And there’s plenty to experience at the City Museum, the Local History Museum, the Krkonoše Museum, the Paul Röder Museum, and the Artists’ House—stay curious!
Every year at the end of July, the Bavarian Music Academy invites guests to the Romantic Night at the Castle. All guests are welcome to drop by; admission is free. Short concerts featuring the renowned Mendelssohn Vocal Ensemble and its musical guests, held indoors and outdoors, in the atrium and the castle courtyard, and sometimes even in the neighboring St. Martin’s Church, offer the finest musical enjoyment without the strict rules of a formal concert—just drop by!
The town band usually performs on Town Hall Square in late June or early July—and the people of Marktoberdorf are proud of their long-standing orchestra. The seats are always filled quickly, but there’s plenty of room to stand! The town band performs brass music at the highest level and delights its audience every year with an atmospheric program—come and join in the fun!
When the lights are still on in every store in Marktoberdorf on Friday evenings in late October, it’s Sternenbummel time! The whole town seems to be out and about, with the streets and shops filled with people browsing, trying things on, admiring the displays, or simply chatting. Every store has special promotions planned, and there’s something to see everywhere—come join the fun!