Backnang - Straßenfest

The Backnang Street Festival is the undisputed highlight of the region’s festival calendar and is proudly regarded as the oldest and largest street festival in the whole of Baden-Württemberg. Every year on the last weekend in June, the entire historic old town of this city on the River Murr is transformed for four days and three nights into a huge, vibrant open-air festival, affectionately known by locals as the ‘fifth season’.

The festival is characterised by a very special, infectious atmosphere, with the town’s picturesque half-timbered buildings, narrow alleyways and historic squares providing the perfect backdrop for an event that brings together all generations. Centuries-old tradition meets modern festival culture here: Whilst local clubs and restaurateurs treat visitors to Swabian classics such as Maultaschen and Spätzle, as well as international cuisine from the city’s twin towns around the world, six live stages spread across the festival grounds provide the perfect soundtrack. The musical spectrum is vast, ranging from traditional brass band music and Schlager to rock and pop covers, right through to heavy bass beats in the late evening hours. A real highlight of the programme is the renowned Newcomer Contest, which offers up-and-coming bands a professional platform in front of a large audience.

The street festival manages, in a unique way, to combine the hustle and bustle of a folk festival with a family-friendly charm. During the day, a colourful children’s programme, dance performances and a convivial afternoon for senior citizens invite visitors to linger, whilst in the evening the streets transform into a huge party zone for tens of thousands of revellers. It is this special blend of Swabian cosiness, high-quality music and the sheer joy of celebrating that makes the Backnang Street Festival an unforgettable experience for the whole region.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by train: Backnang railway station (900 m away)

- by bus: ‘Feuerwehr’ bus stop (lines 360, 361, 362, 368, 370, N36)

By car:

- Venue: Bleichwiese festival grounds (Annonay-Straße)

Parking:

- Adenauerplatz multi-storey car park (Adenauerplatz 5)

- City-Parkhaus Windmüller (Gerberstraße

- Biegel underground car park (Fritz-Munz-Weg 11)

- Graben multi-storey car park (Grabenstraße 15)

- Stadtmitte multi-storey car park (Grabenstraße 11)