Hornkirchtag – Rittner Horn Kirchtag

An alpine festival on the roof of the Ritten

The Hornkirchtag (in German Rittner Horn Kirchtag) is a high-altitude patronal festival held every summer on the summit of the Rittner Horn, at an altitude of approximately 2,260 meters, in the municipality of Ritten, in the province of Bolzano (South Tyrol). It is one of the most cherished events on the sunny Ritten plateau, which overlooks Bolzano and the unmistakable skyline of the Dolomites.

Mountain mass and tradition

The heart of the day is the mountain mass (Bergmesse), celebrated outdoors at 11:00 AM at the Unterhorn-Bildstöckl, a small sacred shrine located in the pasture area below the peak. The ceremony is accompanied by participating groups and preceded, from 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM, by Begrüßungsweisen—the welcoming songs and melodies that officially open the festivities. The festival is rooted in South Tyrolean folk culture, where the Kirchtag combines religious observance with village-style conviviality brought to the heights.

Folk music and Weisenblasen

Following the religious service, the day transforms into a grand celebration of alpine folk music. The highlight is the Weisenblasen, the ancient practice of brass and wind musicians performing traditional Weisen melodies while scattered among the huts, alpine dairies, and meadows of the Rittner Horn. The 2026 edition will host the 5th South Tyrolean Weisenbläser Gathering (Südtiroler Weisenbläsertreffen) at the summit refreshment points. Traditional dances and live music will keep the area lively throughout the afternoon.

A high-altitude experience

• 360° panorama of the Dolomites, from the Sciliar to the Catinaccio, and from the Latemar to the Zillertal Alps.
• Authentic village festival atmosphere at over 2,000 meters.
• Mountain huts and dairies offering South Tyrolean gastronomic specialties.
• Easy ascent via the Rittner Horn cable car from Pemmern followed by a short walk across the pastures.

When and where

The Hornkirchtag takes place on the summit of the Rittner Horn, above the hamlet of Pemmern in the municipality of Ritten. The event takes place exclusively in good weather, given its outdoor nature and high altitude. The event is organized by Rittner Horn Bergbahnen AG, the Rittner Horn cable car company.