Hydrantenfest / Firefighters' Festival

The Hydrantenfest, the Firefighters' Festival of Villandro

The Hydrantenfest (literally "hydrant festival") is the major popular celebration organized annually by the Volunteer Firefighters of Villandro — the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Villanders — in the municipality of Villandro/Villanders, in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of South Tyrol (Trentino-Alto Adige region). The event takes place in late August at the Festplatz, the village's covered event area, and draws locals, hikers, and tourists for three days of music, conviviality, and mountain flavors.

Three days of music and fun

The event format is well-established: from Friday to Sunday, the Festplatz marquee hosts a rich entertainment program. It kicks off on Friday night with parties and DJ sets, continues on Saturday with concerts by Tyrolean folk music groups and after-show parties, and concludes on Sunday with the traditional morning Frühschoppen — the long aperitif typical of South Tyrolean and Bavarian culture — accompanied by brass bands and böhmisch (Bohemian) music ensembles.

Locally sourced cuisine

A distinctive element of the Hydrantenfest is its focus on local gastronomy. Alongside classic South Tyrolean festival dishes, the firefighters offer the famous "Viel Onderer Burger", the "totally different" burger prepared with ingredients from local suppliers and regional products, which has become a staple of the festival. There is no shortage of draft beer, local specialties, and traditional desserts.

A community celebration

Like many festivals organized by Volunteer Firefighter corps in South Tyrol, the Hydrantenfest has a strong social value: proceeds support the activities of the Villandro fire brigade, while the event serves as a gathering point for the entire community of the village and the plateau above Chiusa/Klausen. Admission is free every night, making it one of the most popular and well-attended events of the Villandro summer.

Where it takes place

The festival is held in Villandro/Villanders (Postal Code 39040), a picturesque mountain village overlooking the Isarco Valley, accessible from Chiusa. The covered Festplatz allows the event to proceed even in case of bad weather. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: we recommend checking the channels of the Volunteer Firefighters of Villandro and the municipal event calendar for updates.