Mittsommerfest / Midsummer Festival (Ferragosto Grand Festival)

The Mittsommerfest in Sand in Taufers

The Mittsommerfest, or Midsummer Festival, is one of the most cherished summer events in Sand in Taufers (Campo Tures), located in the Taufers Valley at the entrance to the Ahrntal, in the province of Bolzano (South Tyrol). Every year on Ferragosto (August 15th), the village dresses up for a day that blends religious devotion, folk traditions, and public celebration, drawing numerous visitors to the heart of the town, which is overlooked by the imposing Taufers Castle.

A day of faith and folklore

The celebration originates from the Assumption of Mary (Mariä Himmelfahrt) and begins in the morning with a solemn mass in the festively decorated parish church, attended by locals in traditional attire. Following the service, the grand procession (Umzug) forms and, around 11:30 AM, makes its way through the streets of central Sand in Taufers.

The grand procession

The procession is the highlight of the day: a colorful spectacle that brings the history and culture of the Ahrntal to life. It features associations and groups from the village and surrounding areas, dressed in magnificent traditional outfits:

• brass bands (Musikkapellen) from Sand in Taufers and Ahornach;
• folk dance groups from Luttach (Lutago), Montan, and Assling (Austria), as well as the Schuhplattler from Pfunders;
• Schützen companies (historical riflemen) and traditional costume groups;
• the famous Knights of Tures (Ritter von Taufers), the Kaiserjäger kitchen, and historical floats;
• decorated floats pulled by horses, adorned with flowers and greenery, representing scenes of rural life, traditional crafts, and religious motifs;
• the Sand in Taufers Volunteer Fire Department with their vintage vehicles.

The summer festival

After the procession, participants and spectators gather at the festival pavilion for the Volunteer Firefighters' summer festival (Feuerwehrfest). Here, regional culinary specialties are served, and the day continues with live music, dancing, and conviviality until evening, with entertainment provided for children as well.

A symbol of the municipality of Campo Tures

The Mittsommerfest perfectly embodies the identity of the municipality of Campo Tures and the German-speaking community of South Tyrol: a blend of religious tradition, rural culture, and local pride that, on Ferragosto, transforms the village into an open-air stage nestled in the Ahrntal mountains.