Musikfest der Musikkapelle Tschars

A brass band festival in the heart of the Vinschgau Valley

The Musikfest der Musikkapelle Tschars is the annual music festival organized by the Tschars brass band in the Dorfplatz, the village square of Ciardes (Tschars), in the municipality of Kastelbell-Tschars, in the Vinschgau Valley, Autonomous Province of Bolzano. It is one of the most cherished community events in this corner of South Tyrol, where the tradition of local brass bands (Musikkapellen) has accompanied the seasons and local festivities for over a century.

Two days of music and community

The festival spans an entire weekend. Saturday evening is dedicated to entertainment and celebration, with Tyrolean folk music groups enlivening the square until late. Sunday is the more traditional day: the program begins at noon with music from guest groups and culminates in the afternoon with the band's concert, creating an atmosphere of great community participation. There is no shortage of South Tyrolean culinary specialties served at the stands, from traditional dishes to coffee and cakes.

An event for the whole family

The Musikfest is also designed for the little ones: on Sunday afternoon, there is a program dedicated to children with games, face painting, and a raffle (Glückstopf), while adults can enjoy coffee and homemade cakes. It is the perfect opportunity to experience the hospitality of a mountain village and discover the social value of South Tyrolean brass bands, which are true local institutions.

Over a century of history

The Musikkapelle Tschars was founded in 1897 by maestro Villgrattner, who brought together musicians from the farms and neighboring villages of Staben, Tabland, Galsaun, and Kastelbell. From its early years, the band accompanied village festivities and celebrations, and it continues to keep this tradition alive today with seasonal concerts and its annual Musikfest. Attending the festival means immersing yourself in the identity of an alpine community that has made brass music a central element of its culture.

Kastelbell-Tschars and the Vinschgau Valley

The municipality of Kastelbell-Tschars is located in the lower Vinschgau Valley, about twenty kilometers from Merano, in an area famous for Kastelbell Castle, the cultivation of apricots and asparagus, and its mountain trails. Ciardes/Tschars, where the festival takes place, is the main village of the municipality and offers visitors the ideal setting for a weekend of music, traditions, and alpine landscapes in Trentino-South Tyrol.