Musikfest der Musikkapelle Tscherms

The Cermes band festival, between Lana and Merano

The Musikfest der Musikkapelle Tscherms is the music festival that the local band, the Musikkapelle Tscherms, hosts every summer at the Freizeitgelände (the local event and leisure area) in Cermes/Tscherms, on Via Trojenweg. Cermes is a small municipality in the Burgraviato (Burggrafenamt) district, in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, situated at an altitude of about 290 meters in the Adige Valley, amidst the orchards and vineyards separating Lana from Merano. It is here, just a few kilometers from the spa town, that the community gathers every year for two days of open-air festivities centered around brass music.

Two days of open-air brass music

The festival takes place over a summer weekend. Saturday evening is dedicated to entertainment, with food stands opening and performances by Tyrolean and South Tyrolean folk music groups animating the venue from evening until night. Sunday is the more traditional day: the program begins in the morning with music from guest groups and friendly bands, continuing throughout the afternoon in a spirit of great community participation. There is no shortage of food stalls serving South Tyrolean specialties, from grilled dishes to coffee and cakes, all in the spirit of typical village hospitality.

The Musikkapellen, institutions of South Tyrol

The Musikkapelle Tscherms is, like other South Tyrolean village bands, much more than just a musical group: it is a pillar of community life. Its repertoire ranges from traditional brass music—marches, polkas, and waltzes—to original symphonic compositions and modern entertainment music. The band accompanies the town's religious and civil ceremonies, contributing to the festive atmosphere and the joy of living in the municipality. The annual Musikfest is the moment when this vocation is shared with everyone, locals and guests alike, in a convivial setting.

Cermes, the castle, and the Adige Valley

The municipality of Cermes/Tscherms has just over 1,600 inhabitants and borders Lana, Marlengo, and Merano. Its most famous landmark is Castel Monteleone (Schloss Lebenberg), a 13th-century manor that overlooks the village and is considered one of the best-preserved castles in South Tyrol, featuring a multi-level chapel and a hall of mirrors with Venetian glass. The local economy thrives on fruit growing, viticulture, and wood craftsmanship, which has made the village's barrels and furniture famous. Attending the Musikfest means experiencing the hospitality of this corner of South Tyrol, amidst music, traditions, and the landscapes of the Adige Valley, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region.