Niederdorfer Kirchtag (Villabassa Village Festival)

The Niederdorfer Kirchtag, the heart of Villabassa's rural tradition

The Niederdorfer Kirchtag, or Villabassa Village Festival, is one of the most cherished popular celebrations in the Upper Puster Valley. It takes place in the municipality of Villabassa/Niederdorf, in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, at the foot of the Tre Cime/Drei Zinnen mountain range. The event is organized by the Südtiroler Bauernjugend - Ortsgruppe Niederdorf, the local youth farmers' association, which brings the village to life every autumn with a genuine celebration deeply rooted in South Tyrolean rural culture.

The "Kirta-Michl-Bam" and festival rituals

The festival is held at the Bauernhalle, the farmers' hall at the western entrance to the town, and spans an entire weekend. The opening event is the raising of the "Kirta-Michl-Bam", a decorated festival tree hoisted amidst the curiosity of onlookers: a ritual that officially kicks off the festivities. This is followed by musical entertainment featuring local bands and groups, accompanying the public throughout the afternoon and evening.

Sunday is dedicated to more convivial activities: the lowering of the tree (known in dialect as "Bam niedo tian"), coffee and homemade cakes prepared by the local farm women (the Bäuerinnen), and finally the highly anticipated lottery draw, where the "Kirtamichl-Bam" and numerous other prizes are awarded.

A festival that unites the community

• Where: Bauernhalle, at the western entrance of Villabassa/Niederdorf
• When: Every autumn, traditionally in October
• Organized by: Südtiroler Bauernjugend - Ortsgruppe Niederdorf
• What to expect: Folk traditions, live music, rural gastronomy, lottery

The Kirchtag represents much more than just a party: it is an occasion where the Villabassa community gathers around the values of rural life, conviviality, and customs passed down from generation to generation. For visitors, both Italian and international, it offers an authentic window into the identity of South Tyrol, far from the most crowded tourist circuits.