Oberbozner Kirchtag (Soprabolzano Festival)

A Tradition of the Renon Plateau

The Oberbozner Kirchtag, known in Italian as the Soprabolzano Festival, is the patronal feast that fills the village of Soprabolzano/Oberbozen with life every August 15th. Located in the heart of the Renon Plateau within the Municipality of Renon/Ritten, in the Province of Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige), the festival celebrates the Assumption of Mary, the patron saint of the local parish church, and is deeply rooted in the farming traditions and devotion of the plateau overlooking the regional capital.

Organized by the Community

The heart and soul of the event is the Soprabolzano Brass Band (Musikkapelle Oberbozen), a volunteer association that hand-builds the parade floats and coordinates the entire day. Thanks to the dedication of the musicians and local volunteers, the Oberbozner Kirchtag has become one of the most renowned festivals in the region, attracting visitors from all over South Tyrol and the Bolzano valley floor.

The Daily Program

The festival follows a well-established ritual that marks the day of August 15th:

• 8:30 AM — Solemn Holy Mass at the Church of the Assumption, followed by the traditional procession and the blessing of the herbs, an ancient custom tied to the feast of the Assumption.
• 11:00 AM — Frühschoppen on the festival meadow: the traditional Tyrolean midday aperitif featuring Weisswurst (classic white sausage) and beer, accompanied by live brass music.
• 2:00 PM — The highlight of the day: the grand parade featuring colorful floats, each year themed around local agriculture, craftsmanship, and South Tyrolean tourism.

The Parade and Atmosphere

The afternoon parade is the true core of the festival. Alongside the floats, visitors can enjoy performances by brass bands from near and far, a group of horsemen, the honorary carriage, the Renon Alphorns, Schuhplattler groups, and the Soprabolzano folk group in traditional costumes. After the parade, the festivities continue on the Festwiese (festival meadow), where there are games for all ages — from the carousel to the lucky dip — and South Tyrolean culinary specialties prepared by volunteers. Until late in the evening, brass music accompanies dancing and toasts in a convivial and authentic setting.

Why It's Worth Visiting

Easily accessible from Bolzano via the historic Renon Cable Car and the charming Renon Railway, the Soprabolzano Festival is the perfect opportunity to experience an authentic South Tyrolean Kirchtag. It offers a unique blend of religious tradition, folk music, costumes, and mountain flavors, all set against one of the most breathtaking panoramas above the Bolzano basin.