Obotola Sommerabendfest in the Gsiesertal

A summer evening in the heart of the Gsiesertal

The Obotola Sommerabendfest (known in the local dialect as Obotola Summo Abendfest) is one of the most cherished summer evening festivals in S. Maddalena/St. Magdalena, a village in the municipality of Valle di Casies/Gsies, in the autonomous province of Bolzano/Bozen (Trentino-Alto Adige). Nestled in the Gsiesertal, a side valley of the Upper Puster Valley that stretches toward the borders of the Dolomite nature parks, the village comes alive for one evening around its Vereinshaus, the community center that also houses the local fire brigade.

Grill, drinks, and live music

The festival follows the simple and proven formula of South Tyrolean Sommerabendfeste: it begins with the culinary side, featuring grilled specialties prepared by volunteers, accompanied by beer, wine, and cold drinks. As evening falls, the space in front of the community center transforms into an open-air stage, where performances by guest groups and the local band alternate. It is an evening designed for neighbors, families, and tourists vacationing in the valley to come together in the convivial atmosphere typical of mountain farms and villages.

The brass band as the heart of the festival

The event is organized by the Feuerwehr-Musikkapelle of S. Maddalena/St. Magdalena, the local fire brigade band, which in S. Maddalena combines the tradition of brass music with that of the fire service. For the band, these summer evenings are also an opportunity to showcase their young musicians and support the association's activities, which animate other village events throughout the year, such as the autumnal Obotola Kirschta with its historic cattle drive (Almabtrieb).

Gsiesertal, a land of village festivals

The Gsiesertal is one of the most authentic valleys in South Tyrol, far from mass tourism and deeply rooted in a strong sense of community. Festivals organized by brass bands, volunteer fire brigades, and local associations mark the summer in villages like S. Maddalena, S. Martino, and Colle, keeping the local language, dialect, and traditions alive. For those staying in the valley, the Obotola Sommerabendfest is the perfect opportunity to taste local grilled cuisine and experience South Tyrolean folk music firsthand.

2026 Edition

The band traditionally hosts this evening festival in the heart of summer. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: to find out the day and program, it is best to check the band's channels or the Gsiesertal tourist office.