Ortisei Village Festival / Kirchfest St. Ulrich

The patronal feast of Ortisei in Val Gardena

The Ortisei Village Festival, known in German as Kirchfest St. Ulrich, is one of the most cherished popular festivals in the main town of Val Gardena, nestled in the heart of the Dolomites in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano (Trentino-Alto Adige). It is the patronal feast dedicated to Saint Ulrich (Sankt Ulrich), a 10th-century Bishop of Augsburg: historically, Val Gardena belonged to the Diocese of Augsburg, which is why the saint became the patron and namesake of the Ortisei parish church. The festival takes place every year on the first Sunday after July 4th, the saint's liturgical day.

Two days of tradition in Piazza S. Antonio

The heart of the event is Piazza S. Antonio, in the pedestrian center of Ortisei, which transforms into a grand open-air stage for an entire weekend. The festival blends religious devotion with community and musical celebration: alongside the solemn mass and procession, the program features concerts by local brass bands, social gatherings, and tastings of South Tyrolean and Ladin gastronomic specialties.

The solemn mass and costume parade

The most solemn moment is the Sunday morning festive mass at 9:00 AM, celebrated in the Ortisei parish church in honor of Saint Ulrich and to commemorate the church's consecration. Following the service, the iconic traditional Val Gardena costume parade begins, winding through the town center accompanied by the Ortisei brass band (Musikverein St. Ulrich). The historical costumes of Val Gardena, with their intricate embroidery and signature headwear, are among the most photographed highlights of the festival.

Music and local bands

The festival's soundtrack is provided by South Tyrolean brass bands and local groups, which take turns on the stage in Piazza S. Antonio throughout the two days. Featured ensembles include the Mujiga di Jëuni de Gherdëina, brass bands from Val Gardena and neighboring valleys, and various Tyrolean folk music groups, entertaining the public from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.

A defining event for Val Gardena

The Ortisei Village Festival is much more than a local fair: it is an occasion for the Val Gardena community to reaffirm its Ladin identity and Tyrolean roots through language, music, costumes, and faith. For visitors, it offers an authentic immersion into the valley's traditions within a stunning Dolomite setting. Admission to the celebrations and concerts is free.