Ostersamstag in Schlanders – Family Easter Festival

Ostersamstag in Schlanders: The family Easter festival in Silandro

The Ostersamstag in Schlanders, or "Easter Saturday for the whole family," is a beloved tradition that brings the pedestrian area of Silandro/Schlanders—the main town of the Vinschgau Valley in the province of Bolzano—to life in the heart of South Tyrol. Every year, on the morning of Holy Saturday, the Main Street (Hauptstraße) and Kulturhausplatz fill with children, families, and visitors for an event dedicated to play, joy, and Easter traditions.

A program designed for all ages

From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the pedestrian zone hosts a rich program of games and entertainment. Highlights include the bungee trampoline set up in Kulturhausplatz, a performance by the children's dance group with opportunities to join in, and two stations serving popcorn and crêpes. Animal lovers can enjoy pony rides provided by the Reiterhof Vill riding stables, while the face painting station transforms little ones into cute Easter bunnies. Throughout the morning, costumed Easter bunnies roam the crowd, handing out small Easter surprises to the children.

A festival by local merchants and the community

The initiative is promoted by the merchants of Silandro (united under the HDS trade union) in collaboration with local restaurateurs and the Silandro-Lasa Tourist Board (Tourismusverein Schlanders-Laas). On this day, town center shops remain open until 1:00 PM, offering the perfect opportunity to combine shopping with the festivities. Launched in 2018, the event has quickly become a classic Easter Eve staple in the Vinschgau Valley, attracting families from all over the region.

Silandro and the Vinschgau Valley

Located at an altitude of about 720 meters along the Adige River, Silandro is the main hub of the Vinschgau Valley, a region known for its dry, sunny climate, apple orchards, and hiking trails. The Easter Saturday festival is the ideal start to the spring season, blending the town's community spirit with the warm hospitality typical of South Tyrol. Admission is free, and the event is particularly suitable for preschool and school-aged children.