Pfarrfest / Laives Parish Festival

The Pfarrfest, the heart of the Laives parish summer

The Pfarrfest — the parish festival of Laives (known as Leifers in German) — is one of the most cherished events for the community of this town in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige. Every year in mid-June, the Festplatz des Pfarrheims, the parish square in the center of Laives, transforms into a lively marquee festival (Zeltfest), where families, associations, and parish volunteers gather.

A festival rooted in the Sacred Heart tradition

The Pfarrfest traditionally takes place in conjunction with the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Herz-Jesu), one of the most defining traditions of South Tyrol, celebrated throughout the region since 1796. On Sunday, following Holy Mass, the solemn Sacred Heart procession travels from the parish church to the festival square, where the community celebration continues. It is a moment where religious and popular dimensions intertwine, as is the deep-rooted South Tyrolean custom.

Music, folklore, and cuisine under the marquee

The Zeltfest program, spread over several days, typically includes:

• Dance evenings and live music, featuring Bavarian music (Böhmische) by the Laives Music Band (Musikkapelle Leifers);
• Performances by the Unterlandler Schuhplattler and the folk dance group (Volkstanzgruppe Leifers);
• An extended aperitif and DJ sets for younger guests;
• A Sunday Frühschoppen (morning pint) with coffee and homemade cakes;
• A Kinderecke (children's corner) with games and entertainment for families.

The catering, managed by volunteers, offers traditional South Tyrolean dishes in a convivial and informal atmosphere.

A Laives community event

Organized by the Verein Pfarrheim Leifers, the Pfarrfest is much more than a village fair: it is the moment when the parish and the entire Laives community come together. The festival is part of the town's rich summer calendar, LaivEstate/LeiferSommer, which features around fifty events between June and September. The Pfarrheim square, a barrier-free public space in the town center, also hosts the traditional Christmas market during the winter.

For those visiting South Tyrol in June, the Laives Pfarrfest offers an authentic glimpse into local traditions, blending faith, music, and the hospitality of this bilingual town just a few kilometers from Bolzano.