Prader Marktquintett / Longr Pfinsta (Thursday Festival)

The Prader Marktquintett: five summer Thursdays in Prato allo Stelvio

The Prader Marktquintett is a summer event held every Thursday that enlivens the main square (Hauptplatz) of Prato allo Stelvio/Prad am Stilfserjoch, in the Vinschgau Valley, in the heart of South Tyrol (Province of Bolzano). The name refers to the five Thursdays that make up the calendar, spread between July and August; in the local dialect, the event is known as Longr Pfinsta, literally the "long Thursday," because the square stays lively until late in the evening.

Music, tradition, and taste

Each evening kicks off in the late afternoon, transforming the town center into a vibrant open-air market. Stalls offer regional products and specialties from the Vinschgau Valley, while local associations and producers provide food and drinks. Live music accompanies your stroll through the stands, and there is no shortage of entertainment and games designed for children, making the event suitable for the whole family.

The Feier-Obend-Festl

Among the five Thursdays, one is dedicated to the Feier-Obend-Festl, the most festive evening of the calendar. On the square's stage, you can see the spectacular Goaßlschnöller (whip crackers), Schuhplattler dancers, and folk groups from Prato allo Stelvio, accompanied by a band that keeps the crowd dancing until late. It is a chance to experience South Tyrolean folk traditions up close, where—as the local motto goes—tradition meets rock and Lederhosen.

A town at the foot of the Stelvio

Prato allo Stelvio is the gateway to the famous Stelvio Pass and the Stelvio National Park, an exceptional natural setting that frames these evenings. The Municipality of Prato allo Stelvio and the Tourismusverein Prad organize the event, which over the years has become one of the most anticipated summer gatherings in the town, bringing together residents, vacationers, and hikers in a genuine and convivial atmosphere.

Why attend

• Five Thursday evenings between July and August, from late afternoon until late at night
• Typical products and gastronomic specialties of the Vinschgau Valley
• Live music and children's entertainment every evening
• The Feier-Obend-Festl with Goaßlschnöller, Schuhplattler, and folk groups
• Free admission, in the historic center of Prato allo Stelvio