Schnolser Summerfest

A great folk festival among the peaks of Val Senales

The Schnolser Summerfest is the most anticipated summer event in Val Senales, the narrow and picturesque Alpine valley that opens up in the municipality of Senales/Schnals, in the Province of Bolzano, in the heart of South Tyrol. The event takes place in Madonna di Senales/Unser Frau, the pilgrimage village at the foot of the great peaks that dominate the valley, set against a backdrop of meadows, forests, and glaciers that frame two intense days of celebration.

The return after seven years

The 2026 edition marks the return of the Schnolser Summerfest after a seven-year break: this is the thirteenth edition, organized by the valley's community (Festgemeinschaft Schnals). The festival is rooted in South Tyrolean folk traditions and brings together the entire village, with the participation of youth groups and local associations that manage the hospitality, service, and convivial atmosphere.

Tyrolean and South Tyrolean folk music

The program is a true journey through Alpine folk music, featuring bands, brass ensembles, choirs, and pop-folk groups from South Tyrol, Tyrol, and Bavaria. The stage hosts renowned names from the Volksmusik scene, with brass, accordions, and dance rhythms that keep the audience entertained from the afternoon until late at night. There is no shortage of Schuhplattler dancers and hunting horn players, authentic expressions of local folklore.

The high-altitude concert on the glacier

Among the most spectacular moments of the event is the concert on the Val Senales glacier: the band performs at high altitude, in front of the Grawand mountain hut/hotel, at over 3,000 meters above sea level, in a unique setting among the peaks. It is an experience that combines music, mountains, and high altitude, easily accessible via the local cable car.

Traditions, culture, and gastronomy

Beyond the music, the Schnolser Summerfest is an opportunity to discover the region: visits are organized to the archeoParc, the archaeological museum dedicated to the context where Ötzi, the Iceman, was found, and to the Campus Transhumanza, dedicated to the ancient practice of transhumance, moving flocks to high-altitude pastures. Food stalls offer the typical flavors of the valley and South Tyrolean cuisine in an atmosphere of an authentic village festival.

Music and solidarity

The Schnolser Summerfest has always had a strong charitable character. The 2026 edition donates its proceeds to the Peter Pan association – Pediatric Oncology Support South Tyrol (Südtiroler Kinderkrebshilfe), which supports children suffering from cancer and their families. The program also includes a charity hike in the company of guest artists, confirming the spirit of community that has accompanied the festival since its origins.