Südtirol trifft Oberkrain (1st Oberkrainerfest)

A new appointment with folk music in Vilpiano

Südtirol trifft Oberkrain, subtitled «1st Oberkrainerfest», is a musical celebration debuting in 2026 at the Festplatz (festival grounds) of Vilpiano, a village in the municipality of Terlano/Terlan, in the heart of the Oltradige-Bassa Atesina area in the province of Bolzano. The event is dedicated to Oberkrainer music, the folk genre originating from Carniola (Oberkrain, now in Slovenia) made famous throughout the Alpine region by the Slavko Avsenik quintet: diatonic accordion, trumpet, clarinet, baritone, and guitar create polkas, waltzes, and marches that have accompanied village festivals in South Tyrol for decades.

When and where

The first edition is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, at the Vilpiano festival grounds. The village, nestled along the South Tyrolean Wine Road just a few kilometers from Terlano and Bolzano, provides the ideal setting for an open-air summer festival, with the public gathered under tents amidst long tables, live music, and excellent local cuisine.

Atmosphere and tradition

Oberkrainer festivals are a classic of the South Tyrolean summer: groups in traditional costumes (Tracht), brass bands, and ensembles specializing in the Avsenik repertoire take turns on stage, while the audience sings and dances to the rhythm of polkas. The event attracts both fans of the genre and families and tourists vacationing on the Wine Road, in a typically South Tyrolean atmosphere of conviviality.

A debut for Terlano

As this is the absolute first edition, the event aims to join the summer calendar of village festivals in the Oltradige area, alongside the many food festivals and band celebrations that enliven the local municipalities. Musical life in Vilpiano is well-rooted: the local band, the Musikkapelle Vilpian, has contributed to the community's entertainment for years.

2026 Program

The details of the musical program and guest groups for the inaugural edition have not yet been released by the organizers. Updated information on the line-up, admission, and dining will be published on the channels of the Municipality of Terlano and the local tourist office in the weeks leading up to the event.