Weihnachtsblasen in all 5 districts of the Municipality of Kiens

Brass melodies through the streets of the Puster Valley

The Weihnachtsblasen — literally "Christmas blowing" — is an Advent tradition held annually in Kiens, a small municipality in the Puster Valley (Pustertal), in the province of Bolzano, in the heart of South Tyrol. The protagonists are the members of the Musikkapelle Kiens, the local band, who divide into small brass groups for the occasion.

The musicians do not perform on a stage; instead, they take to the streets and squares, moving from district to district and house to house. They play traditional South Tyrolean Christmas carols and hymns, offering their neighbors Christmas wishes expressed through music rather than words. It is an ancient and delicate way to welcome the holiday season, deeply cherished in the German-speaking villages of the Alpine region.

Five districts, one shared ritual

The unique aspect of this event is its scope: the band reaches all five districts of the Municipality of Kiens. Throughout the day, the brass ensembles make stops in each village, ensuring no corner of the town is left without its musical moment:

• Kiens — the municipal seat
• Ehrenburg — famous for its castle
• St. Sigmund
• Hofern
• Getzenberg

The Musikkapelle Kiens

The Kiens brass band is one of the many Musikkapellen that enrich the cultural life of South Tyrolean villages. Today, it counts about 58 active members, including musicians, Marketenderinnen (women in traditional costume), and flag bearers. As in other Puster Valley communities, the band accompanies the entire local calendar — from religious processions to summer festivals like the Kiena Kirschta — and the Weihnachtsblasen represents its most intimate event, closing the year with the music of Advent.

Atmosphere

Under the winter sky of the Puster Valley, often dusted with snow and overlooking the Plan de Corones (Kronplatz) ski area, the Weihnachtsblasen offers an authentic experience, far from the crowded tourist markets. Those in Kiens on this day can simply pause to listen to the brass instruments echoing among the houses, a genuine fragment of South Tyrolean folk culture.