Franconian Folk Festival with Sunday shopping

Experience the “fifth season” in Crailsheim: rides, a festival tent, delicious food ranging from hearty to sweet, a street market, and a colorful parade await you at the region’s largest folk festival—a true highlight steeped in tradition! When the scent of roasted almonds, cotton candy, and bratwurst wafts through Crailsheim, children ride the carousel with sparkling eyes, and people celebrate exuberantly in the festival tent in the evenings—then it’s time for the Franconian Folk Festival again! For four days, the city transforms into a festival grounds for all generations. The Franconian Folk Festival is the largest folk and heritage festival in Hohenlohe-Franconia and ranks among the annual highlights in Crailsheim. Tens of thousands of visitors come to the “Fifth Season,” as the festival is affectionately known. The festival traces its origins back to 1840. At that time, the “Patriotic Double Festival” was celebrated throughout Württemberg—in honor of King Wilhelm I’s 60th birthday and his 25th anniversary on the throne. This initially developed into the Agricultural District Festival, organized by the District Association, and from 1901 onward into the Franconian Folk Festival, which has since been organized by the city administration. Highlights include the penny-farthing race and the grand parade through the city center. Each year, the agriculture, trade, and commerce sectors, as well as the schools, take turns organizing the event. The parade is accompanied by numerous bands—a colorful spectacle steeped in tradition. The folk festival also features the street market, a popular destination for visitors looking for all kinds of goods, from household items to seasonal products.  Another highlight is the business tent: Here, regional companies present their products, services, and innovations—an exciting mix of craftsmanship, technology, and creative ideas that brings Crailsheim’s economic strength to life.