Winter customs and culture in Kufsteinerland

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Chamber music concerts, musicals, beautiful markets and traditions

The cold season in Kufsteinerland impresses fans of winter sports and culture lovers. Winter offers a wide variety of exciting cultural highlights at spectacular locations such as Kufstein Fortress and the avant-garde Festival Hall in Erl, as well as in the scenic villages on either bank of the Inn River. From the Tyrolean Festival Erl, picturesque Christmas markets, wild Perchten parades and authentic inn culture to the Night of Musicals.

In the four weeks of Advent, known as a period of reflection, people enjoy spending time in their warm lounge rooms and staying out of the cold. That’s why it’s also a time to come together to focus on customs and culture. For generations, the people of Kufsteinerland have been passionate about their culture. The varied programme of events in the winter months offers something for everyone.

Great classics in a magnificent concert hall: The Winter Tyrolean Festival Erl
From Advent to Epiphany (6 January), fans of classical music can enjoy a varied repertoire. It starts with a Christmas Oratorio on 15 December, includes operas by Donizetti, chamber music, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day concerts, and a guest performance by the Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra. The final event is on 6 January 2020. Excellent acoustics in the Festival Hall make the concerts an unforgettable experience.

For people of all ages: Christmas and Advent markets
They are an integral part of the enchanting winter landscape of Kufsteinerland along the Inn River and the Kaiser Mountains. Christmas and Advent markets offer a special atmosphere. This is created both by beautiful settings and also the industrious organisers and exhibitors.

One highlight is Christmas Magic in Kufstein Fortress on the four weekends from 30 November, with stands in the corridors of Josefsburg, enticing scents of regional delicacies, and the unique atmosphere of the fortress making it an unforgettable experience.

The Christmas market in the Kufstein city park, from 29 November to 22 December, also has a unique atmosphere. Around 30 stands, the beautifully decorated and illuminated city park, an entertainment programme that includes a carousel, a nostalgic railway and cooking twist bread over the fire help get everyone in the mood for Christmas. The Christmas market on the shore of Thiersee also offers a scenic atmosphere.

The tranquil and authentic Haflinger Advent, which is only held every two years, is celebrated in the Haflinger village of Ebbs for two weekends from 30 November. Watch Tyrolean craftspeople at work, or taste hand-made delicacies at the festively decorated stud farm. A high quality music programme and a children’s area with pony riding, sleigh rides, and cookie baking make it a very popular attraction.

Mystical and cosy: Perchten parades, St. Nicholas and Inn.Hospitality
Perchten parades have a long history in Kufsteinerland. For generations it has been the tradition that young men from a village dress up in costumes and frighten away the evil winter spirits. The Perchten parade in Ebbs and the Perchten meeting in Thiersee on 4 December can be mystical to watch. Similar traditions are the St. Nicholas' Processions on 5 December in Ebbs, Niederdorf and Thiersee. The days before Christmas can also be enjoyed in cosy inns in Ebbs under the banner of Inn.Hospitality. On a series of evenings, innkeepers offer a combination of tasty regional cuisine paired with music, from classical to authentic folk, readings, and other variety shows.

On the trail of the Christ Child: Bad Häring manger walk on 6, 13 and 20 December
Looking at mangers is an old Tyrolean tradition, which is kept alive in Bad Häring. On 6, 13 and 20 December a guided walk leads through the former mining village that is now a health resort. Four different mangers will be visited, in the twilight and by the flickering light of lanterns. Participants will gain interesting insights into the workmanship involved during a visit to the local manger builder Walter Peer at the end of the tour.

A bright start to the year: Festival of 1,000 Lights on 5 January 2020
Before the end of the Christmas holiday period, on the evening before Epiphany, it is once again time to celebrate the Festival of 1,000 Lights in Kufstein. From 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm the lower town square and old town will be illuminated by a sea of candles and burning torches. Everyone who loves stories can gather around the light and listen to the mountain storyteller in the town hall vault, or follow the night watchman as he guides evening tours through the old town of Kufstein.

The great classics: Night of Musicals in Kufstein on 11 January 2020
Two and a half hours filled with world-famous melodies and powerful emotions. The Night of Musicals in the Kufstein town hall impresses with a journey through the most successful works of musical theatre history. The internationally popular musical gala comes to Kufstein, with a repertoire that includes everything from Rocky the Musical to Frozen, The Lion King, Dance of the Vampires, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Stars from the original productions, excellent dance companies and a top class light and sound concept will enchant the audience.

Kufsteinerland is the gateway to the Tyrolean Alps, authentically and charmingly combining living traditions with high-profile cultural events. The best and most comfortable way to get to the events is riding the Kufsteinerland event bus. This service is free for anyone with a KufsteinerlandCard.