Events
From nature to culture
The Zillertal is considered the most musical valley in Tyrol. There is hardly a local here who doesn't play an instrument, for example in a brass band. So it's no wonder that many musicians have their home between Mayrhofen and Strass - from traditional folk music groups to modern pop formations. In the Zillertal, traditions such as shooting or the annual cattle drive are cultivated with dedication. The knowledge of old customs is passed down from generation to generation.
For decades, the Zillertal has been attracting tourists from all over the world who want to be part of the living traditions for a while. The Zillertal people know how to celebrate! They combine tradition and customs with folk music and a great atmosphere. From May to October, there are countless Tyrolean evening feasts, open-air concerts, open-air festivals, cattle drives and hut festivals. Let yourself be infected by the great atmosphere!
With over 200 bands and almost as many stages in the Zillertal, the calendar of events has to be updated almost daily. Numerous concerts take place in the Open Air Arena Kaltenbach from May to October. The musical landscape in the Zillertal is not only characterised by large music festivals, such as the Folk Music Festival. The countless small concerts, where local artists present their house music in a family setting, contribute to the diversity of culture. The Zillertal State Music School organises folk music evenings, chamber music and music competitions, to which holidaymakers are cordially invited.
Every year at the end of summer, one of the biggest festivals in the Zillertal takes place. In a colourful procession, cows, sheep and goats are driven from the alpine pastures to their winter quarters. Many days before the start of the cattle drive, the kitchens of the Zillertal smell of cakes, bread and many delicious dishes. The residents get their traditional costumes out of the wardrobe and even the animals are prepared for the procession and colourfully decorated with flower arrangements and bells.
When it finally starts, young and old are on their feet to accompany the festive procession of animals down into the valley. Of course, visitors to the Zillertal are also invited to take part in the cattle drive and its colourful supporting programme. Visitors to the farmers' markets are treated to delicious Zillertal specialities such as bacon, ham, bread and schnapps during the cattle drive. Traditional crafts, games, music and dancing - the festive days at the end of summer have something for everyone.
The open-air concerts of the local brass bands have a long tradition in Tyrol. In the summer months, the music plays once a week in the open air. Between June and September, the Bundesmusikkapelle Ried-Kaltenbach alternates between playing on Fridays in the bandstand in Kaltenbach and in the bandstand in Ried. The Hotel Post is just a few steps away from the bandstand in Kaltenbach. Some of our guests can watch the concert from their own balcony! The Ried-Kaltenbach band performs traditional marching music. And it shows that it is also possible to produce new sounds on traditional instruments: Pieces from the pop and classical genres will also be played. The concerts in the Kaltenbach music pavilion take place in all weathers.
