Let the show begin in Merano

Asfaltart, the street-art festival in the spa town

Fire-eaters in the streets. A tightrope walker high above. And your kids? They can’t stop marvelling at the Asfaltart Festival in Merano.

Mum, look behind you! Dad, look up there, above your head! Wow, there’s another one! At the Asfaltart Festival, you’ll hear these phrases every minute. And it’s no surprise, because from 12 to 14 June 2026, Merano’s old town will be transformed into a huge circus ring. Three days with over 200 performances and free admission.

Cheers. Excitement. Joy.
You turn onto a street. A clown stumbles towards you, acts startled, tips his hat to you, and disappears again. You see a shadow on the pavement and look up. Above you, someone is balancing on a tightrope between two buildings. Suddenly, a few metres further on, you see fireballs flying through the air. Jugglers twirl clubs above their heads, while an acrobat leaps from the trapeze and lands precisely on her partner’s shoulders. Thunderous applause. On to the next spectacle around the next corner.

One town. Numerous locations.
From the Piazza del Grano/Kornplatz square to the Piazza della Rena/Sandplatz square, up the steps to the Passirio/Passer river promenade, through the Wandelhalle, and into the Steinach district: the whole town becomes a stage. On Via Galilei/Galileistrasse, near the Prince’s Castle, someone is juggling flaming torches. At the top of the Piazza Duomo/Pfarrplatz square, a mime tells a story without words. At the junction of Via dei Portici/Laubengasse and Via Cassa di Risparmio/Sparkassenstrasse, a troupe is dancing on stilts. In the grounds of the Prince’s Castle, trapeze artists soar through the air. Wherever you look, there’s something to marvel at.

20 years – and better than ever
In 2026, the festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The organisers have been travelling around Europe for months, checking out shows and meeting artists. The result: a programme that’s well worth seeing. Featuring mimes from France, fire dancers from Spain, and rope acrobats from Italy. And right in the thick of it: you and your kids, wide-eyed. The festivities kick off on Friday evening with a spectacular parade featuring stilt walkers, unicyclists, drummers, and many other imaginative characters who will fill the spa town with life over the coming days.

And when your legs are tired from all the walking and your eyes are tired from all the staring? Then there’s the little craft market to browse and the food stalls to refuel at. Asfaltart is sure to become a highlight of your family holiday.

The Zuegg family
Familienresidence & Suiten Das Grafenstein

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