On Friday, August 29, 2025, the Urbikuss city festival will once again be celebrated in downtown Dornbirn. The unusual name is derived from the Latin word “urbicus,” which means “belonging to the city.” That's why the city's institutions are inviting visitors to their buildings free of charge on this day and offering a varied program. The Dornbirn city bus will also take guests to the city center free of charge, where visitors can expect a variety of attractions.
Through the day with lots of love
The Dornbirn City Festival is being held for the ninth time under the name “Urbikuss.” From art and culture to music of various genres, a dance show, aerial acrobatics, and a children's program, there is something for guests of all ages — and admission is free.
The city museum, city archives, inatura, city swimming pool, vai, art space, and city library welcome their guests free of charge and/or offer special “Urbikuss promotions.”
The mobile bars of Hugo's, Mr. John's, and Steinhauser, as well as the food trucks “Cooking Ninja” and “Ali's Foodtruck,” will provide guests with food and drink. For those with a sweet tooth, the “Eislädele” will be serving refreshing homemade ice cream and “Ländle Baumstriezel” will be offering fresh crêpes for the enjoyment of visitors.
During the day, “Wolfgang Frank” will provide musical entertainment before the city festival comes to a fitting conclusion in the evening with “Flair.” and “Dabado.”
Music at the Urbikuss City Festival
- 2 p.m.
Opening and live music with Wolfgang Frank
Market square - 4 p.m.
Wolfgang Frank
Market square - 6.30 p.m.
Flair.
Market square - 7.30 p.m.
Dabado
Market square
Free city tours
Learn exciting, interesting, and amusing facts about Dornbirn on a free guided tour of the city: The approximately one-hour tours lead across the market square and Marktstraße to the city library. The tours start at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. in front of the entrance to the city museum (on the market square side).
Due to the limited number of participants, advance registration is requested: by email at stadtmarketing@dornbirn.at or by phone at +435572 22188 9073.
children's program
There is also plenty of entertainment on offer for younger guests at the city festival: “Clown Pompo” and “Zack & Poing” provide fun and entertainment. At the interactive circus, children can try out and practice tricks with the circus trainers. “Clown Pompo” delights all children with his giant soap bubbles.
Children's program at the Urbikuss city festival:
- 2 – 6 p.m.
Interactive circus with Zack & Poing
Parish park - 3 p.m.
Clown Show with Clown Pompo
Market square
Artistic performances
This year, visitors to the city festival can look forward to many spectacular performances. The dancers of the “Dance Art Junior Company” from Dornbirn will present a mix of different dance styles. Musical compilations, spectacular costume changes, and powerful choreography will ensure excitement and top-notch entertainment.
The Zack & Poing association will show visitors high-level circus artistry with their juggling and aerial acrobatics show.
Entertainment at the city festival
- 02:30 & 04:00 p.m.
Aerial acrobatics show with Zack & Poing
Parish park - 04:00 p.m.
Jongliershow with Zack & Poing
Parish park - 05:00 p.m.
Tanzshow with the Dance Art School
Market square
Parish park
In the parish park, the Zack & Poing association will be serving Urbikuss guests coffee and a selection of homemade cakes from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For those feeling peckish, the food trucks “Cooking Ninja,” “Ländle Baumstriezel,” “Ali's Foodtruck,” and “Eislädele” will also be on hand at the market square with a fine selection of treats.
Municipal institutions
Many municipal institutions offer free admission and exciting activities for everyone on Urbikuss Day.
Program of municipal institutions:
- vai – Vorarlberger Architecture Institute
Open from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Exhibition: “Hypo Vorarlberg Building Culture Award 2025”
For over 35 years, Hypo Vorarlberg has been recognizing outstanding construction projects in order to raise public awareness of the importance of high-quality, sustainable construction and planning for society and the environment. From April 26, the nominated projects and those awarded the main prizes, as well as all other submissions in compact form, were presented at the vai premises.
https://v-a-i.at/
- inatura
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free admission: Special exhibition “WILDNIS STADT” (WILD CITY)
The exhibition “Wild City” invites visitors to discover the diversity of nature in their immediate surroundings, in urban areas. It addresses questions such as how wild animals survive in urban spaces, what conflicts arise as a result, and how we can transform these into harmonious coexistence. Dioramas, interactive elements, and exciting information stimulate reflection and help visitors develop a better understanding of the urban habitat and its animal inhabitants.
https://www.inatura.at/
- City Library
Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tinker and invent!
Have you ever thought about how an invention could make your everyday life easier? At the city library, you can let your creativity run wild and bring your ideas to life! You can put your ideas on paper and make sketches or even build models. Materials will be provided, and you can take your invention home with you.
For children aged 5 and up, accompanied by an adult.
https://stadtbibliothek.dornbirn.at/
- City Museum
Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free admission: Children's city map
The city museum recently introduced a children's city map – simply pick one up and embark on a journey of discovery through the city center. Those who prefer to stay in the museum are welcome to do so with free admission. In the special exhibition “Our House! Owning, Living in, and Inheriting,” children can engage in creative activities at the children's stations.
https://stadtmuseum.dornbirn.at/
- City Archives
Open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Do you know your great-great-great-grandparents?
With the genealogical database in the Dornbirn City Archives, you can trace your ancestors from Dornbirn back to around 1600. As a special service during the city festival, family trees can be printed out free of charge upon request.
https://stadtarchiv.dornbirn.at/
- Art space
Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free admission: Exhibition “Einfach Kunst” (Simply Art) by Karla Black
The Scottish artist has transformed the Kunstraum Dornbirn into a pastel-colored, almost dreamlike landscape. Her new work consists of unusual materials such as toilet paper, plastic foil, plaster and paint powder, and helium balloons. From these, she creates a walk-in artwork that appeals to our senses: we can see it, feel it—and even smell it a little.
https://www.kunstraumdornbirn.at/
- Public swimming pool
Open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free admission to the pool
https://www.stadtbad.at/
Urbikuss in downtown Dornbirn at a glance:
- Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
- Time: 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Free admission & activities: inatura, art space, the city baths, city museum, city archives, vai, city library
- Free travel on Dornbirn city buses all day long
With the kind support of Dornbirner Sparkasse, Hypo Vorarlberg, and Mohrenbrauerei Dornbirn.
Program subject to change.
