A Successful Start to the #Genussherbst
When regional producers, local restaurateurs and the unique setting of Kitzbühel’s more than 750-year-old town centre come together, it is time once again for KITZ Kulinarik. For the first time, the event took place over three days, transforming the heart of the Gamsstadt into a stage for authentic culinary experiences – from traditional classics to creative new interpretations.
With KITZ Kulinarik, Kitzbühel Tourism once again kicked off the Genussherbst culinary season in 2026, sending a strong signal for regional produce, quality and hospitality. Set against the historic backdrop of the town centre and accompanied by live music, the event has developed into a firm fixture on Kitzbühel’s culinary calendar since its relaunch in 2019.
For Dr. Viktoria Veider-Walser, Managing Director of Kitzbühel Tourism, culinary excellence is firmly embedded in the destination’s strategy: “Culinary delights from our regional businesses, set against the backdrop of our more than 750-year-old town centre – these are the ingredients that make KITZ Kulinarik so special. It is no coincidence that culinary experiences play an important role in our brand development process. We are particularly delighted to have once again been recognised as a Green Event Tirol this year.”
Kicking Off the Culinary Genussherbst
On 27, 28 and 29 August 2026, regional partners treated thousands of visitors in Kitzbühel’s town centre to everything from traditional home-style cooking to haute cuisine. Local producers and restaurateurs from Kitzbühel, Reith, Aurach and Jochberg presented more than 30 authentic dishes with a regional and seasonal focus at around 15 culinary stations. The selection ranged from chanterelle goulash with bread dumplings, venison lasagne and Wiener schnitzel to beetroot with goat’s cheese. Classics of Tyrolean cuisine, including Daumnidei with sauerkraut, Tyrolean cheese dumplings, Topfenblattl and Buchteln with vanilla sauce, also invited locals and visitors alike to taste, discover and linger.
The diversity of the region’s cuisine forms the foundation of the event concept. A festival atmosphere, high-quality products and the dedication of local restaurateurs and producers come together to create a weekend devoted to culinary enjoyment.
PURA VIDA x KITZ Kulinarik
For the first time, KITZ Kulinarik took place over three days, kicking off with the final PURA VIDA event of the summer. On Thursday, 27 August 2026, the popular summer evening series brought Kitzbühel’s town centre to life with interactive activities hosted by local clubs and associations, yoga in the park, an extensive children’s programme and live music spanning a variety of genres.
Face painting, a bouncy castle and a bubble show kept Kitzbühel’s youngest fans entertained, while regional delicacies provided the culinary backdrop. The combination of PURA VIDA and KITZ Kulinarik proved to be an ideal match from its very first edition – marking a successful start to the three-day weekend of culinary delights.
Recognised as a Green Event Tirol
As part of the brand development process initiated by Kitzbühel Tourism in 2021, including the creation of a shared vision for the future, around 70 Kitzbühel residents have been working together on a voluntary basis since the very beginning. Alongside culinary excellence, the concept of New Premium plays a key role in shaping the Kitzbühel brand. Against this backdrop, Kitzbühel Tourism began the certification process in 2024 to have its own KITZ Kulinarik event recognised as a Green Event Tirol – the first event in the Kitzbühel region to receive this distinction.
Short transport routes, organic ingredients, reusable and compostable tableware, and the consistent avoidance of plastic are all part of the comprehensive sustainability concept. In 2026, KITZ Kulinarik was recognised as a Green Event Tirol for the third consecutive year.
Preview | KITZ Kulinarik x Piedmont
No sooner is KITZ Kulinarik over than it is time to look ahead to KITZ Kulinarik x Piedmont: from 8 to 11 October 2026, Kitzbühel specialities will meet signature products from Piedmont, the region at the foot of the mountains in north-western Italy.
For four days, Kitzbühel’s Stadtpark will be transformed into a premium gourmet market featuring culinary delights such as truffles, pasta, cheese and wine, alongside typical specialities from Alba, including hazelnuts in a variety of forms. This high-quality culinary event invites visitors to stroll through the market, sample its delicacies and take their favourites home with them.
For more information about events in Kitzbühel, visit events.kitzbuehel.com.