In 2012 the famous “Schemenlaufen” in Imst was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Image gallery: House of Fasnacht Imst
Every four years (the next time in 2028) the famous "Schemenlaufen" takes place at Imst. Together with the performances of Nassereith, Telfs and Thaur it is one of the biggest and most beautiful Carnival events of the Alps. The "Schemenlaufen" usually takes place on Sunday before Fat Thursday - it starts early in the morning and goes on until 6 pm. Whilst the women are responsible for the realization of the costumes, the men represent both the male and the female figures. There perform many original groups of figures, amongst others the bear-gang and the witches.
As known also from other Carnival customs, the "Schemenlaufen" is an old tradition and the main theme is the conflict between winter and spring. The small museum, which is located behind the parish church, has been born in the barn of the "Glaserhaus" (Glazier's House). The old building with its vaults and the "Lüftlmalerei" on the outside, a form of mural art and variation of trompe-l'œil, passed into public ownership in 1993 and has been renovated with attention to detail.
The House of Fasnacht Imst (Haus der Fasnacht Imst) uses modern technology to show impressions of the "Schemenlaufen" from the 1930s until today. In that way the tradition is kept alive and is accessible the whole year over. Main exhibits are also the many new and old masks, and a making-of by a local carver explains the realization of such a traditional wooden mask. The House of Fasnacht Imst earned also the Tyrolean Museum Award!
Contact info
- Streleweg road 6 - 6460 - Imst
- +43 664 60698 221
- office@fasnacht.at
Opening times
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.
Admission
€ 5.00 adults
€ 2.00 students (from 14 years on)
€ 1.00 children (6-14 years)
free for children under 6 years
€ 20.00 guided tour for groups (up to 10 persons)
for more than 10 persons included in the admission fee
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combined ticket House of Fasnacht and Museum at the Ballhaus:
€ 6.00 adults
More information
The "Buabefasnacht" Carnival takes place the next time on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 8 am to 6 pm, the famous "Imster Schemenlaufen" every four years, the next time in February 2028.
Autumn exhibition "Lårve - Franz Zangerle" till January 6, 2025: It is dedicated to the mask carver Franz Zangerle (1879-1954) and accessible during the opening hours of the museum, furthermore on the Advent Saturdays and Sundays between December 7 and 22 (from 2 pm to 6 pm).
The House of Fasnacht Imst stays open on Friday afternoons all year round, for groups it is accessible also outside the opening hours. Guided tours are offered on request.
