Every year in the middle of July, things turn upside down in Ulm because its Oath week. This week is marked with a colourful programme of events, the high point of which is 'Oath Monday'.

On this day, the Mayor delivers his report in the Weinhof to the townsfolk and repeats the historic oath of 1397 before the start of the 'Nabada', the largest river festival on the Danube. The highlight is a river procession of imaginatively and splendidly decorated boats and craft poking fun at local politics and current affairs. The larger boats are accompanied by river craft of all shapes, sizes and sometimes adventurous constructions that 'swim down' the Danube.

From about 15.00 h until far into the night, the people of Ulm and Neu-Ulm are out on the streets and in the parks to celebrate the occasion with all manner of music and culinary delights.

But the festivities begin the week before with the opening of Ulm Fair in Friedrichsau Park and on the Saturday before Oath Monday after darkness has fallen there is a serenade of lights on the Danube, with more than 5000 candles floating down the river.

Two concerts – one on Saturday evening and one on Monday evening, round off these festivities in Ulm.