Name: Baiersdorf Johanniskirchweih 2026
Start: 2026-06-19T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-22T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Altstadt Baiersdorf

Johanniskirchweih Baiersdorf

About Johanniskirchweih Baiersdorf

Around St. John's Day (June 24th), the old town of Baiersdorf transforms into a Franconian Kerwa: the Baiersdorfer Johanniskirchweih is the big summer festival of the municipality known as the 'Horseradish City' in the Erlangen-Höchstadt district. For four days, the raising of the Kerwa tree, brass music in the alleys, Franconian Kerwa music, and the traditional Betzenaustanzen (dancing for a bouquet) on Monday shape the event. A living piece of Middle Franconian festival culture, carried by the Kärwaburschen (Kerwa lads) and -madli (Kerwa lasses).

Dates 19 Jun — 22 Jun 2026

Venue Baiersdorf (09572)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Johanniskirchweih Baiersdorf — edition 2026

The Baiersdorfer Johanniskirchweih 2026 will take place from June 19th to 22nd, starting on Friday at 6:00 PM. Four days of Franconian Kerwa in the Old Town with the raising of the Kerwa tree on Saturday, brass music in the alleys, Franconian Kerwa music, and the traditional Betzenaustanzen on Monday.

The Johanniskirchweih 2026 runs from June 19th to 22nd in the Old Town of Baiersdorf, starting on Friday at 6:00 PM. On Saturday afternoon, the Kerwa tree will be erected, and on all days, music bands will march through the Old Town. On Monday, old Franconian Kirchweih music will be played, and in the early evening, the Kärwaburschen and -madli will perform the Betzenaustanzen. The Kerwa offers entertainment for young and old with festival activities, music, and culinary stands.

Highlights Johanniskirchweih Baiersdorf 2026

Raising of the Kerwa tree on Saturday, brass music in the alleys of the Old Town, old Franconian Kirchweih music on Monday, traditional Betzenaustanzen by the Kärwaburschen and -madli to conclude.

Programme Johanniskirchweih Baiersdorf 2026

Friday, June 19, 2026

6:00 PM — Start of the Kirchweih in the Old Town, festival activities in the pubs, music

Saturday, June 20, 2026

afternoon — Raising of the Kerwa tree by the Kärwaburschen
evening — Music and festival activities in the Old Town

Sunday, June 21, 2026

morning — Kirchweih church service, Frühschoppen (morning pint) with brass music
all day — Festival activities, carousels, culinary stands, entertainment for young and old

Monday, June 22, 2026

all day — Old Franconian Kirchweih music in the alleys
early evening — Traditional Betzenaustanzen by the Kärwaburschen and -madli
evening — End of the Kerwa

Specific band names and exact times for 2026 will be announced by the Kirchweih associations and the city of Baiersdorf shortly before the Kerwa; the schedule shown reflects the proven structure of the Johanniskirchweih over many years.

Prices Johanniskirchweih Baiersdorf 2026

Admission to the Johanniskirchweih is free. Food and drinks are offered in the pubs and at the stands in the Old Town at usual Kerwa prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Johanniskirchweih Baiersdorf

Getting There

Baiersdorf is located in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt, north of Erlangen. Accessible by train (Baiersdorf station on the Nuremberg–Bamberg line) and via the A73 motorway. The Kerwa takes place in the Old Town.

Admission

Admission is free. Food and drinks are available in the pubs and at the stands in the Old Town.

Tip

The raising of the Kirchweihbaum on Saturday afternoon and the Betzenaustanzen on Monday evening are the traditional highlights of the Kerwa.

Kerwa in the Horseradish City

The Baiersdorfer Johanniskirchweih is the traditional Kerwa (a type of folk festival) of the town of Baiersdorf in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt in Middle Franconia. Baiersdorf is known as the 'Horseradish City' – horseradish has been cultivated and marketed here for centuries. The Kirchweih (church consecration festival) is celebrated in the historic Old Town around St. John's Day (June 24th), to which the Kerwa owes its name.

Customs in the Alleys

As everywhere in Franconia, the 'Kärwa' is much more than a folk festival. On Saturday afternoon, the Kirchweihbaum (Kerwa tree) is erected, and on all days, music bands march through the old town and play in the pubs. Especially on Monday, old Franconian Kirchweih music can be heard, and in the early evening, the Kärwaburschen and their Madli perform the Betzenaustanzen – an old custom where people dance around a bouquet until the music suddenly stops.

Entertainment for Young and Old

The Johanniskirchweih offers entertainment for young and old: festival activities in the pubs and squares of the old town, music, carousels, and culinary stands. It is firmly anchored in the Franconian Kirchweih calendar of the Erlangen-Höchstadt district and attracts visitors from Baiersdorf and the entire region.

Tradition and Identity

The combination of lived Franconian Kirchweih customs with the special identity of the Horseradish City makes the Baiersdorfer Johanniskirchweih so appealing. Visitors experience one of Middle Franconia's typical summer Kerwas in an atmospheric old-town setting.