Bännjer Kerb Bann

The Bännjer Kerb – the Kerwe of Bann – is the annual Kirchweih (church consecration festival) of the Palatinate municipality of Bann in the Kaiserslautern district. From September 25th to 29th, 2026, the five-day Kerwe will be celebrated – traditionally around St. Michael's Day (September 29th), the classic church consecration day in Palatinate tradition.

St. Michael's Day and Palatinate Kerwe Tradition

St. Michael's Day on September 29th is the traditional church consecration day in many Palatinate villages and the occasion for the Kerwe. Bann adheres to this tradition: the Kerwe is celebrated on the Sunday before St. Michael's Day and concludes on St. Michael's Day itself. This close connection to St. Michael is a consciously maintained element of the Bännjer Kerb.

Kerwestrauß, Kerweredd, and Straußbuwe

The Bann Kerwe preserves the full Palatinate Kerwe repertoire: the Kerwestrauß – artfully decorated – is erected on the opening day and is the symbol of the festival. The Straußbuwe (in Palatinate dialect: Kerweborsch) are organizationally involved in the Kerwe; their task is to guard the Kerwestrauß, deliver speeches, and shape the festival's events. The Kerweredd – the humorous and satirical Kerwe speech by the Kerweparrer (Kerwe pastor) – is the thematic highlight on Sunday, featuring Palatinate linguistic wit and a satirical review of the year.

Five-Day Festival Rhythm

The Kerwe spans five days from Friday to Tuesday: Opening with barrel tapping on Friday evening, dance evening with live music on Saturday, main Kerwe day on Sunday with Frühschoppen, lunch, Kerwe parade in the afternoon, Kerweredd and festival evening, Monday Family Day, Tuesday St. Michael's Day with closing festivities and symbolic Kerwe burial late in the evening.

Bann in the Palatinate Forest

Bann is a small Palatinate municipality located between Landstuhl and Queidersbach, on the edge of the Palatinate Forest. With around 2,000 inhabitants, the community maintains its village identity through vibrant club life, for which the Kerwe is the most important event of the year.

Club Life and Catering

The local clubs – sports club, fire department, singing club – provide the festival tent, bar, and catering. Palatinate classics such as Saumagen (stuffed pig's stomach), Bratwurst (fried sausage), Leberknödel (liver dumplings), Schwenkbraten (grilled pork neck), and fries are on the menu. Draft beer and Palatinate wine accompany the festival weekend.