Beutelsbacher Kirbe

Oldest Kirbe in Baden-Württemberg

The Beutelsbacher Kirbe boasts centuries of tradition and is considered the oldest Kirchweih festival in Baden-Württemberg. 'More than a festival — it's living history,' writes the city of Weinstadt itself. Beutelsbach, one of Weinstadt's five districts in the Remstal valley, has rooted its identity in this Kirbe tradition, and the entire district's life is structured around the annual festival on the second Thursday in October.

Five Days with a Clear Choreography

The 2026 Kirbe runs from Thursday, October 8th to Monday, October 12th — five days of 'colourful Kirbe activities' with a different program focus each day:

Thursday, October 8th — Kirbe Market

The Kirbe market opens the festival. Approximately 100 stalls line the town centre, offering household goods, fashion, jewellery, handicrafts, flowers, toys, tea, spices, and sweets from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. At 12:00 PM, the symbolic Kirbe grape is hung in front of the town hall — a ceremonial act that officially opens the Kirbe.

Friday, October 9th — Lantern Procession, Torchlight Run, Kirbe Party

On Friday evening, the lantern procession of primary school children starts at 7:00 PM, leading into the torchlight run and LED light show in the market square. Afterwards, the Kirbe party with live music by the band 'Die Beutelsbacher' kicks off in the car park in front of the Beutelsbacher Halle from 6:00 PM.

Saturday, October 10th — Kirbe Party

Continuation of the Kirbe party with 'Die Beutelsbacher' and guest performances.

Sunday, October 12th — Ceremonial Act and Star Procession

The highlight of the Kirbe. 10:00 AM: Ecumenical church service in the Protestant Stiftskirche. 1:30 PM: The historical ceremonial act with star procession: festival processions march from all four cardinal directions to the market square, where the grape ritual takes place. Alongside, there's a children's program with a carousel, face painting, and a balloon artist.

Monday, October 13th — Winding Down

The Kirbe concludes on Monday evening with a closing party at the Remstalkellerei, where the band 'Die Beutelsbacher' plays once more.

Tradition and Wine Culture of the Remstal

The Beutelsbacher Kirbe is closely intertwined with the wine culture of the Remstal valley. Beutelsbach is located in the heart of one of Württemberg's oldest wine-growing regions — grapes have been cultivated here since the Middle Ages. The Kirbe grape, the symbol of the festival, refers to this connection between the Kirchweih (late summer/autumn) and the grape harvest. Organizers are the Kirbefreunde Weinstadt e.V., the Musikverein Beutelsbach (MV Beutelsbach), and the Verein zur Förderung von Weinstadt-Beutelsbach (VWU Weinstadt).

Weinstadt and the Remstal Valley

Weinstadt is a town in the Rems-Murr district in Baden-Württemberg, about 20 km east of Stuttgart. The town was formed in 1975 from the districts of Beutelsbach, Endersbach, Großheppach, Schnait, and Strümpfelbach and carries its viticultural identity in its name. The Remstal — one of the most beautiful Württemberg wine-growing areas — offers ideal conditions for wine hikes, winery visits, and tours along the Remstal-Höhenweg (high trail) around the Kirbe. Visitors to the Beutelsbacher Kirbe should allow time for an extended weekend — the region is well worth a visit.