Dossemer Kerwe Dossenheim

Dossemer Kerwe — Bergstraße Kirchweih with Palatinate Roots

In southern Hesse, on the border with Baden-Württemberg, the Kirchweih (church consecration festival) is called "Kerwe" in most communities — the Palatinate-Hessian variant of the word Kirchweih, which has also survived in the nearby Bergstraße region. Dossenheim is located directly on the Bergstraße north of Heidelberg and celebrates its Kerwe as Dossemer Kerwe (in the local dialect: "Dossem" for Dossenheim) on the third weekend of September. From September 18 to 22, 2026 — Friday to Tuesday — the Bergstraße municipality transforms into a festival mile.

Children's Amusement Park on the Rathausplatz

Dossenheim's Rathausplatz becomes a small, family-friendly amusement park: a children's carousel, a Ferris wheel (rather small in the Bergstraße version), shooting galleries, dart throwing, and candy stands with gingerbread, cotton candy, almonds, and chocolate fruits. The format is not a tourist mass event, but a village-integrated family atmosphere. Young parents with toddlers, schoolchildren, and seniors meet on the Rathausplatz and enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere.

Catering along the Hauptstraße

Along Dossenheim's Hauptstraße, catering stands run by local clubs line the street — the fire department, sports clubs, church communities, and school support groups. The food reflects the Bergstraße mix of Palatinate, Hessian, and Baden influences:

• Palatinate Bratwurst with mustard and rolls
• Saumagen — the Palatinate specialty
• Flammkuchen from a wood-fired oven
• Wurstsalat with homemade herbs
• Bergsträßer Riesling and Spätburgunder by the glass
• Apfelweinschorle for the Hessian roots
• Beer from a regional brewery

Kronenburger Hof — the Main Live Stage

At the Kronenburger Hof — a covered inner courtyard of a historic Bergstraße inn — the main live stage is set up. Cover bands, Schlager artists, dialect singers, and occasional jazz combos perform here. The atmosphere is that of a classic German Kerwe event — beer benches, exuberant mood, and singalongs of refrains like "Auf die Plätze, fertig — los" (On your marks, get set — go). The program changes daily; the weekend is packed with bands, while Tuesday (the final day of the Kerwe) offers a more relaxed program.

Flea Market and Local History Museum

A flea market opens in several parts of the town center — typically on the Rathausplatz and along the sides of the streets. Dossenheim residents and amateur antiquarians sell their bric-a-brac, collector's items, and household clearances — a relaxed market format without professional stress. The Dossenheim Local History Museum opens its courtyards during the Kerwe days for special exhibitions on Dossenheim's folk customs — a nice opportunity to learn something about the community's history.

Dossema Bannweidbuwe — the Traditional Folk Custom Keepers

A unique element of the Dossemer Kerwe are the Dossema Bannweidbuwe — a traditional folk custom group that preserves Dossenheim's heritage. During the Kerwe, they perform their sketches, sayings, and choreographic performances — a humorous and folkloric connection to Dossenheim's history and identity. It's a tradition you'll only find here in Dossenheim.

Dossenheim — Bergstraße Municipality in the Rhein-Neckar District

Dossenheim, a municipality with around 12,500 inhabitants in the Rhein-Neckar District, is located on the Bergstraße — the famous wine route between Heidelberg and Darmstadt. The municipality benefits from its location between the Odenwald forest to the east and the Rhine Plain to the west, with vineyards, scattered orchards, and a mild climate. The Schreckenstein — a castle ruin above Dossenheim — and the Bergstraße Cycle Route make the municipality a popular excursion destination. The Kerwe is the biggest social event at the transition from summer to autumn.