Drachselsried Kirwa

One of the Largest Kirwas in the Bavarian Forest

The Drachselsried Kirwa is a folk festival that stands in a class of its own in the Bavarian Forest. It is one of the largest and most traditional Kirchweih festivals in the region — the Zellertal with its villages has a particularly intense folk festival culture, of which Drachselsried hosts the largest event. Hundreds of visitors come from all over the Bavarian Forest and beyond, with over 150 market vendors offering their goods on Saturday.

52nd Edition on the Last Weekend of August

In 2026, the 52nd edition will be celebrated — four days of festivities from Friday, August 28, to Monday, August 31. The festival is organized by the market community of Drachselsried and local associations, who have been organizing the event in this form for over five decades. The date on the last weekend of August has been fixed for a long time.

Friday Evening — Beer Tapping and Parade

The festival begins on Friday evening, August 28, with a concert by the Spielmannszug Zellertal on the village square. Afterwards, the brewery wagon parade forms with a festively decorated brewery wagon, traditional costume groups, and music bands, which enters the festival hall. This is followed by the traditional mayor's beer tapping and the start of the festival.

Saturday — Patronal Feast of St. Aegidius and Large Market

Saturday, August 29, is the highlight of the festival week. At 9:00 AM, the festive church service for the patronal feast of St. Aegidius, the patron saint of the Drachselsried parish church, begins — Aegidius is the patron saint of hermits, travelers, foresters, and nursing mothers, a central saintly figure in the forest landscapes of the Bavarian Forest. Afterwards, parish processions move through the village. All day long, the large market with over 150 vendors runs — one of the largest market events in the region with craftsmen, food vendors, artisans, and traditional costume items.

Sunday — Festival Operations and Family Day, Monday — Nachkirwa

On Sunday, August 30, festival operations run all day with a morning pint, an afternoon for seniors, a family program, and live music in the festival tent. Monday, August 31, is the traditional Nachkirwa — the quieter, more intimate end of the festival, where the locals of Drachselsried celebrate their own festival day.

Drachselsried and the Zellertal

Drachselsried is a market community with just under 2,400 inhabitants in the Regen district, idyllically located in the Zellertal valley between Großer Arber and Kaitersberg. The Zellertal is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Bavarian Forest, with dense forests, clear streams, and a strong club culture. Visitors to the Kirwa should combine their stay with a hike to the Arber, a tour to the Hohenbogen, or a visit to the Drachselsried glassworks.