Erbenheimer Kerb

The Ländchen-Kerb on the 4th Weekend in September

The Erbenheimer Kerb is one of the largest and most visited Kerben (traditional festivals) in the Wiesbadener Ländchen – the rural suburban belt east of Wiesbaden. It takes place every year on the fourth weekend in September. In 2026, the main Kerb runs from September 25th to 27th, traditionally with the Erbenheimer Oktoberfest on Thursday, September 24th, as the kick-off. The organizer is the association Wäschbachstelzen Erbenheim – the local Kerb society.

Erbenheimer Oktoberfest on Thursday

Since 2016, the Kerb has started on Thursday with the Erbenheimer Oktoberfest – a Bavarian-inspired festival evening with Maß (liter steins), pretzels, and Schlager music atmosphere, heralding the transition to the autumn Kerben season. The Oktoberfest has become a fixed pre-evening event in the Erbenheim festival calendar.

Lantern Procession on Friday

On Friday, a lantern procession follows from the festival grounds to Bachplatz, where the Kerbpuppe (Kerb doll) is unearthed – a traditional element of many Wiesbaden Kerben. The Kerbpuppe symbolizes the festival's patron saint and is unearthed for the opening of the main Kerb, and then reburied or ceremonially farewelled at the end of the Kerb.

Festival Tent Weekend with Highlight Programme

Saturdays and Sundays are prime festival tent time. Regional cover bands and national acts perform on stage – in recent years, often with real crowd-pleasing stars. The Erbenheimer festival tent audience combines down-to-earth Hessian mentality with a party atmosphere.

Kerb Procession and Fireworks on Sunday

On Sunday, the Kerb highlight begins with a church service in the Erbenheim church. Afterwards, the Kerb procession with clubs, music groups, and decorated floats moves through the district. The grand finale is a large fireworks display and a Kerb raffle in the festival tent.

Erbenheim – Wiesbaden's Third Largest District

Erbenheim has around 17,000 inhabitants and is Wiesbaden's third-largest district, after Biebrich and Klarenthal. The town is located east of Wiesbaden's city center, is well-connected via the A66 motorway, and has retained its village-like core with Bachplatz, church, and the Wäschbach stream. The Erbenheimer Kerb is the district's most important social event.