Name: Friedensfest Gochsheim 2026
Start: 2026-09-05T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-07T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Plan und Ortskern Gochsheim

Gochsheim Kirchweih

About Gochsheim Kirchweih

The Gochsheim Kirchweih is also a Friedensfest (Peace Festival), commemorating the regaining of imperial village freedom after the Peace of Westphalia in 1649. On the first weekend of September, the Lower Franconian municipality of Gochsheim in the Schweinfurt district celebrates by erecting the Planbaum (Maypole), holding a sermon service, and featuring the traditional Plantanz (Maypole dance) performed by the Planburschen and Planmädchen in black frock coats and top hats, as well as the hopping Plankehrer. The Sennfeld and Gochsheim Friedensfest is recognised as intangible cultural heritage in the national register.

Dates 05 Sep — 07 Sep 2026

Venue Gochsheim (09678)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Gochsheim Kirchweih — edition 2026

The Friedensfest Gochsheim 2026 (Kirchweih) takes place from Saturday, September 5, to Monday, September 7, 2026. The Planbaum erection, sermon service, and Plantanz characterise the festival. These are followed by the Grenzsteinfest (Sept 9), Familientag (Sept 12), and Nachkirchweih (Sept 13).

The 2026 edition of the Friedensfest Gochsheim takes place from Saturday, September 5, to Monday, September 7, 2026 – traditionally on the first weekend of September. On Saturday, the fir trees are fetched and the Planbaum is erected on the Plan; on Sunday, the Planburschen in black frock coats and top hats, along with the Planmädchen, proceed to the sermon service in the Protestant church, followed by the Plantanz (Walzer, Rheinländer, Schottisch, and Dreher) and the hopping Plankehrer. In the following days, the Grenzsteinfest on September 9, Familientag on September 12, and Nachkirchweih on September 13 take place. Admission is free.

Highlights Gochsheim Kirchweih 2026

Planbaum erection on the Plan
Plantanz: Walzer, Rheinländer, Schottisch, Dreher
Planburschen in black frock coats and top hats, Plankehrer
Intangible Cultural Heritage – Peace Festival since 1649

Programme Gochsheim Kirchweih 2026

Saturday, 05/09 – Fetching of fir trees, erection of the Planbaum with music
Sunday, 06/09 – Sermon service, Plantanz by the Planburschen and Planmädchen, Plankehrer
Monday, 07/09 – Continuation of the Kirchweih
09/12/13/09 – Grenzsteinfest, Familientag, Nachkirchweih

Prices Gochsheim Kirchweih 2026

Free admission; food and drinks for purchase on-site.

Practical information

Practical information — Gochsheim Kirchweih

Getting There

Gochsheim is located in the Schweinfurt district, accessible via the A70/A71 motorways and state roads from Schweinfurt. Train connections via Schweinfurt. Festival activities centre around the Plan in the village centre.

Admission

Admission is free; food and drinks are available on-site.

Programme Times

First weekend of September: Saturday, fir trees and Planbaum erection; Sunday, sermon service and Plantanz; followed by Grenzsteinfest, Familientag, and Nachkirchweih.

A Festival for Peace since 1649

The Friedensfest Gochsheim – also the Gochsheim Kirchweih (church consecration festival) – has commemorated a historic event since 1649: After the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 and a 14-year legal dispute, the villages of Gochsheim and Sennfeld regained their rights as free imperial villages and the freedom of the Protestant confession. Out of gratitude, the Friedens- und Freudenfest (Peace and Joy Festival) has been celebrated every year on the first weekend of September ever since. The municipality of Gochsheim in the Schweinfurt district is the organiser.

Planbaum, Planburschen and Plantanz

The core of the festival begins on Saturday with the fetching and erecting of the fir trees and the Planbaum – a 10 to 15-meter-high decorated fir tree on the Plan (the festival grounds). The Planburschen wear black frock coats, silk crosses, and top hats decorated with colourful ribbons; together with the Planmädchen, they proceed to the Protestant church for the festival service. During the Plantanz, one round each of the Walzer, Rheinländer, Schottisch, and finally a Dreher are danced. A special figure is the Plankehrer, who hops in front of the brass band and displays the Gochsheim coat of arms.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Sennfeld and Gochsheim Friedensfest was first included in the Bavarian state register and, at the end of 2016, also in the national register of intangible cultural heritage. It is thus considered one of Germany's outstanding living traditions, uniquely combining Kirchweih customs with the commemoration of the Peace of Westphalia.

Living Tradition in Franconian Wine Country

Gochsheim is located in Franconian Wine Country in the Schweinfurt district. Every year, the Friedensfest attracts several thousand visitors and brings the village community together across almost four centuries. The Grenzsteinfest (Border Stone Festival), Familientag (Family Day), and Nachkirchweih (Post-Kirchweih) in the days following the main festival complement the tradition.