Grötzinger Kerwefest

Kerwe in the Sandäcker Complex

The Grötzinger Kerwefest of the Fruit, Wine, and Garden Association of Grötzingen (OWGV) is one of the many small Kirchweih (church consecration festival) events that shape the life of Karlsruhe's districts. The OWGV is one of the district's traditional associations — founded in the early 20th century, with its own clubhouse, its own Sandäcker allotment garden complex, and an active annual program of catering events, pruning and varietal courses, and cider and distillery days.

Format and Atmosphere

The Kerwe takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, starting at 12 p.m. in the Sandäcker allotment garden complex behind the Emil-Arheit-Halle on Sandäckerstraße. The grounds are located in the southern part of Grötzingen — easily reachable on foot from the market square. Catering is provided by the association members: bratwurst and steak from the grill, homemade salads, wine from the OWGV (surprisingly good quality — the association cultivates vines in its own garden areas), cider, and juices from its own production.

Grötzingen — Karlsruhe's Artist District

Grötzingen was incorporated into Karlsruhe in 1974 — with just under 9,000 inhabitants, it is one of the largest and most distinctive districts. The district has a strong identity of its own: train station, market square, old church, Augustenburg Castle, historic mills along the Pfinz river, its own school, its own community center. Above all, however, Grötzingen is the "Painters' Colony" — at the end of the 19th century, several well-known artists settled here, and the heritage is maintained today through the "Grötzinger Malerschule" (Grötzingen School of Painting). The Kerwefest is part of a dense network of club life with its own annual rhythm.

What to Expect

You'll arrive at a family-friendly, rather small festival with predominantly regular guests from Grötzingen and the surrounding area. No stage in the classic sense, but live music in a relaxed form (often accordion, folk music, or dialect songs), long tables under the old fruit trees, a children's play corner. Admission is free, and all proceeds from consumption go to the association.