Hallerndorfer Kerwa

Kerwa in the Beer Paradise

The Hallerndorfer Kerwa is the traditional Kirchweih (church consecration festival) of the municipality of Hallerndorf in the Forchheim district of Bavaria. It is celebrated on the third weekend of October – from October 17th to 20th in 2026. Hallerndorf is located in the famous Kellerwald, an area with one of the highest densities of breweries and beer cellars in the world.

Kerwabaum and Betzentanz

The Kerwa follows the classic Franconian sequence: At its center is the erection of the Kerwabaum by the Hallerndorfer Kerwasbum und -madla. The highlight is the Betzentanz – a traditional dance performed on Monday around a bouquet of flowers, where the couple holding the bouquet when the music stops is crowned the Kerwapaar (Kerwa couple). Customs, conviviality, and Franconian beer culture merge here into a genuine village festival.

Beer Culture and Rittmayer

Hallerndorf is closely linked to beer: The Rittmayer Hallerndorf brewery is one of the best-known establishments in the region and is closely associated with the Kerwa. The beer cellars of the Kellerwald surrounding the village invite visitors to linger – an experience that makes the Kerwa a special destination for lovers of Franconian brewing art.

Living Tradition in Upper Franconia

The Franconian Kirchweih – 'Kerwa' for short – commemorates the consecration of the local church and is one of the most important village festivals in the region. In Hallerndorf, this tradition is kept particularly alive, attracting visitors from the entire Forchheim district and beyond.