Traditional Kirchweih of the local lads in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt
The Heßdorfer Kerwa is the annual Kirchweih (church consecration festival) of the municipality of Heßdorf in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt (Bavaria, Central Franconia). As throughout Franconia, the Kerwa is considered the social highlight of the village year – a four-day festival that is jointly organized and celebrated by the village community. It traditionally takes place in September.
The Kerwa is organized by the Heßdorfer Ortsburschen und -madli (local lads and lasses). The highlight is the traditional raising of the maypole: The beautifully decorated Kerwa maypole is erected with painstaking manual labor – a custom that connects generations. The festival takes place around the maypole with music, dancing, and Franconian conviviality.
In addition to the maypole raising, exciting competitions and popular go-kart races are part of the program. Culinary delights include Franconian specialties – from hearty Schmankerln (delicacies) to freshly tapped beer. The celebration takes place around the sports center of the Spielvereinigung Heßdorf.
Heßdorf and its districts maintain a busy Kirchweih calendar: The Hannberger Kerwa also takes place at the same time, and throughout the year, among others, the Heringskerwa in Niederlindach, the Fränkische Sportlerkerwa, the Membacher, and the Klebheimer Kerwa. The Heßdorfer Kerwa is one of the central dates in the administrative community of Heßdorf.
The Heßdorfer Kerwa 2026 runs from Thursday, September 10, to Sunday, September 13. The Heßdorf local lads and lasses will host the traditional maypole raising, and provide entertainment with competitions and go-kart races. In parallel, Heßdorf-Hannberg will celebrate the Hannberger Kerwa from September 11 to 13.
Heßdorf is located in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt, west of Erlangen, easily accessible via the A3 motorway (Erlangen-West/Höchstadt-Ost exit) and state roads. The festival activities are centered around the sports center of the Spielvereinigung Heßdorf.
Admission to the Kerwa is free; food and drinks are at usual festival prices.
Annually in September; current dates available from the administrative community of Heßdorf.
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Sportheim der Spielvereinigung Heßdorf