Name: Heßdorfer Kerwa 2026
Start: 2026-09-10T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-13T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Sportheim der Spielvereinigung Heßdorf

Kerwa Heßdorf

About Kerwa Heßdorf

Every year in September, the Central Franconian municipality of Heßdorf in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt celebrates its traditional Kerwa. For four days, the ceremonial raising of the maypole, Franconian specialties, and exuberant conviviality characterize the sports center of the Spielvereinigung Heßdorf. The festival is organized by the Heßdorf local lads and lasses (Ortsburschen und -madli), who provide plenty of entertainment with the decorated Kerwa maypole, competitions, and go-kart races. The Heßdorfer Kerwa is a living piece of Franconian Kirchweih tradition and a meeting point for the entire region.

Dates 10 Sep — 13 Sep 2026

Venue Heßdorf (09572)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Kerwa Heßdorf — edition 2026

In 2026, the Heßdorfer Kerwa will take place from September 10 to 13 – four days of Kirchweih tradition with maypole raising, Franconian specialties, and go-kart races around the sports center of the Spielvereinigung 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.

Highlights Kerwa Heßdorf 2026

Traditional maypole raising with decorated Kerwa maypole
Go-kart races
Franconian specialties
Organized by the Heßdorf local lads and lasses

Programme Kerwa Heßdorf 2026

Thursday, 10/09 – Kerwa kick-off
Friday to Sunday – Maypole raising, Franconian specialties, competitions
Go-kart races and social program around the sports center

Prices Kerwa Heßdorf 2026

Free admission; food and drinks at usual festival prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Kerwa Heßdorf

Getting There

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

Admission to the Kerwa is free; food and drinks are at usual festival prices.

Date

Annually in September; current dates available from the administrative community of Heßdorf.

Franconian Kirchweih Tradition

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 Local Lads and the Kerwa Maypole

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.

Program and Specialties

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.

Part of a Rich Kerwa Calendar

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.