Name: Hetzleser Kerwa 2026
Start: 2026-08-13T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-17T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Mendelwirt und Schuisenwirt, Hetzles

Kerwa Hetzles

About Kerwa Hetzles

The Hetzleser Kerwa is the traditional Franconian Kirchweih (church fair) of the municipality of Hetzles in the Forchheim district. On the third weekend of August, two Burschenschaften (fraternal organizations) celebrate from Thursday to Monday with guests and all kinds of music – at the Mendelwirt and at the Schuisenwirt (Burschenschaft Grießinger). The Kerwa includes the raising of the Kerwabaum (fair pole) on Saturday, the »Fääslaausgroobn« (digging out the keg) on Sunday, and the »Betz austanzn« (dancing the Betz) on Monday evening – rustic Franconian traditional days that get the whole village on its feet.

Dates 13 Aug — 17 Aug 2026

Venue Hetzles (09474)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Kerwa Hetzles — edition 2026

The Hetzleser Kerwa 2026 will likely take place on the third weekend of August (Thursday to Monday, around August 13–17, 2026). As every year, two Burschenschaften will celebrate at the Mendelwirt and the Schuisenwirt with traditions, music, and the Kerwabaum. The exact dates will be announced at short notice.

In 2026, Hetzles will again celebrate its traditional Kerwa on the third weekend of August, from Thursday to Monday. Both Burschenschaften – at the Mendelwirt and at the Schuisenwirt (Burschenschaft Grießinger) – invite guests for brass music and an exuberant atmosphere.

The established program includes the raising of the Kerwabaum on Saturday, the »Fääslaausgroobn« on Sunday, and the »Betz austanzn« on Monday evening as the festive highlight. The exact dates for 2026 were not yet available at the time of publication and will be released by the Burschenschaften shortly.

Highlights Kerwa Hetzles 2026

Two Burschenschaften celebrate in parallel
Raising of the Kerwabaum on Saturday
»Fääslaausgroobn« on Sunday
»Betz austanzn« on Monday evening as the highlight

Programme Kerwa Hetzles 2026

Thursday: Kerwa kickoff. Saturday: Fetching and raising the Kerwabaum. Sunday: »Fääslaausgroobn«. Monday: »Kiegla zammgschbilld« and in the evening »Betz austanzn« as the highlight. Continuous music of all kinds, Franconian delicacies, and beer at the Mendelwirt and Schuisenwirt.

Prices Kerwa Hetzles 2026

Free admission to the Kerwa events; food and drinks are sold at the inns.

Practical information

Practical information — Kerwa Hetzles

Getting There

Hetzles is located in the Forchheim district at the foot of the Hetzleser Berg. By car via the A73 (exit Forchheim-Süd) and country roads towards Dormitz/Hetzles. By train and bus to Forchheim or Erlangen and then continue by regional bus.

When

The Kerwa takes place on the third weekend of August from Thursday to Monday. The exact dates for 2026 will be announced by the Burschenschaften at short notice.

Tip

The two inns Mendelwirt and Schuisenwirt celebrate in parallel – a tour is worthwhile. The highlight is the »Betz austanzn« on Monday evening.

Franconian Kirchweih in Hetzles

The Hetzleser Kerwa is one of the liveliest Kirchweih traditions in the Franconian Switzerland. Hetzles is an independent municipality in the Forchheim district in the state of Bavaria and belongs to the Dormitz administrative union. The Kerwa is traditionally celebrated on the third weekend of August, from Thursday to Monday.

Two Burschenschaften, One Festival

A special feature of the Hetzleser Kerwa is that two competing Burschenschaften jointly host the festival: one at the Mendelwirt and the other at the Schuisenwirt with the Burschenschaft Grießinger. Both inns celebrate in parallel with guests and all kinds of music, which gives the Kerwa a very unique, exuberant dynamic.

Tradition Day by Day

The Kerwa follows a fixed sequence of traditions: On Saturday, the Kerwabaum (»Maiabaam« - Maypole) is fetched and ceremoniously erected. On Sunday, the »Fääslaausgroobn« – digging out the keg – takes place, on Monday »Kiegla zammgschbilld« (rolling barrels together) are done, and in the evening the »Betz austanzt« (dancing the Betz), the festive dancing around the Kerwabaum, which forms the highlight and conclusion of the Kerwa.

Pure Village Community

The Hetzleser Kerwa is a festival of and for the village community. For five days, brass music, dancing, Franconian delicacies, and beer characterize the event – a living piece of Upper Franconian tradition that brings together locals and guests from the region.