Name: Hirschbacher Kirwa 2026
Start: 2026-08-13T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-17T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Festplatz Hirschbach

Hirschbacher Kirwa

About Hirschbacher Kirwa

The Hirschbacher Kirwa is one of the oldest documented Kirchweihen (church consecration festivals) in the Upper Palatinate: first mentioned in 1460, it is still celebrated annually around Assumption Day (Mariä Himmelfahrt) in the Hirschbachtal valley in the Amberg-Sulzbach district. Young 'Kirwamoila' and 'Kirwaburschen' in black and white traditional costume, the Kirwabaum (Kirwa tree), Vuglsuppn (a traditional broth) to start, and dancing in the festival tent characterize the four days of celebration, organized by the Hirschbacher Kirwaverein e.V.

Dates 13 Aug — 17 Aug 2026

Venue Hirschbach (09371)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Hirschbacher Kirwa — edition 2026

The Hirschbacher Kirwa 2026 will take place around Assumption Day in the Hirschbachtal valley – according to local tradition, likely from Thursday, August 13th, to Monday, August 17th, 2026. The Hirschbacher Kirwaverein e.V. invites you to five days of celebration with Vuglsuppn, Kirwabaum, dancing in the festival tent, a procession, and the drawing of lots for the Kirwa couples.

For centuries, the Hirschbacher Kirwa has followed the rhythm around Assumption Day. For 2026, this likely means the period from August 13–17, following the pattern of previous years (2025: August 14–18). The organizer is the Hirschbacher Kirwaverein e.V., supported by local clubs.

The traditional opening on Thursday evening is the Vuglsuppn. This is followed by festival evenings with live music, Sunday's celebratory church service and procession of clubs through the village, and Monday's Frühschoppen with the famous drawing of lots for the Kirwamoila and Kirwaboum. The exact program with times and bands will be announced by the Kirwaverein on its Facebook page.

Highlights Hirschbacher Kirwa 2026

One of the oldest documented Kirwas in the Upper Palatinate; Vuglsuppn to start; Kirwa couples in black and white traditional costume; drawing of lots for the Kirwamoila and Kirwaboum on Kirwamontag.

Programme Hirschbacher Kirwa 2026

Thursday, August 13, 2026 – Festival Opening

Vuglsuppn opening in the festival tent at the Hirschbach festival grounds
Erection of the Kirwabaum by the Kirwaboum

Friday, August 14, 2026

Festival evening with live music in the festival tent
Dancing around the Kirwabaum

Saturday, August 15, 2026 – Assumption Day

Daytime festival activities
Grand festival evening with live music

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Celebratory church service in the Hirschbach parish church
Procession of local clubs and Kirwa couples
Frühschoppen and family afternoon

Monday, August 17, 2026 – Kirwamontag

Frühschoppen with brass music
Drawing of lots for the Kirwamoila and Kirwaboum
Sociable end of the festival

Bands and times will be published by the Hirschbacher Kirwaverein e.V. on their social media channels before the festival.

Prices Hirschbacher Kirwa 2026

Free admission or small festival ticket (details via the Kirwaverein); food and drinks for purchase; traditional Vuglsuppn, Kirwakuchen, and sausages.

Practical information

Practical information — Hirschbacher Kirwa

Getting There

Hirschbach is located about 35 km east of Nuremberg and 20 km northwest of Amberg. Reachable via the B 14 (Sulzbach-Rosenberg) and then via Königstein. Festival parking is signposted on site; public transport to Sulzbach-Rosenberg, then by bus or taxi.

Admission

Admission to the festival tent on weekends is often free or requires a small daily fee (details announced by the Kirwaverein on their Facebook page). Food and drinks are available for purchase; traditional Vuglsuppn, sausages, schnitzel, and Kirwakuchen (Kirwa cake).

Accommodation

Guesthouses and holiday apartments in Hirschbach, further options in Königstein, Sulzbach-Rosenberg, and Amberg.

A Kirchweih since 1460

The Hirschbacher Kirwa is one of the oldest documented Kirchweih festivals in the Oberpfalz (Upper Palatinate). The first mention dates back to 1460 – since then, the Hirschbachtal valley has celebrated its parish church consecration festival annually around Assumption Day (August 15th). Today, the Hirschbacher Kirwaverein e.V. is the organizer, embedded in the vibrant club life of the municipality of Hirschbach in the Königstein administrative district, Amberg-Sulzbach county.

Tradition: Kirwamoila, Kirwaboum and Kirwabaum

As with many Franconian-Upper Palatinate Kirwas, young couples lead the festival: the Kirwaboum in black and white Kirwa attire, and the Kirwamoila with Kirwatuch (Kirwa scarf) and Dirndl. The highlight is dancing around the decorated Kirwabaum, which is felled in the forest, transported to the festival grounds by hand, and erected with music. Traditional Kirwa songs, the 'Wer hat Kirwa?' (Who has Kirwa?) game, and the opening with the famous Vuglsuppn – a hearty broth – are part of the fixed program.

Four Days of Celebration in the Hirschbachtal Valley

The festival weekend traditionally spans from Thursday to Monday around August 15th. On Thursday evening, the Kirwa is opened with Vuglsuppn. Live bands play in the festival tent on Friday and Saturday. Sunday features a celebratory church service and a grand procession. Monday includes the Frühschoppen (morning pint) and the drawing of lots for the 'Kirwamoila' and 'Kirwaboum' – a typical element of Northern Bavarian Kirwa customs where the couples are drawn by lot.

Hirschbach and its Rocks

Hirschbach is known beyond the region for its rocky landscape on the edge of the Hirschbacher Schweiz (Hirschbach Switzerland) – a climbing paradise with striking Jurassic rocks and hiking opportunities. The Kirwa utilizes this backdrop and attracts numerous guests from the entire Amberg-Sulzbach district and the Nuremberg region to the valley each year.

More than a Club Festival

With its long history, the Hirschbacher Kirwa is a blend of tradition, meeting point, and a festival for all generations. The Fränkisches-Kirchweih-Portal lists it as a permanent fixture in the Kirwa calendar of the Oberpfalz – an anchor point for anyone wanting to experience folk culture, vibrant club life, and Upper Palatinate tradition in an authentic setting.