Jakobi-Kirchweih Ensdorf

Upper Palatinate Traditions around St. James' Day

The Jakobi-Kirchweih Ensdorf — known locally as "Ensdorfer Kirwa" — is the annual Kirchweih (church fair) of the municipality of Ensdorf in the Amberg-Sulzbach district in Bavarian Upper Palatinate. It is celebrated around St. James' Day (July 25th), the patron saint's day of the parish church; the exact date therefore shifts slightly from year to year.

Kirwabaum and Kirwapaare

As with every real Upper Palatinate Kirwa, the raising of the decorated Kirwabaum (Kirwa tree) and the dancing of the Kirwapaare (Kirwa couples) are the central events: the young men and women dance in a circle until the drawn "Oberkirwapaar" (head Kirwa couple) is determined, which officially leads the Kirwa. This is accompanied by brass music, hearty delicacies, and exuberant atmosphere in the festival tent.

Festive Church Service and Closing

On Kirwa Sunday, there is a festive church service with a subsequent procession to the festival grounds and a morning pint with the Ensdorf brass band. The event concludes on Monday with a senior citizens' afternoon, organized by the municipality, parish, and local retirement home.

Organizers and Venue

The Kirwa is organized by the Ensdorf Volunteer Fire Department together with the Kirwagemeinschaft Ensdorf e.V. The venue is the festival grounds by the town hall (Hauptstraße 4) in the village center. The Ensdorfer Kirwa is one of the largest and most attended Kirwan in the region, attracting numerous guests from the entire Amberg-Sulzbach area every year.