Johanni-Kirta Stamsried

A True Upper Palatinate Kirchweih

Stamsried is a market town in the district of Cham on the western edge of the Bavarian Forest, nestled between the Regen and Schwarzach valleys. The Stamsried festival calendar features customs and traditions throughout the year — from the spring concert by the Stamsrieder Blasmusik on Easter Sunday, the Maypole raising on April 30th, and the Corpus Christi procession to the Johanni-Kirta in the summer and "Advent in the Castle Park" in December.

Why Johanni-Kirta?

Unlike other Kirchweihen (church fairs) that take place on the feast day of the parish church or simply in autumn, the Stamsried Kirta is tied to Johanni — the celebration is held on the Sunday after St. John's Day (June 24th, birthday of John the Baptist). This makes it one of the earliest Kirchweih festivals in the region and traditionally marks the beginning of the high summer festival calendar in the Bavarian Forest.

The Schedule on Sunday

• 10:00 AM: Festival mass in Stamsried Market Square (outdoors)
• afterwards — hot and cold food at the stands of local clubs
• in the afternoon — coffee and cake, live music by Stamsrieder Blasmusik
• additionally — flea market around the market square, which is closed to traffic
• games and entertainment for children

Schützenverein Kürnburg as Organizer

The Schützenverein Kürnburg Stamsried traditionally takes the lead in organizing the Johanni-Kirta, in cooperation with the Cham District Office. Practically all local clubs lend a hand — from the shooters and the brass band to youth work. Catering, setup and dismantling, music, and the program are all a joint effort.

Stamsried in the District of Cham

The market town of Stamsried is located about 20 kilometers west of Cham in the extreme east of the Upper Palatinate, right at the transition to the Bavarian Forest. The Stamsried castle complex and the historically grown market square make the town a charming venue for traditional events.