Kärwa Schwand
Traditional Franconian Kirchweih in old Schwand on the second August weekend
About Schwander Kärwa
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Schwand — historic heart of the market community Schwanstetten
The market community of Schwanstetten in the Roth district was formed in 1972 from the two old villages of Schwand and Leerstetten. The old town of Schwand is the medieval core of this double community — a small, compact area with a parish church, Kärwa square, and old farmhouses. The Kärwa Schwand is the central Volksfest (folk festival) of the market community, traditionally known as 'Schwander Kärwa'.
Four days of Kärwa tradition
The Schwander Kärwa is celebrated over four days on the second August weekend — in 2026, this means from August 7th to 10th. The focus is on the festival tent on the Kärwa square and all the activity in the old town. The festivities begin with a parade on Friday evening.
What makes the Schwander Kärwa special
- Parade on Friday evening — at 7 PM, the parade forms in the old town, with brass bands, floats, associations in traditional costume, and the festival host family. Opening of the Kärwa with a beer tapping ceremony in the festival tent.
- Dance evenings on Saturday and Sunday — festival tent with a party band or dance orchestra.
- Festive church service on Sunday — in the Schwand parish church.
- Kerwa-Reihen — on Sunday, the Kärwa couples dance around the Kärwa tree, performed by the young men and women of the village in traditional costume.
- Carousels and stalls — for families, on the festival grounds in the old town.
- Kärwa Monday — a quieter day with inn operations and a relaxed end to the festival.
Embedded in the dense festival calendar
Middle Franconia, along with the Roth district, maintains one of the densest Kärwa calendars in Southern Germany. Between Wendelstein, Schwabach, Roth, Hilpoltstein, and Allersberg, there is a Kärwa almost every weekend between June and October. The Schwander Kärwa is one of the fixed dates in August, nestled between the Allersberg Stadtkerwa in mid-July and Greding or Heideck in September.
Schwander Kärwa — edition 2026
Confirmed Date
The official event calendar of the market community Schwanstetten (schwanstetten.de) lists the Kärwa Schwand for August 7th–10th, 2026 — the second August weekend. The parade on Friday evening, August 7th, 2026, at 7 PM in the old town, is specifically mentioned.
What is known
The detailed program (festival host, festival band, dance band names, carousel lineup) will be published by the market community Schwanstetten together with the Schwand associations about two weeks before the festival date in the Schwanstetten newsletter and on the website.
Programme Schwander Kärwa 2026
Friday, August 7th, 2026 — Festival Opening
- 7:00 PM — Parade in old Schwand
- Subsequently — Beer tapping ceremony in the festival tent, festive evening with festival band
Saturday, August 8th, 2026
- Day — Festival activities, carousels, catering
- Evening — Dance evening with party band
Sunday, August 9th, 2026 — Main Festival Day
- Morning — Festive church service in Schwand parish church
- Noon — Frühschoppen (morning pint) with brass music in the festival tent
- Afternoon — Kerwa-Reihen by the young men and women around the Kärwabaum (festival tree)
- Evening — Dance evening
Monday, August 10th, 2026 — Kärwa Monday
- Day — Inn operations, winding down the festival day
- Evening — Festival finale with traditional Kärwa 'funeral'
Specific band names and daily promotions available before the date at schwanstetten.de.
Highlights Schwander Kärwa 2026
- Parade on Friday evening, 7 PM
- Dance evenings Sat and Sun
- Kerwa-Reihen on Sunday afternoon
- Carousels, stalls, and festival tent in the old town
- Kärwa 'funeral' on Monday evening
Prices Schwander Kärwa 2026
Free admission. Carousels and catering at festival prices, cash payment at stalls.
Practical information — Schwander Kärwa
Getting there
By car: A6 exit Schwabach-West, B466 towards Schwanstetten/Hilpoltstein. By public transport: VGN bus from Nuremberg via Wendelstein to Schwanstetten/Schwand.
On site
Festival tent and grounds in old Schwand. Catering by festival host and associations, cash payment at stalls and bar.
Tip
Combine your visit with an excursion to the nearby Franconian Lake District (Rothsee near Roth) or to historic Schwabach (UNESCO tentative list for gold-beating city).
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Schwander Kärwa al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Schwander Kärwa
Altort Schwand