Kerwe Bolanden
The Bolanner Kerb on the first weekend of September – village festival with a large Kerwe parade, brass bands, and Guggemusik in the Donnersberg district.
About Bolanner Kerb
The Kerwe Bolanden – "Bolanner Kerb" in the dialect – is the traditional village festival of the municipality of Bolanden in the Donnersberg district. Bolanden is located at the transition from the Donnersberg to the Rhine plain and belongs to the Göllheim administrative district. The Kerwe traditionally takes place at the beginning of September.
Palatinate Kerwe Customs
As everywhere in the Palatinate, the Kerwe customs with Kerweborsch (Kerwe boy), Kerweparrer (Kerwe pastor), and Kerwerede (Kerwe speech) shape the character of the festival. The Kerwe opens on Friday evening with the traditional keg tapping ceremony on the festival grounds. Evening dances in the festival tent with live music or a DJ, a morning pint (Frühschoppen) on Sunday morning, and Family Day on Monday form the other key elements. On Monday evening, the Kerwe is traditionally buried according to old customs – sometimes humorously as a "funeral," sometimes as a symbolic burning of the Kerwe doll.
The Grand Kerwe Parade
The hallmark of the Bolanner Kerb is the grand Kerwe parade on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 PM. Colorfully decorated floats from local clubs, the fire department, and agriculture, brass bands from the region, and in recent years, Guggemusik groups, parade through the village streets. The parade involves the community across generations in the festival's events and attracts guests from neighboring towns.
Bolanden – History and Present
Bolanden has a rich history: The Imperial Ministers of Bolanden were one of the most important families in the Holy Roman Empire during the High Middle Ages, and Bolanden Castle – now the Falkenstein Castle ruins in the immediate vicinity – bears witness to this past. Today, Bolanden is a residential community with a vibrant club life, which is vividly showcased during the Bolanner Kerb.
Bolanner Kerb — edition 2026
The Bolanner Kerb 2026 will use the traditional first weekend of September for four days of festivities. The grand Kerwe parade on Sunday afternoon, featuring colorful floats, brass bands, and Guggemusik, will be the highlight.
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizers in late summer. The structure will follow the proven key points of previous years.
Programme Bolanner Kerb 2026
Provisional Program Structure 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizers in late summer. The structure will follow the proven key points of previous years:
- Friday evening: Opening of the Kerb with keg tapping and dance music in the festival tent.
- Saturday evening: Grand party night in the festival tent with a live band or DJ.
- Sunday, 1:30 PM: Grand Kerwe parade through the village streets with colorful floats, brass bands from the region, and Guggemusik groups. Followed by festival activities with the Kerweparrer's speech.
- Sunday morning: Morning pint (Frühschoppen) with brass music.
- Monday: Family Day, Senior Afternoon, Kerwe burial in the evening.
Detailed program items will be announced via local posters, the website of the Göllheim administrative district, and the weekly newspaper "Wochenblatt Reporter Kirchheimbolanden."
Highlights Bolanner Kerb 2026
- Grand Kerwe parade on Sunday at 1:30 PM
- Colorfully decorated floats, brass bands, and Guggemusik
- Morning pint (Frühschoppen) with brass music on Sunday morning
- Evening dances in the festival tent on Friday and Saturday
- Family Day and Kerwe burial on Monday
Prices Bolanner Kerb 2026
Practical information — Bolanner Kerb
Getting There
Bolanden is located directly on the B47 near Kirchheimbolanden, in the Donnersberg district. Easily accessible via the A63 (Albisheim exit). Parking is available on the outskirts of the town.
Admission
Free admission to the festival grounds and the parade. Food and drinks available on site.
Family Friendliness
Family-friendly program during the day, dance crowd in the evenings. The Kerwe parade on Sunday at 1:30 PM is particularly popular with families.
Information
Current dates and program details are available from the municipality of Bolanden, the Göllheim administrative district, and the regional press.
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