Kerwe Krickenbach

The Kerwe Krickenbach is the traditional Kirchweih (church consecration festival) of the Palatinate village of Krickenbach in the Kaiserslautern district. From September 12 to 15, 2026, the four-day Kerwe will be celebrated – a central date in the annual calendar of the Pfälzerwald community.

Krickenbach in the Pfälzerwald

Krickenbach is located in the middle of the Pfälzerwald Nature Park, south of Kaiserslautern. The small community with just under 1,000 inhabitants is a starting point for hikes and is home to a district called Linden. Its location in the forest gives the Kerwe its special autumnal atmosphere.

Four-day Palatinate Kerwe

The Krickenbacher Kerwe is celebrated over four days, from Friday to Monday: Opening with barrel tapping on Friday evening, festival activities on Saturday with live music or DJ, main Kerwe day on Sunday with morning pint, lunch, Kerwe parade in the afternoon, and festival evening, Monday is family day with Kerwe burial late in the evening.

Kerweborsch and Customs

As in every Palatinate village, the Kerweborsch (Kerwe boys), Kerweparrer (Kerwe pastor), and Kerwestrauß (Kerwe bouquet) shape the festival. The humorous and satirical Kerwerede (Kerwe speech) on Sunday afternoon addresses village events, local anecdotes, and political events of the year – a hallmark of Palatinate Kerwe culture.

Festival Grounds and Club Life

The local clubs – sports club, fire department, music club, and others – provide the festival tent, bar, and catering. Palatinate classics such as Saumagen (stuffed pig's stomach), Bratwurst (fried sausage), Leberknödel (liver dumplings), Schwenkbraten (grilled pork neck), fries, and Schmalzgebäck (fried dough pastries) are on the menu. Draft beer and Palatinate wine accompany the festival weekend. On Sunday afternoon, the women of the parish serve coffee and cake.

Meeting Point in the Forest

For the residents of Krickenbach, the Kerwe is the social highlight of the year. Former residents return, families plan reunions, and the festival combines Palatinate customs with the special atmosphere of the Pfälzerwald.