Name: Kirchweih Bechhofen 2026
Start: 2026-07-24T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-27T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Marktplatz Bechhofen

Kerwa Bechhofen

About Kerwa Bechhofen

Every year on the fourth weekend of July, the market square in Markt Bechhofen, Middle Franconia, in the district of Ansbach, transforms into a convivial 'Hüttenzauber' (hut magic) beer garden. The Kerwa Bechhofen is more than a classic Kirchweih: with a grand parade of local clubs, the 'Pinselpokal-Olympiade' (Brush Cup Olympics), a children's and family flea market, and a fireworks display on Sunday evening, it explicitly sees itself as a 'festival of the citizens for the unification of all our affiliated communities' – a commitment to the municipality with its approximately 25 districts around Bechhofen.

Dates 24 Jul — 27 Jul 2026

Venue Bechhofen (09571)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Kerwa Bechhofen — edition 2026

The Kerwa Bechhofen 2026 is expected to take place from Friday, July 24th, to Monday, July 27th, 2026, at the Market Square – traditionally on the fourth weekend of July. Four days of 'Hüttenzauber' beer garden, parade, Brush Cup Olympics, and Sunday fireworks characterise the festival weekend in Markt Bechhofen.

The 2026 edition continues the 'Hüttenzauber' concept from previous years: wooden huts with bars and alpine decorations transform the market square into a cosy beer garden. The Kerwa opens on Friday evening with the grand parade of local clubs through Bechhofen, followed by the beer tapping ceremony.

On Saturday, the 3rd Kerwa Brush Cup Olympics will take place, alongside live music in the hut beer garden. Sunday begins with a 'Frühschoppen' and a children's and family flea market, with the grand fireworks display being the highlight in the evening. Monday offers a relaxed end to the festival as a closing event ('Kehraus').

Highlights Kerwa Bechhofen 2026

'Hüttenzauber' beer garden at the Market Square
Grand parade of local clubs on Friday
3rd Kerwa Brush Cup Olympics with quirky disciplines
Children's and family flea market on Sunday
Grand fireworks display on Sunday evening
Live music on all four evenings

Programme Kerwa Bechhofen 2026

Friday, July 24, 2026: Parade of local clubs through Bechhofen, beer tapping ceremony at the Market Square, first 'Hüttenzauber' evening with live music.

Saturday, July 25, 2026: 3rd Kerwa Brush Cup Olympics in the afternoon, followed by a live band and dance evening in the hut beer garden.

Sunday, July 26, 2026: 'Frühschoppen' with brass music, children's and family flea market, lunch specials, family entertainment; in the evening, a grand fireworks display over the Market Square.

Monday, July 27, 2026: Closing event ('Kehraus') with live music, festival concludes late in the evening.

Prices Kerwa Bechhofen 2026

Admission to Kerwa Bechhofen 2026 is free. Drink vouchers available in advance offer a 10% discount. Club members and participants in the parade receive additional free drinks. Registration for the parade is via the administration of Markt Bechhofen.

Practical information

Practical information — Kerwa Bechhofen

Getting There

Bechhofen is located in the district of Ansbach in Middle Franconia, about 20 kilometres southwest of Ansbach. By car via the A 6 (exit Lichtenau) and the B 25/B 13. By train to Ansbach and then take bus 805 to Bechhofen. Parking is available on the outskirts of town – the festival grounds at the market square are reachable on foot in a few minutes.

Admission

Admission to the Kerwa Bechhofen is free. Drink vouchers available in advance offer a 10% discount. Club members and participants in the parade receive additional free drinks.

Tips

Those who want to experience the fireworks on Sunday evening in all their glory should find a spot in the 'Hüttenzauber' beer garden in the late afternoon. The 'Pinselpokal-Olympiade' on Saturday is an insider tip for guests who appreciate humour.

Hut Magic at the Market Square

The Kerwa Bechhofen is held every year by the municipality of Markt Bechhofen in the district of Ansbach, Bavaria, on the fourth weekend of July. The venue is the market square in the historic town centre. Instead of a classic marquee, the organisers have opted for the 'Hüttenzauber' concept for several years now: a series of cosy wooden huts with seating, bars, and alpine decorations give the Kerwa a special beer garden atmosphere in the middle of the old town.

Community Festival and Municipal Identity

The Kerwa explicitly sees itself as a community festival that strengthens the identity of the market town with its approximately 25 districts. A central part of the programme is therefore the grand parade on Friday (opening day) or Sunday, in which local clubs, traditional costume groups, fire brigades, and children's pipe bands from Bechhofen, Königshofen, Birkenfels, Großenried, Liebersdorf, and many other districts participate.

Brush Cup Olympics and Programme

A humorous highlight is the Kerwa 'Pinselpokal-Olympiade' (Brush Cup Olympics): teams from clubs and circles of friends compete in quirky disciplines related to Bechhofen's Middle Franconian brush-making tradition. In addition, there is a children's and family flea market, live music on all evenings, a morning pint ('Frühschoppen') on Sunday, and a grand fireworks display to conclude the festival on Sunday evening.

Brush Town with Tradition

Bechhofen is considered a historic town for brush and broom making. As early as the 18th century, the cloth merchant Konrad Niederhauser founded the tradition of brush making, which remains one of the defining trades in the town to this day. The 'Pinselpokal-Olympiade' playfully references this identity and makes it tangible for guests.

Festival Weekend in the Franconian Lake District

Bechhofen is located west of the Franconian Lake District, a tourist region around the Altmühlsee, Brombachsee, and Rothsee lakes. The Kerwa weekend can be combined well with a weekend by the lake or a cycling tour through the Middle Franconian hill country.