Name: Kirchweih Birkach (Frensdorf) 2026
Start: 2026-09-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-28T00:00:00+00:00
Location: FFW-Gerätehaus und Gemeinschaftshaus Birkach

Kirchweih Birkach

About Kirchweih Birkach

The Kirchweih Birkach is the traditional village Kirchweih (a type of folk festival celebrating the consecration of a church) of the Birkach district of Frensdorf in the Bamberg district. Organized by the Birkach Volunteer Fire Department and the Church Building Association, it transforms the small Upper Franconian village into a convivial festival ground for four days. Raising the Kirchweih tree, Kirchweih church service, Frühschoppen (morning pint), and Franconian specialties — from homemade cakes to grilled mackerel, pork knuckles, chicken, and spareribs — characterize the festival. A true Steigerwald Kirchweih, supported by the village's club life.

Dates 25 Sep — 28 Sep 2026

Venue Birkach (09471)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Kirchweih Birkach — edition 2026

The Kirchweih Birkach 2026 runs from Friday, September 25th to Monday, September 28th, 2026, at the festival grounds of the Birkach Volunteer Fire Department. The organizers are the Birkach Volunteer Fire Department and the Church Building Association. The schedule includes the traditional raising of the Kirchweih tree on Saturday afternoon, the Kirchweih church service on Sunday morning, Frühschoppen, and evening Franconian specialties (pork knuckles, chicken, spareribs, mackerel). The date is confirmed in the official Kirchweih calendar for the city and district of Bamberg.

The 2026 edition is confirmed in the official Kirchweih calendar for the city and district of Bamberg: September 25th to 28th, 2026. As every year, the organizers are the Birkach Volunteer Fire Department together with the district's Church Building Association.

The festival grounds are the Birkach Volunteer Fire Department and Community Hall, featuring a large festival tent and a children's play area (bouncy castle, play equipment). As in previous years, homemade cakes, Franconian barbecue specialties, and the traditional Kirchweih chicken will be the highlights.

Highlights Kirchweih Birkach 2026

Raising of the Kirchweih tree on festival Saturday at 2 PM; Kirchweih church service and Frühschoppen on Sunday; evening Franconian barbecue specialties (pork knuckles, chicken, spareribs, mackerel); children's play area with bouncy castle; family-friendly village Kirchweih atmosphere in the Steigerwald.

Programme Kirchweih Birkach 2026

Program 25 – 28 September 2026

Saturday (Festival Saturday) — 2 PM: Raising of the Kirchweih tree with musical accompaniment, followed by coffee and homemade cakes as well as Krapfen in the festival tent. In the evening: grilled mackerel and other barbecue specialties.
Sunday (Festival Sunday) — 9 AM: Kirchweih church service, 10 AM – 1 PM: Frühschoppen in the festival tent.
Monday (Festival Monday) — From 2 PM: Coffee and cake. In the evening: pork knuckles, chicken, and spareribs.
Children's Program — Bouncy castle and play equipment for the youngest guests.

The detailed daily schedule will be announced via the Bamberg Kirchweih Calendar and on-site notices.

Prices Kirchweih Birkach 2026

No admission fee. Food and drinks are served on-site at local village Kirchweih prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Kirchweih Birkach

Getting There

Birkach is located in the Bamberg district, about 15 km west of the city of Bamberg. Take the B 22 (Bamberg – Würzburg) to the Frensdorf exit, then follow the local connecting road to Birkach. By public transport: via Bamberg main station and VGN bus lines to Frensdorf or Birkach.

Festival Grounds

FFW fire station / Community Hall Birkach. Large festival tent, outdoor area, children's play area.

Admission

No admission fee — as is customary for a classic village Kirchweih. Payment is made on-site for food and drinks.

Organizers

Birkach Volunteer Fire Department and Birkach Church Building Association.

A Frensdorf Village Kirchweih in the Steigerwald

The Kirchweih Birkach is the annual village Kirchweih of the Birkach district of the municipality of Frensdorf — a small village on the western edge of the Bamberg district, nestled in the hilly landscape of the Steigerwald. As everywhere in Upper Franconia, the Kirchweih is not just a church festival, but the convivial highlight weekend of the village year, where the entire village community comes together.

Organizers: FFW Birkach and Church Building Association

The organizers are the Birkach Volunteer Fire Department and the Birkach Church Building Association — two local clubs that represent the vibrancy of Birkach village life. The festival grounds are the FFW fire station and the adjacent community hall. A large tent accommodates guests, and a small children's play area (bouncy castle, play equipment) ensures that families also enjoy coming.

Classic Four-Day Schedule

The schedule follows the classic Upper Franconian Kirchweih pattern: On the festival Saturday at 2 PM, the raising of the Kirchweih tree takes place — the traditional Kirchweih tree is erected by the young men to musical accompaniment. Afterwards, coffee and homemade cakes as well as "Krapfen" (doughnuts) are served in the tent. In the evening, grilled mackerel and other barbecue specialties are offered. On festival Sunday at 9 AM, the Kirchweih church service is held, followed by the Frühschoppen from 10 AM to 1 PM in the festival tent. On festival Monday (historically the third day), coffee and cake are served again from 2 PM, and in the evening, the Franconian classics: pork knuckles, chicken, and spareribs.

Birkach in the Bamberg District

Birkach belongs to the municipality of Frensdorf, a Steigerwald municipality with about 3,500 inhabitants west of the city of Bamberg. The Birkach district is located in the hilly foothills, is agriculturally characterized, and has a small but active club scene. The Kirchweih here is one of the few major festivals in the course of the year — and that is precisely what makes its special character: personal, neighborly, without tourist staging.

When Does It Take Place?

Traditionally on the last weekend of September. In 2024, the Kirchweih fell on September 21-23; in 2025, it will be around the same time, and in 2026, it is scheduled for September 25-28 in the official Kirchweih calendar for the city and district of Bamberg. The exact date can be viewed at kirchweihkalender-bamberg.de.