Kirchweih Burghaslach

Franconian Kirchweih in the Steigerwald

The market town of Burghaslach in the southern Steigerwald (Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim district) traditionally celebrates its main Kirchweih on the first Sunday of September. The festival week in 2026 runs from Wednesday, September 2nd to Monday, September 7th, and is the municipality's most important own Volksfest — alongside the spring market on the last Sunday of April and the Christmas market in Advent.

Kerwasbuschen and -madli

In Franconia, Kirchweihen are traditionally carried by the 'Kerwasbuschen' (young unmarried men) and 'Kerwasmadli' (young unmarried women) of the town — a group that declares itself responsible for the organization and execution of the Kirchweih for one year. In Burghaslach, this tradition is alive: the Kerwasbuschen take care of the Kirchweih tree, the Madli of the festive attire, and both together of the musical program and the parade.

Program Elements of a Burghaslach Kirchweih

• Beer Tapping: on the opening evening (typically Saturday) by the mayor
• Festival Tent: with live music, Franconian cuisine, beer from a regional brewery
• Kerwasbaum / Plan Raising: on Saturday, traditional raising of the Kirchweih tree by the Kerwasbuschen
• Three Church Services: festive service on Kirchweih Sunday, plus other devotions
• Kirchweih Parade: on Sunday through the town
• Amusement Rides and Stalls: on the festival grounds for families and children
• Frühschoppen: on Sunday morning with brass music
• Schlachtschüssel: traditional Kirchweih dish of pork and side dishes
• Dancing: on the festival evenings

District Kirchweihen — All Summer Long

Burghaslach is a market town with numerous districts, each celebrating its own Kirchweih — at different dates spread throughout the summer and autumn:

• Oberrimbach: July 12th, 2026
• Gleißenberg: August 21st–23rd, 2026
• Seitenbuch: August 21st to September 1st, 2026 (one of the longest)
• Breitenlohe: September 2nd–7th, 2026 (parallel to the main Burghaslach Kirchweih)
• Burghaslach (Main Town): September 2nd–7th, 2026
• Kirchrimbach: October 11th, 2026
• Münchhof: October 23rd–26th, 2026

Anyone spending a weekend in Burghaslach can experience several Kirchweihen — depending on the date.

Steigerwald — The Quiet Wine Region

Burghaslach is located in the southern Steigerwald, a hilly, wooded low mountain range between Würzburg and Bamberg. The region is both wine and beer country (regional breweries like Greif from Forchheim, Engelhardt from Forchheim, or further south Franconian wineries), known for its quiet forests, hiking trails, small villages, and the famous Münsterschwarzach Abbey. A region that becomes particularly lively in September with its many Kirchweihen.