Kirchweih Grafenwiesen – Kirtabaum and Parish Festival
Raising of the Kirtabaum and Parish Festival in the Bavarian Forest
About Grafenwiesen Kirta
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Grafenwiesen Kirta al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
A Vibrant Bavarian Forest Tradition
The Kirchweih in Grafenwiesen is one of those Bavarian traditional festivals that have retained their authenticity because they are maintained without being co-opted for tourism. The festival is organized by the Heimat- und Volkstrachtenverein „Regentaler" Grafenwiesen (Local and Folk Costume Club), which has been erecting the Kirchweihbaum, preserving historical dances, and co-organizing the Parish Festival for generations.
The Kirtabaum – A Year-Long Landmark
The Kirtabaum (Kirchweihbaum) is a tall, decorated pole erected one week after Pentecost – on the Saturday before Trinity Sunday. Accompanied by the costume club and the brass band of the volunteer fire department, the pole is pulled to the village square by a horse-drawn carriage. After it's erected, the youth of the costume club perform dances around the pole, accompanied by an accordion. The pole remains standing until the end of September, serving as a visible landmark of Grafenwiesen for almost four months.
Parish Festival in the Kurpark
On Sunday, the Parish Festival takes place in the Kurpark – featuring a festive church service, a morning pint (Frühschoppen), Bavarian inn cuisine, and a cozy get-together under the shade of the park trees. The Grafenwiesen parish organizes the festival with the help of local clubs and parish staff.
Grafenwiesen – Health Resort in the Bavarian Forest
Grafenwiesen is a municipality of around 1,700 inhabitants in the Cham district (Upper Palatinate, Bavaria), at the foot of the Bavarian Forest mountains near the Czech border. Its location between the Bavarian Forest mountains and the Regen valley makes Grafenwiesen a popular health resort. The intact tradition of the "Regentaler" costume club and the lovingly maintained customs attract guests interested in living traditions beyond tourist spectacles.
Grafenwiesen Kirta — edition 2026
Pentecost and Kirchweih
As Pentecost 2026 falls on May 31, Trinity Sunday is June 7, 2026. Therefore, the Kirtabaum raising is on Saturday, June 6, 2026, and the Parish Festival is on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
The Kirtabaum Parade
At 4:00 PM, the parade sets off from the station: the Kirtabaum, adorned with ribbons, wreaths, and symbols, pulled by a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by the "Regentaler" costume club, representatives of other Grafenwiesen clubs, and the brass band of the Grafenwiesen volunteer fire department. At the village square, the pole is traditionally erected without mechanical aid – using poles and muscle power. Afterwards, the youth of the costume club perform their dances around the pole, accompanied by an accordion.
Programme Grafenwiesen Kirta 2026
Saturday, June 6, 2026 – Kirtabaum Raising
- 4:00 PM — Parade from the station to the village square with the Kirtabaum, horse-drawn carriage, "Regentaler" costume club, FFW brass band, other clubs
- Following — Erection of the Kirtabaum without mechanical aid
- Afterwards — Dances by the costume club youth around the Kirchweihbaum, accordion accompaniment
- Evening — Social festivities at the village square
Sunday, June 7, 2026 – Parish Festival in the Kurpark
- Morning — Festive church service by the parish
- Morning Pint (Frühschoppen) — with Bavarian inn cuisine and beer
- Afternoon — Festival activities in the Kurpark, games for children, coffee and cake
Lasting Tradition
The Kirtabaum remains standing in the village square until the end of September.
Highlights Grafenwiesen Kirta 2026
- Kirtabaum raising in traditional craftsmanship (no machinery)
- "Regentaler" costume club with youth dances around the pole
- Horse-drawn carriage in the parade from the station to the village square
- Parish Festival in the Kurpark on Sunday
- Kirtabaum remains standing until the end of September
Prices Grafenwiesen Kirta 2026
Free admission to all festival events. Food and drinks available at the stalls.
Practical information — Grafenwiesen Kirta
Getting There
By car: A 93 Regensburg–Hof, exit Cham-Süd, then B 85 towards Bad Kötzting and Grafenwiesen. By train: Lam station, then bus or rental car.
Admission
Free admission to the Kirtabaum raising and the Parish Festival. Food and drinks available at the stalls.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Grafenwiesen Kirta al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Grafenwiesen Kirta
Dorfplatz und Kurpark Grafenwiesen
Dorfplatz / Kurpark, 93479 Grafenwiesen