Kirchweih Heroldsberg-Großgeschaidt

Großgeschaidt – A District with its Own Festival Calendar

Großgeschaidt is one of the three districts of the market town Heroldsberg in the Erlangen-Höchstadt district, located on the northern edge of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. The district has a strong sense of independence and celebrates its own Kärwa independently of the larger Heroldsberg Kärwa in the main town (September). The Großgeschaidter Kärwa takes place annually at the beginning of July – in 2026, from Friday, July 3rd to Monday, July 6th.

Middle Franconian Kärwa Tradition

As is customary throughout Middle Franconia, the Ortsburschen and -madla – the village's volunteer youth association – organize the Kärwa. The program follows the classic four-day structure:

• Friday: Erection of the Kärwabaum (often on Thursday or Friday afternoon), evening opening in the festival tent with the first dance band
• Saturday: Grand dance evening with a Franconian dance band, Bockbier, and Franconian specialties
• Sunday: Kärwa parade through the district, followed by dancing in the festival tent – usually the busiest day
• Monday: Kerwaaustragen (in many Middle Franconian villages, Betzentanz) – the Ortsburschen take down the Kärwabaum, communal Krenfleischessen (horseradish meat meal), musical closing of the festival

Culinary Program

Middle Franconian Kärwa cuisine is hearty: Schäuferla (pork shoulder), Bratwürste (grilled sausages) from the region (often Nürnberger and Wieselburger), Krenfleisch (boiled pork with horseradish sauce), Sauerkraut (sauerkraut), Klöß (dumplings). Accompanied by Franconian beer from regional breweries – the area around Heroldsberg has a dense brewery landscape with breweries like Aufseß, Hetzelsdorf, and Buttenheim.

Location and Region

Großgeschaidt is located north of Heroldsberg and thus in the northernmost part of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, on the edge of the Franconian Switzerland. The market town of Heroldsberg is connected by the S-Bahn line S2 (Nuremberg–Altdorf). Middle Franconia, Bavaria – the region is known for its breweries, Kärwa tradition, and the famous Geuder family's Heroldsberg Castle.