Kirchweih Höttingen
Traditional Middle Franconian Kirchweih in the district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen
About Kärwa Höttingen
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Middle Franconian Kärwa Tradition
Höttingen is located in southern Middle Franconia, in the district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen (Bavaria), between the Altmühltal and the Franconian Lake District. With around 1,100 inhabitants (main town and districts combined), it is a classic Franconian rural community. The annual Kirchweih is one of the oldest customs in the village — the exact beginnings are shrouded in mystery, but it is certain that the Kärwa has been celebrated for generations on the second weekend in October.
What makes the Höttinger Kärwa special
The Franconian Kirchweih follows a set schedule: Beer tapping in the festival tent on Thursday or Friday, the ceremonial raising of the Kärwabaum by the Kärwabuam (young men responsible for the pole) on Saturday, the festival service and the Betzentanz (a dance where a wooden figure serves as a prize) on Sunday. Throughout the days: shooting gallery, candy stalls, swing boat, and children's carousel.
Höttingen Specialty: the Kirchweihbär
A local tradition is the 'Kirchweihbär' (Kirchweih bear) — a costumed figure that parades through the village, reminding people of the Kirchweih custom. Höttingen is one of the few Middle Franconian villages that keeps this figure alive today. Local newspapers such as StaZ and Nordbayerische Nachrichten regularly report on it.
Location and Arrival
Höttingen is located directly on the B2 federal highway between Weißenburg and Nuremberg. The Pleinfeld train station (3 km away) is on the Nuremberg-Munich line. Visitors from further afield often combine their Kärwa visit with an excursion to the Franconian Lake District (Brombachsee, Altmühlsee).
Kärwa Höttingen — edition 2026
Höttinger Kärwa 2026
In 2026, the Höttinger Kärwa will again stick to its fixed date on the second weekend of October. The dates are listed in the 2026 Kirchweih overview for the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district (Nordbayerische Nachrichten) and in the official event calendar of the municipality of Höttingen.
What awaits visitors
- Beer tapping on Friday evening in the festival tent
- Raising of the Kärwabaum on Saturday afternoon by the Kärwabuam
- Festival service on Sunday, followed by the Betzentanz around the pole
- Morning pint and family program on Monday
- Shooting gallery, swing boat, and children's carousel on the festival grounds
- Appearance of the traditional Höttingen Kirchweihbär
Programme Kärwa Höttingen 2026
Planned Schedule 2026
Friday, October 9th
- Evening — Beer tapping in the festival tent by the mayor
- Subsequently — Dancing with live music
Saturday, October 10th
- Afternoon — Raising of the Kärwabaum with the Kärwabuam
- Evening — Festival in the tent with band program
Sunday, October 11th
- Morning — Festival service
- Afternoon — Betzentanz around the Kärwabaum, family activities, appearance of the Kirchweihbär
- Evening — Dancing in the festival tent
Monday, October 12th
- Morning pint and winding down of the Kärwa
Detailed hourly schedules will be published in advance on hoettingen.de and on the channels of the Höttingen Volunteer Fire Department.
Highlights Kärwa Höttingen 2026
- Beer tapping in the festival tent on Friday
- Raising of the Kärwabaum on Saturday
- Betzentanz and festival service on Sunday
- Traditional Höttinger Kirchweihbär
Prices Kärwa Höttingen 2026
Free admission to the festival grounds and tent. Food (Franconian dishes, festival beer) available on site.
Practical information — Kärwa Höttingen
Getting There
By car via the B2 (Nuremberg-Augsburg), exit Höttingen or Pleinfeld. By train to Pleinfeld, then a short bus or taxi connection.
Admission
Free admission to the festival grounds and the beer tent. Food, drinks, and rides are paid for individually.
Families
Classic village Kärwa, child-friendly. Middle Franconian dishes such as Schweinsbraten, Schäuferla, Bratwürste (sausages), and sweet Schmalznudeln (doughnuts) are available on site.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Kärwa Höttingen
Festplatz und Wirtshäuser im Ortskern
Ortsmitte Höttingen, 91798 Höttingen