Kirchweih Leutenbach

Leutenbach in Franconian Switzerland

Leutenbach is a municipality in the district of Forchheim with around 1740 inhabitants, picturesquely located between Erlangen and Bayreuth at the foot of the Walberla. The municipality is a member of the administrative community of Kirchehrenbach and belongs to the Franconian Switzerland – Veldensteiner Forst Nature Park. Here, the Kerwasburschen Leutenbach celebrate their Kirchweih on the second October weekend every year – one of the most popular Kerwen around the Walberla.

Tree Raising, Dance, and Traditional Costume

As Franconian tradition dictates, the Kerwabaum (Kirchweih tree) is erected on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.: The Kerwasburschen march out of the forest with a brass band, the tree decorated with ribbons is lifted into the tree hole and erected with combined effort. Afterwards, the celebration continues in the festival tent at the old sports field in Ehrenbürgstraße until late into the night. The Leutenbacher Musikanten traditionally play during the Frühschoppen (morning pint) times.

Four Days of Kerwa

The Kirchweih extends from Friday to Monday – with opening ceremony, dance evenings, festival service, and the traditional Kerwastanz (Kirchweih dance). Bands like BayernMafia and Chicolores get the festival tent rocking. On Monday, the festival concludes with the Frühschoppen by the Leutenbacher Musikanten and the Kerwa finale.

Around the Walberla

Leutenbach is one of the classic Kirchweih locations around the Walberla: Schlaifhausen, Wiesenthau, Kirchehrenbach, Mittel- and Oberehrenbach celebrate their Kerwa in the same season. A high festival of Franconian festival culture – the "Kerwa was and is something special, especially in the small villages of Franconian Switzerland".