Kirchweih Mühlhausen (Kerwa)

Mühlhausen — Carp Land Aischgrund

The market town of Mühlhausen is located in the Aischgrund region of the Franconian district of Erlangen-Höchstadt, one of Europe's oldest carp farming regions. The centuries-old pond farming shapes the landscape and culinary culture of the region — over 8,000 carp ponds are located around Höchstadt, Mühlhausen, and Vestenbergsgreuth. The carp season traditionally runs from the beginning of September to Easter, and the Mühlhausen Kerwa coincides precisely with the season's start.

A Kirchweih as the "Fifth Season"

The residents of Mühlhausen affectionately call their Kirchweih the "fifth season" — an expression of the special significance of this festival in the annual local life. During these four festival days, the market square "is reserved for the residents and guests from near and far as an undisturbed meeting place," as the municipality states. Traffic is rerouted, and the festival takes over the entire town center.

Carousels, Market, and Fried Carp

The festival program follows the typical Franconian Kerwa tradition: beer tapping on Thursday evening, a parade on Saturday, a morning pint on Sunday, and Family Day on Monday with the large flea market. Carousels and amusement rides for children and adults are set up on the market square for four days. The culinary highlight is the first fried carp of the season — a Franconian specialty that is ritually served during the Kerwa and attracts thousands of carp lovers from all over the Aischgrund.

Traditional Vereinsfest (Club Festival)

The festival is organized by the market town of Mühlhausen, with local clubs organizing the individual program points. Young men's associations, the fire department, the music band, and the sports club share the tasks — a typical Franconian club structure that has kept the festival alive for generations. Every two years, in December, a Christmas market is also held on the market square — a second peak in Mühlhausen's annual festival calendar.