Kirchweih Raitenbuch
Traditional Altmühlfranken Kirchweih in Raitenbuch in the Jura
About Raitenbucher Kerwa
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On the Franconian Jura Plateau
Raitenbuch is located at about 600 meters above sea level on the Franconian Alb, southeast of Weißenburg in Bavaria and north of the Altmühltal. Just under 1,000 people live in the main village and its districts around the wide Jura basin — a typical Altmühlfranken highland community in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district, in the Middle Franconia region.
Four Days of Kerwa Tradition
In Raitenbuch, the Kirchweih is still celebrated according to old customs over four days, from Friday to Monday around the third Sunday in October. The focus is on the festival tent with the ceremonial tapping of the first keg, brass music from Franconian bands, the wedding march of the Kirwa couples, and on Sunday, the traditional church service followed by a morning pint (Frühschoppen). The festivities are accompanied by small carousels, candy stalls, and the classic combination of a beer stein and bratwurst at the festival grounds.
What Makes the Raitenbucher Kerwa Special
- Kirwa Couples: The young men and women of the village form couples in traditional costume during these days, performing the traditional Reihtanz (a type of folk dance) around the Kirwabaum (Kirwa tree).
- High Franconian Brass Music: Bands from the surrounding area (Nennslingen, Bergen, Solnhofen) take turns playing in the festival tent — from hearty marches on Sunday to polka and Schlager evenings on Saturday.
- Bratwurst from the Charcoal Grill: The Franconian sausages from local butchers are a staple of the program — usually served on the famous sliced roll (Weckla).
- Family Program: During the day, a children's carousel, a shooting gallery, and a modest festival area invite families from the surrounding villages.
Embedded in the Altmühlfranken Kirchweih Season
Raitenbuch traditionally marks the late October period in the region's dense Kirchweih calendar. The Nordbayerische Zeitung annually lists the Kerwa dates between Treuchtlingen, Pleinfeld, Gunzenhausen, and Pappenheim — Raitenbuch is included in the 'late autumn wave', when the inns on the Jura celebrate boisterously one last time after the harvest season before the long winter evenings begin.
Raitenbucher Kerwa — edition 2026
Four Days of Altmühlfranken Tradition
The 2026 Kirchweih in Raitenbuch follows the classic pattern of a Middle Franconian autumn Kirchweih: ceremonial tapping of the keg on Friday, dance evening on Saturday, church service and morning pint on Sunday, and winding down on 'Kerwa Monday'.
Program Pillars
The festival tent on the outskirts is set up at the beginning of October. The program includes the ceremonial tapping of the keg on Friday, a dance band on Saturday, the traditional festive service of the Catholic parish on Sunday, and a quiet winding down on Monday evening. The exact bands and start times are traditionally announced by the municipality and the Nennslingen administrative association in good time before the festival.
Programme Raitenbucher Kerwa 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
- Evening: Ceremonial tapping of the keg in the festival tent on the outskirts, opening with brass music
Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Evening: Dance evening with band, Reihtanz of the Kirwa couples at the Kirwabaum
Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Morning: Festive service of the Catholic parish
- Following: Morning pint (Frühschoppen) in the festival tent with brass music
- Afternoon: Family program, carousels, and stalls at the festival grounds
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Kerwa Monday: quiet winding down with inn entertainment and Kerwa music
Detailed program (band names, start times) will be published by the municipality of Raitenbuch and the Nennslingen administrative association in good time before the festival.
Highlights Raitenbucher Kerwa 2026
- Ceremonial tapping of the keg in the festival tent
- Reihtanz of the Raitenbuch Kirwa couples at the Kirwabaum
- Festive service and morning pint on Sunday
- Carousels, shooting gallery, and candy stalls at the festival grounds
Prices Raitenbucher Kerwa 2026
Free admission. Food and drinks at festival prices. Payment in cash at stalls and the bar.
Practical information — Raitenbucher Kerwa
Getting There
By car: Take the B2 from Nuremberg towards Weißenburg, turn off for Raitenbuch/Nennslingen. Parking is available on the outskirts of the village. By public transport: Train to Treuchtlingen or Weißenburg, then bus via VGN lines towards Nennslingen/Raitenbuch.
On Site
The festival grounds and tent are located very close to the village center. The village inns are open throughout the Kirchweih. Cash payment at stalls and the bar.
Accommodation
Private rooms and small guesthouses in Raitenbuch and the neighboring villages of Bergen, Nennslingen, Solnhofen.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Raitenbucher Kerwa
Dorfmitte Raitenbuch