Name: Kirchweih Schneckenlohe 2026
Start: 2026-09-11T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Ortsmitte Schneckenlohe

Kerwa Schneckenlohe

About Kerwa Schneckenlohe

In mid-September, the Upper Franconian village of Schneckenlohe celebrates its traditional Kirchweih – a four-day Volksfest (public festival) with a parade, festival tent, Kirwabaum (Maypole-like tree), and dancing. The event is organized by the municipality of Schneckenlohe and VfR Schneckenlohe, which kicks off the festivities with its 'Kerwa-Event'. The Kerwa is a major social highlight of the year in the Frankenwald region of the Kronach district, combining tradition, dancing, and conviviality in one place.

Dates 11 Sep — 14 Sep 2026

Venue Schneckenlohe (09476)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Kerwa Schneckenlohe — edition 2026

The Kirchweih Schneckenlohe 2026 takes place from Friday, September 11 to Monday, September 14. On the opening day, VfR Schneckenlohe hosts its traditional Kerwa-Event. The weekend features a parade, the Kirchweihbaum, a festive church service, and festival tent operations, concluding with Kerwamontag.

From September 11 to 14, 2026, Schneckenlohe transforms into the festival village of the weekend. On Friday, VfR Schneckenlohe opens the festivities with its 'Kerwa-Event' – including beer tapping, a welcome speech, and musical accompaniment. Saturday focuses on the raising of the Kirchweihbaum in the town center, while Sunday marks the main celebration day with a parade, a festive church service, and a grand program in the festival tent. Kerwamontag traditionally brings a relaxed conclusion with a Frühschoppen and lunch.

Highlights Kerwa Schneckenlohe 2026

VfR Schneckenlohe's Kerwa-Event on Friday — Raising of the Kirchweihbaum on Saturday — Festive church service and parade on Sunday — Kerwamontag with Frühschoppen.

Programme Kerwa Schneckenlohe 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

Evening — VfR Schneckenlohe's Kerwa-Event in the festival tent with beer tapping and music

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Daytime — Raising of the Kirchweihbaum in the town center
Evening — Festival tent atmosphere with live music

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Morning — Festive church service
Midday — Parade through Schneckenlohe
Afternoon/Evening — Festival tent program, brass band music, Franconian specialties

Monday, September 14, 2026 (Kerwamontag)

Morning — Kerwa Frühschoppen
Midday — Communal lunch in the tent
Afternoon — Relaxed conclusion

A detailed program will be announced shortly before the Kerwa by the municipality of Schneckenlohe and VfR on their respective club pages and in the local newsletter.

Prices Kerwa Schneckenlohe 2026

Admission to the festival tent and grounds is free. Food, drinks, and catering are available at club prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Kerwa Schneckenlohe

Getting There

By car: Take the A73 motorway, exit at Eisenach-Coburg, then proceed via Kronach to Schneckenlohe. Follow signs in the town center to the festival grounds.

Admission

Free. Food and drinks at club prices.

Contact

Municipality of Schneckenlohe, website schneckenlohe.de. VfR Schneckenlohe for club-related inquiries about the Kerwa-Event.

Franconian Kerwa in the Kronach District

The Kirchweih – Franconian dialect for Kerwa or Kärwa – is the most important traditional festival of the year in the Frankenwald and the Kronach district. It commemorates the consecration of the village church or its patron saint's day and has evolved over centuries into a multi-day Volksfest. In Schneckenlohe, a small municipality in the northernmost part of Upper Franconia, bordering Thuringia, the Kerwa lasts from Friday to Monday and involves practically the entire village life.

Municipality and VfR Organize Together

The organizers are the Municipality of Schneckenlohe and VfR Schneckenlohe, the local sports club, which traditionally kicks off the festival with its 'Kerwa-Event' on the first day. Club members tap the first keg, manage the catering, and organize the program, which runs from the opening to the conclusion on Kerwamontag (Kirchweih Monday). Throughout the weekend, other clubs and volunteers from the village also participate.

Tradition: Parade, Tree Raising, Dancing

The schedule follows the Franconian Kerwa ritual: Opening on Friday evening with a gathering in the festival tent, followed on Saturday by the raising of the Kirchweihbaum – a tree trunk decorated with wreaths and ribbons is erected vertically using sheer muscle power. Sunday is the main celebration day with a church service, a parade, and a grand program in the festival tent. On Kerwamontag, the festival concludes in a relaxed manner with a Frühschoppen (morning pint) and lunch.

Schneckenlohe – Gateway to the Frankenwald

Schneckenlohe is located about 15 kilometers north of Kronach in the rolling hills of the Frankenwald, not far from the border with Thuringia and the former GDR. The region has preserved its Kerwa tradition in its unadulterated form. Those seeking to experience Franconian customs away from the tourist hotspots will find an authentic village festival here, complete with festival tent atmosphere, well-kept brass band music, and the typical Franconian blend of piety and sociability.