Name: Kirchweih Schwaig bei Nürnberg 2026
Start: 2026-07-17T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-20T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Kirchweihplatz Am Bahndamm Schwaig

Kärwa Schwaig

About Kärwa Schwaig

On the third weekend of July, the Am Bahndamm festival grounds in Schwaig bei Nürnberg transform into a classic Franconian Kirchweih (church consecration festival) site. The Schwaiger Kärwa is one of the largest Kirchweihen in the Nürnberger Land district and combines a festival tent, amusement park, Kärwaboum (Kirchweih lads), and Madla (girls) in the traditional choreography of beer tapping, raising the Kirchweih tree, and Sunday morning pint. Organized by the municipality of Schwaig together with local clubs, the Kärwa is an integral part of the summer program in the Middle Franconian district of Nürnberger Land.

Dates 17 Jul — 20 Jul 2026

Venue Schwaig b.Nürnberg (09574)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Kärwa Schwaig — edition 2026

The Schwaiger Kirchweih 2026 is scheduled for the third weekend of July, from July 17 to 20, at the Am Bahndamm festival grounds – as Franconian tradition dictates. The festival tent, amusement park, Kärwaboum, and the traditional beer tapping on Friday evening define the four days of celebration. Free admission to the festival grounds.

The 2026 edition of the Schwaiger Kirchweih is planned for the third weekend of July. As every year, the festival begins on Friday afternoon with the opening parade, a concert by the town band, and the ceremonial beer tapping in the early evening. On Saturday, the Kärwaboum will erect the Kirchweih tree in the festival grounds around noon, and in the evening, a live band will play in the festival tent.

Sunday and Monday offer the traditional ecumenical festival service, the morning pint, and a family afternoon with discounted rides. The exact dates and program details will be published in spring 2026 on the municipal website schwaig.de.

Highlights Kärwa Schwaig 2026

Beer tapping on Friday evening, Kärwaboum erecting the Kirchweih tree on Saturday, tree dance on Sunday, family day on Monday with discounts.

Programme Kärwa Schwaig 2026

Planned Schedule (4 festival days – detailed program for 2026 to be published in spring)

Friday

Afternoon — Opening of the festival grounds, amusement park with discounted ride prices
Concert by the Röthenbach town band at the town hall
Ceremonial parade to the festival grounds with shooting clubs
Beer tapping by the mayor of Schwaig in the large festival tent
Evening concert in the festival tent

Saturday

2:00 PM — Erection of the Kirchweih tree by the Kärwaboum
Evening — Live dance music in the festival tent

Sunday

10:00 AM — Ecumenical service
11:00 AM — Morning pint with brass music and accordion
Afternoon — Tree dance by the Kärwaboum and Madla
Evening — Festival tent operation with live band

Monday

2:00 PM–6:00 PM — Family day with discounted rides
Winding down in the festival tent

Exact dates and bands will be published on schwaig.de.

Prices Kärwa Schwaig 2026

Free admission to the festival grounds. Rides and festival tent operations are subject to charges at usual rates. Family day on Monday with discounted ride prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Kärwa Schwaig

Getting There

By S-Bahn: S1 from Nuremberg Central Station, stop Schwaig (15 minutes). Approx. 5 minutes walk from the station to the festival grounds. By car: A3 (exit Nuremberg-Mögeldorf), paid parking available in the vicinity.

Admission

Free admission to the festival grounds. Rides and consumption in the festival tent are subject to charges.

Festival Tent

Open from 2:00 PM (Friday), from noon on Saturday and Sunday.

The Schwaiger Kärwa

Schwaig bei Nürnberg is located just one S-Bahn stop east of the Nuremberg city limits in the Nürnberger Land district. The annual Kirchweih, alongside the Behringersdorfer Kärwa (June), is the municipality's second major local festival and is considered a reliable program point for families, clubs, and regulars' tables from the entire region in the Nuremberg area.

Am Bahndamm Festival Grounds

The Am Bahndamm festival grounds are centrally located and easily accessible from Nuremberg by S-Bahn line S1 in just a few minutes. For four days, there is a large festival tent with live music and a dance floor, an amusement park with rides, a selection of food stalls, and the famous Kirchweih tree, which is traditionally erected by the Kärwaboum on Saturday.

Tradition and Program

The Franconian Kirchweih follows a set choreography: beer tapping on Friday, raising the Kirchweih tree on Saturday, ecumenical service and morning pint on Sunday, and family day on Monday with discounted rides. The days are accompanied by music bands, shooting clubs, and the appearance of the Kärwaboum, who keep the tradition alive in their traditional costumes.

Kirchweih Cultural Heritage

The Franconian Kirchweih is registered as intangible cultural heritage in the Bavarian state inventory and is considered an identity-forming summer ritual in Middle Franconia and the Upper Palatinate. In Schwaig, the Kärwaboum have particularly contributed to the preservation of traditional costumes, dances, and songs.