Kirchweih Spardorf
Four days of Franconian Kerwa with tree raising and Betzenaustanzen
About Kärwa Spardorf
Franconian Kerwa in Middle Franconia
The Kirchweih Spardorf is the annual village fair of the small community of Spardorf in the Erlangen-Höchstadt district of Middle Franconia. As is the case throughout Franconia, the 'Kärwa' is much more than just a folk festival: it is a living tradition, upheld by the local heritage association and the Kirchweihverein Spardorf, with the local 'Kärwaburschen' and 'Kärwamadli' at its heart.
Raising the Festival Tree
A centerpiece of the Spardorf Kerwa is the traditional tree-raising ceremony: accompanied by music, the festival tree is brought to the fairground and then raised by the local young men using traditional methods—relying solely on muscle power and wooden poles known as 'Schwalben'. It is an emotional highlight for the entire village.
From Tapping the Keg to the Betzenaustanzen
The festival traditionally kicks off with the ceremonial tapping of the beer keg by the board members of the two associations. Throughout the festival, party bands and local brass ensembles perform in the marquee, complemented by an ecumenical church service and a traditional white sausage breakfast. The grand finale is the Betzenaustanzen—an ancient Franconian custom where couples dance around a bouquet until the music suddenly stops.
Marquee and Beer Garden
Celebrations take place in a marquee with an adjoining beer garden. The intimate atmosphere of a village festival, combined with a deep commitment to local customs, defines the charm of the Spardorf Kirchweih—a fixed date in the Franconian festival calendar of the Erlangen-Höchstadt district. The specific daily schedules and times for each year are announced by the associations shortly before the event.
Kärwa Spardorf — edition 2026
The 2026 Spardorf Kerwa is organized by the local heritage association and the Kirchweihverein Spardorf, running from July 18 to 21. True to Franconian tradition, the festival includes the ceremonial keg tapping, the fetching and raising of the festival tree by the 'Kärwaburschen', brass music in the marquee, and the traditional 'Betzenaustanzen' dance. The full schedule with daily timings for 2026 will be released by the organizers closer to the date; we will update this page as soon as it becomes official.
Programme Kärwa Spardorf 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 Kirchweih Spardorf, including specific daily schedules, times, and bands, has not yet been officially released. We will update this information as soon as it is announced by the organizers.
Confirmed: The Kerwa will take place from July 18 to 21, 2026, in the festival tent and beer garden in Spardorf. Admission is free. Traditional highlights include the keg tapping, the raising of the festival tree by the 'Kärwaburschen', brass music, and the 'Betzenaustanzen'. For the latest updates, please check the 'Spardorfer Burschen' Facebook page or the official Spardorf municipal event page.
Highlights Kärwa Spardorf 2026
Prices Kärwa Spardorf 2026
Practical information — Kärwa Spardorf
Getting There
Spardorf is located in the Erlangen-Höchstadt district, just a few kilometers east of Erlangen. It is accessible via the A3 motorway (Erlangen-Tennenlohe exit) and by bus from Erlangen. The marquee is located within the village.
Admission
Admission is free. Food and drinks are available for purchase in the marquee and beer garden.
Tip
The tree-raising by the local youth and the traditional Betzenaustanzen are the cultural highlights of the Spardorf Kerwa. Exact dates and times are published by the associations before the festival—it is best to check the Spardorfer Burschen Facebook page or the municipal website in advance.
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Where it takes place Kärwa Spardorf
Festzelt mit Biergarten Spardorf
Kärwa Spardorf at a glance
History of Kärwa Spardorf
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