Kirchweih Spardorf
Four days of Franconian Kerwa with tree raising and Betzenaustanzen
About Kärwa Spardorf
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Franconian Kerwa in Middle Franconia
The Kirchweih Spardorf is the annual Kerwa of the small community of Spardorf in the Erlangen-Höchstadt district in Middle Franconia. As everywhere in Franconia, the "Kärwa" is far more than a folk festival: it is lived custom, carried by the Verein zur örtlichen Brauchtumspflege (Association for the Preservation of Local Customs) and the Kirchweihverein Spardorf, with the Kärwaburschen and Kärwamadli at the center.
Bringing in and Raising the Tree
The centerpiece is the traditional Baumeinholen (bringing in the tree) on Saturday afternoon: accompanied by music, the Kirchweihbaum is brought to the festival grounds and then raised by the Spardorf Kärwaburschen in the old tradition – using only muscle power and "swallows". It is the emotional highlight for the village.
From Beer Tapping to Betzenaustanzen
The Kerwa opens on Friday evening with the beer tapping by the mayor, together with the chairmen of the two associations. Over the weekend, party bands and Franconian ensembles play in the festival tent. On Sunday, there is an ecumenical service with a brass choir and a Weißwurst breakfast. The traditional conclusion on Monday is the Betzenaustanzen – an old Franconian custom where the Kärwaburschen and their Madli dance around a bouquet until the music suddenly stops.
Festival Tent and Beer Garden
The celebration takes place in the festival tent with a beer garden. The family atmosphere of a village festival, combined with the deep-rooted customs, makes Spardorf's Kirchweih so appealing – an event firmly anchored in the Franconian Kirchweih calendar of the Erlangen-Höchstadt district.
Kärwa Spardorf — edition 2026
Spardorf's Kerwa 2026 is organized by the Association for the Preservation of Local Customs and the Kirchweihverein Spardorf and runs from July 18 to 21. It opens on Friday evening with the beer tapping by Mayor Andreas Wasielewski. On Saturday, the Kirchweihbaum will be brought in and raised in the old tradition, while Sunday features an ecumenical service and Weißwurst breakfast, followed by the traditional Betzenaustanzen on Monday. Party bands and Franconian ensembles will provide music throughout the days.
Programme Kärwa Spardorf 2026
Friday, July 18, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Beer tapping by the mayor with the chairmen of the Association for the Preservation of Local Customs and the Kirchweihverein, followed by a party band in the festival tent
Saturday, July 19, 2026
- approx. 3:30 PM — Bringing in the tree with musical accompaniment
- 4:00 PM — Raising of the Kirchweihbaum by the Spardorf Kärwaburschen in the old tradition
- 7:00 PM — Party band ("Dochrinna" style) in the festival tent
Sunday, July 20, 2026
- 9:30 AM — Ecumenical service with brass choir and children's service in the festival tent
- afterwards — Weißwurst breakfast with brass music
- afternoon — Children's program and festival activities
Monday, July 21, 2026
- morning — Frühschoppen with brass music, children's program
- afternoon — Franconian ensemble in the festival tent
- approx. 6:00 PM — Traditional Betzenaustanzen by the Kärwaburschen and Kärwamadli
- evening — Party band ("Prosit Buam" style), Kerwa concludes
The exact band names and times for 2026 will be announced by the associations shortly before the Kerwa; the schedule presented here follows the proven structure of Spardorf's Kirchweih over many years.
Highlights Kärwa Spardorf 2026
Prices Kärwa Spardorf 2026
Practical information — Kärwa Spardorf
Getting There
Spardorf is located in the Erlangen-Höchstadt district, a few kilometers east of Erlangen. Accessible via the A3 (Erlangen-Tennenlohe exit) and bus lines from Erlangen. The festival tent is located in the village.
Admission
Admission is free. Food and drinks are available in the festival tent and beer garden.
Tip
The tree raising on Saturday afternoon and the Betzenaustanzen on Monday evening are the highlights of the customs – anyone who wants to experience Franconian Kerwa tradition should come at these times.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Kärwa Spardorf al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Kärwa Spardorf
Festzelt mit Biergarten Spardorf