Kirchweih St. Vitus Hirschaid

The Main Kirchweih of the Market Town

Hirschaid is a market town in the Bamberg district, located on the Regnitz river between the Franconian brewery strongholds of Bamberg and Forchheim. Economically, the town benefits from its location on the A73 motorway, while culturally, it thrives on its active club structure — the St. Vitus Kirchweih has been an anchor of identity for generations.

Seven Kirchweihen per Year

What makes Hirschaid special: Throughout the year, the market town's districts celebrate seven different Kirchweihen, each associated with a patron church. The St. Vitus Kirchweih in the main town is the official main Kirchweih and concludes the season:

• Röbersdorf Kirchweih — June 12–14
• Erlach Kirchweih — July 3–5
• Sassanfahrt Kirchweih — July 17–19
• St. Johannis Regnitzau — August 1–2
• Friesen Kirchweih — August 8–10
• Seigendorf Kirchweih — August 29–31
• St. Vitus Hirschaid (Main Kirchweih) — September 4–7

The Traditional Schedule

• Friday — Kerwa Kick-off: Raising of the Kirchweih tree, beer tapping, festival tent opening
• Saturday — Festival Day with Kirchweih Procession: the grand Kirchweih procession with traditional costume groups, music bands, and flag delegations parades through the market town; in the evening, live music in the festival tent
• Sunday — Festival Service and Family Day: Festive mass in the parish church of St. Vitus, followed by a morning pint with brass music, extensive family program at the amusement rides
• Monday — Kehraus (Farewell): last festival tent day with closing ceremony

Saint Vitus as Patron

Saint Vitus (Veit), celebrated on June 15, is the patron saint of several communities in Franconia and the Upper Palatinate. In Hirschaid, the parish church bears his name — although the main festival is moved to the beginning of September for organizational and tourist reasons (outside the summer holidays, with good weather, and linked to the harvest festival tradition of the rural region).