Neuendettelsau Kirchweih
Five-day traditional Kirchweih with beer tapping, parade, and Kerwabaum in Franconian Romantikland
About Neuendettelsauer Kerwa
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Neuendettelsauer Kerwa al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Neuendettelsau — Diakonie Town in Romantic Franconia
Neuendettelsau is a municipality with around 8,000 inhabitants in the Middle Franconian district of Ansbach, located in Romantic Franconia between Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The town is known nationwide as the headquarters of Diakonie Neuendettelsau ("Mission EineWelt") — founded by Wilhelm Löhe in the 19th century — and for its theological college. Despite this diaconal-ecclesiastical character, the community cultivates vibrant traditions, which culminate in the annual Kirchweih.
Five-Day Festival Schedule
The Kerwa traditionally runs for five days around the first weekend of July: Thursday to Monday. The kick-off is the "Kerwa-Ausgraben" on Thursday — a Franconian custom where the "Kirchweihhans" is symbolically dug up, accompanied by Franconian roast in local inns and an initial shooting event at the train station. On Friday, the amusement park opens, a shooting competition takes place, and in the evening, the mayor and the festival host tap the official beer keg with brass music. Afterwards, the Kirchweihbaum is erected — a highlight of every Franconian Kerwa.
Parade and Kirchweihlauf on Sunday
Sunday is the highlight day: In the afternoon at 2:30 PM, the grand Kirchweih parade starts at Heilsbronner Straße / corner of Birkenhofstraße and proceeds via Heilsbronner-, Haupt-, Bahnhof-, and Rampenstraße back to Hauptstraße to the Löhehaus. Around 20 groups — traditional costume associations, music bands, floats, clubs — are participating. Registration for 2026 is required by April 30th at the latest via the municipality of Neuendettelsau. In parallel or in the morning, the Neuendettelsau Kirchweihlauf takes place, a DLV-certified 10 km road race with a regional profile. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Protestant St. Nikolai Church opens its doors for the "Open Church for Night Owls" format with Taizé music — a special feature that acknowledges the religious context of the Diakonie town.
Conclusion on Monday
Monday provides a relaxed conclusion with a cozy festival breakfast, music, and the last rides on the amusement park. Residents of Neuendettelsau and guests from the entire Ansbach district use the day to come together again without the hustle and bustle of the weekend. With the "Kerwa-Eingraben" (Kerwa burying) late Monday afternoon, the Kirchweih officially ends — until the next first weekend of July.
Neuendettelsauer Kerwa — edition 2026
Kerwa 2026 in Neuendettelsau
From July 3rd to 7th, 2026, Neuendettelsau will once again transform into a Franconian festival village. The Neuendettelsau Kirchweih follows the traditional five-day program around the first weekend of July, with the highlight on Sunday.
Thursday: Kerwa-Ausgraben, Franconian roast in the inns, shooting at the train station. Friday: Opening of the amusement park, beer tapping with brass music, raising of the Kirchweihbaum. Saturday and Sunday: Festival tent with live music, morning pint, and Kerwa meal. Sunday 2:30 PM: Grand Kirchweih parade with around 20 groups from the beginning of Heilsbronner Straße to the Löhehaus. Parallel: Kirchweihlauf (10 km DLV). Monday: Relaxed festival conclusion with morning pint.
Programme Neuendettelsauer Kerwa 2026
Thursday, July 2, 2026 — Kick-off
- Kerwa-Ausgraben with Kirchweihhans
- Franconian roast in the inns
- Shooting at the train station
Friday, July 3, 2026 — Beer Tapping
- Opening of the amusement park
- Shooting competition at the train station
- Evening: Beer tapping with brass music
- Raising of the Kirchweihbaum
- Evening: Open Church for Night Owls in St. Nikolai with Taizé music
Saturday, July 4, 2026
- Festival operations on the fairgrounds
- Evening: Dance night in the festival tent
- Open Church St. Nikolai with Taizé music
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — Main Festival Day
- Morning: Festival service, Kirchweihlauf (10 km DLV)
- 2:30 PM: Kirchweih parade with approx. 20 groups (Start Heilsbronner Straße / Birkenhofstraße)
- Evening: Festival tent program
Monday, July 6, 2026 — Conclusion
- Cozy festival breakfast
- Live music and amusement park
- Kerwa-Eingraben
Parade registration by April 30, 2026, via neuendettelsau.eu.
Highlights Neuendettelsauer Kerwa 2026
- Five-day Kerwa with Franconian customs
- Kerwa-Ausgraben on Thursday
- Beer tapping and Kirchweihbaum raising on Friday
- Grand Kirchweih parade on Sunday at 2:30 PM
- Kirchweihlauf (10 km DLV race)
- "Open Church for Night Owls" in St. Nikolai with Taizé music
Prices Neuendettelsauer Kerwa 2026
Admission to the Kerwa and parade is free. Food and drinks in the festival tent and inns are at typical Franconian Kerwa prices: Half a liter of beer approx. 4 EUR, Bratwurst from 4 EUR, Franconian roast from 12 EUR. Kirchweihlauf starting fee upon registration via runme.de.
Practical information — Neuendettelsauer Kerwa
Getting There
Neuendettelsau is located on the B 14 between Ansbach and Nuremberg. The train station is on the Nuremberg–Würzburg DB line (regional trains). It's a short walk from the station to the festival grounds. By car, take the A 6 (Nuremberg–Heilbronn), exit Ansbach/Lichtenau or Heilsbronn.
Parade Registration
Clubs, floats, and traditional costume groups can register for the Sunday parade by April 30th, 2026, at the latest with the municipality of Neuendettelsau. Details on neuendettelsau.eu.
Kirchweihlauf
10 km DLV-certified road race on Sunday. Registration via runme.de or directly with the organizer. The route goes through Neuendettelsau and the surrounding area.
Admission
Admission to the Kirchweih and the parade is free. Food and drinks in the festival tent and inns are at typical Kerwa prices.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Neuendettelsauer Kerwa al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Neuendettelsauer Kerwa
Hauptstraße, Bahnhof, Löhehaus, St. Nikolai
Ortsmitte Neuendettelsau, 91564 Neuendettelsau