Plankstadter Kerwe 2026

Four Days of Kurpfalz Kerwe in the Rhein-Neckar District

The Plankstadter Kerwe is one of the most traditional Kirchweihen (church consecration festivals) in the Kurpfalz region. For four days, the Gänsweid festival grounds in Plankstadt—located between Heidelberg and Schwetzingen—transform into a Volksfest (public festival) landscape with rides, club stalls, and stage programs. The event is organized by the municipality of Plankstadt together with local clubs, particularly the Plankstadter Carneval Club (PCC), the sports club, the fire department, and the Landfrauen.

Saturday, October 17th — Festival Kick-off with Parade and Barrel Tapping

The kick-off on Saturday at 2 PM features the traditional coffee and cake reception by the Plankstadt Landfrauen. At 3 PM, the Kerwe parade starts from the town hall, led by the music association and accompanied by Plankstadt clubs and kindergarten groups. Upon arrival at the festival grounds, the first "Kerwegänse"—plush mascots—are sold for social causes, followed by the tapping of the first beer barrel by the mayor. From 6 PM onwards, the band "The B'flats" takes over the main stage to accompany the festival evening.

Sunday, October 18th — Kerwe Brunch and DJ Program

Sunday is dedicated to the "hearty Kerwe breakfast"—from 11 AM, the festival caterer serves a substantial breakfast brunch (pretzels, sausages, cold cuts, cheese, eggs). From 1 PM to 5 PM, DJ Stefan Röger spins tunes on the main stage. Throughout the day, the rides—bumper cars, children's carousel, shooting gallery, Ferris wheel—operate on the Gänsweid festival grounds. Families traditionally use the afternoon for a Kerwe stroll.

Monday, October 19th — Weißwurst Morning Pint

Monday is the day for the classic Weißwurst morning pint, starting at 10 AM—a Bavarian-Swabian specialty with mustard, pretzel, and Weißbier (wheat beer), accompanied by DJ Michael Rösch. The morning pint is one of Plankstadt's most popular festival traditions, attracting regular guests from across the Rhein-Neckar district every year. The afternoon remains relaxed, and the festival grounds close in the late afternoon.

Tuesday Evening, October 20th — Kerweschlumbel Burning

The festival concludes on Tuesday evening with the burning of the "Kerweschlumbel" on the Gänsweid festival grounds—a symbolic figure made of straw, wood, and old clothes, which, following Carnival tradition, represents the spiritual burden of the year. The Plankstadt fire department oversees fire safety, and the PCC manages the ceremony. With the ashes of the Schlumbel, the Kerwe is symbolically ended.

Plankstadt — Garden City Between Heidelberg and Schwetzingen

Plankstadt, with around 10,000 inhabitants, is located in the Rhein-Neckar district and is part of the commuter belt around Heidelberg and Schwetzingen. The town is known for its asparagus fields, which, along with Schwetzingen asparagus, characterize the region. Besides the Sommertagsumzug (Summer Day Parade), the street festival in September, and the Christmas market in December, the Plankstadter Kerwe is the largest festival in the annual calendar—and plunges Plankstadt into a festive mood for four days.