Sondernheimer Kerwe
Tradition since 1565 — four-day Kerwe on the 3rd Sunday in August with festival tent, Kerwerede, and a colorful club program
About Sondernheimer Kerwe
The Sondernheimer Kerwe, with its documented tradition since 1565, is one of the oldest recorded Kerwen in the entire Palatinate. Sondernheim, now a district of Germersheim, was an independent municipality for centuries before joining the city of Germersheim after World War II. The Kerwe has since been preserved in its original form and is still deliberately celebrated today as a district festival rather than a core city festival.
Tradition and Significance
The unbroken tradition since the 16th century is a small sensation in Germany's festival culture. While many Kerwen have been abandoned or transformed over the centuries, the Sondernheimer Kerwe has survived in its basic structure — as a patronal festival of the local parish church, as a club festival, and as a social gathering point.
Venue and Program
The festival grounds are located in front of the Tulla School, named after the Baden water engineer Johann Gottfried Tulla. A central festival tent, pavilions of the local clubs, a stage, and possibly amusement rides for families are spread across the grounds. The program includes classic Kerwe elements: beer tapping for the opening, dance evenings with live music or a DJ, a morning pint with brass music on Sunday, the Kerwerede by the Kerweborsch, and a family program.
Catering
Classic Palatinate fare: Bratwurst, steak, Saumagen (pig's stomach stuffed with pork and other ingredients), Leberknödel (liver dumplings), fries, salads, accompanied by draft Kerwe beer and Palatinate wine.
Sondernheimer Kerwe — edition 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published in advance by the City of Germersheim and the Sondernheim local council. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of the over 460-year tradition.
The Sondernheimer Kerwe is an open event and is aimed at the residents of the district as well as all interested parties from the region.
Programme Sondernheimer Kerwe 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published in advance. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:
- Sat, Aug 15, Evening: Opening of the Kerwe with beer tapping, first dance evening in the festival tent in the evening.
- Sun, Aug 16, Morning: Festive service in the Sondernheim parish church, followed by a morning pint with brass music on the festival grounds.
- Sun Afternoon: Kerwerede by the Kerweborsch with a humorous reflection on the past year's events.
- Sun Evening: Second major dance evening in the festival tent.
- Mon, Aug 17, All Day: Family Day with cozy catering.
- Tue, Aug 18, Evening: Closing evening with the traditional Kerwer-burial by the Kerweborsch.
- Catering: Classic Palatinate with Bratwurst, Saumagen, Leberknödel, fries, Palatinate wine, and Kerwe beer.
Highlights Sondernheimer Kerwe 2026
- Unbroken tradition since 1565 — over 460 years of festival culture.
- Classic Palatinate club festival in the district.
- Kerwerede by the Kerweborsch on Sunday afternoon.
- Festival tent with dance evenings and morning pint.
Prices Sondernheimer Kerwe 2026
Practical information — Sondernheimer Kerwe
Date: Saturday, August 15 to Tuesday, August 18, 2026 (3rd Sunday in August).
Location: Festival grounds in front of the Tulla School, Sondernheim district, 76726 Germersheim.
Admission: free.
Organizer: Sondernheim district, City of Germersheim, and local clubs.
Getting there: by bus from Germersheim main train station towards Sondernheim, parking available in the district.
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