Sportplatzkärwa FC Gefrees

Sports Kirchweih in the Fichtelgebirge

The Sportplatzkärwa is a Franconian variant of the Kirchweih, where not the parish or the market town, but a sports club takes over the festival catering. At FC Gefrees, the event is held on the club grounds at Friedhofsweg 20 – the festival tent, catering, and music take place on and next to the sports field.

Gefrees and the Fichtelgebirge

Gefrees is a small town with around 3,500 inhabitants in the Bayreuth district, Bavaria. It lies at the foot of the Fichtelgebirge, within sight of the Ochsenkopf and the Schneeberg – the highest elevation in Franconia. The town is historically shaped by weaving and the timber industry; today it is a quiet residential area and a popular starting point for hikers and winter sports enthusiasts in the Fichtelgebirge massif. The Franconian beer cellar culture – the tradition of "clinking glasses in the cellar" – is still alive here today.

What makes the Sportplatzkärwa special

Unlike the large urban folk festivals, the Sportplatzkärwa is family-oriented. FC Gefrees provides the festival tent, club groups take care of the catering, and local bands or DJs provide the musical accompaniment. The atmosphere is relaxed, admission is free, and the audience is a mix of sports club members, Gefrees citizens, and neighboring clubs from Bischofsgrün, Goldkronach, and the Hummelgau.

Three Days in June

The date June 19–21, 2026, falls on the third weekend of June – typical for Sportplatzkärwas in the region, which take place after the end of the football season. The exact program will be announced shortly before the Kärwa via the town's website and notices at the sports field.