Schlüsselfelder Winkelmarkt and Johannikirchweih

A Festival Tradition Since 1978

The Schlüsselfelder Winkelmarkt has been celebrated annually on the last Sunday of June since 1978. It falls within the Catholic Johannikirchweih (St. John's Fair) tradition – the patronal feast of the Schlüsselfeld parish church of St. John the Baptist (June 24) – and is both an official Kirchweih (fair) and a town festival. The event is organised by the Werbegemeinschaft Schlüsselfeld (Schlüsselfeld Business Association) in cooperation with local clubs.

Three-Franconia Corner Market Square as a Stage

Schlüsselfeld is located in the so-called Drei-Franken-Eck – the geographical intersection of Upper Franconia (Bamberg district), Middle Franconia, and Lower Franconia. The historic townscape with the market square, town hall, parish church, and small Steigerwald hinterland provides an intimate backdrop for the festival. The entire market square becomes a festival mile with market stalls, club stands, food trucks, and seating.

Stage Programme 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

For over six hours, the market stage features a mix of regional live music (in previous years, including Who's That), dance performances (Happy Dancers), appearances by Schlüsselfeld clubs, live baking shows by Stadtbäckerei Ley, and interactive activities for children. A highlight: the raffle with high-quality prizes, the proceeds of which go entirely to the Bürgerstiftung Schlüsselfeld (Schlüsselfeld Community Foundation) – a foundation that supports citizens in financial need.

Market Stalls, Open Studios, Children's Programme

On the streets around the market square, Schlüsselfeld businesses, workshops, and clubs present themselves. Open studios and workshops invite visitors; the Diakon-Station and schools organise the children's programme with face painting, craft activities, and games. Food trucks and club stands offer sausages, grilled fish on a stick, homemade cakes, Franconian draft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Franconian Roots, St. John's Tradition

The Johannikirchweih is one of the oldest festival traditions in Franconia – it combines the Catholic patronal feast (birthday of John the Baptist, June 24) with the customs surrounding St. John's Day, which held an important place in the agricultural festival calendar since the Middle Ages (summer solstice, start of the harvest). The Schlüsselfeld festival builds on this tradition and makes it an accessible town festival.

Other Schlüsselfeld Kirchweihen

Schlüsselfeld celebrates several Kirchweihen throughout the year: the Aschbi'er Kerwa (mid-August), the Thüngfelder Kerwa (late August), and the Martinikirchweih (mid-November). However, the Winkelmarkt on St. John's Day remains the largest and most visible of the Schlüsselfeld festivals.