Kesperkirmes in Witzenhausen: championship in cherry stone spitting!

Kesperkirmes in Witzenhausen: championship in cherry stone spitting!

In Witzenhausen the time has once again come for the traditional Kesperkirmes. On the weekend of July 11th to 13th, 2025, the historic old town will be transformed into a lively festival area that will attract not only cherry lovers, but also visitors and participants from the surrounding area. The focus is particularly on the German Cherry Stone Spitting Championships, which take place on Saturday. The participants compete against each other in different categories and try to spit the cherry stone as far as possible. The reigning German champion Nina Schmidt gives valuable tips in advance for anyone who wants to try this culinary discipline: “The pulp should be gnawed off the stone as well as possible before spitting,” she advises and emphasizes the importance of the correct technique, such as rolling the tongue into a “shot tube”. Anyone who would like to register for spitting must observe a registration deadline of Saturday at 1 p.m. A small fee of 2 euros is charged for participation.

The Kesperkirmes is being celebrated for the 57th time this year and can boast a varied program. Friday evening starts with the opening in the wine village, where live music on several stages puts visitors in a party mood. Saturday will be a day for the whole family - in addition to the Kirschstein spitting, there are numerous hands-on activities on Ermschwerder Street for young and old. In the evening, guests can look forward to tribute bands performing hits from Bruno Mars to Phil Collins. And Sunday also has a lot to offer: an ecumenical service and a musical morning pint on the market square, followed by a festive water parade on the Werra, mark the crowning conclusion of the event.

Where to go by car?

Getting to the Kesperkirmes is easy. Drivers can arrive via the A7 and use the Witzenhausen-Ost or Witzenhausen-Mitte exits. Free parking spaces are available on the outskirts of the city, as the old town is closed to traffic during the fair. Public transport is also well positioned - the Witzenhausen Nord train station is just a short walk from the old town and offers regular connections to Göttingen and Kassel.

Admission and contact information

Admission to the Kesperkirmes is free, so no one has to miss out on the culinary and festive pleasures. Anyone interested can also find out more directly from Pro Witzenhausen GmbH. This is under info@kirschenland.de or by phone at 05542 / 60 01-0.

Regardless of whether you want to take part in the Kirschstein spitting or simply enjoy the festival, the Kesperkirmes offers something for everyone. So if you are in the region, you shouldn't miss this experience. Because one thing is certain: the cherries are very popular!