Bartholomäuskirmes Dortmund-Lütgendortmund

Bartholomäuskirmes — a Kirmes from the 14th century

The Bartholomäuskirmes Lütgendortmund is Dortmund's oldest Kirmes and one of the oldest continuous folk festivals (Volksfeste) in North Rhine-Westphalia. With the first documented mentions in the 14th century (celebrated on the feast day of Saint Bartholomew, August 24), it looks back on a tradition in 2026 that is over 660 years old. The Kirmes thus has an identity that is inseparably linked to the district of Lütgendortmund itself.

2026 Programme — Four Days of Tradition

Thursday, August 27, 2026 — Opening

• 4:00 PM — Opening of the rides
• First wave of visitors

Friday, August 28, 2026 (4:00 PM–12:00 AM)

• 6:00 PM — Tapping of the first keg (Fassanstich) at the “Schwanenflieger” carousel
• Accompanied by the Spielmannszug „Gut Klang“ 1919 Dortmund-Kirchlinde (drum and bugle corps)
• As well as the Fanfarenzug Dortmund-West 1971 e.V. (fanfare band)

Saturday, August 29, 2026 (2:00 PM–12:00 AM)

• Full Kirmes operation

Sunday, August 30, 2026 (2:00 PM–11:00 PM)

• 3:00 PM — Grand Parade through Lütgendortmund

Monday, August 31, 2026

• 7:00 AM–1:00 PM — Traditional Flea Market (Krammarkt)
• 10:00 AM–12:00 AM — Last day of the Kirmes
• 11:00 AM–6:00 PM — “Pay once, ride twice” promotion
• approx. 10:00 PM — Grand Finale Fireworks

2026 Rides (Typical Selection)

• Break Dancer, Avengers – The Ride, Twister
• Schwanenflieger, High Impress, Millenium-Drive Auto-Scooter
• Pole Position, Extreme, Circus-Circus
• Family carousels: Baby Flight, Kindersport-Karussell, Trampolin, Disney-Star, Baby 2000, Rally Star, Truck Stop

Lütgendortmund — An Independent District

The district of Lütgendortmund in western Dortmund was an independent municipality until 1929 with its own town history. Today, it is a borough with around 45,000 inhabitants, and it has retained its village character and its pride in the Bartholomäuskirmes. The Kirmes is not just a folk festival, but an anchor of identity — celebrated by the clubs, carnival groups, and citizens' initiatives of the district.

Carnival Association and Drum and Bugle Corps

For generations, the supporting associations of the Kirmes have been the Spielmannszug „Gut Klang“ Dortmund-Kirchlinde (founded 1919) and the Fanfarenzug Dortmund-West (1971). With their accompaniment of the keg tapping and the parade, they provide the traditional soundscape.