Bilsdorfer Kirmes Herz Jesu

Patronal Feast on the Litermont

The Bilsdorfer Kirmes Herz Jesu is the patronal fair of the Catholic Sacred Heart parish in the Bilsdorf district of Nalbach. The festival follows the Catholic church calendar: it is celebrated on the third Sunday after Pentecost. In 2026, Pentecost falls on May 24th – making the third Sunday after Pentecost June 14th, 2026. The venue is the center of Bilsdorf, around the Sacred Heart Church in the Saarlouis district.

Bilsdorf and Nalbach

Nalbach is a municipality in the Litermont region in the Saarlouis district. It consists of four districts: Nalbach itself, Bilsdorf, Piesbach, and Körprich. Each of these districts celebrates its own Kirmes – Bilsdorf the Sacred Heart patronal feast in June, Nalbach the Marienkirmes in September, Piesbach the St. John the Baptist Kirmes in June, and Körprich its own tradition. This is lived Saarland village culture – four Kirmessen in one municipality.

The Sacred Heart Church

The Sacred Heart parish church in Bilsdorf was built in the 20th century and is the patronal center of the festival. On the patronal Sunday, a solemn festive service takes place in the morning – often accompanied by music from the parish choir and a local music association.

The Festival Program

The Kirmes traditionally spans four days, from Saturday to Tuesday. Expected events include:

• Saturday — Opening with ceremonial keg tapping, music evening
• Sunday (Patronal Day) — Festive service in the morning, followed by a Frühschoppen (morning pint) with a music association, family program in the afternoon, live band in the evening
• Monday — Festival activities, fairground rides
• Tuesday (»Kirmesdienstag«) — Family day, festival conclusion

Saarland-Catholic Tradition

The Bilsdorfer Kirmes is an expression of the Catholic tradition of Saarland – a state that is predominantly Catholic. Patronal feasts like this are part of a rich church year that structures village culture. Those who want to experience this format authentically will find themselves here.

Who Should Visit

For travelers who want to get to know rural, village Saarland – without touristy staging, with genuine club life and lived Catholic tradition. Anyone who has never attended a Saarland patronal feast will find the ideal introduction here. Free admission, family atmosphere.