Brilon Blooms

Brilon — the largest Hanseatic city in the Sauerland

Brilon is a town in the Hochsauerlandkreis (North Rhine-Westphalia) with around 26,000 inhabitants — historically an important Hanseatic city, today a center for tourism and forestry on the eastern edge of the Sauerland. With its Hanseatic past, Brilon maintains close ties to other former Hanseatic cities and to the Netherlands (Hanseatic partner cities). The city festival "Brilon blüht auf" marks the season opening of the event year — and simultaneously the annual staging of this Hanseatic-Dutch connection.

Hollandmarkt — Dutch specialties in Brilon

The Dutch touch characterizes the festival weekend. On Sunday from 12 p.m., the Hollandmarkt opens with over 30 stalls of Dutch showmen and traders:

• Fresh fish and Kibbeling (fried fish bites, the quintessential Dutch street food)
• Frikandel and other classic Dutch snacks
• Dutch cheese (Gouda, Edam, young and mature varieties directly from the stall)
• Poffertjes (tiny pancakes with powdered sugar)
• Jewelry, wooden shoes, flowers, and other typically Dutch products

Car Show Saturday

Saturday, April 18, is car day: the car show opens in Brilon's city center at 10 a.m. — local and supra-regional car dealers present new models hourly, accompanied by performances from local dance and music groups. A format that attracts families and sets the mood for retail on the weekend.

Sunday Shopping

Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Brilon's downtown shops open their doors — a Sunday shopping event combined with the Hollandmarkt and the Forest Fairy presentation. City festival and shopping in one.

The Brilon Forest Fairy — Symbol of the Sauerland

The highlight of Sunday is the ceremonial presentation of the new 19th Brilon Forest Fairy on the town hall steps at 3 p.m. The Forest Fairy is a tourist and cultural representative figure of Brilon — a young woman who represents the city and its forestry heritage externally for one year. Brilon is one of Germany's largest forestry municipalities with extensive municipal forests. The Forest Fairy embodies this forestry identity. The outgoing Forest Fairy, Hannah Zwingelberg, will be officially bid farewell — her successor takes office. The ceremony is accompanied by a Dutch marching band.

Organizer: Prima Brilon

The organizer is the business association Prima Brilon e.V. — the association of Brilon's retailers and restaurateurs, who coordinate the city festivals throughout the year. The season-opening weekend "Brilon blüht auf" is the first major event — followed by the Old Town Festival, Hanseatic Days, and other dates.

Location and Arrival

Brilon is located in the Hochsauerlandkreis, in southeastern North Rhine-Westphalia. By train: Brilon is accessible via the Obere Ruhrtalbahn (RB 59 from Hagen via Bestwig to Brilon-Wald). By car: A 46 exit Brilon, or from the south via the A 44/A 4 with connection to the B 7. Parking is available on the outskirts of the city center.