Donatus-Mai-Kirmes Euskirchen

Donatus-Mai-Kirmes Euskirchen — Rhineland Volksfest Tradition

The Donatus-Mai-Kirmes is one of the most traditional Kirmes events in the southern Rhineland and the Euskirchen district. Named after Saint Donatus of Münstereifel, the patron saint against thunderstorms and hail — a patronage deeply rooted in the Eifel region (a prime thunderstorm area) — the Kirmes takes place every year in May over four days. 2026: Friday, May 8th to Monday, May 11th. The venue is not a single fairground, but three central squares in the city centre: Annaturmplatz, Alter Markt, and Charleviller Platz. This distribution across the city makes the Kirmes a city centre experience: anyone walking from the train station towards the centre will almost inevitably pass through the Kirmes.

Nine Rides — The Full Kirmes Spectrum

The 2026 programme distributes nine major rides across the three squares:

• Break Dancer (Wingender) — Classic, rotating gondolas, high speed
• Hawaii-Swing (Schaak) — Flying chairs with a tropical look
• Mama Caramba! (Jansen) — Family ride
• Nessy (Markmann) — Children's carousel in Loch Ness style
• Octopussy (Markmann) — Octopus with eight arms
• Poco Loco (Schultze) — Spinning ride
• Route 66 (Barth) — American-style car carousel
• Space X (Marquis) — High-altitude ride
• Thriller (Lemmerman, Dutch showman) — Top attraction with a rollover mechanism

Between the major rides, classic Kirmes stalls line up: shooting galleries, lottery stalls, stands selling Magenbrot (gingerbread), almonds, cotton candy, bratwurst, Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), and crêpes. Each of the three squares features beer stands, cocktail bars, and a beer tent atmosphere.

Opening Hours — Four Days of Kirmes Rhythm

• Friday, May 8th, 2026 — 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Opening)
• Saturday, May 9th, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Main operating day)
• Sunday, May 10th, 2026 — 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Family Day, early start)
• Monday, May 11th, 2026 — 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Closing)

Sunday is traditionally Family Day with reduced prices at the children's carousels and special programmes for the little ones. Those coming with children should ideally plan for Sunday morning — less crowding at the children's rides, a calmer atmosphere.

Euskirchen — District Town in the Southern Rhineland

Euskirchen, with around 60,000 inhabitants, is the district town of the Euskirchen district, located between Cologne, Bonn, and the Eifel. In 2021, the city's historic city centre was partially destroyed by the flood disaster — and it is precisely for this reason that the annual Kirmes has gained symbolic significance after the reconstruction: the city celebrates its life. The city centre backdrop with Annaturm (the former city tower), Alter Markt (historic market square with cobblestones), and Charleviller Platz (named after the French twin town Charleville-Mézières) provides an architecturally charming setting.

Donatus and His Tradition

Saint Donatus, born in the 4th century, became the patron saint against hail and thunderstorms in the 17th century in Münstereifel (neighbouring town) — a particular concern for the predominantly agricultural Eifel foothills. The May Kirmes traditionally precedes the Donatus pilgrimage on August 7th and is considered its herald: the Volksfest celebrating early summer Donatus protection.