Dorffest Elsen

Elsen — Paderborn's Largest District

With around 13,000 inhabitants, Elsen is one of the largest districts of Paderborn in the Paderborn district (Detmold administrative region). The district is located about five kilometers west of Paderborn city center and has retained its village character around the historic St. Dionysius parish church. Here, the Heimat- und Verkehrsverein Elsen e.V. (HVV), together with the local business association, has been organizing the village festival for decades — and with over 125 stands, six live stages, and hands-on activities for families, it is now the largest village festival in the entire Paderborn region.

2026 Program — Annemarie Eilfeld and RADIO NATION as Headliners

The 2026 village festival runs all day on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The musical highlight is the performance by former DSDS contestant and GZSZ actress Annemarie Eilfeld starting at 5 PM — with her current Schlager-Pop hits „Verliebt in das Leben", „Neonlicht" and „Barfuß durch Berlin". Afterwards, starting at 6 PM, the party band RADIO NATION will take over the Windmann stage with current chart hits, Schlager, and party classics from recent years.

Six Stages, Six Bands

Spread across the festival grounds, several stages will feature different music throughout Sunday:

• Beat Knights — Rock'n'Roll from the 50s and 60s, a staple of the East Westphalian cover band scene
• German Scotch — English-language party sound from 70s rock to current hits
• Zeitsprung — Cover set across rock and pop from recent decades
• Danny and the Old Bones — Rock oldies from the 60s and 70s
• Annemarie Eilfeld (from 5 PM) — current Schlager-Pop hits
• RADIO NATION (from 6 PM, Windmann stage) — Party hits and Schlager

Sunday Shopping and Dance Groups

Parallel to the stage program, Elsen's shops will open their doors for Sunday shopping from 1 PM to 6 PM — from fashion and jewelry stores to cafés, bakeries, and bookstores. The local dance groups will perform alternately on the Windmann stage — from ballroom dancing to modern show formats.

Hands-on Program — Barrel Rolling, Bobby Car, and Segway

What sets Dorffest Elsen apart from many other summer festivals is its unusual hands-on program:

• 5th Elsen Beer Barrel Rolling Competition — Teams compete to roll a beer barrel over a course without tipping it over. A must for clubs, regulars' tables, and families.
• Bobby Car Race by the Young Shooters — Children race on their Bobby Cars over a closed course. Registration at the stand of the St. Hubertus Schützenbruderschaft.
• Segway Course — Large Segway course to try out, supervised by a local provider.
• Dance group performances on the Windmann stage, alternating with the bands.

Over 125 Stands on Von-Ketteler-Straße

The festival grounds extend along Von-Ketteler-Straße and the adjacent side streets in the center of Elsen. The approximately 125 stands cover everything: East Westphalian specialties (Bratwurst, Pickert, Schmalzkuchen), international snacks (Crêpes, Langos, Currywurst), drinks stands from clubs, arts and crafts, jewelry, toys, and home accessories. The clubs — shooters, sports clubs, carnival, parish — also use the village festival for recruitment.

Tradition Since 1985

Dorffest Elsen was founded in 1985 and revived in 2024 after a pandemic-related break — the 2025 comeback edition attracted around 30,000 visitors. The 41st edition in 2026 builds on this momentum, with a significantly expanded stage and hands-on program.

Getting to Elsen

By car via K 1 or B 1 towards Paderborn West, follow signs for „Elsen Ortsmitte". Parking around the festival grounds and in the surrounding residential streets. By public transport: Bus line 11 (PaderSprinter) from Paderborn Hbf, stop Elsen Mitte or Elsen Kirche, approx. 15 minutes travel time.