Dürener Annakirmes

One Million Visitors in Nine Days

The Dürener Annakirmes is one of Germany's largest folk festivals — measured by visitor numbers per day, it rivals the Oktoberfest. Around one million people flock to the Annakirmesplatz during the nine festival days. The city of Düren, as the organizer, hosts the festival annually around St. Anne's Day (July 26) — the 2026 edition runs from Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, August 2, 2026.

Opening with Cannon Shots and Barrel Tapping

The official opening on Saturday, July 25 at 11:00 AM is an event in itself: three cannon shots ring out, and the tapping of the first beer barrel by Mayor Frank Peter Ullrich officially starts the festival. All rides operate free of charge until 11:15 AM — a gift from the showmen to the city. As early as 9:00 AM, the religious dimension of the festival begins with the opening of the Anna-Oktav in St. Anne's Church, which includes daily services, masses, and devotions for eight days.

Annaoktav — A Religious Framework for Centuries

The Annaoktav (eight days around St. Anne's Day, July 26) is the religious root of the festival: veneration of Saint Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus. St. Anne's Church has been a pilgrimage site since the 14th century and houses an important relic of Saint Anne. During the Annaoktav, High Masses, Vespers, and pilgrimages take place daily — even today, pilgrims from all over the Rhineland come to Düren for the St. Anne pilgrimage.

Family Day, Senior Afternoon, Rhenish Evening

Three special program points structure the nine festival days: The Family Day (Tuesday, July 28) offers half-price rides on all attractions from 11:00 AM — a must-attend event for families from the region. The Senior Afternoon on Monday, July 27, from 3 PM to 5 PM in the Hexenhof brings together the older generation for music and coffee. The Rhenish Evening on Wednesday, July 29, starting at 7 PM in the Hexenhof, is a traditional homeland evening with songs and stage performances — free admission.

Highlight: Fireworks on Friday Evening

The traditional highlight of the Annakirmes is the Grand Fireworks Display on Friday, July 31, 2026, after 10:00 PM — approximately 20 minutes of pyrotechnics over the Annakirmesplatz, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to the city center each year. The city closes surrounding streets for the safety of the audience.

49th Cherry Stone Spitting World Championship

A Düren curiosity: On Sunday, July 26 at 3:00 PM, the 49th Cherry Stone Spitting World Championship will take place at the dog sports ground on Rurdammweg — in three categories (women, men, youth). The discipline has been held since 1977 and is considered a quirky but lovingly maintained Düren tradition. Participation is open to all.

Düren — District Capital Between Aachen and Cologne

Düren is the district capital of the Düren district in North Rhine-Westphalia, located between Aachen and Cologne on the edge of the Eifel region. With around 92,000 inhabitants, the city is the economic and cultural center of the Voreifel. The Annakirmes has shaped the identity of the city and the entire region for generations — anyone from the Düren district has celebrated with Anna at least once in their life.