Eitorfer Kirmes

881st Eitorfer Kirmes – a tradition since the 12th century

With 881 editions, the Eitorfer Kirmes is one of the oldest folk festivals (Volksfeste) in Germany. Its roots reach back to the Middle Ages, when the church consecration festival (Kirchweih/Kirmes) was celebrated annually around the patron saint's day of the parish church. Today, it is the largest funfair in the Rhein-Sieg district and a major social event for Eitorf and its surroundings.

Ceremony with Keg Tapping

The funfair traditionally opens on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 2 p.m. by the mayor with the tapping of the first keg on the market square. All rides and stalls open from 1 p.m. The keg tapping is THE official start of a four-day folk festival.

Grand Finale Firework Display by WECO

The highlight is the grand finale firework display on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 9 p.m. The renowned pyrotechnics company WECO will launch a firework display from the Siegdamm, best viewed from Brückenstraße. Thousands of visitors gather for this spectacular show on the banks of the Sieg river.

Anniversary Kölsch Glass

A tradition: The Eitorf Red Cross sells an anniversary Kölsch glass featuring the coat of arms of Eitorf and its twin towns Bouchain (France) and Halesworth (England) for €2.50. The glass is a collector's item and supports the Red Cross work.

Variety of Amusement Rides and Market Stalls

Amusement ride operators from across the Rhineland and beyond set up on the market square and in the surrounding streets. A chain carousel, Ferris wheel, dodgems, high-speed rides, and classic funfair stalls make up the spectrum. The market stretches along Brückenstraße and Bahnhofstraße.

Opening Hours

The funfair is open for four days, with different times each day: Saturday 1 p.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Monday 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Tuesday 11 a.m.–12 a.m. (midnight) (with firework display).

Cannabis Ban

Due to the public and moral character of the funfair, public cannabis consumption is prohibited throughout the festival grounds during opening hours – this applies to the market square, Brückenstraße, and surrounding streets.

Eitorf and the Rhein-Sieg District

Eitorf is located in the Rhein-Sieg district, about 40 km east of Bonn on the Sieg river. With just under 20,000 inhabitants, the municipality is a central town in the Sieg Nature Park. The Eitorfer Kirmes is THE identifying feature of the town and attracts visitors from Bonn, Cologne, the Sauerland, and the Westerwald.