Furschweiler Kirmes

A Kirmes in the St. Wendel District

Furschweiler is one of eight districts of the municipality of Namborn in the northern Saarland, nestled in the hilly landscape of the St. Wendel district. With around 800 inhabitants, Furschweiler is small but lively — especially on the weekend when the traditional Furschweiler Kirmes takes place, traditionally on the last weekend of July.

Three Days of Village Fair

The Kirmes follows the classic Saarland village tradition. Showman Anton Braun sets up his rides and stalls on the fairgrounds — not a huge Volksfest with 50 carousels, but a compact mix of a carousel, shooting gallery, candy stall, and a few smaller attractions. The heart of the festival is the Festzelt (marquee), where live music, catering, and a packed program from local clubs take place on all three days.

The Clubs Make the Kirmes

Unlike in larger towns, the Furschweiler Kirmes is entirely supported by local clubs — the music association, the sports club SV Furschweiler, the carnival club, and the fire brigade. A typical element: the traditional Kirmesspiel (fair game) on the sports field, a friendly football match between SV Furschweiler and a neighboring team (in previous years, for example, SV Leitersweiler). This is complemented by a morning pint (Frühschoppen) with the music association, evening concerts under the banner „Rock am Heim“, and a dance evening in the marquee.

Pure Saarland Kirmes Tradition

What makes the Furschweiler Kirmes special: It showcases Saarland village life in its purest form. Schwenkbraten (marinated pork neck), Lyoner sausage specialties, homemade cake on Sunday afternoon (coffee and cake is a dedicated program item), plenty of beer from Karlsberg or Saarbrücker Brewery, and encounters between generations. Anyone who wants to experience Saarland local culture beyond city festivals will find it here.

In the St. Wendel District

The St. Wendel district is the northernmost in the Saarland, with Bostalsee lake as a tourist magnet, the Schaumberg mountain in Tholey as a landmark, and the Wendelinus Cathedral in St. Wendel as a cultural anchor. Furschweiler is centrally located in the hilly, rural heartland — ideal conditions for a day trip from Saarbrücken (40 min by car), combined with hikes, bike tours, or a visit to the lake.