Name: Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen 2026
Start: 2026-08-28T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Innenstadt Wermelskirchen (Loches-Platz, Schwanenplatz, Brückenweg)

Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen

About Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen

From August 28 to September 1, 2026, Wermelskirchen celebrates its 430th Herbstkirmes — one of the oldest and largest Volksfeste (public festivals) in the Bergisches Land region. Around 100 fairground attractions, a historic bumper car ride, the 40-meter-high Big Ben Tower, and the 38-meter-high Columbia Ferris wheel transform the city center around Loches-Platz, Schwanenplatz, and Brückenweg into a festival mile. Highlights include the 12-hour concert on Saturday, the Sunday with open shops, and the closing fireworks on Tuesday.

Dates 28 Aug — 01 Sep 2026

Venue Wermelskirchen (05378)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen — edition 2026

The 430th edition of the Wermelskirchen Herbstkirmes combines historical tradition with modern Volksfest from August 28 to September 1, 2026. Around 100 fairground attractions set up on Loches-Platz, Schwanenplatz, and in the surrounding streets — from the 40-meter Big Ben Tower to the historic DRIVE-IN bumper cars from 1954.

For five days, the city center becomes a festival mile: rides, food stalls, a handicraft market, and stage performances merge for the 430th edition of one of North Rhine-Westphalia's oldest Kirmes. It traditionally opens with the tapping of the first keg on Friday at 4:00 PM on Loches-Platz.

Highlights Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen 2026

430th edition — one of the oldest Kirmes in the Bergisches Land region
40-meter Big Ben Tower as a new attraction
38-meter Columbia Ferris Wheel
Historic DRIVE-IN Bumper Cars (since 1954)
12-hour concert on Saturday on Loches-Platz
Handicraft market with 150 exhibitors
Sunday with open shops
Fireworks display on Tuesday at 10:00 PM

Programme Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen 2026

Friday, August 28, 2026 — Opening

4:00 PM — Tapping of the first keg on Loches-Platz
5:00 PM — Opening of all rides and stalls
Evening program in the festival tent

Saturday, August 29, 2026 — 12-Hour Concert

All day: 12-hour concert on Loches-Platz with changing bands
Handicraft market in Jörgensgasse, Schillerstraße, and Kattwinkelstraße (approx. 150 exhibitors)

Sunday, August 30, 2026 — Sunday with Open Shops

11:00 AM–6:00 PM — Sunday with Open Shops in Wermelskirchen city center
Handicraft market open all day

Monday, August 31, 2026 — Matinee

11:00 AM — Matinee with live music in the festival tent
Family day with special prices on many rides

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 — Finale

Kirmes activities all day
10:00 PM — Grand fireworks display to conclude

Detailed program and stage times at wermelskirchen.de.

Prices Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen 2026

Admission to the Kirmes grounds is free. Rides cost between €3 and €8 depending on the operator. Special family day prices on Monday.

Practical information

Practical information — Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen

Getting There

By car via the A1 (Wermelskirchen exit) or the A46. Road closures are expected in the city center during the Kirmes — Park-and-Ride facilities are signposted. Easily accessible by public transport via bus lines 260, 332, 333, 336, and 339.

Admission

Admission to the Kirmes grounds is free. Rides and food stalls are subject to charges.

Tip

Arrive early for the 12-hour concert on Saturday — spots on Loches-Platz are in high demand. The fireworks on Tuesday evening are best viewed from the city center.

430 Years of Wermelskirchen Tradition

The Herbstkirmes Wermelskirchen is one of the oldest Volksfeste in the Bergisches Land region. With its 430th edition in 2026, its history dates back to the late 16th century — a continuity that is unparalleled in the Rhineland and North Rhine-Westphalia. For five days, from Friday, August 28, to Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the Wermelskirchen city center transforms into a continuous festival mile.

Geography of the Kirmes

The festival grounds extend over several squares and streets in the city center: Loches-Platz (main stage and festival tent), Schwanenplatz, Brückenweg, upper and lower Eich-Straßen, and parts of Jahnstraße. In parallel, a traditional handicraft market with around 150 exhibitors opens along Jörgensgasse, Schillerstraße, and Kattwinkelstraße.

Rides and Attractions

Around 100 fairground attractions — including 13 large rides — invite you to try them out. Highlights include:

The historic DRIVE IN Bumper Cars, in operation since 1954, making it one of the oldest still active bumper car rides in Germany
The new Big Ben Tower, 40 meters high
The Columbia Ferris Wheel, 38 meters high, offering panoramic views of the Bergisches Land region
Classic carousels, shooting galleries, and food stalls

Program and Highlights

The opening Friday starts with the traditional tapping of the first keg at 4:00 PM on Loches-Platz. Saturday is dedicated to the legendary 12-hour concert — a marathon event with changing bands from the region and beyond. Sunday features open shops with opening hours from 11 AM to 6 PM, and the handicraft market invites you to stroll. Monday includes a matinee starting at 11:00 AM. The event concludes on Tuesday with the fireworks display around 10:00 PM.

Bergisches Land and Kirmes Culture

In the Bergisches Land — the low mountain range east of the Rhine between Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Wuppertal — the Herbstkirmes is one of the defining annual events. It combines centuries-old customs with modern Volksfest activities. Wermelskirchen, located in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis district of North Rhine-Westphalia, preserves a piece of vibrant regional culture with this event.