Jakob-Brunnen-Fest Neuwerk

Jakob-Brunnen-Fest — a district tradition since 1966

The Jakob-Brunnen-Fest is one of the oldest and most popular district traditions in Mönchengladbach-Neuwerk. It originated in 1966 to mark the inauguration of the Jakob-Brunnen (Jacob's Fountain) on Peter-Schumacher-Platz. At the opening ceremony, someone joked that beer, not water, should flow from a fountain in Neuwerk. This whimsical idea was actually implemented — and became a tradition. Since then, the festival has taken place every year on the last Sunday in July.

Free Beer for a Glass — The Tradition

The centerpiece of the festival since its inception has been the free beer tradition: guests buy a beer glass with an annual motif for €3 and receive free beer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The glass remains as a souvenir — collectors often own complete sets spanning several decades. For hygiene reasons, beer no longer flows directly from the fountain today but is served from kegs; however, the symbolic gesture remains.

Organizers and Charitable Engagement

Three organizers have supported the festival for decades:

• Bolten-Brauerei (Korschenbroich) — one of Germany's oldest wheat beer breweries (founded 1266)
• Volksbank Mönchengladbach eG
• Bezirksstelle Mönchengladbach Neuwerk — District Administration Office

The special aspect: all proceeds from the glass sales have flowed into charitable projects in Neuwerk since 1966. So far, approximately €75,000 has been raised for local clubs, social initiatives, and non-profit projects. The fire department, the Red Cross, local brotherhoods, and many volunteers ensure the festival's organization.

Program and Atmosphere

With around 1,000 visitors, the Jakob-Brunnen-Fest is one of Mönchengladbach's largest district festivals. In addition to free beer, there is a stage program, live music, gastronomic offerings (bratwurst, fries, baked goods), and children's activities. The family-friendly atmosphere and the tradition make the festival a gathering point for generations of Neuwerk residents.

Neuwerk and Mönchengladbach

Neuwerk is a district in the northeast of Mönchengladbach with its own village character. Mönchengladbach itself, with about 270,000 inhabitants, is the largest city on the Lower Rhine and home to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Peter-Schumacher-Platz is the central square of Neuwerk — a meeting point, market square, and festival venue all in one.