Kirmes de Oos and Schützenfest Gebhardshain
Five-day Kirmes de Oos and Schützenfest in Gebhardshain on the first weekend of August with cover band Lost Eden and traditional wheelbarrow race
About Kirmes de Oos Gebhardshain
Kirmes 'de Oos' — The Gebhardshain Tradition
The unusual name 'Kirmes de Oos' refers to the Rhenish dialect term for the event. In Westerwald Platt, 'Oos' means 'Aas' (carcass), colloquially often used as a synonym for a wild or boisterous being — which fits the exuberant festival character of the event. The Kirmes is linked to the Schützenfest and together they form a five-day festival program, which is a special feature in this form in the region.
First Weekend of August as the Date
The event takes place annually on the first weekend of August — in 2026 from Friday, August 1st, to Tuesday, August 5th. The five festival days thus extend beyond the weekend and utilize the typical holiday season in the Westerwald for exuberant festival culture.
Friday 01.08. — Oos KiJu Night with Lost Eden
The kick-off on Friday evening is the 'Oos KiJu Night' (Church Youth Night), a young format of the Kirmes event with a live concert by the cover band Lost Eden starting at 7:30 PM. Lost Eden brings rock and pop cover hits to the stage and ensures a lively atmosphere for the young audience.
Saturday 02.08. — Festival Opening and Maypole
Saturday brings the official festival opening on the Ley — the central festival square in Gebhardshain. The highlight is the traditional erection of the Kirmesbaum (maypole), a ceremonial element that symbolically opens the Kirmes season. This is followed by the parade of the Schützenbruderschaft (marksmen's brotherhood) with members in full uniform.
Sunday 03.08. — High Mass, Wheelbarrow Race, and Parade
Sunday is dedicated to the religious-traditional character of the Kirchweih celebration: In the morning, the high mass for the Kirchweih takes place in the Catholic church. This is followed by the traditional wheelbarrow race — a humorous competition that is one of the most popular program points. In the afternoon, the parade of the Schützenbruderschaft goes through the town.
Tuesday 05.08. — Burning of the Kirmesmännsche
The festival concludes on Tuesday, August 5th, with the ceremonial burning of the 'Kirmesmännsche' on the Ley — a traditional ritual to bid farewell to the Kirmes. A straw doll, symbolically embodying the Kirmes season, is burned to the applause of the festival guests. This custom is both humorous and melancholic and forms a fitting end to the five festival days.
Kirmes de Oos Gebhardshain — edition 2026
Program 2026
The program is confirmed by the Gebhardshain Culture and Festival Community:
- Fri 08/01 from 7:30 PM — Oos KiJu Night with cover band Lost Eden
- Sat 08/02 — Festival opening on the Ley, Kirmesbaum erection, parade
- Sun 08/03 — High mass for Kirchweih, wheelbarrow race, Schützenbruderschaft parade
- Mon 08/04 — Festival tent operations, folk festival activities
- Tue 08/05 — Burning of the Kirmesmännsche on the Ley as festival conclusion
Programme Kirmes de Oos Gebhardshain 2026
Schedule of the Five Festival Days
Friday 01.08. — Oos KiJu Night
From 7:30 PM, the cover band Lost Eden opens the five-day Kirmes with their live concert. Rock and pop cover hits ensure a lively atmosphere for the young audience. Festival tent atmosphere until late at night.
Saturday 02.08. — Festival Opening and Maypole
Official festival opening in the morning on the Ley by the Culture and Festival Community. Traditional erection of the Kirmesbaum in a ceremonial manner — the pole remains standing throughout the entire Kirmes season. This is followed by the parade of the Gebhardshain Schützenbruderschaft through the town.
Sunday 03.08. — High Mass, Wheelbarrow Race, and Parade
In the morning, high mass for the Kirchweih in the Catholic parish church. Religious character with liturgical solemnity. After the service, the traditional wheelbarrow race — a humorous competition where participants race with wheelbarrows. In the afternoon, the grand parade of the Schützenbruderschaft with brass band, flags, and king couples.
Monday 04.08. — Festival Tent Operations
Folk festival day with festival tent operations, fairground rides, catering, and social gatherings. Musical performances in the evening.
Tuesday 05.08. — Burning of the Kirmesmännsche
Festival conclusion with the traditional burning of the Kirmesmännsche on the Ley. A straw doll, symbolically embodying the Kirmes season, is burned to the applause of the festival guests — a humorous and melancholic custom to bid farewell to the Kirmes.
Detailed program 2026 on the pages of WW-Events and the Gebhardshain Culture and Festival Community.
Highlights Kirmes de Oos Gebhardshain 2026
- Five festival days of Kirmes and Schützenfest in Gebhardshain
- Cover band Lost Eden at the Oos KiJu Night on Friday
- Traditional wheelbarrow race on Sunday
- Parade of the Schützenbruderschaft
- Burning of the Kirmesmännsche on Tuesday as festival conclusion
Prices Kirmes de Oos Gebhardshain 2026
Practical information — Kirmes de Oos Gebhardshain
Dates
Friday to Tuesday, August 1st to 5th, 2026.
Location
Auf der Ley and festival grounds Gebhardshain, 57580 Gebhardshain.
Admission
Free to the festival grounds and most program points. Oos KiJu Night may have an admission fee.
Getting There
By car via the B 62 and country roads in the VG Betzdorf-Gebhardshain. By bus from Betzdorf.
Tips
The wheelbarrow race on Sunday and the burning of the Kirmesmännsche on Tuesday are special experiences.
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