Kirmes Sitzerath

A Kirmes with Five Days of Breath

The Kirmes Sitzerath is one of the classic May Kirmessen in the Hochwald region of Saarland. It opens every Thursday — Ascension Day and thus also Father's Day — and runs until Whit Monday. This makes it longer than most village Kirmessen in the region and offers both a family and a Father's Day programme. The festival is organised jointly by the Sitzerath Support Association (FSV), the Junge Union (JU), and the Men's Choral Society (MGV) Sitzerath, in close coordination with the local council and district administrator.

Father's Day with Barrel Tapping

The Kirmes traditionally opens on Thursday at 4 p.m. with a barrel tapping ceremony by the district administrator, followed by live music and dancing in the festival tent from 6 p.m. The Father's Day atmosphere in the Hunsrück foothills is legendary — many hiking groups from northern Saarland end their tour at the Sitzerath festival grounds.

Weekend Between Church and Festival Tent

Saturday is dedicated to evening musical entertainment — in past years, duo bands like David & Lena or regional combos have filled the dance floors. Sunday — which is also Mother's Day in many years — begins at 9 a.m. with the festival service in the parish church, accompanied musically by the church choir. Afterwards, the festival tent invites you to a Brunch & Frühschoppen from 10:30 a.m., which has become a family event.

Colourful, Traditional, Travelling Funfair

Throughout all five days, travelling showmen with rides, children's carousels, and food stalls provide a classic Kirmes feeling. The selection is manageable — Sitzerath is a small village with just over 800 inhabitants — but that's precisely its charm: people know each other, the showmen are often the same ones year after year, and the atmosphere remains familiar.

Sitzerath in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park

Sitzerath is one of nine districts of the municipality of Nonnweiler in the St. Wendel district — deep in the northern Saarland, on the border with the Hunsrück. Nestled in the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park, with hiking opportunities to the Celtic parks of Otzenhausen and the heights around the Schaumberg, the Kirmes is part of a long weekend in the countryside for many visitors.

Why a Visit is Worthwhile

Anyone looking for an authentic Saarland village Kirmes without touristy staging will find it here. The festival tent is the main stage, the whole village participates. Admission is free, food and drinks are at village prices, and the atmosphere is cosy.