Kommern Kirmes & Handwerkermarkt

Two Events in One — Fair and Craft Market

The Kommern Kirmes & Handwerkermarkt is a two-part event: a classic Eifel fair evening with disco on Friday and a artisan craft market on Saturday and Sunday. In 2026, it takes place from October 15th to 17th on Arenbergplatz in Kommern, a district of Mechernich – in the shadow of the famous LVR Open-Air Museum Kommern.

The 'Kirmesknochen Excavation' — Eifel Tradition

One of the most characteristic Eifel fair rituals: the Kirmesknochen excavation. On Friday, October 15th, 2026, at 7:00 PM, the 'Kirmesknochen' – a ceremonial bone symbolizing the fair tradition for generations – will be ceremoniously 'excavated' from its hiding place. A custom that officially kicks off the fair and remembers the Eifel ancestors who celebrated the fair before modern times. Afterwards, a disco evening for the younger generation – tradition and dance floor combined.

Craft Market on the Weekend

On Saturday and Sunday (October 16th and 17th), the square transforms: From 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the craft market takes place. Artisans from the Eifel and the wider region demonstrate their crafts and sell their products:

• Glassblowers with mobile workshops and live demos
• Basket weavers – traditional Eifel basketry, often in willow
• Woodturners on historic lathes, using wood from regional forests
• Potters, blacksmiths, felt makers, wood carvers – Eifel craft tradition in a nutshell
• Eifel gastronomy – regional specialties like Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), Eifeler Mettwurst (cured pork sausage), wood-fired bread, ham

Sunday with Procession and Children's Day

On Sunday, additional program elements are added, albeit on a smaller scale than the original folk fair Sunday: Musical contributions from local clubs, laying of wreaths for the deceased, morning pint (Frühschoppen). A restrained, solemn accent that preserves tradition.

Mechernich-Kommern in the Northern Eifel

Kommern is a district of the town of Mechernich in the Euskirchen district, in the northern Eifel region. Famous for the LVR Open-Air Museum Kommern, one of the largest open-air museums in Germany, which makes the town known far beyond the region. The Kirmes & Handwerkermarkt takes place in the historic town center, not in the museum. However, combining the market with a museum visit is a natural choice – those who arrive on the weekend can do both.

Organizer: Town of Mechernich

The event is organized by the Town of Mechernich, in cooperation with local clubs, artisans, and the Kommern business association. A town-organized event with a clearly divided program structure.