Krebbelschesfest Bendorf

Bendorf, a town of around 17,000 inhabitants on the right bank of the Rhine between Koblenz and Andernach, cultivates an unusual and particularly characteristic tradition with the Krebbelschesfest: The festival revolves around the Rhenish specialty "Krebbelscher" (also called "Reibekuchen", "Reibeplätzchen", or "Kartoffelpuffer"). In Bendorf, the pastry bears its own dialect name and is the centerpiece of an annual festival deeply rooted in Bendorf's identity.

Krebbelscher are prepared from grated raw potatoes, onions, eggs, and a little flour, seasoned with salt and pepper, and fried golden brown in hot fat. Classically, they are served with apple sauce, beet syrup, or simply with salt – a simple, hearty dish with high regional identification value. There are quite a few "Krebbelches-" or "Reibekuchenfeste" in the Rhineland, but the Bendorf one is one of the oldest and best known.

In 2026, the festival will take place on the last weekend of August, from August 28th to 30th. The festival grounds are Yzeurer Platz in Bendorf's city center – named after the French partner city Yzeure and thus a symbolic location for a civic festival. The organizer is the Kirmes- und Karnevalsgesellschaft Bendorf 1930 e.V., or KUK for short, one of the city's traditional cultural organizations.

The program combines the culinary focus (Krebbelscher stands with live preparation, apple sauce, beet syrup, side dishes) with classic folk festival elements: a festival tent with a stage and live music (cover bands, party music), a beer stand with local beer and Mosel or Rhine wine, other culinary stalls, booths, and family activities during the day. Over the weekend, it becomes a typical late-summer Volksfest with the unmistakable Bendorf flair.

Bendorf is conveniently located between Koblenz and Neuwied / Andernach, with its own train station on the right Rhine line and direct access to the A 48 motorway. The Sayner Hütte, a major industrial monument, the Sayn Butterfly Garden, and Sayn Castle ruins are further attractions for day-trippers who want to combine the Krebbelschesfest with Bendorf's sights.