Lennep Pilgrim Festival

Lennep — historic district of Remscheid

Lennep is a historic district of the city of Remscheid in the Bergisches Land region, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. With nearly 24,000 inhabitants, it boasts a medieval old town with the oldest town charter in the Bergisches Land (since the 13th century), narrow streets, half-timbered houses, and slate facades. The Alter Markt is the visual and social center — the site of the weekly market, folk festivals, and highlights of club life.

Lennep on the Jakobsweg

Lennep is located on a regional section of the Jakobsweg — the ancient pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The Lenneper Pilgerfreunde e.V., an association with 64 members, keeps this heritage alive: they maintain a small pilgrim shop at Berliner Straße 5, organize regular hikes, lectures, pilgrim meetups, and host the large annual Pilgerfest. The association is non-denominational and views pilgrimage as a cultural, spiritual, and communal experience — open to all.

July 26, 2026 — Pilgrim Festival on the Alter Markt

The 2026 Pilgrim Festival takes place on Sunday, July 26, starting at 11:00 AM on the Alter Markt in Lennep. In the morning, a pilgrim hike from Hagen-Haspe to Gevelsberg is scheduled beforehand — registration via the Lennep Pilgrim Shop. On the market square itself, there will be a small stage with live music, long tables, food and drinks, pilgrim souvenirs at the association's stand, and information about the Bergisch Jakobsweg section. Those who wish to have their pilgrim passport (Credencial) stamped can do so on-site.

Part of the Lenneper Sommer

The Pilgrim Festival is part of the Lenneper Sommer — a series of local events from late spring to early autumn. These include evening markets (kicking off on June 11, concluding on August 27), open-air concerts, the traditional costume festival, and smaller club events. In autumn, the Nacht der Kultur (Night of Culture) on October 24, 2026, complements the Pilgrim Friends' club program, featuring smaller pilgrim-themed events with readings and music in Lennep's old town.

Journey to Andalusia — Camino Mozárabe 2026

Beyond the Pilgrim Festival, the association is organizing a ten-day club trip on the Camino Mozárabe in 2026: from October 10 to 20, participants will hike from Granada to Córdoba — a relatively unknown pilgrim route in southern Spain that connects the Moorish and Christian history of Andalusia. This trip is a separate offering from the association, complementing the public Pilgrim Festival. Another excursion is planned for November: November 25, 2026 — Trip to the NRW State Parliament.