Lohmarer Kirmes

Lohmar — Gateway to the Bergisches Land

Lohmar, a medium-sized town with around 31,000 inhabitants in the Rhein-Sieg district (Cologne administrative region), is located between Cologne, Bonn, and Siegburg on the edge of the Bergisches Land. It is known for the Aggertalsperre reservoir, the Wahner Heide nature paradise nearby, and its proximity to Cologne-Bonn Airport. The Lohmarer Kirmes on the first September weekend is one of the town's most important Volksfeste (public festivals) and a regular meeting point for families from Lohmar and the surrounding area.

Four Days of Kirmes Fun

The 2026 Kirmes runs for four days — from Friday, September 4th, to Monday, September 7th. The city center around the market square and the pedestrian zone will be filled with rides, food stalls, candy vendors, and club food pavilions. Classics like dodgems, Ferris wheel, chain carousel, and children's carousels will be right next to the club stands.

Friday — Opening and Keg Tapping

The official opening ceremony takes place on Friday, September 4th, at 5:00 PM, with the keg tapping by the Lohmar city leadership and the city marketing association. It's a classic mayoral ritual: a wooden hammer, the tapping keg, and the traditional 'O'zapft is' (It's tapped!). Afterwards, the Kirmes runs late into the evening, with live music on the main stage.

Saturday — Vereinsmeile (Club Mile)

Throughout Saturday, the Vereinsmeile is the centerpiece: Lohmar's sports, carnival, marksmen, volunteer fire, and cultural clubs present themselves with stands, games, and food offerings. There will be grilling, drinking, and chatting — broad citizen participation that sets the festival apart from purely commercial Kirmes events.

Sunday — Service at the Rides

A Lohmar specialty: on Sunday, September 6th, at 10:30 AM, an ecumenical service at the rides takes place. Pastors and showmen gather amidst the dodgems and Ferris wheel — a tradition that underscores the folk character of the Kirmes and has become customary in many Rhenish towns.

Monday — Kirmeshof to Conclude

The closing event on Monday, September 7th, at 7:00 PM, is the Kirmeshof — a communal dinner and dance festival as part of the Kirmes, traditionally a meeting point for Lohmar's club scene and the showmen. The Kirmeshof marks the official end, after which the rides are dismantled.

Die Stadtmacher Lohmar — Organizers

Behind the Kirmes is the city marketing association 'Die Stadtmacher Lohmar' — an alliance of retailers, restaurateurs, clubs, and the city administration, which has been organizing Lohmar's important city events for years. In addition to the Kirmes, the association is responsible for the Funken-Biwak, the Lohmar Cultural Days, and other city center events.