Name: Ludwigskirmes Saarlouis 2026
Start: 2026-08-28T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Großer Markt Saarlouis

Ludwigskirmes

About Ludwigskirmes

When the amusement rides are set up on Saarlouis's Großer Markt at the end of August, the most important late summer funfair in the Saarlouis district begins. For five days, the Ludwigskirmes combines carousels, a Ferris wheel, thrill rides, and a market in the historic fortress city, which was once named after the French Sun King Louis XIV.

Dates 28 Aug — 01 Sep 2026

Venue Saarlouis (10044)

Prices Free

Status —

Edition 2026

Ludwigskirmes — edition 2026

The Ludwigskirmes 2026 is expected to take place from August 28 to September 1, 2026, on the Großer Markt in Saarlouis. As every year, there will be a Ferris wheel, thrill rides, a market in the pedestrian zone, and a family day on Tuesday.

The exact date for 2026 will likely be officially announced by the city of Saarlouis in early summer 2026. The funfair follows the proven pattern: opening on Friday at 6 PM with barrel tapping, five days of funfair with amusement rides, a supplementary market in the pedestrian zone on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Tuesday as Family Day with reduced ride prices.

Highlights Ludwigskirmes 2026

Ferris wheel "Alte Liebe" with views over Saarlouis
Thrill rides CHAOS and MAGIC
Market on Mondays and Tuesdays
Family Day with reduced ride prices
Atmosphere of the baroque fortress city

Programme Ludwigskirmes 2026

Detailed programme for 2026 will be published by the city of Saarlouis in summer 2026. The traditional structure is as follows:

Friday (Opening Day)

2:00 PM — Opening of the amusement rides
6:00 PM — Barrel tapping with the mayor in front of the central amusement ride
2:00 PM–10:00 PM — Funfair operation

Saturday and Sunday

2:00 PM–10:00 PM — Funfair with Ferris wheel "Alte Liebe", CHAOS, MAGIC, and children's rides

Monday

2:00 PM–10:00 PM — Funfair operation
During the day — Market in the pedestrian zone

Tuesday (Family Day)

2:00 PM–10:00 PM — Funfair with reduced ride prices
During the day — Market

Prices Ludwigskirmes 2026

Free admission. Rides at standard market prices (€3–€7 per ride). Reduced prices on Tuesday (Family Day).

Practical information

Practical information — Ludwigskirmes

Getting There

Train: Saarlouis Hauptbahnhof (main station), regional trains from Saarbrücken, Trier, and Luxembourg. Approx. 10 minutes walk from the main station to the Großer Markt. Car: A8 exit Saarlouis-Mitte or A620 exit Saarlouis-Roden.

Parking

Several multi-storey car parks in Saarlouis-Mitte (Parkhaus Lebach, Parkhaus Großer Markt, Parkhaus Vauban). Parts of the city centre are closed during the funfair.

Opening Hours

Friday to Tuesday, 2:00 PM–10:00 PM daily (opening on Friday at 6:00 PM).

Admission

Free – Costs only for rides, food, and games.

Tip

Visit the Casemates city and the Vauban-era fortifications – combined with the funfair, it makes an excellent day trip. In summer, a detour to the Saarschleife (Saar bend) or to neighbouring France (Bouzonville, 25 km) is also recommended.

Funfair in the Baroque Fortress City

The Ludwigskirmes is one of the most significant folk festivals (Volksfeste) in the Saarlouis district of Saarland. It takes place every year at the end of August / beginning of September on the Großer Markt (Great Market Square) of the fortress city – a baroque square framed by the city's fortifications built by the Marquis de Vauban (commissioned by Louis XIV). The name "Ludwigskirmes" refers to this very Sun King, who had Saarlouis founded in 1680.

Amusement Rides for All Ages

The funfair offers a varied programme of classic rides and modern attractions: the nostalgic Ferris wheel "Alte Liebe" (Old Love), thrill rides like "CHAOS" and "MAGIC", dodgems, carousel rides, and for the youngest visitors, children's attractions such as the "Olympia-Bungee-Trampolin" (Olympia Bungee Trampoline) or the "Ice Road Cars" with snow and ice landscapes. Food stalls offer Saarland and international specialities – from Lyoner sausage to crêpes.

Market in the Pedestrian Zone

A special feature of the Saarlouis funfair is the market that also takes place on Mondays and Tuesdays in the pedestrian zones around the Großer Markt. Traders offer clothing, shoes, household goods, toys, and leather goods – a mix of traditional Saarland market (Jahrmarkt) and modern funfair atmosphere.

Family Day and Opening Barrel Tapping

The Ludwigskirmes traditionally opens on Friday evening with the tapping of a beer keg in front of one of the central amusement rides (in previous years, in front of "MAGIC"). The mayor and city council representatives tap the barrel and officially open the market to visitors. Tuesday, the last day of the funfair, is Children's and Family Day with reduced ride prices.

Saarlouis – The Fortress City in Saarland

Saarlouis, with around 35,000 inhabitants, is the district capital of the district of the same name in western Saarland. The baroque city centre with its historic fortifications, the Großer Markt, and the Casemates city shape the cityscape. The Ludwigskirmes takes place in precisely this historic setting – a Saarland folk festival with French roots and a unique atmosphere.