Lunapark Paderborn

105 Years of Lunapark – Paderborn Kirmes Tradition

If you travel to Paderborn in April, Lunapark is the unmistakable date in the city calendar. Since 1919, for over 100 years, Lunapark has attracted families, students, and young adults to the Maspernplatz during Holy Week – a central event space in Paderborn's city center. Unlike the religious Libori Festival in summer (which honors the city patron Liborius), Lunapark is a purely commercial family Kirmes without any religious connection. The name 'Lunapark' – common worldwide for amusement parks – refers to the Coney Island origins of modern Kirmes culture in the early 20th century.

Maspernplatz as the Kirmes Grounds

The Maspernplatz is located between the train station and the city center – a central event space that serves various functions throughout the year (parking lot, weekly market, stage for city festivals). With an area of around 18,000 m², it offers enough space for the approximately 60 showmen who set up their rides, food stalls, and show booths.

Highlights 2026

The highlight of 2026 is the return of the 50-meter Ferris wheel 'EyeCatcher' – one of the largest transportable Ferris wheels in Germany. From the top, it offers a panorama of Paderborn's city center with the distinctive Paderborn Cathedral, the Pader (Germany's shortest river), and the city center. A second highlight is the Mad Max carousel – a newer high-speed ride built for the younger generation, offering action and a thrill factor.

Laser Show Instead of Fireworks

A novelty is the laser show on Friday, April 24, 2026 – it replaces the traditional fireworks. The reasons are often nature conservation and noise reduction; the laser show is more environmentally friendly, quieter, and visually at least as impressive. It typically takes place after dark and is a family magnet.

Happy Hour Wednesday

A typical Volksfest (public festival) element is the Happy Hour on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 2 PM to 6 PM: During these four hours, there are reduced prices on the rides – especially attractive for families with children who can come during the week (school holidays!), and for seniors. The Happy Hour Wednesday has been a proven tradition of Paderborn's Lunapark for years.

Showmen and Atmosphere

The around 60 showmen are a mix of regional and traveling vendors. Classic family carousels, roller coasters for the brave, haunted houses as a classic scare, dodgems as a social sport, show stalls with a wheel of fortune, shooting galleries, and sweet stalls. Culinary delights include Bratwurst (sausage), fries, almonds, crêpes, gingerbread hearts, and cotton candy – a must-try.

Paderborn – Cathedral City in the Hochstift

Paderborn, with around 152,000 inhabitants, is a university city and one of Germany's oldest episcopal cities (Charlemagne founded the bishopric in 799). It belongs to the Hochstift Paderborn in Ostwestfalen-Lippe. The city is characterized by the Paderborn Cathedral, the source of the Pader River, the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (largest computer museum in the world), and a strong university scene. Lunapark is one of the most important social events in spring – the official opening of the Kirmes season in North Rhine-Westphalia.