Maifest Mariaweiler (Maigesellschaft)

Düren-Mariaweiler – in western Düren

Mariaweiler is a district in the western part of Düren, the district town of the eponymous district in the North Rhine-Westphalian Voreifel region. With about 5,000 inhabitants, Mariaweiler is a typical Voreifel district: a mix of residential areas and older buildings with a village center, its own parish church, and active club life. The Maigesellschaft Mariaweiler – an association of young men and women from the district – cultivates May customs as its central club festival.

May Customs in the Düren District

The Düren district is one of the strongholds of Rhenish May customs: Mainacht (on the night of April 30th to May 1st), Maibaumaufstellen, Maitanz, and the multi-day Maifest are firmly anchored in many districts and villages. DN-News – the local medium for the district – annually publishes an overview of all Mainacht and Maifest dates, listing Mariaweiler for May 8–10, 2026.

Three-Day Festival Concept

Friday, May 8, 2026 – Opening

Festival opening in the late afternoon by the Maigesellschaft. First festival evenings in the marquee with live music (local bands, cover bands, May classics).

Saturday, May 9, 2026 – Maibaumaufstellen

Highlight: the traditional Maibaumaufstellen on the village square – a birch tree decorated with ribbons, traditional sashes, and the coat of arms of the Maigesellschaft. Followed by a festival evening with a live band.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 – Family Day & Maitanz

Family day program. In the evening, the Maitanz – the convivial closing event of the festival.

Venue and May Customs

The festival venue is the Mariaweiler Dorfplatz (village square) or a club-owned space in the district. The organizer is the Maigesellschaft Mariaweiler – a club where the young people of the village traditionally become members and pass on the festival culture through the generations.