Martener Bürgerfest 2026

Dortmund-Marten — Western District with Mining Heritage

Marten is a district of Dortmund in the western borough of Lütgendortmund. Characterised by its mining history (Zeche Zollern, now an industrial monument, is nearby) and an active sense of district identity. With around 9,000 inhabitants, it is manageable, with a strong club structure and lively citizen engagement. The annual Bürgerfest is the most important district event and brings the neighbourhood together on the Schützenplatz.

"Marten aktiv" e.V. — Neighbourhood Aid as Organiser

The organiser is the neighbourhood aid organisation "Marten aktiv" e.V. — a citizens' association that focuses on neighbourhood help, district engagement, and cultural events. The Bürgerfest is one of its most important annual activities and is financed through club stalls, food sales, and small sponsorships. The association works closely with the Marten School Museum and local sports, shooting, carnival, and cultural clubs.

Schützenplatz An der Wasserburg — Historic Festival Site

The venue is the Schützenplatz An der Wasserburg behind the Marten School Museum. The square has a long history as a club and folk festival site — historically the home of the Marten shooting club, today it is also a playground for the Bürgerfest and other district events. Its location behind the School Museum (an important Dortmund cultural site showcasing the school history of the Ruhr area) also makes the square a cultural anchor.

Always the First Weekend of August

The Bürgerfest traditionally takes place on the first weekend of August — typically Saturday to Sunday, occasionally starting on Friday evening with an opening ceremony. For 2026, this is expected to be August 1-2, 2026 — the exact date will be confirmed in spring 2026. The August date takes advantage of the summer holidays for a relaxed family atmosphere and good summer weather.

Programme — Stage, Clubs, Family Entertainment

The typical programme includes:

• Colourful Stage Programme — Live bands from Dortmund and the surrounding area, music ensembles, dance performances, comedy acts
• Club Mile — Stalls from Marten's sports, shooting, carnival, fire brigade, and cultural clubs, each with its own food and drink offerings
• Family Entertainment — Children's carousels, bouncy castle, games, face painting stand
• Food Variety — Bratwurst, fries, potato pancakes, international specialities from the clubs
• Live Music late into the evening

Lütgendortmund District

Marten belongs to the Lütgendortmund district — one of Dortmund's western districts, comprising several small and medium-sized sub-districts (Lütgendortmund, Marten, Bövinghausen, Kley, Westrich, among others). The district has a distinct culture of clubs and district festivals — the Martener Bürgerfest is part of a series of district festivals spread throughout the summer months.