Mauritiuskirmes Tholey

Mauritiuskirmes — a Tradition with Depth

The Mauritiuskirmes Tholey is one of the most traditional Volksfeste (public festivals) in the St. Wendel region. It commemorates the feast day of Saint Mauritius (September 22nd), the patron saint of Tholey's parish church and community. The name refers to the old connection between the village fair and the church's patronal festival — a tradition that has been preserved in many Saarland communities with a vibrant club scene.

Five Days of Volksfest

The Kirmes spans five days — traditionally from Thursday or Friday to Monday or Tuesday around St. Mauritius' Day. The festival dates for 2026 are expected to be September 10th to 13th (according to the St. Wendel Kirmes calendar). The program follows the classic Saarland Kirmes pattern with live music, carousels, Schwenker grills, and beer stands.

The Kirmes Year Group — A Special Tradition

A special feature is the role of the Kirmes year group: the youngest confirmed year group of the community (or a comparable club year group) takes primary responsibility for organizing the Kirmes. They parade through the streets of Tholey, proclaim the historical saying about 'Who the Kirmes belongs to', and organize the Hammeltanz and the Kirmesrede. A cross-generational tradition that characterizes Tholey's club life.

Hammeltanz and Kirmesrede

The Hammeltanz is an old folk tradition: a live ram (often symbolic today) is decorated with ribbons and dances in a circle with the Kirmes company. The Kirmesrede comments on the past year's events with wit, satire, and Saarland dialect — political allusions, local personalities, curious happenings. Both are highlights for connoisseurs and a living example of Saarland folk culture.

Live Music and Carousels

Live bands play every evening on the festival stage — cover bands, Schlager groups, dance bands. Carousels, a Ferris wheel, a chain carousel, and stalls selling cotton candy, candied almonds, and oranges are spread across the festival grounds. Beer from Saarland breweries, Schwenker (grilled meat skewers), and Lyoner (a type of sausage) form the culinary foundation.

Tholey in the St. Wendel Region

Tholey is a municipality in the district of St. Wendel, in northern Saarland, at the foot of the distinctive Schaumberg hill. The Benedictine Abbey of Tholey is one of Germany's oldest monasteries (founded around 634), now revived. With around 12,000 inhabitants, Tholey is not large, but its club life and cultural self-confidence are exceptional. The Mauritiuskirmes is a central part of this vibrant local culture.