Michaelisfest Mengede

Michaelisfest — The Mengede Folk Festival

For generations, the Michaelisfest has been the most important folk festival in the Dortmund district of Mengede. Traditionally held on the first weekend of September, it dates back to the patronal feast of St. Michael (September 29th) — patron of the Catholic parish church of St. Remigius Mengede. The festival transforms the entire district centre into a three-day fairground from September 1st to 3rd, 2026.

Programme — Three Days of Mengede District Festival

Friday, September 1st, 2026

• Opening and barrel tapping by the business association
• First stalls and showman businesses open
• Live music in the evening

Saturday, September 2nd, 2026

• Full fairground operation
• Family programme with children's carousels
• Live bands on the central stage

Sunday, September 3rd, 2026

• Family Day with Sunday shopping in Mengede
• Morning pint (Frühschoppen) in the morning
• Closing atmosphere in the evening

Mengede — Dortmund's North with its Own Identity

The Mengede district, with around 38,000 inhabitants, was an independent municipality until its incorporation in 1928. With its own historic town centre, Mengede Castle, the Volksgarten (public park), and an active civic culture, the district has retained its village character beyond its incorporation. The Michaelisfest is an expression of this independent identity.

District Festival Culture in Dortmund

Unlike the central inner-city events (DORTBUNT, à la Carte, Cityring), district festivals like the Michaelisfest Mengede, the Hörder Frühling, Viva Hombruch, or the Bartholomäuskirmes Lütgendortmund are the true identity events of Dortmund's districts. They foster local club culture, provide a stage for business associations, and pass on district history to younger generations.

Mengede in the Festival Calendar

With the Michaelisfest in September and the Medieval Gathering in the Volksgarten (June), Mengede has two festivals of its own in the annual calendar — an unusual commitment for a district, reflecting the strong civic culture of the neighbourhood.