Michaeliskirmes Brilon

Michaeliskirmes — Brilon's Grand Autumn Festival

The Michaeliskirmes Brilon is the annual autumn festival of the old Hanseatic city in the Hochsauerland region. From Friday, September 25 to Monday, September 28, 2026, Brilon's city center transforms into a four-day festival mile with a funfair (Kirmes), market stalls (Krammarkt), a stage program, and a family program. The date is traditionally based on Michaelmas Day (September 29) — the feast of Archangel Michael, which was the occasion for the autumn annual market in many medieval market towns.

Funfair on the Festival Grounds

Carousels, a Ferris wheel, and bumper cars spin on the central festival grounds. Shooting galleries, lottery stalls, and candy stands create the classic funfair atmosphere — roasted almonds, cotton candy, gingerbread hearts. Families will find dedicated children's carousels, and teenagers will find the fast rides. The opening traditionally takes place on Friday afternoon with the tapping of the first keg.

Market Stalls Through the City Center

The funfair is accompanied by the Krammarkt: market stalls line the historic streets around the market square, the town hall, and the Petrusbrunnen fountain. Traders offer textiles, leather goods, household items, handicrafts, and culinary specialties. Bratwurst, fries, potato pancakes (Reibekuchen), and Sauerland specialties are all part of it.

Special Bus Services and Parking Facilities

The City of Brilon organizes special bus services from the surrounding districts and neighboring communities for the funfair days. Parking is available in the large parking lots on the outskirts of the city, from where shuttle buses run to the city center. Detailed information at michaeliskirmes-brilon.de.

Brilon — Old Hanseatic City in the Hochsauerland

Brilon is a city in the Hochsauerlandkreis district in North Rhine-Westphalia with around 25,000 inhabitants. The old Hanseatic city is located on the Briloner Hochfläche (430 m above sea level), a member of the Hanseatic League since the 13th century. Landmarks include the parish church of St. Petrus und Andreas (1184), the town hall from 1752, and the Petrusbrunnen fountain (1525). Brilon is one of the Kneipp spa towns and the gateway to the Sauerland hiking paradise — the Brilon forests are considered the largest contiguous municipal forests in Germany.

Upcoming Dates Confirmed Until 2030

The City of Brilon has already confirmed the Michaeliskirmes dates until 2030:

• 2026 — September 25–28
• 2027 — September 24–27
• 2028 — September 22–25
• 2029 — September 21–24
• 2030 — September 27–30

The planning security shows that the funfair is firmly anchored in the Sauerland festival calendar.