Osterkirmes am Seilersee / Seilersee in Flammen

Spring Kick-off in the Sauerland Foothills

The Osterkirmes am Seilersee is Iserlohn's annual spring Volksfest (public festival) – and the largest funfair in the Märkisch district capital. It opens the open-air season in southern Westphalia and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from the Märkischer Kreis and the neighboring Hochsauerland over the nine days. The venue is the Festplatz am Seilersee, an artificially dammed lake in the Lasbeck district of Iserlohn.

2026 – Nine Days of Events

The 2026 edition runs from Saturday, April 4 to Sunday, April 12 – nine consecutive days of festivities over two weekends, open throughout. As usual, it falls before and during the Easter weekend – Good Friday in 2026 is on April 3, Easter Sunday on April 5. The showmen's association and the city of Iserlohn have confirmed the dates in the approval lists and industry forums (kirmesforum.de, kirmes-index.de).

Showmen's Program

On the fairground, visitors will find the classic repertoire of a large Westphalian funfair: roller coasters, Ferris wheel, Bayern-Curve, chain carousel, bumper cars, children's carousels, shooting galleries, and lottery stalls – complemented by typical funfair gastronomy with bratwurst, potato pancakes, almonds, crêpes, pizza, mulled wine, and beer. Several large showmen families from NRW are regularly represented.

Family Day on Wednesday, April 8

Those with children should specifically plan for Wednesday, April 8, 2026: Family Day offers discounted rates on most rides – an attractive date, especially during the North Rhine-Westphalian Easter holidays.

Highlight: Seilersee in Flammen

The actual hallmark of the Iserlohn Osterkirmes is the pyromusical fireworks display 'Seilersee in Flammen', on Friday evening, April 10, 2026. The fireworks are launched from the Seilersee and reflected in the water – accompanied by music and choreographed effects. It is considered one of the most spectacular Volksfest pyrotechnic shows in NRW; the fireworks fan page and local Iserlohn media document the spectacle annually.

Arrival and Shuttle

The city of Iserlohn provides a shuttle service from the Hemberg parking lot during the Osterkirmes – those arriving by car can park there free of charge and take the bus to the fairground. On-site parking is limited, especially on the fireworks evening. Public transport: MVG (Märkische Verkehrsgesellschaft) bus lines serve the Seilersee.