Pflaumenkirmes Methler

One of Kamen's Four Funfairs

The Pflaumenkirmes Methler is one of four annual district funfairs that the city of Kamen hosts each year — alongside Maikirmes (city center), Sommerkirmes, and Herbstkirmes (Heeren-Werve). Methler holds a special place in the city's culture because it marks the last funfair before autumn and offers a visual attraction with its fireworks display.

Date 2026 — September 18 to 21

In 2026, the Pflaumenkirmes runs from Friday, September 18 to Monday, September 21 in the historic village center of Methler. Four days of Volksfest (traditional funfair) with different program highlights:

• Friday, Sep 18: Opening in the late afternoon, funfair operation, live music in the festival tent
• Saturday, Sep 19: All-day funfair, highlight with traditional fireworks display in the evening
• Sunday, Sep 20: Family Day with morning pint and participation of local clubs
• Monday, Sep 21: Family funfair day with special discounts from many showmen

Methler — Methler Village Center as the Venue

Methler is a district in the north of Kamen with a historic character. The village center around the church and the old main street provides the backdrop — a typical Westphalian center with half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and manageable distances. The showmen set up their rides directly between the historic houses, giving the funfair a special flair.

Rides and Market Stalls

A changing selection of carousels, shooting galleries, candy stalls, and food stands:

• Children's carousels, pony rides
• Classic adult rides (chain carousel, Break-Dancer, bumper cars)
• Shooting galleries, lottery stalls, skill games
• Sweets — roasted almonds, cotton candy, gingerbread hearts
• Snacks — bratwurst, potato pancakes with apple sauce, fries, crêpes
• Drink stalls with beer, mulled wine, non-alcoholic beverages

The Famous Fireworks Display

The city of Kamen explicitly points out that "fireworks displays are regularly held" — at the Pflaumenkirmes Methler as well as at the funfair in Heeren-Werve. The fireworks on Saturday evening attract visitors from the entire surrounding area and are one of the largest municipal late-summer fireworks displays in the Unna district.

Family Day on Monday

A classic at district funfairs: Family Day on Monday with reduced ride prices. Many showmen offer tickets at half price or family day pass deals — a magnet for families from Kamen and the neighboring communities of Bergkamen, Bönen, Holzwickede.

Kamen-Methler

Kamen is a medium-sized town with around 43,000 inhabitants in the eastern Ruhr area (Unna district), an important transport hub at the Kamener Kreuz (A1/A2). Methler in the north has retained its village character and is known for its distinct identity and active club structure, famous for the Pflaumenkirmes, which gives its district its character.