Rheindorfer Bachfest and Gebrannter

Over 350 years of tradition — Bonn's oldest suburban festival

The Rheindorfer Bachfest und Gebrannter is one of the oldest traditional festivals in the Rhineland. The roots of the festival date back to 1666 — when it was established as a plague defence custom. The residents of Rheindorf vowed to celebrate an annual thanksgiving if the plague spared the community. Over the centuries, this vow evolved into today's Bachfest, which takes place annually on the last weekend of August — from Friday, August 28 to Monday, August 31, 2026.

What does “Gebrannter” mean?

The “Gebrannter” is the namesake component of the festival — a historical schnapps ritual that is served during the festival. The term is reminiscent of the tradition of strong spirits that were distributed during a plague defence ceremony — a custom that is symbolically preserved today. The festival retains its sacred component: a festive church service, a procession through the village, followed by the folk festival programme.

Junggesellenverein-Männerreih 1839 Rheinlust

The organiser is the Junggesellenverein-Männerreih 1839 Rheinlust — itself a traditional club with roots in the early industrial era. The club is deeply embedded in the district and organizes other events besides the Bachfest: Maypole raising, Christmas market, May festival, and summer festival.

Venue: Rheindorfer Burg

The festival takes place at the Rheindorfer Burg in Estermannstraße — in the Bonn district of Graurheindorf. The Rheindorfer Burg, a former moated castle site, is now a green meadow with historical character. This is where the festival marquee is erected, where the morning pints are held, and where the Gebrannter is served.

Programme 2026

• Friday, August 28 — Marquee opening with live band in the evening
• Saturday, August 29 — Grand festival evening with dancing, brass music
• Sunday, August 30 — Festive church service in the morning, morning pint with brass music, family programme with children's carousels in the afternoon
• Monday, August 31 — Morning pint, festival conclusion, traditional honours

Graurheindorf — the North of Bonn

Graurheindorf is a historic district of Bonn in the northwest of the federal city — located directly on the Rhine. The Bachfest is one of the most important identity events for the district and attracts residents from all over northern Bonn as well as from Cologne and the adjacent Eifel region. Bonn 2026 has prominently included the festival in its press release 'Varied Event Year 2026'.