Rheinkirmes Düsseldorf — Largest Funfair on the Rhine

The Most Important Funfair on the Lower Rhine

Four million visitors in ten days, 165,000 m² of festival grounds along the Rhine meadows — the Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes is the largest Volksfest in the Rhineland and Europe's largest volunteer-organized Volksfest. It is hosted by the St. Sebastianus Schützenverein Düsseldorf 1316 e.V., an association with over 700 years of history. Its roots date back to 1316 — today, the Rheinkirmes is the main festival of the association and, at the same time, THE Volksfest of the North Rhine metropolis.

New Attractions 2026

For 2026, the showman guild has once again announced spectacular premieres:

• "Fahrt zur Hölle 2.0" — a larger, more advanced haunted house
• "Top Spin Fresh" — a roller coaster with loops and water effects
• "The Beast" — a new thrill ride

Classic Rides

• Bellevue Ferris Wheel — 42 enclosed gondolas, panoramic view of the Rhine
• Bayern Tower and Kettenflieger (chain swing ride) — swinging rides
• Wilde Maus XXL and Alpina Bahn — roller coasters
• Family attractions: Super-Rutsche (Super Slide), Actionhouse, Kristallpalast (Crystal Palace)

Program Highlights 2026

• Pink Monday (July 14, before opening — CSD edition, from 5 PM): LGBTQ+ themed evening with drag performance and rainbow lighting
• Historic Festival Parade (July 13): Marksmen, riders, and floats parade through Düsseldorf's city center
• Drone Show (July 12 and 18, 10:15 PM): 1,000+ LED drones over the Rhine
• Super Fireworks (July 24): traditional grand fireworks finale
• Family Day (July 19): discounted prices and family offers

History of the St. Sebastianus Schützenverein

The Schützenverein was founded in 1316, making it one of the oldest citizen marksmen's associations in Germany. What began as a medieval citizen militia has evolved into a traditional customs association with over 4,500 members, who organize the Rheinkirmes as their main festival. The marksmen parade through the city on the weekend before the funfair begins — from the town hall to the festival grounds.

Rhine Meadows Oberkassel

The Rhine meadows in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel (left bank of the Rhine) offer a picture-perfect backdrop: against the Düsseldorf skyline with the Castle Tower, St. Lambertus Church, and the Rhine Tower. At sunset, the Ferris wheel reflects in the water — one of the most photographed Volksfest motifs in Germany.

Düsseldorf as a City of Carnival and Funfairs

Düsseldorf is the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, one of Germany's economic metropolises, and one of the most important Carnival strongholds on the Rhine. Alongside Düsseldorf Carnival, the Rheinkirmes is the city's most significant Volksfest — and an international attraction with visitors from the Netherlands, Belgium, and all over Europe.