Servatius-Kirmes Bonn-Friesdorf

Bonn-Friesdorf — District with Patron Saint Servatius

Friesdorf is a district in the Bonn district of Bad Godesberg, located about 7 kilometers south of Bonn's city center on the Rhine. Manageable with around 9,000 inhabitants, but with its own identity independent of Bad Godesberg, Friesdorf has its own parish church (St. Servatius), its own clubs, and its own fair — and the latter is one of the oldest and most popular fair events in southern Bonn.

Saint Servatius and the Ice Saints

The patron of the fair is Saint Servatius of Tongeren († 384), Bishop, early Christianizer of the Lower Rhine region, and patron saint against frost. His name day on May 13th marks the beginning of the Ice Saints (Mamertus, Pancras, Servatius, Boniface, Sophia) — that period between May 11th and 15th, when, according to the farmers' almanac, the last late frost is expected. The Servatius Fair is historically the patronal festival of the parish of St. Servatius in Friesdorf and traditionally takes place around May 13th — in 2026, it falls on the weekend of May 8th–11th.

The Fair at Margaretenstraße Parking Lot

For decades, the venue has been the parking lot at Margaretenstraße in Friesdorf, centrally located between St. Servatius parish church and the residential area. For the four days of the festival, rides, food stalls, shooting galleries, and sweet stalls are set up. What distinguishes the Friesdorf Fair from a big city spectacle: It is a district fair in the classic sense — not a mega-event, but a meeting point for neighbors, old and new Friesdorf residents, parents with children, youth groups from the parish, and the sports club.

What You'll Experience at the Fair

• Rides — Chain carousel, bumper cars, Ferris wheel variant (depending on the year), children's carousels, smaller rides
• Food — Bratwurst, mushrooms, fries, crêpes, potato pancakes (Reibekuchen), Lángos, vegetarian options
• Sweets — Cotton candy, candied almonds, chocolate-covered fruits, gingerbread hearts
• Shooting galleries, lotteries, horse racing — the classics for game enthusiasts
• Fairground tent atmosphere — tables, benches, drinks, with live music or DJ sets on weekends

The Ortsausschuss Friesdorf 1929 e.V.

The organizer is the Ortsausschuss Friesdorf 1929 e.V., located at Klufterstraße 38. The Ortsausschuss is a civic umbrella organization of Friesdorf clubs, founded in 1929 — the association not only organizes the Servatius Fair but also the St. Martin's Day procession, Advent concerts, and other district events. Admission is always free, the fair is financed by stall fees and the volunteer work of the association members.

Bonn-Friesdorf and Surroundings

For those combining the fair weekend with a visit: The neighboring Bad Godesberg with its Theaterplatz and Stadthalle, the Godesburg with views over the Rhine valley, the nearby Rolandsbogen**, and the ascent to the Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge are all reachable in 15–30 minutes. The Rhine Cycle Route runs directly along the Rhine — perfect for a day trip.