Siegfriedspektakel Xanten
21st Medieval Market at Xanten's Nordwall — Four Days of Nibelungen World
2026
About Siegfriedspektakel
Siegfriedspektakel — edition 2026
21st Siegfriedspektakel
From May 14th to 17th, 2026, the Nordwall in Xanten will transform for the 21st time into a large medieval market with encampments, stages, tournament fields, and a market street. The official opening takes place on Thursday at 12:15 PM with a procession from the city center to the Nordwall.
Daily program highlights include the jousting tournaments on horseback at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM, and the three performances of the dragon Fangdorn. Friday and Saturday feature fire tournaments at 9:45 PM. Two music stages will entertain throughout the weekend with Cultus Ferox, The Sandsacks, Fabula, and Mittelalter-Spielweiber.
Highlights Siegfriedspektakel 2026
- 21st edition at the historic Nordwall (former Roman fortifications)
- Jousting tournaments on horseback twice daily
- Fire tournaments on Friday and Saturday at night
- Dragon Fangdorn in three shows per day
- Two music stages featuring Cultus Ferox, The Sandsacks, Fabula, Mittelalter-Spielweiber
- Opening and closing processions
Programme Siegfriedspektakel 2026
Thursday, May 14th, 2026 (11 AM–10 PM)
- 12:15 PM: Opening Procession from the city center to the Nordwall
- 11:30 AM / 3:00 PM / 5:30 PM: Dragon Fangdorn
- 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM: Jousting Tournament on Horseback
- Throughout the day: Market street, encampments, craft demonstrations
- Evening: Live music on both stages
Friday, May 15th, 2026 (11 AM–11 PM)
- 11:30 AM / 3:00 PM / 5:30 PM: Dragon Fangdorn
- 1:00 PM / 4:30 PM: Jousting Tournament
- Stage Highlights: The Sandsacks, Cultus Ferox
- 9:45 PM: Fire Tournament at nightfall
- Special night market program
Saturday, May 16th, 2026 (11 AM–11 PM)
- 11:30 AM / 3:00 PM / 5:30 PM: Dragon Fangdorn
- 1:00 PM / 4:30 PM: Jousting Tournament
- Stage Highlights: Fabula, Mittelalter-Spielweiber
- 9:45 PM: Fire Tournament
Sunday, May 17th, 2026 (11 AM–7 PM)
- 11:30 AM / 3:00 PM / 5:30 PM: Dragon Fangdorn
- 12:15 PM: Closing Procession
- 1:00 PM / 4:30 PM: Final Jousting Tournaments
- Throughout the day: Market activities until closing
Prices Siegfriedspektakel 2026
Adults: €16.00. Children: €8.00. Visitors in historical costume: €13.00 adults, €6.00 children. Family rates available. Tickets via xanten.de and on-site.
Practical information — Siegfriedspektakel
Getting There
Xanten is located on the Lower Rhine, about 70 km northwest of Düsseldorf. By car via the A 57 (Sonsbeck exit). By train from Duisburg or Düsseldorf on the RB 31 to Xanten, then walk or take a shuttle to the Nordwall. Festival parking is available outside the grounds.
Opening Hours
Thursday, May 14th, 2026: 11 AM–10 PM. Friday, May 15th, and Saturday, May 16th, 2026: 11 AM–11 PM. Sunday, May 17th, 2026: 11 AM–7 PM.
Admission
Adults €16, Children €8. Visitors in historical costume: Adults €13, Children €6. Family rates available.
Four Days of Nibelungen World
The Siegfriedspektakel is one of the largest medieval markets in the Lower Rhine region. For over two decades, it has transformed Xanten's Nordwall — a section of the former Roman city wall — into a four-day medieval market with encampments, jousting tournaments, music, crafts, and the dragon staging 'Fangdorn' every May. In 2026, the 21st edition runs from May 14th to 17th.
Jousting Tournaments and Fire Tournament
On the central tournament field, two grand jousting tournaments on horseback take place daily — at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM. Skilled riders in full armor compete against each other with lances, swords, and maces. Highlights are the evening fire tournaments on Friday (May 15th) and Saturday (May 16th) at 9:45 PM each — at nightfall, with fire effects and dramatic light staging.
Dragon Fangdorn Three Times Daily
A unique feature of the Siegfriedspektakel is the mechanical dragon Fangdorn, which appears three times daily (11:30 AM, 3:00 PM, and 5:30 PM). The show draws on the Nibelungen myth — Siegfried defeating the dragon in the forest — and is particularly popular with families. Special night performances complement the program on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Two Music Stages — Medieval Rock and Folk
On two music stages in 2026, performers include: The Sandsacks with their mix of folk and rock, Cultus Ferox as an established German medieval rock band, Fabula with pagan folk, and the Mittelalter-Spielweiber (Medieval Playing Women) as a female ensemble with an acoustic program. Sets are spread across the four days, with a focus on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Opening and Closing Processions
The spectacle begins on Thursday, May 14th, 2026, with the ceremonial opening procession at 12:15 PM — knights, minstrels, falconers, and the festival host march from the city center to the Nordwall to officially open the market. On Sunday, May 17th, 2026, the closing procession marks the end of the market at 12:15 PM.
Over 100,000 Visitors in Xanten
The Siegfriedspektakel attracts over 100,000 visitors to the town of around 21,000 inhabitants on the Lower Rhine over the four days. Xanten — known for its Roman heritage (Colonia Ulpia Traiana) and Xanten Cathedral — becomes the center of the North Rhine-Westphalian medieval scene for a weekend. The connection of the Nibelungen saga (Siegfried is traditionally associated with Xanten) and Roman history gives the event its specific character.
Where it takes place Siegfriedspektakel
Siegfriedspektakel at a glance
History of Siegfriedspektakel
Edition 2025 May 2025Festivals similar to Siegfriedspektakel
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