St. Bartholomäuskirmes Schwarzenholz
Saarland Patronal Kirmes with Kirwenbaddis tradition in the district of Saarlouis
About Bartholomäuskirmes
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Patronal Kirmes of Saint Bartholomew
The St. Bartholomäuskirmes commemorates the Apostle Bartholomew, patron saint of the parish of Schwarzenholz – a district of the municipality of Saarwellingen in the Saarlouis district. The Kirmes is celebrated every year on the last weekend of August (Saturday to Tuesday) and is deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition of the Saarland.
The Kirwenbaddis – Saarland Straw Figure Tradition
The highlight and unique selling point of the Kirmes is the "Kirwenbaddis": a life-sized straw figure that is made by the Kirmes association and treated like its own character during the Kirmes. On Saturday evening, the association gathers at 6 p.m. in the "Da Capo" club restaurant and collects the Baddis at 7 p.m. in a festive parade to the Kirmes grounds – where he is solemnly welcomed. The straw figure remains on the festival grounds throughout the Kirmes and "visits" the individual stalls.
High Court of Schwarzenholz
The absolute highlight is Tuesday evening: From 7 p.m., the associations gather again, march to the Kirmes grounds, and around 8 p.m., the "High Court of Schwarzenholz" opens a humorous court hearing against the Kirwenbaddis. He is accused of the "misdeeds" of the past year and publicly condemned in the end – an old Saarland tradition that solemnly concludes the Kirmes.
Club Gastronomy and Saarland Specialties
The stalls are operated almost exclusively by Schwarzenholz clubs: Bratwurst, fries, and the locally popular "Besenbinner-Batzen" characterize the culinary offerings. In addition, there are amusement rides, game stalls, and children's attractions.
High Mass and Kirmes Morning Pint
On Sunday at 10 a.m., the solemn high mass takes place in the parish church – musically accompanied by the Schwarzenholz/Reisbach church choir. On Monday, the MGV "Deutsche Eintracht" organizes the traditional Kirmes morning pint in the Schulze-Kathrin-Halle. Both are fixed components that anchor the festival deeply in Schwarzenholz's club life.
Schwarzenholz – A Saarland Patronal Village
Schwarzenholz is a typical Saarland village with about 2,700 inhabitants. It belongs to the municipality of Saarwellingen in the Saarlouis district and thrives on the close interweaving of the parish, clubs, and village community. Anyone who experiences the Bartholomäuskirmes sees the Saarland in its most authentic form.
Bartholomäuskirmes — edition 2026
Organized by the Schwarzenholz Kirmes association and the local clubs of the St. Bartholomew parish. The entire program has remained consistent in its most important elements for decades – an immersion into living Saarland traditions.
Programme Bartholomäuskirmes 2026
Saturday, August 22, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Gathering of the Kirmes association at the "Da Capo" restaurant
- 7:00 PM — Festival parade to collect the Kirwenbaddis
- 7:30 PM — Solemn welcome of the Kirwenbaddis on the Kirmes grounds
- 8:00 PM — Opening of the amusement rides and stalls
Sunday, August 23, 2026
- 10:00 AM — High Mass in St. Bartholomew's Parish Church with the Schwarzenholz/Reisbach church choir
- 12:00 PM — Morning pint on the Kirmes grounds
- All day — Amusement rides, game stalls, and club gastronomy
Monday, August 24, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Kirmes Morning Pint in the Schulze-Kathrin-Halle, organized by MGV "Deutsche Eintracht"
- Afternoon — Continuation of Kirmes activities
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Gathering at the "Da Capo" restaurant
- 7:15 PM — Festival parade to the Kirmes grounds
- 8:00 PM — High Court of Schwarzenholz: public hearing against the Kirwenbaddis and execution of the sentence
- 9:30 PM — Festival closing
Highlights Bartholomäuskirmes 2026
- Unique Kirwenbaddis tradition
- "High Court Hearing" on Tuesday evening
- High Mass with the Schwarzenholz/Reisbach church choir
- Kirmes Morning Pint by MGV "Deutsche Eintracht"
- Authentic Saarland Patronal Kirmes
Prices Bartholomäuskirmes 2026
Free admission. Food and drinks at the club stalls at fair prices.
Practical information — Bartholomäuskirmes
Getting There
By car: Take the A8 motorway, exit Saarwellingen, then follow signs for Schwarzenholz (approx. 5 minutes). By train: Saarlouis station, then take bus 471 to Schwarzenholz.
Parking
Free parking available in the village and at the Kirmes grounds.
Admission
Free. Food and drinks at the club stalls.
Accommodation
Hotels and guesthouses in Saarwellingen, Saarlouis (approx. 10 km), and Dillingen/Saar (15 km).
Tip
Come on Tuesday evening for the "High Court" – the humorous straw figure tribunal is a unique Saarland experience.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Bartholomäuskirmes al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Bartholomäuskirmes
Kirmesplatz Schwarzenholz
Kirmesplatz Schwarzenholz, 66793 Saarwellingen