St. Georgs Kirmes Polch

Polch, with around 6,500 inhabitants, the administrative seat of the municipality of the same name in the district of Mayen-Koblenz, celebrates its St. Georgs Kirmes every spring. The name refers to the patron saint of the parish church of St. Georg, whose feast day is on April 23rd; the Kirmes is traditionally held on the weekend around St. George's Day.

In 2026, the festival falls on the weekend from Friday, April 10th, to Monday, April 13th. The venue is Hans-Baulig-Platz in the center of Polch, which will be equipped with a festival tent, stalls, and amusement rides for the four-day Kirmes. The St. Georgs Kirmes is deeply rooted in Polch's civic society: local clubs, the St. Georg parish, and the town of Polch organize the festival together.

The program combines church tradition with secular folk festival. On Saturday, the procession through the town and the festive church service mark the spiritual start – a custom that makes the connection between the patron saint and the village festival visible. This is followed by the barrel tapping, which officially opens the Kirmes. The mayor and the festival committee tap the first beer before the festival tent fills up.

On Saturday evening from 9 p.m., the big Kirmes party starts with the live band Abrisshelden, which is well-known in the Maifeld and the wider region for its rousing music. Sunday is all about family: coffee and cake in the festival tent, live music to sing along to, meeting neighbors and acquaintances. Finally, on Monday, the traditional Frühschoppen takes place – a typical element of Rhenish Kirmes traditions, concluding with DJ music and beer.

The St. Georgs Kirmes is a good example of the vibrant village Kirmes traditions that are still firmly rooted in the Maifeld. Anyone who wants to experience authentic Rhenish customs will find it here: down-to-earth, cordial, without tourist staging.