Tanz in den Mai im Stübbeken

Tanz in den Mai — a Sauerland Tradition

April 30th, the eve of May 1st, is traditionally a festive day throughout German-speaking countries — from the Walpurgis Night in the Harz mountains to the classic 'Tanz in den Mai' in village communities. In Iserlohn-Letmathe, specifically in the district of Stübbeken, the Stübbeken Village Community upholds this tradition with a particularly charming format: theatre in the evening, followed by dancing until after midnight.

Program April 30, 2026

• Theatre performance by the Stübbeken Amateur Theatre Group — the village theatre group performs a new play annually, usually a comedy or a light-hearted drama in Low German or High German
• Subsequently, Tanz in den Mai with live music or a DJ — the celebration continues well past midnight
• Culinary offerings: food, drinks, May punch
• Festive atmosphere in the style of rural spring festivals

Stübbeken Village Hall — Meeting Point of the Hamlet

The Stübbeken Village Hall at Dorfplatz 23 is the centre of the small hamlet of Stübbeken, a district of Letmathe. Most village events take place here throughout the year: club festivals, theatre performances, traditional events, spring and harvest festivals. Unlike commercial venues, the village hall is run by volunteers — the proceeds go towards maintaining the hall and supporting club activities.

Letmathe and Iserlohn — A Town in the Sauerland

Since 1975, Letmathe has been a district of Iserlohn in the Märkischer Kreis in the Sauerland region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Iserlohn (around 92,000 inhabitants) is a traditional industrial city with a long history of metalworking. The Sauerland, with its forests, valleys, and hamlets, is a classic local recreation area for the Ruhr region.

Letmathe Local History Association

The Letmathe Local History Association communicates the event via its website and maintains a close connection with the Stübbeken Village Community. Local history associations in the Sauerland traditionally act as custodians or multipliers of such traditional events — they ensure that customs like 'Tanz in den Mai' or raising the Maypole are not forgotten.

Why the Evening is Worth It

Unlike large commercial May parties in the cities, the Stübbeken event offers something that large-scale events can hardly provide: village authenticity. The amateur theatre performs for its own community, the dancing is intergenerational, and the atmosphere of the small village hall makes the difference. A hidden gem for anyone wanting to experience a classic, traditional 'Tanz in den Mai' in the Sauerland.