Urexweiler Parish Festival

Parish Festival in the Catholic Saarland

The Parish Festival is one of the most important social events in the annual calendar of Saarland villages. In a federal state like Saarland, which is predominantly Catholic, parish festivals are more than just church events – they are community festivals where clubs, neighbors, and families come together. The Urexweiler Parish Festival in the Marpingen district is exactly that: an intergenerational summer festival with a church opening and a secular conclusion.

Parish of St. Francis of Assisi Urexweiler

Urexweiler is one of the four districts of the municipality of Marpingen, alongside Marpingen, Alsweiler, and Berschweiler. Since January 2025, all four parish communities have been merged into the Marpingen Parish Community. The local community of St. Francis of Assisi Urexweiler remains the organizer of the parish festival, and the parish church in the village center is the starting point of the celebration.

Festival Schedule

The parish festival traditionally begins with a family service in the parish church of St. Francis of Assisi. Afterwards, the congregation moves to the nearby parish hall, where the actual celebration starts outdoors and indoors. The culinary offerings are traditionally from the Saarland: "Schwenker" (grilled meat skewers) from charcoal grills, Lyoner sausages, homemade salads, cakes from the parish kitchen, and coffee served from their own dispenser. Live music by a regional band or a local choir accompanies the event.

Children's Program and Intergenerational Festival

A specially organized children's program with a game course, raffle, craft activities, and sometimes a performance by the youngest members of the parish makes the festival interesting for the younger generation as well. This makes the parish festival a regular Sunday appointment for many families – the adults chat under the chestnut tree, while the children run through the game stations.

In the St. Wendel District

Urexweiler is located in the St. Wendel district, north of the Saarland state capital Saarbrücken. The region between Marpingen, Tholey, and St. Wendel is scenically attractive and characterized by Lake Bostalsee and the Saar-Hunsrück low mountain range.