Weeze Funfair

Weeze Funfair — a Lower Rhine Institution

The Weeze Funfair is the major annual folk festival in the Lower Rhine municipality of Weeze. From September 6 to 10, 2026, the Cyriakusplatz in the town center will transform into a festival and funfair mile. The special feature: each year, a different Weeze association takes responsibility — a charming form of mutual support among associations. In 2026, the Gemeindejugendring Weeze (Community Youth Ring Weeze) is in charge, providing the festival management and the Chain of Office bearer.

The Chain of Office 2026

The Chain of Office is the insignia of the Weezer Kirmes — a kind of "king's chain" for the festival, which is passed on anew each year. In 2026, it will be borne by Ulla Foydl, supported by her adjutants Stefan Nellesen and Tanja Schnell. The ceremonial handover of the chain and the opening of the festival are traditionally part of the program.

Duck Race on the Niers

A classic of the Weezer Kirmes is the duck race on the Niers. Hundreds of yellow rubber ducks are released into the Lower Rhine river Niers and float with the current — whoever "adopts" a duck and it reaches the finish line first wins. A deliberate mix of fun competition and charity, staging the Niers as the lifeblood of the community.

On the Cyriakusplatz

The Cyriakusplatz is the central square in Weeze, named after the patron saint of the Catholic parish church of St. Cyriakus. During the funfair, it fills with showmen's stalls, carousels, a Ferris wheel, food stands, and a stage for association performances and the opening program.

Rotation System — Each Association in Turn

A special feature of the Weezer Kirmes is the association rotation principle: Each year, a different Weeze association organizes the program and provides the Chain of Office bearer and adjutants. In 2025, it was the DLRG Weeze; in 2026, the Gemeindejugendring Weeze takes over. This makes the funfair a collective effort of the entire community — and a new association is integrated into the festival tradition each year.

Weeze on the Lower Rhine

Weeze is a small municipality in the Kreis Kleve district in North Rhine-Westphalia with around 10,500 inhabitants, known primarily for Weeze Airport (NRN) on the former RAF base — a Ryanair hub for the Lower Rhine region. Despite the international airport, Weeze has retained its village character — the funfair is the annual proof of this.