457. Weilburger Kirchweih

457 Editions — Roots in the Middle Ages

Few folk festivals in Hesse can look back on such a long, unbroken tradition as the Weilburger Kirchweih. 2026 marks the 457th edition — its roots thus reach back to the 16th century, to a time when Weilburg was a self-confident residential city of the Counts and later Dukes of Nassau.

The Residential City on the Lahn

Weilburg is picturesquely situated on a loop of the Lahn river in the Westerwald foothills. The Renaissance and Baroque Castle high above the river and the castle square form an ensemble that attracts tourists from the entire Rhine-Main region annually. During the Kirchweih, this backdrop takes on a special character — historical parades march through the already historic city center.

Citizen Guard and Ceremonial Cannon Salvos

Key program points include the Citizen Guard — historical guard uniforms, parade, assembly on König-Konrad-Platz — and the artillery salvos at the Kanapee, a traditional firing range overlooking the Lahn. Visitors to Weilburg during the Kirchweih will hear the dull bang of the salvos echoing through the old town.

Club Night and Castle Square Festival

The Night of the Clubs turns Weilburg's clubs into hosts of a cheerful bustle in the city center: catering, music, long tables in the streets. The main Castle Square Festival, directly in front of the castle, bundles the program — and offers arguably the most spectacular backdrop of all Hessian Kirchweihen.

Children's Day and Sunday with Open Shops

Families have their own day: the WWW Children's Day, organized by Wirtschafts-Werbung Weilburg, with hands-on activities, carousels, and programs for children. In parallel, the shops in the city center open on Sunday — the Sunday with open shops is part of the Kirchweih weekend.