Each July, the banks of the Rhine in Düsseldorf erupt into one of the largest funfairs in the Rhineland: the Rheinkirmes. Officially the Große Düsseldorfer Sankt-Sebastianus-Schützenfest, it blends spectacular rides, big beer tents, a riverside setting and a famous fireworks finale into a nine-day celebration that draws around four million visitors. Here is your complete 2026 guide to one of Germany’s great summer festivals.
When and where
The Rheinkirmes takes place in July on the Oberkassel meadows on the left bank of the Rhine, directly across the water from Düsseldorf’s historic old town. The riverside location is part of its charm: the rides and the giant Ferris wheel light up against the backdrop of the city skyline, and the whole festival is an easy walk across the bridge from the centre. For exact 2026 dates, check our events page.
What to expect
The Rheinkirmes leans towards the funfair end of the spectrum, with a huge array of modern white-knuckle rides, classic carousels, fun houses and games, alongside large beer and wine tents. It is a brilliant day or evening out for thrill-seekers and families alike, and the atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and very local – this is a festival Düsseldorfers are genuinely proud of.
Beer and the Altbier connection
While the festival has its own tents, no trip to Düsseldorf is complete without its signature Altbier – the dark, top-fermented copper-coloured beer served in the breweries of the old town just across the river. Pairing an evening at the Rheinkirmes with a stroll through the historic Altstadt, often called “the longest bar in the world”, makes for a perfect day.
The opening and fireworks
The festival opens with a colourful parade of the Schützen (marksmen’s guilds) through the city, and reaches its climax with a grand fireworks display over the Rhine on the final Friday – a spectacular sight reflected in the river and watched by huge crowds along both banks.
Getting there
The festival grounds are easy to reach on foot from Düsseldorf’s old town across the Oberkassel bridge, or by U-Bahn and tram. As with most German festivals, public transport is far easier than driving, and the riverside walk over is part of the experience.
Tips for your visit
- Go in the evening for the rides lit up against the skyline, or in the afternoon for a calmer, family-friendly atmosphere.
- Catch the fireworks on the final Friday if you can – arrive early for a good riverside spot.
- Combine it with the Altstadt for an authentic Düsseldorf evening of Altbier and atmosphere.
- Bring cash for rides and stalls, as at any German funfair.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Rheinkirmes 2026? It is held in July on the Oberkassel meadows – see our events page for the confirmed dates.
Is it a beer festival or a funfair? Both, but it leans towards the funfair, with huge rides alongside beer and wine tents.
What is the highlight? The grand closing fireworks over the Rhine, plus the riverside Ferris wheel and the nearby Altbier breweries.
History and the Schützen tradition
Behind the rides and the beer tents, the Rheinkirmes has deep roots. It is organised by the historic St. Sebastianus marksmen’s brotherhood, one of the oldest civic associations in Düsseldorf, and the festival doubles as their great annual Schützenfest. That heritage is why the event opens with a grand parade of uniformed marksmen, bands and historic guilds through the city – a colourful, centuries-old tradition that gives the modern funfair a sense of occasion and continuity.
The big wheel and the best rides
The Rheinkirmes is famous for its scale and its modern thrill rides, which change from year to year but reliably include towering drop towers, fast spinning machines and a giant Ferris wheel that gives sweeping views over the Rhine and the Düsseldorf skyline. Riding it at dusk, with the city lights coming on and the river below, is one of the festival’s signature experiences. Gentler carousels, fun houses and games make it just as good for families as for adrenaline-seekers.
Food, drink and the riverside setting
The festival tents pour beer and the famous local Altbier, and the food stalls serve everything from bratwurst and reibekuchen (potato pancakes) to sweets and roasted almonds. The real magic, though, is the setting: with the rides reflected in the Rhine and the old town just across the bridge, the Rheinkirmes is as much about the riverside atmosphere as the attractions themselves.
More questions answered
How big is the Rheinkirmes? It is one of the largest funfairs in the Rhineland, drawing around four million visitors over nine days.
Is there an entry fee? Entry to the grounds is generally free; you pay for rides, food and drink.
What is the best day to go? Weekday evenings for the lit-up rides, or the final Friday for the famous closing fireworks.
Planning your Düsseldorf visit
The Rheinkirmes pairs perfectly with a long weekend in Düsseldorf. Stay in or near the old town so you can walk across the bridge to the festival, and split your time between the rides and the city’s famous Altbier breweries. Go in the evening for the lit-up Ferris wheel and the riverside atmosphere, and try to be there on the final Friday for the spectacular closing fireworks over the Rhine. As at any German funfair, bring cash for rides and stalls, and use public transport rather than driving.
Beyond the festival
Düsseldorf rewards exploring beyond the Kirmes. The Altstadt – nicknamed “the longest bar in the world” for its density of pubs – the elegant Königsallee shopping boulevard, and the modern MedienHafen architecture are all within easy reach. Combined with the festival, they make for a brilliant city break that showcases a side of the Rhineland many visitors miss.
When is the closing fireworks display? Traditionally on the final Friday of the festival, over the Rhine – arrive early for a good riverside spot.
Find the 2026 dates and official links on our events page, plan your trip with the trip planner, and discover more German beer festivals.