A trip on the public holiday is the perfect way to start the new month: Numerous May festivals and markets take place in North Rhine-Westphalia on May 1st.
Cologne – May 1st is “Labor Day”. This year the nationwide holiday falls on a Wednesday. Many people can look forward to a day off in the middle of the week. Various events take place in North Rhine-Westphalia on May 1st. These include, for example, a market in Düren or the cherry blossom festival in Halver. 24RHEIN shows a selection for May 1, 2024.
Witch market at Satzvey Castle in Mechernich
Setvey Castle in Mechernich (Euskirchen district) invites you to the witch market on the holiday. The colorful program offers entertainment for young and old. There is live music on the Gutshof stage. There are numerous stalls around. As you stroll you will pass accessories, clothing, spices, decorations and much more. Inside the castle there are other stalls in the Bourbon Hall: The magical market is all about interesting facts about witches, mythical creatures and ghosts from various legends.
There are also stalls and activities for children. For example, you can obtain the witch's broom license by completing various tasks. Children and adults are also invited to come in costume. According to the organizers, witch-style costumes or cosplay costumes are expressly desired.
- Address: Burg Satzvey, An der Burg 3, Mechernich-Satzvey
- Opening time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m
- Tickets: Tickets are available both online and at the box office. Online tickets are 2 to 3 euros cheaper.
- Entrance fees (online/box office): adults 12 euros / 15 euros; Children (4 to 12 years) 8 euros / 10 euros; reduced price people 10 euros / 12 euros.
A dance into May event takes place the evening before at Satzvey Castle. After a concert in which various bands perform, there will be a May bonfire. Traditionally people dance around this at night. Even after May 1st, a trip to the castle is worthwhile. Because Satzvey Castle is one of the most beautiful moated castles in the region.
Dancing into May
It's not just at Satzvey Castle that you can celebrate in the evening on April 30th. Celebrations take place in many places. Among other things, you can dance into May at various locations in Cologne.
The Carl Zeche in Essen is celebrating a cultural festival
The Carl Zeche in Essen invites you to the international cultural festival. On May 1st there will be a colorful program on the site of the former mining mine from 1 p.m. Visitors can find live music, hands-on activities for children and a wide range of dining options in the outdoor area. The festival's motto is “Diversity, Tolerance, Respect and Togetherness”.
| Address: | Zeche Carl, Wilhelm-Nieswandt-Allee 100, 45326 Essen |
| Time: | 1 p.m. to 7 p.m |
| Entry: | Entry is free for everyone. |
Fair on May 1st
In addition to the many May festivals, some fair dates also fall on May 1st. Among other things, the Brittle Fair in Krefeld can be visited on the holiday. The May fair also starts in Essen-Steele. This is just the start of the month. There are still a few fair dates coming up in NRW in May and beyond.
Wahner Heide Day on May 1st
Every year on May 1st, Wahner Heide Day takes place in the courtyard of Wissem Castle in Troisdorf. The colorful program revolves around the Wahner Heide nature reserve, on the edge of which the castle stands.
The Wahner Heide is a popular excursion destination. However, as the number of visitors has increased, the number of those who behave recklessly during an excursion has also increased: garbage, dogs running loose and hiking outside marked paths lead to an increasing threat to the protected species that call the nature reserve home .
For this reason, the motto of Wahner Heide Day is “Experience nature – protect nature”. The various program items also revolve around nature conservation. There will be numerous stands where clubs and experts will provide information about current topics and talk to guests.
In the afternoon, a samba band will perform on Burgplatz. There is also a hands-on activity for children. In a games circus you can do crafts and play. The gastronomic offer comes from the castle's own kitchen, which will mainly offer Italian delicacies. But there will also be cakes, crepes and fries at the Fez.
- Address: Wissem Castle, Burgallee 3, 53840 Troisdorf
- Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
- Entry: for free
May market and May fair in Düren
The “Annakirmesplatz” in Düren will be busy from May 1st. The May Fair starts there at the same time and the May Market starts right next to it. The colorful fair hustle and bustle takes place on the first half of the square. Carousels, bumper cars, a swing boat and numerous other attractions such as duck fishing or can throwing await visitors.
On the other half are the stalls of the May market. There are sales and information stands on a wide variety of topics. An overview of the various offers at the Annakirmesplatz in Düren:
- Goods of all kinds: Ceramics, decoration, household goods, jewelry, leather goods, toys, plants and much more.
- Textiles: Curtains, blankets, knitwear, silk pillows and much more.
- Craft stalls: Wood carvers, Tiffany glassware, weavers, wooden toy makers, engravers, glass blowers, portrait painting and much more.
- Drinks and snack shops: Country house café, pizzeria, marquee, bratwurst roasting shop, potato pancakes, beer bar and much more.
- Fair and showman shops: Big wave, car scooters, chain flyers, children's carousels, duck fishing, ring and ball throwing and much more.
For the 41st time, the Annakirmesplatz in Düren will be the venue for the two May events. As in previous years, the city is expecting almost 100,000 visitors in total.
| Address: | Annakirmesplatz, 52349 Düren |
| Duration: | Wednesday, May 1st to Sunday, May 5th |
| Opening times of the May market: | Daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m |
| Opening times of the May Fair: | Daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m |
Cherry blossom festival in Halver
The cherry blossom festival takes place in Halver (Märkischer Kreis) on May 1st. Numerous exhibitors set up their stands around the Heesfelder Mühle. In addition to regional goods, artisans also demonstrate their work on site. Visitors can also find plants, garden decorations and much more at the festival.
The gastronomic offering consists primarily of organic ingredients and foods from regional origins. There are various homemade dishes and drinks that can be enjoyed in a cozy mill atmosphere.
The program offers entertainment for young and old. Tractor tours are offered and there is an animal show. At lunchtime there will be a wild herb and orchard walk with anyone interested. There are numerous hands-on activities for the children where they can do crafts and play.
- Address: Heesfelder Mühle 1, 58553 Halver
- Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
- Entry: Adults 3 euros; Children and young people 2 euros; Children up to and including primary school age are free
“SchlossSommer” opening in Paderborn
The meteorological start of summer is June 1st. In Paderborn Castle and Auenpark, summer traditionally begins on May 1st. The “SchlossSommer” opening festival takes place there around Neuhaus Castle every year on Labor Day. From this day onwards, various entertainment and cultural events will take place throughout the summer. The opening festival begins at 11 a.m. and ends around 6 p.m.
The program at the opening ceremony
► Two beer gardens and numerous snack stands
► Brass music from the Schloß Neuhaus band of the Paderborn Volunteer Fire Department
► Dance program from the Stüwe-Weissenberg dance school in Paderborn
► For children: bouncy castles and other activity stands
► Some more program acts and stands
May ride and family day in the Lower Rhine Open Air Museum
The traditional Mairitte takes place every year on May 1st in Grefrath in the Lower Rhine Open Air Museum. In the morning, more than 30 carriage teams set off from the parking lot of the “Grefrather EisSport & EventPark” through the community towards the open-air museum. Once there, the riders playfully show off their skills on the horses.
| Address of the open-air museum: | Am Freilichtmuseum 1, 47929 Grefrath |
| Time: | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m |
| Entry: | Adults 4.5 euros; Children and young people up to 17 years old free of charge |
At noon, the family day begins in the open-air museum and with it a program for children and young people. The various acts all revolve around horses: there is a lot to experience, from equestrian games to dressage demonstrations. There are also stands where artisans present their work. Among other things, you can talk to a blacksmith or a weaving craftswoman. On site you can fortify yourself with coffee, cake or bread from the stone oven. Note: All information is provided without guarantee, changes and adjustments on the part of the organizer are possible. (maybe)