Düsseldorf-Bilk - Schützenfest

The Bilker Schützen- und Heimatfest in Düsseldorf is a real crowd-puller, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from across the region every year. The centrepiece of the five-day spectacle is the huge family funfair on the fairground on Ubierstraße. Here, crowds throng amongst modern fairground rides such as the Breakdancer, the majestic Ferris wheel offering views over Düsseldorf, and classic stalls for duck fishing or dart throwing. The scent of roasted almonds, candyfloss, fried fish and grilled sausages wafts across the square, whilst visitors gather in cosy beer gardens and the wine village to enjoy a cool Altbier. On Monday, Family Day in particular, the fair is bursting at the seams thanks to discounted prices. However, the festival breaks its all-time visitor record on Schützen-Sonntag, when thousands of spectators line the streets shoulder to shoulder to admire the grand historical procession and the magnificent parade on Benzenbergstraße. The huge marquee is also a central meeting place: as early as the opening Friday, hundreds of party-goers flock to the ‘Bilk Live’ series of events, transforming the marquee into a buzzing concert arena. The festival perfectly combines this lively fairground and party atmosphere with living tradition, which, after five days of hustle and bustle, comes to a festive close on Tuesday evening with the ‘Königsschuss’ (king’s shot) and the emotional ‘Großer Zapfenstreich’ (grand tattoo) by torchlight.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by underground: Südring station (300 m away) or Aachener Platz station (300 m away)

- by bus: Ubierstraße stop (lines 723, 893)

By car:

- Venue: Ubierstraße fairground

Parking:

- Bilk Düsseldorf - Wemolo car park (Suitbertusstraße 127)

- Düsseldorf Arcaden multi-storey car park (Friedrichstraße 133)