Düsseldorf's Rheinkirmes readies opening with rescue drills, new rides and ferry doubts

The Düsseldorf Rheinkirmes opens on 17 July 2026, marking its 125th anniversary and expecting around four million visitors over ten days. Organisers, the historic St‑Sebastianus‑Schützenverein, have introduced about 30 new attractions, including the laser‑effect “Invader” ride and a renewed culinary offering such as a Kaiserschmarrn stand. A revamped fireworks safety system places launch ramps inside high‑side containers after injuries at the previous year's display.

Ahead of the fair, the Düsseldorf fire department’s specialised height‑rescue team conducted an annual training exercise on the Alpina roller‑coaster. The drill simulated a stalled ride at roughly 35 metres, requiring volunteers to be lowered by rope, carried in stretchers or descended via a ladder, as a conventional aerial ladder cannot reach that height. No real rescue incidents have occurred at the fair to date.

Simultaneously, low water levels in the Rhine threaten the reinstated Kirmes ferry, which has not operated since 2019. With the river depth recorded at 48 cm—well below the 90 cm operational threshold—authorities will decide before the opening whether the ferry can run for guests.