5. Dillenburger Märchenfest

Enchanted Pentecost at Dillenburg Castle Hill
The Fähnlein zu Dillenburg e.V. and the City of Oranienstadt Dillenburg present the 5th Dillenburg Fairy Tale Festival

Under the title "5th Dillenburg Fairy Tale Festival," the public is invited to immerse themselves in a fantastical world at the historic castle park during the Pentecost holidays. The association Fähnlein zu Dillenburg e.V., in cooperation with the City of Oranienstadt Dillenburg, invites visitors to a diverse event program from May 23 to 25, 2026. Guests can experience and admire two event formats.

Promising Stage Program
The kickoff on Pentecost weekend will be the spectacular light & fire show "Sparks and Shadow Sound" on Saturday, May 23, again under the motto "Flaming Disco." As dusk falls, the members of the Fähnlein zu Dillenburg will literally set the air ablaze and transport attendees back to the era of ABBA and "Grease." Directed by Jonas Unger, visitors will be treated to a stunning show of fire, light, dance, and music featuring fire jump ropes, torches, LED hoops, giant fans, new choreography, and live singing by Anna-Lena Wallenfels, Olivia Nacibide, Dagmar Nickel, and Leonie Gail. The fire show will also be presented again on Pentecost Sunday. Entrance is scheduled for 7:30 PM, with shows starting at 9:30 PM.

The fairy tale festival starts at 12:00 PM on Pentecost Sunday and Monday and concludes at 5:30 PM. On both days, the Fähnlein zu Dillenburg, under the direction of Sylvia Brand and Franziska Rössner, will perform "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" – the HIT-tastic musical on the open-air stage at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM.
The piece by Christian Berg and Katja Tiltmann, based on the Brothers Grimm, tells the famous story of Snow White (Anna-Lena Wallenfels) behind the seven mountains. Together with the dwarfs (Smilla Beschorner, Paula Haberzettel, Fine Beschorner, Olivia Nacibide, Fanni Stehmann, and Clara Seibert) and the kind-hearted hunter (Bettina Sauerwald), she tries to oppose the evil stepmother (Dagmar Nickel). An honestly annoyed mirror (Paulina Hartmann) and, of course, a lovesick prince (Felix Schiller) come to their aid. Together, they experience many adventures and transport little and big spectators at the castle hill into a fantastic fairy tale world, where much singing, dancing, and laughing takes place.

As in previous years, everything visible on stage has been produced independently by the active members of Fähnlein. In addition to rehearsing text and choreography, costumes are sewn and suitable stage sets are constructed during weekly work sessions.

Supporting Program for the Whole Family
An accompanying program on the castle hill grounds invites everyone to marvel and participate. Between the musical performances, young castle hill visitors can look forward to diving completely into an enchanted fairy tale world through various painting and crafting activities during the fairy tale festival.
Whether with artistic braided hairstyles or colorful beaded bracelets, vibrant airbrush tattoos, or painted as a beautiful butterfly or fierce tiger, the inner Robin Hood can be brought to light in further activities, such as archery and arrow throwing. The Dillenburg Museum Association e.V. offers individual crafting of wooden swords over both days, and the Dellerlecker e.V. theater group invites numerous children on-site to the theater education project "The Journey to Oz." Additionally, with a bit of luck, small prizes can be won at the raffle wheel of the Friends of the Wildpark Dillenburg-Donsbach e.V. The City of Oranienstadt Dillenburg is present as in previous years with a button and craft stand – colorful and sparkling crowns as well as individual pin buttons can be designed to one's heart's content. Various large games will also be available for all to enjoy. On both event days, a children's carousel will also spin its rounds. Further activities will be available on-site to make the fairy tale festival an unforgettable experience.

Food and drink will also be well taken care of. Among others, members of the Castle Hill Association Dillenburg e.V. will provide guests with homemade cakes on-site. Additionally, other culinary delights will be offered, such as ice cream specialties, Belgian waffles, poffertjes, burgers, and snack specialties. A wide range of beverages will also be available.

Advance ticket sales for the 5th Dillenburg Fairy Tale Festival and the light & fire show "Flaming Disco" have already begun. Tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Information of the City of Oranienstadt Dillenburg in the Old Town Hall (Main Street 19) or online via the ticket platform "Eventfrog.de".

In advance, tickets for the fairy tale festival cost €6 for adults and €4 for children (ages 4 to 12 years). The entrance fee for the light & fire show in the evening is €10 for adults and €6 for children (ages 4 to 12 years).
Depending on the remaining ticket availability, there will also be a day or evening box office on-site. For the fairy tale festival, tickets will then be available for adults for €7 and for children (ages 4 to 12 years) for €5. The entrance fee for the light & fire show in the evening will then be €12 for adults and €8 for children (ages 4 to 12 years).

Direct access to the castle hill grounds will not be possible on event days. Visitors will have access to parking spaces in the surrounding residential area and at the adjacent tennis courts. For guests who require a wheelchair or other walking aids, there is a barrier-free access to the event grounds. Sufficient seating and standing areas are available – however, no seating guarantee is provided. Due to intense light effects, there is a warning for epilepsy regarding the fire show.

The "5th Dillenburg Fairy Tale Festival" is conducted with the kind support of the Sparkasse Dillenburg.

Opening hours for the light and fire show:
Saturday, May 23, 2026: 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, May 24, 2026: 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Opening hours for the fairy tale festival:
Sunday, May 24, 2026: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Monday, May 25, 2026: 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Overview of the stage program:
Light and fire show "Flaming Disco"
Performances begin each day at 9:30 PM (entrance at 7:30 PM)

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" – the HIT-tastic musical
Performances begin each day at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM