May is here – and with it the perfect occasion to go out or for a nice family trip. There is a lot to experience in East Westphalia-Lippe on May 1st. Whether tranquil garden parties or small folk festivals with children’s programs, there is something for everyone here. You can find out what you can find where in our overview.
Bielefeld
The outdoor pool season starts in the Wiesenbad. | © Sarah Jonek
Opening of the meadow pool
26 degrees and sun are forecast for May Day. So perfect outdoor pool weather, and what luck: on exactly this day, Bielefeld opens the season with the Wiesenbad. So if you want to sober up from the dance party the night before or want to dip your feet into the cool water with the kids for the first time, you have the perfect place to go.
Armini’s summer party
The gates to the Arminis Summer Festival open at 12 p.m. on May 1st. In addition to various bouncy castles, a bungee trampoline and an XXL mega football table, a tombola, wheel of fortune and many small surprises ensure an entertaining program. At the Arminia football school and the sports station, the youngest children can practice their tricks on the ball. The day is rounded off with the band “Randale”, which will heat up the family concert with rock music for children, as well as a large autograph session exclusively for children, in which the team and the coaching team will be available for photos and signatures. Admission is free. Parking spaces are not available, so traveling by public transport is recommended.
Gütersloh district
The Halle Folk Dance Circle celebrates its anniversary on May 1st. | © Volkstanzkreis Halle
Dance under the maypole at the coach house, hall
The Halle folk dance group has existed for 60 years. The anniversary will be celebrated on May 1st with many other groups. According to old custom, the maypole is then set up by hand using stakes and ropes. Admission is free. Your physical well-being is provided with cakes, cakes, coffee, cold drinks, bratwurst and fries. It starts at 11 a.m. at the Remise community center, Kiskerstraße 2.
City park festival with a lot of program, Werther
A well-known contact point on May 1st is the Werther City Park. Maisingen has traditionally taken place here for more than 40 years. This time the event will be a little more colorful, as it is also the official opening of the redesigned city park. It starts at 11am. Residents of the forest homeland are responsible for raising the May wreath. The city has prepared a number of activities for the children: face painting, soap bubbles, stilt walking, rope jumping and drumming. Food is provided.
>>>More May Day events in the Gütersloh district can be found here.
Paderborn district
A fairy struts across the grounds at the garden festival in Dalheim. | © Uwe Müller
Garden festival in Dalheim Monastery, Lichtenau
For five days, the former Augustinian Canons’ Monastery will be transformed into a paradise for all lovers of gardens, plants and beautiful things. Over 130 exhibitors offer flowers, art and culinary delights. Walking acts and live music round off the offering. If you’re interested in culture, visit the monastery gardens and explore the monastery’s history in the museum of the former Augustinian Canons’ Monastery. Entry to the permanent exhibition of the monastery museum and the monastery gardens is free for every visitor to the garden festival. Admission to the festival costs eleven euros for adults, nine euros for concessions. Children up to 17 years of age pay nothing.
Anniversary concert, Paderborn
The Paderborn Municipal Music Association e. V., founded in 1824, is one of the oldest music associations in Germany. Together with the Cologne Philharmonic Choir and the Northwest German Philharmonic, a special anniversary concert will take place in the Paderhalle on May 1st at 6 p.m. to mark the 200th birthday. The program is entitled “Europe and Water” and the selection of works supports the city of Paderborn’s application for the European Cultural Heritage Seal 2025. Works by, among others, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms and Johann Sebastian Bach will be performed.
>>> All other events surrounding May Day in the Paderborn district can be found here.
Höxter district
In a good mood in May: These young people set off from Wehrden last year, Lake Godelheim was their destination. | © Ralf T. Mischer
May break at Godelheimer See, Höxter
The most popular place for May hikes in Höxter will once again be Lake Godelheim this year. The lakeside leisure facility will be open to visitors on May 1st. As in previous years, however, the following applies: Carrying and consuming high-proof alcohol is prohibited throughout the facility. This includes drinks containing spirits such as spirits including cocktails, but also mixed drinks containing spirits. Beer, wine and sparkling wine are tolerated.
>>> Party time at Lake Godelheim: Dance into May at Strandgut Höxter
Lippe district
In the Lippe district there will be open-air celebrations, a family festival and an outdoor swimming pool opening on May 1st. | © Felix Eisele
Station festival, Dörentrup
The big station festival for families will take place at the Nordlippe cultural signal box in Dörentrup-Farmbeck on Wednesday, May 1st from 11 a.m. Live music from the wind orchestra and a pop-rock band can be heard from the freight car, which has been converted into a stage. Exhibitions on industrialization and art by Tibor Varady can be seen in the European carriage and in the railway maintenance department. The little ones can ride in the red small locomotive and see the technology.
Lemgo opens a barrel
The name says it all and the event, now in its 25th edition, has long been a classic in the old Hanseatic city. In the city center and in many districts, the innkeepers invite you to live music and to their beer gardens from 11 a.m. The younger part of the audience is likely to once again turn the western end of Mittelstrasse into an absolute party mile. The vintage cars, which can be admired in the pedestrian zone from 9.30 a.m., are also eye-catchers.
Mühlenfest, Bentorf
The North Lippe Mill Festival in Bentorf-Harkemissen is no longer an insider tip. The morning pint begins at the Brink windmill in Bentorf at 11 a.m. on May 1st, then the Dutch windmill built in 1889 can be visited. The oven in the bakery is heated and old craftsmanship is shown; and the accordion ensemble tremolo provides the appropriate intermediate tones.
>>> Further events related to May Day in the Lippe district can be found here.