Nativity of Mary Market on September 15
Traditional market presents itself with numerous innovations
The traditional Mariä Geburtsmarkt in Lebach kicks off on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with fresh impulses and a significantly expanded offer. With more than 50 new stalls, a children's program offered for the first time, and a new gastronomic area, one of the largest and oldest markets in the region presents itself more attractive than ever.
The Nativity of Mary Market has a long tradition and has been an integral part of the cultural and social life in Lebach for generations. Year after year, it attracts thousands of visitors from across the entire Saarland. In recent years, however, the market has faced challenges. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as age-related business closures of long-standing market vendors have resulted in more and more stalls remaining vacant.
To counteract this development, the city administration team has been working intensively for months on a realignment of the market. The goal was to broaden the Mariä Geburtsmarkt again, attract new vendors, and sustainably increase its appeal to visitors.
With success: All gaps from previous years have been filled. In addition, more than 50 new vendors enrich the market scene, so that this year again over 200 stalls will bustle in the city center. The new stalls are spread across the entire market area from Tholeyer Straße, through Pfarrgasse and Marktstraße, the pedestrian zone, and Rathausplatz, as well as over the Theel bridge to Bitcher Platz and in Pickardstraße. Visitors should therefore allow themselves enough time to discover the variety of offerings.
In addition to many well-known and popular stall operators, numerous new vendors from the entire greater region and beyond have been attracted. Some even travel from Holland, the Nuremberg area, Baden-Württemberg, and North Rhine-Westphalia to Lebach. Especially in the front area of Tholeyer Straße, there are many new offerings – including crafts, honey specialties, Italian salami and cheese specialties, as well as a liqueur manufactory.
Another innovation is the new gastronomy area in the middle of Tholeyer Street near the cinema. There, seating invites you to linger. The culinary offering creates an additional meeting point within the market activity and offers the opportunity to enjoy the market visit in a relaxed atmosphere. For the first time, the "Ebbes von Hei!" enjoyment market is also integrated into the Mariä Geburts market. The member businesses organized in the regional brand will be concentrated in Bitcher Platz.
This year, families can look forward to a brand-new offer. For the first time, there will be a dedicated children's program at the Mariä Geburtsmarkt from 2 to 5 pm. Among other things, Lukas Hefner will provide top entertainment with his magic and circus show.
The positive feedback from the vendors and the large number of new registrations show that the Mariä Geburtsmarkt continues to have a strong appeal. "We are convinced that the visitors will appreciate the many innovations and we look forward to a lively, diverse, and well-attended market," says the city councilor Fred Metschberger, representing Mayor Klauspeter Brill. The city of Lebach warmly invites all citizens and guests from near and far to visit the market as part of the Green Week and to experience the combination of tradition, variety, and new ideas. The Mariä Geburtsmarkt is a part of Lebach’s identity, it is one of the most important events of our city and is referred to as the "highest holiday in Lebach." Therefore, it was a major concern to further develop the market while preserving its traditional character. "I am very pleased that it has been possible to attract numerous new vendors to Lebach and to significantly enhance the market once again."
