What's On this Weekend?

Fingers crossed on the weather for the weekend. The Whit Monday holiday gives most of us an extra days holiday to enjoy a long weekend. 

If the weather dose not play ball. here is a google map with lots of indoor attractions and places to visit. 

If the weather does hold off. Then you have the pick of some great local events to enjoy. Live music and dancing top the list. Meanwhile Gütersloh and Dortmund host spring fairs with rides and entertainment to match. 

Confluence Festival Paderborn

Stay in Paderborn this weekend for three days of live music on three stages across the city.  from the 6th to the 9th Jun. 

Indie pop, classical, Jazz, Reggae music will all feature. All performances are free to enjoy. 

The Confluence Festival starts on Friday, June 6th at 6:30 p.m. on the main stage in the Paderwiesen.

Various street food stalls at the three stage locations, will be on hand to provide food and drink each day. 

Full details here on the website

What's on This Weekend?

Fathers Day / Vatertag 29th May 

The annual celebrations of hand carts filled with Beer is here. German Fathers day is a different celebration than the traditional UK card for Dad. 

On Vatertag it is popular for groups of men to parade through towns with a handcart loaded with beer and snacks. These hikes are often cheerful and loud, with a focus on community and celebration.

image copyright Stefan Arend

What's on this weekend?

Jumping! On the Mausolino's Bouncy Castle festival in Rietberg Gartenschau 

May 23 to June 15. The inflatables will be ready daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the northern part of the park. 

copyright gartenschaupark-rietberg.de

They are suitable for children up to 14 years old. Adults must unfortunately watch. Adult day ticket 6.00€ , children aged 4 and over: €2.00 (Plus 2 Euro park entry). Drive time 29mins.  Visit the website for more information.

Sennelager Schutzenfest Sat 24th - 26th May 

Lots of activities to join in with go to the the website for full details.

Japan Tag  Dusseldorf - Sat 24th 

Join the massive festival in Dusseldorf- Modem and traditional Japanese celebrations collide in this much loved festival. Wander the Rhine promenade and try all the food. 

Get pictures with the Cos play specialists. Try out traditional Japanese archery.  Live music events with bands from Japan flown in. Food stalls will keep you fed with tasty treats along the Rheinepromenade.

copyright visitduseldorf.de

A massive firework show will round off the day at 11 pm. Hotel rooms are available but are selling fast. Travel from Paderborn is approx 2hrs by train though check the last train back. or the drive time is 2 hrs.  check parking apps for spaces to avoid being caught out.

What's On This On

Exercise, fun fairs and museum trips are the highlights for the weekend and beyond. 

Events to enjoy include; Luna Park in Paderborn a bicycle fair  & auction in Schloss Neuhaus, a new play park with the summer programme of free exercise classes start in Paderborn. 

17th May - Luna Park- Paderborn. The Fun returns with the fair. all the usual food and drink to enjoy. Plus rides like the Beast and plenty for younger kids too. 23rd May will have a closing firework presentation. As Always the fair will be on Maspernplatz.

18th May - Holy Communion at St Bonniface Garrison church. Contact Padre Nick with any questions on +49 1722595317

18th May 11.00 Paderborn Cycle Day - Schloss Neuhaus

Learn about cycle rules in Germany and try out a whole range of different bikes. Plus you can bid on recovered and repaired bikes in the auction to snap up a bargain at 14.30. 

What's On This Weekend

Fairs and festivals are on the menu this weekend. It is your chance to enjoy some free  music and entertainment. This weekend you can try out as a member of the Paderborn Fire Dept 

Paderborn Fire Dept celebrates 150 Years

A family day has been set up to celebrate the event in the Schloss.  The whole family can look forward to a varied program including a blue light mile, a marching band concert, activities for children, food stalls, etc.

Start: 11.05.25 from 11 - 18 o'clock in Schloss Neuhaus. 

Paderborn SpringFest 

The annual free event returns to the city from the 9th -11th May.

Music and arts sprawl across three stages and downtown Paderborn.  World class artists put on a show in in the streets and you can dance the night away with rock and blues, singer song writers, marching bands and Techno DJ's .

The whole thing gets started at 19.30 on Friday night. With a mass Drum Band to bring the energy. The three stages at the Town Hall, Westener Str and the Market place will have acts on through the weekend including live bands and DJ sets. 

Between the stages artists like the giant balloon guy (World champion Baloon artist.) and the balance on your head couple Kate and Parsi at 15:30 & 1730 Sat & sun  will compete for your attention with the NOX 2.4m tall robot who will be in town at 11.30 1330 and 1530 moving between the stage areas. 

The Cheat lounge will be putting on street food and drinks Fri - Sun with service 17.30 - 2300 on Fri & Sat and 12.30 - 1700 on Sun when there will be Sunday shopping available during the day. 

Paderborn 1945: The End of the War 80 Years Ago

An exhibition by the Paderborn City and District Archives. In the Foyer of the City Administration, Bahnhofstr. 28/30, Paderborn

• 8 May - 11 July 2025
• Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

17 exhibition panels show nearly 80 largely previously unpublished photographs of the destruction and harsh life in the immediate post war period. The city, littered with rubble, lacked everything: food and clothing, heating fuel and electricity, and housing. 

Yet, as early as 1945, the first steps toward improvement began. Clearing the rubble began, with the rubble railways beginning in September. A panoramic view from the cathedral in 1945/46 not only reveals the extent of the destruction, but also provides evidence of a slow improvement and the beginnings of reconstruction.

The bombing raids on Paderborn began in 1940, initially isolated and targeted at military installations and the railway network. Civilian facilities and residential buildings were hit, albeit on a significant scale, by misdirected bombs or inaccurate targeting. 

This changed on January 17, 1945. On that day, Paderborn experienced its first serious area raid, followed by the last on March 27, which led to the almost complete destruction of the city.

VE & VJ Day 80th Anniversary

At 3pm on 8 May 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill took to the airwaves to announce that Germany had surrendered, bringing an end to nearly six years of war in Europe.

In anticipation of the long-awaited news, millions across the country and throughout the Commonwealth took to the streets to celebrate. Victory in Europe Day became a national holiday. Colourful bunting and flags were hung. Bonfires and fireworks were lit. People danced and sang.  The pubs were full of revellers.

Now, 80 years on, we will come together again as a nation through a series of national and local events, kicking off next week, to pay tribute to the Second World War generation - serving at home and abroad - who fought bravely for the peace that endures today.

However you plan to mark this important anniversary, we hope you reflect on those who paid the ultimate price for freedom and thank our living veterans for their contributions to the war effort. 

V for Victory! #VE80 

What's On this Weekend?

This weekend 

May 3rd Sat & Sun 4th May  - Paderborn Travel fair 

Visit the airport to check out the potential bargains from tour operators like Freebird. we are promised some specific bargains just for the event.  A Bouncy Castle & face painting for kids. With lots of ice cream and food & drink for sale.  Free entry. (Paid parking) Drive time just under 20 mins.

Paderborn Airport website

Thursday, May 1st to Sunday, May 4th - Dalheim Garden Festival

Dalheim Monestary, Garden Party.  Enjoy the Monestary gardens plus the many market stalls and attractions set up for you. Perfect if the weather is nice. Definitely one for those looking to buy plants flowers and garden wares this year. Drive time is 27 mins.

Dalheim gartenfest

Thursday May 1st - Sunday May 4th - Bad Pyrmont Landpartie

With music, markets a food and drink, the Bad Pyrmont Kurpark turns into a mini festival this weekend. Enjoy the Beautiful park and Schloss. Drive time is one hour (ish  - 1hr 20 mins for the scenic route.) from Sennelager.  Tickets from 13 Euro online

Bad Pyrmont Landpartie

Thursday May 1st - Sunday May 4th - Maxi Park Hamm


Just under an hour from Sennelager, this park offers gardens and multiple play areas with splash zones and more. over the weekend you can enjoy a large spring fest market, buy plants and more and get tips from garden experts. Adults 7 Euro. Drive time 54 mins

Tickets available from the website.

From Thursday 1st May  Paderborn Rolandsbad outdoor pool 

The paderborn Rolandsbad outdoor pool opens for the summer from Thursday.  Drive time 11 mins. 

Visit the website for date that the other pools will open from.

Thursday 1st may - 25th May - iTronic Dinosaurs Bielefeld

The world of Dino's comes alive. think Jurassic park and you have this immersive event for the family. full animatronic dinosaurs interact with visitors in themed environments. 15 euro for children up to 16 the 20 Euro for Adults. watch a website  of the event here.  Drive time is 25 - 30 mins. 

4th May - Future Garden Schloss Neuhaus 11 am - 1800 

Your chance to learn about sustainable garden planting and permaculture and to meet experts and ask questions. Vist the event website.

International Team Fireworks Competition

International Team Fireworks competition 

Each year in the great garden of the Herrenhausen. the international Team Firework event takes place. From May to September five countries have 25 mins to wow the judges with their best displays. 

Teams are allowed to place fireworks in different zones across the gardens, the judges haves chosen the same first piece of music for the teams. After that the choices are up to them. 

These are teams from professional companies which work all over the world.

Easter Egg Hunts and More this Holiday Weekend in Germany

Family focused events  in the holidays are a big deal in Germany and Easter is no exception. So take the opportunity this year to join in the festivities.  Two of the favourite activities at Easter are traditional egg hunts and Easter Bonfires.

Please note the Eggs used in the hunt will be the traditional brightly coloured hard boiled eggs! it might be a good idea to bring some chocolate, sweets etc to swap out the eggs as prizes. 

Rietberg Gartenschau  Egg Hunt 

Possibly the largest Egg hunt in NRW! With a reported 7,777 Eggs on Offer. at 27 min drive time from Sennelager it is a nicely packaged day out. Entry fees are 6 Euro for Adults and  2 Euro for kids from age 4. 

The Rietberg Gartenschau offers play areas and more on the day. In addition to the Egg hunt, a  spectacular magic show in the circus tent begins at 11 a.m., and at 3 p.m., the stage is set for acrobatics, artistry, and clowning in the Easter Circus. Puzzle lovers can challenge their brains and solve the tasks of the exciting Easter Rally.

The Easter egg hunt, magic and circus performances, and the Easter Rally are included in park admission. Adults pay €6 for a day ticket, and children ages 4 and up pay €2. Younger children and season ticket holders are admitted free.

Rietberg Gartenschau is a massive space with it's own herd of water Buffalo, camping area, play parks and more. 

Buy tickets and see everything the park offers here

Bad Lippspringe Gartenschau - Easter Puzzle

From Saturday to Monday you have the chance to find 17 magic eggs in the garden park. When combined they will spell out the magic phrase (In German). Take this to the ticket office and claim a prize. 

Drive time is 15 mins. Entry 9.50 Euro Adults, Kids / teenagers have free entry up to 17 yrs. 

Maxipark Hamm - Easter Bunny Smartypants Hunt 

Download your mission sheet and figure out the clues and puzzles placed throughout the park. Maxi park is a 55 min drive from Sennelager entry Adults 6 Euro. children 3.50 euro up to 17 years. 

Hannover Herrenhausen - Easter Walk 20th April 

This estate is just outside the City of Hannover. The Easter Bunny will handing out sweets for the children. The Great Garden, decorated with spring flowers, invites you to the traditional Easter walk on20th April. A varied family program will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drive time 1hr 27 mins. 

Easter Services at St Bonniface  & Schloss Neuhaus 

The Google map below shows the locations and links to more Easter events. you can find all the attractions you might expect. in addition there are markets and Easter bonfires too, plus the all important egg hunts.

Anyone For Rocket league? Sennelager Needs a Team!

Anyone For Rocket league? Sennelager Needs a Team!

The BFBS Pro League is open to all members of the UK Armed Forces community.
This includes Serving UK Armed Forces personnel, Reservists, Cadets, Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel, Veterans, MOD Civil Servants, direct family members of serving personnel and members of the bereaved community.

All competitors must be 13 years or older.

https://bfbsesports.com/
https://youtu.be/C21PH5cISok?si=V1SmA-QWCvcA2i98

What's On this weekend

Pader Sprinter - Holiday tickets and free chocolate

Two great offers from Padersprinter this week. 

• Unlimited travel in NRW from 12th - 27th April for those aged 6 -20 on Buses, 2nd class regional trains and U-bahn / trams in cities. Cost 36.50 Euro.

 

• Win prizes on the bus every day from 14th - 21st April. all you have to do is look out for the questions shown on the bus screens.  Prizes on offer from shops and businesses in our area. 

What's on 

• Bonus Cinelink this Friday night - Bridget Jones 4 at WRVS 1900

• Osnabruck Spring Fair 120 rides and stalls can be found for the spring fest in the city Drive time 53 mins
• Maxipark spring market - Home & Garden, Crafts, food stalls all in the park. equal parts country park, kids play area, exhibition centre, Butterfly House with onsite restaurants and cafes. Maxipark offers a great day out.. Entrance is 6 euro for adults, 3 Euro for kids 3- 17, with 3 Euro charge for exhibitions in the main hall and the Butterfly house. Drive time 56 mins.

    

 

• Fort Fun reopens on the 12th, tickets are on sale for the Easter Hunt. Plus a special new ticket for 2025 which lets you ride the Trapper  Slider Alpine sled coaster before the main park opening hours. 

• Massive fair in Dortmund festival grounds until 27th Apr . The freDOlino is a family favourite each year. Tuesdays and Thursdays are special days, guests superheroes and princesses will be at the fairgrounds.  

• Family Day each Wednesday, 50% off all rides and reduced prices at all stalls.  Fireworks at nightfall on Saturday, April 19th and 26th .Drive time 1hr 20mins

• Family Day Dalheim Monestary On Sunday 1100 - 1700. Head to Dalheim for a day of interactive crafting,  kids get to try  making Pretzels, felting, soap making, also watch  carpentry, and blacksmithing. and more 6 Euro adults., 3.50 kids - 7 Euro per child for the craft experience. Drive time 27 mins

• Free Entry at the Heinz Nixdorf Muesum 10th -12th Apr -  Paderborn's beloved inventor and entrepreneur  would have been 100 this year so the museum is celebrating with a weekend of events. Expect, music, extended hours and activities. Drive time 10 mins 

Equestrian themed events

• Cavalluna the spectacular horse show is at the Seidensticker Halle in Bielefeld for three 3 nights from the 11th April tks from 44 Euro. The show is a big production which tours Europe. Drive time 28mins.  

• Icelandic Horse show at the annual registration event in Munster. Your chance to see the colourful Icelandic horses up close. Tickets 10.45 euro for kids, 15.57 euro for adults. if you love horses with mullets then this is the show for you! Drive time 1 hr 20 mins

Breakfast meeting for mums and Children under 6 years

 

Padre Nick will happily act as a taxi service for this event. Garrison mums with children under the age of 6 years are invited to join an international breakfast. 

Have you shared your views on Service family life? Time’s running out!

The Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS) 2025 closes in 1 week! Don’t miss your opportunity to tell us what you think about Service family life.

Each year, Defence invites a random sample of Service partners to complete the Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FamCAS). This survey is your chance to tell us about your experiences and views in relation to various aspects of Service family life.

You can see if you are in this year’s sample, and can access the survey, by using the online tool. The survey closes on Monday 7 April 2025 at 23:59.

Why complete the survey?

Your feedback will help us to understand what Service life is like for your family, which will help us to make informed decisions on what changes to prioritise and develop policies to address your family’s challenges and needs. Whether it’s with childcare and children’s education, housing, deployment, or employment.

Who can complete the survey, and how?

To find out if you can take part in FamCAS 2025, please use the online eligibility tool. You will be asked to enter a token/access code, which is your partner’s Service number. This is needed for security reasons only. Please be assured that all survey responses are anonymous.

If eligible, the tool will direct you to the survey. We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

If you have any questions about this year's FamCAS, please email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk.

Information and support

Check out our new Families Hub, which signposts to support, guidance and organisations to help you navigate Service family life.

Visit Discover My Benefits to find out about the range of benefits, opportunities, and support for you and your family.

Seeing the blooms

From Germany to Holland, you have many great options for visiting the most beautiful blooming gardens.

Spring & Summer 2025 could be really great years for flower blooms. lets get started with a rundown by date order.


Cherry Blossom

Just as in Japan every spring many German cities and towns celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossom.  Enjoy a range of events and the simple pleasure of a walk under the blossom in the following locations. 

Though the exact timing of when the blossoms appear varies each year. The window is roughly 14 days in early to mid April. 

• Bonn 

The Old capital of west Germany  offers a great weekend break . The city is compact and historical features are well preserved. Bonn is just south of Cologne along the Rhine.  

 

Heerstraß ealong with Breite Straße are the main avenue of cherry trees in the city.

 

• Dusseldorf - Rhienpromenade 11th Apr Other places to see Sakura trees can be found around the city.

A small fair on the Rhienpromenade and some special ticketed events can be booked. Dusseldorf is home to a significant Japanese community. To enjoy a tea ceremony at the traditional Eko house in the city visit the park in a neighbourhood on the west bank of the Rheine.

The website Mr Dusseldorf has a really useful page on their site showing all the best spots to visit in Dusseldorf for cherry blossom. 

Tulips 

• Keukenhof - Netherlands  Opens March 20th Probably the most famous spring garden in all of Europe. Tickets are on sale now online here. A longer trip no doubt. You will be rewarded with spectacular gardens and blooms to see. 

Rhodedendrum Gardens

• Bremen This free park in Bremen has a massive area and botanical garden. in Spring you can find Tulips, Snowdrops and seasonal flowers. By the summer the Rhodedendrums take over. The drive time is 2 hours 20. 
• 
  

Botanical Gardens 

These locations have botanical gardens or open air gardens ready for you to visit. If the weather is not great the indoor botanical gardens are a good choice for a rainy day visit. 

What's on this weekend

Lot's of things to do and see this weekend. Hopefully the temperature will start to rise now that the clocks have changed. 

22nd Mar - 21st April - Hannover Fruhlingsgfest

The fair on the Scuhtzenplatz boasts two party tents, lots of rides and entertainment. The fair opens 1500 most days, check the website here for exact timings. Wednesdays are traditionally family days at the Spring Festival, with rides offering discounts of up to 50 percent, and on Fridays there is a fireworks display starting at 9:45 p.m.

4th - 5th apr Apr

Themepark weekend some of the biggest attractions in the region re open Safariland, Heide Park , Movie park all re open Fort fun follows on the 12th.

Check out the Top Rhurcard offers for the parks this year if you buy the card for 20205 you get a free entry to one of the parks and the 50% discounts on a second visit.

ruhrtopcard.de

4th Apr -13th Apr

BIE- Happy! Bielefeld Spring fair. the funfair comes to Bielefeld with Fireworks on Friday the 4th at 2100 ish. Visit the Cycle track in Bielefeld. 

• Happy Hour : April 4th from 3-6pm (Pay once - Ride twice)
• Friday 4 April : Brilliant fireworks at about 9 pm
• Family Day on Wednesday 9 April Reduced prices at all stores

Visit the website for full details

6th Apr

Paderborn Frankfurter Weg Street fair 

Family fun day on Frankfurter weg. Activities and small rides for the kids. The stores on the road will be open for the day also. A small event  near Paderbini land. 

22nd Mar - 3rd November 

 

"We Love Playmobil – 50 Years of Play" Hamm Maxipark.
All play heads will love the giant dioramas put together by Playmobil.

 
Experience PLAYMOBIL like never before. Elaborate lighting compositions, tailor-made sound effects, and multimedia installations create a unique world of experience. 

The excellent family park in Hamm is a great place to visit and definitely one to enjoy in the summer. with multiple play areas and a splash zone the kids will love it. 

Through, music, video mapping, and animation, you can see Playmobil brought to life. Tickets to enter the park (Family tickets 12 -16 Euro) and 3 Euro pp for the exhibition.  More info here.

Give Us Time & Walling2Recovery breaks

 

Find out more here 

This weeks events adventure and travel

Fri 15th Paderborn Museum 

The City Museum invites families to an exciting guided tour, ( German Language) which will take place on March 15th at 1500.

The tour is aimed at young and old alike and promises an entertaining experience for all ages. The tour focuses on objects discovered by city archaeologists during excavations in the city centre.  Following the tour, a hands-on activity will create small souvenirs.

The tour lasts a maximum of 90 minutes and costs 5 Euro per family.  Register at c.ferres@paderborn.de or by calling the City Museum (05251 8811247).

Fri 15th Mar - Bad Lippspringe Forest Lights
The garden show starts the new season with the spectacular forest lights. For the eighth time, hundreds of spotlights and artistic light objects transform the park into a magical forest.

The 3D video installation with new animated images is not to be missed. 9.50 euros for adults and 3.00 euros for children and young people aged 3 to 17. Details here

Thursday 14th Mar Loseke Family Movie Night
Go along to the Loeseke community Centre for a 1700 Screening of Paddington in Peru.

Sat & Sun 16th & 17th Mar - Motorcycle fair
Free entry, lots of exhibitors for all aspects of motorcycling, live music, face painting, children's bouncy castle. Snacks and drinks, as well as coffee and cake are available.
Motorrad Berlage, Bachstraße 12, 33178 Borchen, Germany, Kirchborchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Paderborn. 15 -20 mins drive time.

Emsdetten Spring market 14th -17th Mar
Over 100 exhibitors from the areas of home and garden, health and lifestyle, clubs and organisations, automobiles and travel, as well as finance and pensions will be presenting themselves in halls and open spaces in the city centre.

There is also a supporting program with many highlights, and on Sunday, when shops are open, retailers invite you to stroll and shop from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Drive time 1hr 25 mins. 

Verl Model Trains & Toy Fair 16th March 1000- 1500
Indulge your passion for model trains at this local event less than 20 mins drive time. One for the traders and collectors. The website is not clear there maybe admission charged at the door.

Sunday 16th Mar WRVS Movie Matinee
Moana 2 will be screened from 1400

Bakers needed for the Coffee social on 19th March bring bakes along for the BFBS big salute.

Street Food Market Cologne 21st - 23rd Mar
The street food fair is held throughout the year with the first event on the 21st March. Lots of stalls to try about 30 vendors at each event. Tickets 4 Euro pp more details on the website Drive time 2 hours.

Special Offers Top Rhur Card is offering a free theme Park visit for 2025
Check out the website for the Top Rhur Card at 69 Euro for Adults and 43 Euro for kids. The card offers one time free entry to 90 attractions and 50 attractions with 50% discounts that are reusable.




Ryan Air Launches Munster (FMO) to London Stanstead (STN) Flights
From 30th Mar, Ryanair is launching a new route from London Stansted to Münster/Osnabrück (FMO), with four weekly flights. 

Muster airport is about 1hr 15 mins drive time north of Sennelager. so not much longer than the drive to Dortmund airport. Check availability on the Ryan air website.