Mayor Katja Dörner is looking forward to the three-day event with great anticipation: "With its combination of land event and boat convoy, as well as the mix of music, entertainment and fireworks, Rhine in Flames inspires many people and appeals to all generations. I am delighted that we are venturing into something new with the newly conceived land event and thus taking important steps towards greater sustainability."
Guests at the popular major events can expect innovations, especially at the land event in the Rheinaue. The city was looking for a new concept and a new organizer for this in 2023 - and found one in RiF Bonn GmbH. The aim was to make the event more sustainable - as far as this is feasible for events of this size - and to bring it closer to the Rhine in terms of location.
More environmentally friendly fireworks and drone show on the theme of the "Nibelungen"
For the first time, the music-synchronized fireworks display, which is always the highlight on Saturday evening, will be complemented by a modern drone show. This will significantly reduce noise emissions and fine dust pollution. The manufacturer of the fireworks used also promises that its products are quieter and more environmentally friendly than conventional fireworks, as plastic is reduced and replaced with recyclable materials such as waste paper (shells and packaging).
At around 15 minutes, the fireworks themselves will be slightly shorter than before. Including a breathtaking drone show, visitors can expect a light spectacle lasting around 25 minutes, which will tell the Nibelungen saga and graphically depict it in the sky. As usual, the show element of the fireworks can be admired from the Rhine as well as from the Rheinaue by reflecting the ground fireworks. The show element of the drone show is technically designed so that it is mainly visible to visitors to the Rheinaue, as the movements and sequences in combination with the narrative can best be admired from the Rheinaue. If you want to have the best view of the light show, you can purchase grandstand seats at the Rheinauensee for the first time. Tickets (seating only, various packages) are available in advance from https://rif-bonn.de/tickets/ (opens in a new tab), among others.
In order to achieve greater sustainability, RiF Bonn GmbH has also concluded contracts with showmen and stand operators who mainly offer organic and regional products and use environmentally friendly packaging. In addition, renewable electricity or battery packs charged with renewable electricity are used wherever possible. For the drinks cups, Rif Bonn GmbH is introducing reusable cups specially designed for Rhein in Flammen, which will be used several times over the coming years to avoid disposable products.
Medieval market on the banks of the Rhine with illumination
The event area in the Rheinaue will be restructured and extended to include the planetary nature trail on the banks of the Rhine (Stresemannufer at the corner of Charles-de-Gaulle-Straße). Here, visitors can expect a medieval market with traders, jugglers, minstrels and themed food and drink. Fire shows several times a day as well as torches, candles, fire bowls and flame baskets provide particularly atmospheric lighting.
So-called food courts bundle the gastronomic offerings on the event site: the "Spaten" beer garden, for example, offers Bavarian flair, while the "Corona" lounge offers Mediterranean vacation flair. There will also be a range of vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Top-class music program over three days
There will also be a top-class music program again: on the main stage on the large flower meadow on Friday, 3 May, stars of the 90s will provide a party atmosphere. Among them are Oli. P, Fab Morvan aka. Milli Vanilli, Captain Jack, Magic Affair, Natascha Wright ex La Bouche and The New Hornets.
On Saturday, there will be a program of pop, Kölsch rock, musical and party music divided into different musical blocks. On stage will be: Hermes House Band, Tina T. (No. 1 cover of Tina Turner), Druckluft, Räuber, the cover band Comeback and another popular act whose appearance cannot yet be announced for contractual reasons.
Sunday will once again be dedicated entirely to families, which will also be reflected in the stage program on the main stage: At the all-day show for younger guests, well-known actors from the ARD and ZDF children's channel "KiKA" will be on stage, such as "Kikaninchen", "Bernd das Brot" and "TanzAlarm".
The second stage on the small flower meadow, from this year called the Frequency Factory Stage, will be taken over by the award-winning Cologne club "Bootshaus" on all three days, bringing the spirit of the "Bootshaus" cosmos to Bonn's Rheinaue. The line-up has now been finalized. On Friday, Dennis Reif, Elternhouse B2B Verena Becker, Lost Identity, Mausio, Miguel Ángel, OBS and Sarazar B2B Lahos will be there, on Saturday Brandon, Stwn, Dave Replay, Emin, Flobu, Isis Cloudt, Makla, Max Million, Oliver Magenta and Sekula and on Sunday: Antipolar, David Herrlich, Kevin Arnold, O'Doyle and Wankelmut.
Learn more at www.rif-bonn.de (opens in a new tab)
Rhine in Flames boat convoy on May 4, 2024
On Saturday evening, May 4, 17 boats will assemble in the south of Bonn. At dusk, the starting signal will be given at Königswinter for the journey in convoy. The starting signal is accompanied by an opening firework display in Mehlem, which is supported by Schloss Drachenburg gGmbH, Bergbahnen im Siebengebirge GmbH, Tourismus Siebengebirge GmbH and the Maritim Hotel Königswinter. The ships glide brightly lit down into the valley, while the 4,000 or so guests on board can marvel at Drachenburg Castle bathed in light, the illuminated Petersberg and the brightly lit Maritim Hotel Königswinter.
Further landmarks are illuminated along the entire route. These include the Rheinhotel Dreesen, the Südbrücke, the World Conference Center, the Villa Hammerschmidt, the Alte Zoll and the opera house. Around 20 illuminated jetties and one or two surprises complete the picture. The event technology company Wotec from Rheinbach is supporting the organizers in lighting up the Rhine front in an accentuated way. The convoy turns at the North Bridge and continues its journey accompanied by another firework display. After a journey of around 20 kilometers, the ships reach their destination at the Rheinaue just in time for the fireworks and drone show.
Ship tickets still available
Advance sales for the ships for "Rhine in Flames" are in full swing. Around 90 percent of the participating ships are booked. There are currently still a few places available on individual ships. Each ship offers a different program and menu. Ship tickets and information are available at the usual advance booking offices and online at www.Bonnticket.de (opens in a new tab).
More information at www.rhein-in-flammen.com (opens in a new tab).
Translated with deepl.com (free version)