455. Blasheimer Markt

Blasheimer Markt — 455 Years of Tradition

The Blasheimer Markt is one of the oldest and largest folk festivals in Ostwestfalen-Lippe. Documented since 1572 in the Lübbecke district of Blasheim, it has been a mandatory date for over 455 years for people from Ostwestfalen, the Schaumburg region, and the Middle Weser region. The market originally took place as a horse market and general market — merchants, farmers, and traders from far and wide met here. From this tradition, a folk festival with a funfair, festival tents, and market trade developed in the 19th/20th century. Currently, the market attracts around 300,000 visitors annually — a scale that few other OWL folk festivals achieve.

When: September 3 to 6, 2026 (Thursday to Sunday)

The 455th edition runs for four days:

• Thursday, September 3, 2026: Opening in the afternoon, fireworks around 10:00 PM
• Friday, September 4, 2026: Small animal market + trade exhibition, preparation for the main visitor day
• Saturday, September 5, 2026: Main visitor day with festival tents and market mile
• Sunday, September 6, 2026: Family day, festival conclusion

Three Festival Tents — Borchard, Rose, Meier's Deele

The musical heart of the market are the three large festival tents:

• Festzelt Borchard: the largest festival tent, live program every evening with Schlager music, cover rock, dance music
• Festzelt Rose: second large tent with its own live program and cover bands
• Festzelt Meier's Deele: traditional tent with a more folk-oriented program and Westphalian atmosphere

On the main evenings (Friday, Saturday), the tents are well-filled; table reservations are recommended. If you are looking for the authentic festival tent experience — Westphalian beer, Schlager music, tables full of roast chicken — this is the place to be.

Ferris Wheel, Tower, and Funfair Attractions

In addition to the festival tents, an extensive funfair characterizes the market:

• Ferris wheel as a landmark — view over the Lübbecke region to the Porta Westfalica
• Tower ride (Power Tower) — free fall and view
• Various carousels, swings, pendulum rides
• Bumper cars
• Family carousels, children's roller coaster, children's section
• Shooting galleries, lottery stalls, candy stands

Fireworks on Thursday (Opening)

The market kicks off with the opening fireworks on Thursday evening, around 10:00 PM. The best viewing spots are around the market grounds — many regular visitors travel specifically for Thursday evening to experience the fireworks and the opening atmosphere.

Small Animal Market on Friday

A tradition stemming from the centuries-old market roots: the small animal market on Friday. Chickens, rabbits, geese, ducks, and pigeons are traded — one of the last real animal markets of this size in NRW. For city visitors, it's an unusual atmosphere; for farmers from the Lübbecke and Schaumburg regions, it's an important annual trading date.

Trade Exhibition

The trade exhibition presents local craft and industrial companies — carpentry shops, construction companies, garden and landscaping, solar and heating technology, agricultural machinery. A traditional component that makes the market more than just a funfair, turning it into an economic and trade event with history.

Market Mile with Stand Mile

A market mile with hundreds of stalls stretches across the entire market area — sweets, gingerbread, pepper nuts, textiles, tools, leather goods, bargains, fancy goods, sweet pastries. Some stalls are family businesses that have been selling in Blasheim for generations — other vendors change more frequently.

Arrival by Shuttle Buses

Because the crowds are huge, shuttle buses run from neighboring towns and cities throughout the market — Lübbecke-Stadt, Espelkamp, Stemwede, Hüllhorst, Pr. Oldendorf, Lemförde, Bohmte. The bus schedules are published on the market website. By train: Lübbecke station, about 3 km from the market. By car: A30 exit Lübbecke; ample parking spaces at the edge of the market, but public transport is highly recommended.