Altstadtkirmes Metelen

Metelen — Münsterland municipality with fair tradition

Metelen is located in the Steinfurt district in western Münsterland, about 35 km northwest of Münster and near the Dutch border. With around 6,600 inhabitants, the municipality is manageable — but it has a distinct identity with a historic market square, collegiate church, and a tradition of folk festivals dating back to the 19th century. The most important of these is the Altstadtkirmes on the last weekend of July.

Three days of rides, food, and market

The 2026 fair runs from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26. Showmen set up around 30 rides and stalls in the city center: Twisters, bumper cars, classic carousels, smaller family attractions, food stalls, candy stalls, lottery, and game booths. The beer tent of the local clubs serves as a meeting point — either at the beer stand or at outdoor tables.

Neutor, Sendplatz, and Mühlentor — the fairground

The fair is spread across several central locations in the old town: Neutor (main attractions), Sendplatz (further rides), and the streets up to Mühlentor. The state road L 582 will be closed for the festivities (Tuesday 4 PM before the fair until Monday 10 AM afterwards), several city center streets will be blocked from Friday morning, and public transport stops will be temporarily relocated — Metelen is completely in fair mode during these days.

Market on the weekend

A special feature of the Münsterland fair tradition is the Krammarkt (market), which runs concurrently. Market stalls with textiles, tools, leather goods, household items, and regional products line the pedestrian zone between Volksbank and Schilden-Kreuzung. The market is open on Sundays — many visitors combine visiting the fair with shopping.

Opening hours and atmosphere

• Friday, 24.07. — 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM
• Saturday, 25.07. — 2:00 PM to 1:00 AM (extended festival evening)
• Sunday, 26.07. — 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (with shops open on Sunday in the city center)

The atmosphere is classic Westphalian fair — loud, colorful, with the smell of cotton candy and the voices of showmen. Families with children come on Sunday afternoon, teenagers and adults on Saturday evening, older visitors on Friday — the fair caters to all generations at different times.

Arrival and logistics

During the fair closures, Metelen is largely car-free. Those arriving by car park on the outskirts and walk. By bus from Steinfurt, Ochtrup, Burgsteinfurt, or Münster — bus lines run with adjusted schedules. Free admission — you only pay for rides and stalls.

Visit Metelen

Those who stay an extra day can visit the Stift Metelen with its collegiate church, use the Vechtelauf hiking trail, or drive across the nearby border to the Netherlands. Metelen is 25 minutes by train from Münster — a good starting point for a Münsterland tour.