584th Brackweder Schweinemarkt

584 Years of Brackweder Schweinemarkt — Living Tradition

The Brackweder Schweinemarkt is one of the oldest folk festivals in Westphalia — first documented in 1442. From Friday, August 28th to Sunday, August 30th, 2026, the district of Bielefeld-Brackwede will celebrate its 584th edition with three days of market life, music, funfair, and the traditional piglet raffle. Admission is free.

Opening on Friday — Treppenplatz and Barrel Tapping

The event officially kicks off on Friday, August 28th, 2026, starting at 5 PM, with the traditional barrel tapping ceremony on the Treppenplatz — the central square in front of St. Bartholomew's Church and the historic heart of Brackwede. Live music on the stage, bratwurst stands, and the first beer service herald the start of the festival.

Market Stalls on Treppenstraße — Funfair on Marktplatz

Throughout all three days, market stalls offering bric-a-brac, handicrafts, toys, sweets, and regional products line the Treppenstraße. The Marktplatz and the Rollschuhbahn host amusement rides — carousels for children, bumper cars, shooting galleries, a Ferris wheel. The Stadtpark Brackwede features a family program with bouncy castles, face painting, and performances.

Highlight: Piglet Raffle on Sunday

The most emotional event is the piglet raffle on Sunday, August 30th, 2026, at 12:00 PM on the Treppenplatz. Several piglets are symbolically raffled off — a reminder of the original function of the Schweinemarkt as a livestock trading place. Today, winners usually receive gift vouchers or sponsorship gifts; in compliance with animal welfare standards and with a wink. The piglet raffle attracts thousands of onlookers and is the media highlight of every Schweinemarkt.

Brackwede — District in Southern Bielefeld

Brackwede, with around 40,000 inhabitants, is Bielefeld's largest district, located on the southern outskirts where the Teutoburg Forest transitions into the Senne region. The historic town center around the Bartholomäuskirche (from the 12th century) and the Treppenplatz is exceptionally well-preserved and forms the backdrop for the Schweinemarkt. The medieval granting of market rights in 1442 marks its origin — the folk festival has been celebrated annually with only brief interruptions ever since.

Program to be Published in July

The detailed program with band times, stage schedule, and the piglet raffle proceedings will be published from July 2026 onwards at bielefeld.de/schweinemarkt and distributed in Brackwede shops. Inquiries can be directed to the Brackwede District Office at Germanenstraße 22.