Darmstädter Herbstmess

Darmstadt's Second Fair of the Year

The Darmstädter Herbstmess is, after the Frühjahrsmess (April/May), the second major Volksfest in the science city of Darmstadt. For decades, the venue has been the Messplatz in the Bessungen district — one of Hesse's traditional fairground sites. In 2026, the Herbstmess will run from Wednesday, September 23, to Saturday, October 3 — almost eleven days, culminating on German Unity Day.

Opening Fireworks and Classic Program

As befits a Hessian Volksfest, the Herbstmess begins with opening fireworks on the first evening. This is followed by eleven days of classics: Ferris wheel, roller coaster, carousel, haunted house, dodgems, children's carousels, along with shooting galleries, lottery stalls, candied fruit and almond stands, bratwurst and fries stands, a beer garden tent, and a cocktail bar.

After a Break in 2025

Darmstadt Marketing GmbH announced in 2025 that neither the spring nor the autumn fair would take place — a painful cut in the Volksfest calendar for many Darmstadt residents. The Herbstmess returns in 2026; the Frühjahrsmess had already returned from April 24 to May 3, 2026.

Bessungen and the Messplatz

For generations, the Messplatz in Bessungen has been Darmstadt's premier fairground. When the fair is on, the scent of roasted almonds drifts for miles, the Ferris wheel is visible from many streets, and on weekends, thousands of visitors from southern Hesse flock to the Messplatz. Free admission — a Volksfest as it should be.