Frechen Pottery Market

51st Pottery Market — Ceramic Art from All Over Europe

Since 1976, the Frechen Pottery Market has been one of Germany's most traditional and high-quality ceramics markets. In 2026, the KERAMION Foundation celebrates the 51st edition on the weekend of May 9 and 10. Over 90 selected ceramic artists from all over Europe will showcase their latest works around Frechen Town Hall — functional ceramics, sculptures, design objects, installations.

Frechen — Historic Stoneware Town

Frechen is not by chance the location for the Pottery Market: In the 16th to 18th centuries, the town in the Rhein-Erft district (approx. 53,000 inhabitants) was a European center for stoneware production. The Frechener Bartmannkrugs — grey or brown salt-glazed vessels with the characteristic bearded mask face — were exported worldwide and can now be found in museums around the globe. The KERAMION Foundation (Museum for Contemporary and Historical Ceramics) is a direct consequence of this tradition and actively cultivates it.

KERAMION Foundation — Organizer and Program

The organizer is the KERAMION Foundation in cooperation with the City of Frechen. Key sponsors include Stadtbetrieb Frechen GmbH, Kreissparkasse Köln, and Quarzwerke GmbH. The KERAMION Museum will remain open during the Pottery Market and complements the program with:

• Children's Workshops — Pottery for the little ones
• Special Exhibitions of contemporary ceramics
• Demonstrations and Hands-on Stations
• Museum Café with refreshments

Sunday Shopping and Frechen City Center

The Pottery Market coincides with a Sunday shopping event in Frechen's city center (shops open 1:00 PM–6:00 PM). The city marketing department thus closely integrates the market into the revitalization of the city center — a model that enhances the visibility of ceramic art and its economic significance equally.

Rhein-Erft District — Ceramic Region

Frechen is located in the western Rhein-Erft district, directly adjacent to Cologne (S-Bahn connection). The entire region is historically shaped by clay extraction and ceramic production — to this day, important ceramic companies and research institutions are located here. The Pottery Market is an expression of this vibrant tradition and attracts collectors, designers, and enthusiasts from all over Germany and neighboring countries.