Gräfrath Market Festival

Solingen-Gräfrath – A District with History

Gräfrath is one of Solingen's most beautiful districts, located in the north of the 'Klingenstadt', with a perfectly preserved historic old town around the parish church of St. Maria Himmelfahrt and the Gräfrath Market Square. Bergisch-Rhenish half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, small cafés, and galleries – Gräfrath feels more like a Bergisch village than a district of an industrially shaped metropolis. This makes the district festival particularly atmospheric.

Market Festival in Bergisch Tradition

The Gräfrath Market Festival has been the annual highlight in the district calendar for 48 years. It is organized by the Working Group of Gräfrath Associations – an alliance of local clubs: heritage society, marksmen's club, parish, sports clubs, cultural associations. The concept is classic: market stalls around the market square, community fair booths with snacks and drinks, live music, and a convivial atmosphere over three days on the weekend before Mother's Day.

Three-Day Festival Rhythm

Friday, May 8, 2026, from 6:00 PM

Festival opening in the late afternoon. First stalls, live music for the opening. Festival evening with DJ set or live music in the beer tent.

Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 3:00 PM

Full festival operation with market stalls, community booths, family program. Main concert in the evening.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 – Mother's Day

Highlight of the festival: joint service on the market square at 10:30 AM, organized by the parish. After the service, a joint 'Frühschoppen' (morning pint) atmosphere, family program, market operating throughout the day until the festival concludes in the evening.

Admission Policy 2026

The 2026 edition brings an important innovation: admission to the festival grounds on Friday and Saturday will be charged. An admission fee of €10 will be charged, of which €2 will be returned as a consumption voucher. Sunday remains free of charge. This policy is intended to secure the financing of the event and allow the Working Group of Gräfrath Associations to modernize the festival concept.

Exhibitors and Food

The market stalls traditionally feature regional providers: Bergisch specialties (Bergische waffles, rye bread), Lower Rhine products (farmhouse cheese, honey), handicrafts (ceramics, jewelry, wood carving), plants from the region's horticultural businesses. Classic snacks: bratwurst, fries, Bergisch pork chop, vegetarian options. Drinks: regional beer, wine, sparkling wine on Mother's Day.

Discover Solingen-Gräfrath

Those visiting Gräfrath for the market festival should also visit the German Blade Museum – the most important blade museum in the world, with over 100,000 exhibits on the history of cutlery. Located directly on the market square. The historic town center with its half-timbered houses is also worth a stroll.