Hammer GenussFest

Culinary City Festival with Sunday Shopping

The Hammer GenussFest is a one-day culinary city festival organized by the City of Hamm in cooperation with the city marketing association Unterwegs Hamm. The 2026 edition will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM in Hamm's city center. The day also features Sunday shopping – the city center shops will open their doors, complementing the culinary offerings with a shopping experience.

Street Food and Regional Specialties

The focus is on street food: local restaurateurs, food trucks, and regional vendors will present their specialties in the pedestrian zone and on the squares. Westphalian classics meet international cuisine – from Pumpernickel variations and currywurst specialties to street food from Italy, the Orient, and Asia. The diversity of culinary delights is a hallmark of the festival and underscores the culinary vibrancy of this Westphalian metropolis.

Hands-on Workshops and Family Program

A key focus is on participatory activities: hands-on workshops where visitors can prepare small dishes themselves under the guidance of chefs, tastings at wineries and distilleries, and show cooking by local restaurateurs. For families, there is a dedicated children's hands-on program with cooking classes, games, and small craft activities.

Sunday Shopping in Hamm City

The GenussFest day is designated as a Sunday shopping event – the city center shops are open from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This combination of street food, shopping, and experience is deliberately promoted by the city marketing to position Hamm's city center as an attractive destination against online retail.

Hamm — Westphalian Metropolis on the Lippe River

Hamm is an independent city in eastern Westphalia with around 180,000 inhabitants, located at the confluence of the Lippe River and the Datteln-Hamm Canal. The city is known for its Maxipark (former State Garden Show), the historic Pauluskirche, and its importance as a transport hub. The GenussFest is part of the strategy to position Hamm's city center as a cultural and culinary magnet for the region.