Hanauer Herbstmesse

Funfair with City Feel

The Hanauer Herbstmesse is one of the two annual showman fairs in the Hessian Brüder-Grimm-Stadt – the little sister of the spring fair, but in sunnier late summer weather. On the central Freiheitsplatz, the heart of Hanau's city center, the showman collective sets up classic rides, snack stands, and stalls. Over five days, a compact funfair emerges, easily accessible on foot and by city bus – an advantage over large funfairs on the outskirts of town.

Classic Showman Program

The offering follows the proven funfair mix: carousels for the little ones, roller coasters and thrill rides for the brave, classic shooting galleries and throwing stalls for the whole family. Added to this are the culinary classics – cotton candy, candied almonds, crêpes, bratwurst, mushrooms in mustard-cream sauce, fries, potato pancakes. There is no large-scale mulled wine fair with Christmas spirit at the Herbstmesse – that remains reserved for the Hanau Christmas Market.

Embedded in Hanau Weekend

The Herbstmesse traditionally takes place parallel to other city center events: the Stoffmarkt (German-Dutch market), the Rochustage (citizens' festival around the Rochuskirche), or the Hafentorfest, depending on the year. This combination – funfair, market, and citizens' festival within walking distance – makes the weekend a typical Hanau city center experience.

Hanau — City of the Brothers Grimm on the Main

Hanau, located at the confluence of the Main and Kinzig rivers, is the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. This cultural-historical identity shapes the city marketing and numerous events such as the renowned Brothers Grimm Festival in the summer. The Herbstmesse, as a popular funfair, stands in conscious contrast to the more high-culture oriented festival program – both have their firm place in Hanau.

City Festival Character

The Freiheitsplatz is located on the edge of the pedestrian zone and is surrounded by the city center's gastronomy. Those who want to combine the day with a stroll through Hanau's city center will find cafés, restaurants, and shops in the immediate vicinity. This makes the Herbstmesse a family-friendly destination even for day-trippers from the Frankfurt area (20-minute S-Bahn ride).