Herbstsend Münster

What is the Send?

The Send is Münster's traditional funfair — one of the oldest and largest Kirmes (fairgrounds) in Westphalia. It takes place three times a year: Frühjahrssend (Spring Send, March), Sommersend (Summer Send, July/August), and Herbstsend (Autumn Send, October/November). The latter is the most magnificent and longest — nine days of festivities, from a Saturday until All Saints' Day Sunday or Monday.

The Schlossplatz as a Stage

The Schlossplatz in front of Münster's Princely Electoral Palace is one of the largest city-centre squares in Germany — and thus the perfect venue for the Send. From October 24th to November 1st, 2026, up to 200 showman businesses will line the square: the Ferris wheel as a central landmark, several roller coasters and high-tech thrill rides (Spinning, Looping, Free Fall Towers), dodgems, haunted houses, classic carousels for children, plus food and sweet stalls — roasted almonds, potato pancakes, gingerbread hearts, crêpes, and mulled wine in the second week of the festival.

The Send Highlights 2026

Three recurring highlights mark every Herbstsend:

• Opening on Saturday (24.10.2026) — Send opens from 2 PM, on Sundays from 11 AM
• Family Day on Thursday (29.10.2026) — 2 PM to 11 PM, 30 percent discount on all rides; retail stalls must reduce the price of a main item by 25 percent
• Fireworks on Send Friday (30.10.2026) around 9 PM — the visual highlight of the festival week

Opening Hours and Duration

Sat 24.10. opens from 2 PM; all Sundays and public holidays (November 1st/All Saints' Day) from 11 AM; weekdays from 2 PM to 11 PM. Until closing on All Saints' Day Sunday (or Monday, depending on the calendar), this will be nine consecutive festival days in 2026.

A Tradition for Centuries

The Send dates back to a episcopal "Synode" ("Sendgericht" - Send court) in the early Middle Ages, which was followed by a market — hence the name. It has been held regularly in Münster at least since the 14th century. Today, it is one of the most traditional Volksfeste in North Rhine-Westphalia and the busiest date in Münster's annual calendar: up to a million visitors come per Send edition — students from the University of Münster, families from all over the Münsterland region, and funfair fans from the Ruhr area and Lower Saxony.

Münster as a Festival Backdrop

Münster (around 320,000 inhabitants) is the unofficial capital of the Münsterland region — a university and cycling city, the site of the Westphalian Peace of 1648, and a cathedral city with the Gothic St. Lamberti Church and the Princely Electoral Palace. The Schlossplatz is part of the promenade ring, the former city fortifications. Visitors to the Herbstsend can ideally combine a walk through the old town (Prinzipalmarkt, St. Lamberti Church, Domplatz) with an evening at the Send — an excursion into the cultural heart of Westphalia with a genuine Volksfest atmosphere.

Getting There and Tips

Münster Hauptbahnhof (main station) is 1.5 km from the Schlossplatz, reachable on foot or by bus. By car: A1 or A43, car parks at Schlossplatz and Domplatz (often full during Send — arrive early or use Park-and-Ride). Tip: The Family Day is ideal for families with children (big discount, quieter than the weekend). Those who want to see the fireworks should come on Send Friday and find a spot with a clear view in good time — a classic viewpoint is the Schloss itself.