Michaelismarkt Bottrop — Medieval Market

Medieval Market for Michaelmas

The Michaelismarkt Bottrop is Bottrop's annual medieval market held around the Catholic feast of Archangel Michael (September 29th). It takes place on the central Ernst-Wilczok-Platz in Bottrop's city center and is organized by CS History & Event UG from Düsseldorf – one of NRW's most renowned medieval market organizers.

Dates and Opening Hours 2026

The 2026 edition runs from Saturday, September 26th from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Sunday, September 27th from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Admission is free. The city of Bottrop lists the market in its official event calendar.

Atmosphere and Performers

The market's appearance follows the established medieval market aesthetic: historical costumes, no modern advertising posters, no plastic in sight. Stalls feature goldsmiths, leatherworkers, woodcarvers, blacksmiths, beekeepers, and bookbinders. Juggler shows, combat demonstrations with historical weapons, stilt walkers, fire shows, medieval music (hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, drums), and the ever-present shouted calls of the "medieval" traders create the soundscape.

Culinary Delights – Mead, Wild Boar, Stick Bread

The medieval cuisine offers: mead and wine, roast wild boar, suckling pig, ox stew, stick bread, turnip stew. For children, there's stick bread over an open fire and sweet temptations.

Family Program

One of the hallmarks of CS History & Event markets: the family program. Children can try archery, learn to ride, do pottery, or interact with stilt walkers. The markets emphasize that even the youngest visitors can experience the Middle Ages as an adventure – beyond mere romanticized costumes.

Parallel Event: Bottrop Autumn Fair

A practical bonus: From September 25th to 27th, 2026, the Bottrop Autumn Fair runs concurrently in the city center – with rides, food stalls, and a family day. Those who want to combine the Middle Ages with a modern funfair in one weekend will find Bottrop the right place.

Bottrop – City in the Western Ruhr Area

Bottrop is located between Essen, Oberhausen, and Gelsenkirchen in the western Ruhr area. The city, with around 117,000 inhabitants, was traditionally a mining town; today it is known for Movie Park Germany and its vibrant city center.