Name: Mittefastenmarkt Bamberg 2026
Start: 2026-03-11T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-14T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Maximiliansplatz Bamberg

Mittefastenmarkt

About Mittefastenmarkt

The Mittefastenmarkt is Bamberg's traditional spring market and one of the oldest city markets in Franconia. For centuries, it has announced the arrival of spring in the UNESCO World Heritage city in mid-Lent. In 2026, the market will undergo a realignment: instead of spreading across several locations, the event will be concentrated entirely on Maximiliansplatz and merged with the weekly market. Wooden and basket wares, household items, flowers, Easter decorations, and culinary specialties characterize the four market days.

Dates 11 Mar — 14 Mar 2026

Venue Bamberg (09461)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Mittefastenmarkt — edition 2026

The Bamberg Mittefastenmarkt 2026 runs from Wednesday, March 11 to Saturday, March 14, daily from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM. For the first time, the market will be fully concentrated on Maximiliansplatz and merged with the weekly market. Expect wooden and basket wares, flowers, Easter decorations, and culinary specialties in a denser arrangement than in previous years.

The 2026 edition marks a realignment of Bamberg's traditional spring market. Instead of spreading out between Gabelmann and Maxplatz as before, the entire market activity will be concentrated on Maximiliansplatz — spatially intertwined with the regular Bamberg weekly market.

The City of Bamberg aims to close the gaps that have recently appeared between stalls, create a more atmospheric setting, and thus secure the market for the future. The four-day opening hours from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM remain unchanged.

Highlights Mittefastenmarkt 2026

Realignment 2026 with concentration on Maximiliansplatz, merger with weekly market, wooden and basket wares, Easter decorations, Franconian specialties.

Programme Mittefastenmarkt 2026

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 — Market Opening

8:30 AM — Opening of stalls on Maximiliansplatz
Throughout the day — Wooden and basket wares, household items, flowers, Easter decorations
Parallel — Bamberg weekly market with regional produce
8:00 PM — Market closing

Thursday, March 12 to Friday, March 13, 2026

8:30 AM to 8:00 PM — Market operations on Maximiliansplatz
Franconian snack stands, café stands

Saturday, March 14, 2026 — Market Finale

8:30 AM — Final market opening
Throughout the day — Full market operations with the largest public turnout
8:00 PM — Official end of the Mittefastenmarkt 2026

A complete list of participating exhibitors and stall locations will be published shortly before the market opens by the Bamberg City Market Office.

Prices Mittefastenmarkt 2026

Free admission. Purchases directly at the stalls, Franconian price level for market goods.

Practical information

Practical information — Mittefastenmarkt

Getting there

Bamberg is easily accessible via the A70 and A73 motorways. By train, ICE and regional services stop at Bamberg main station; from there, it's about a 15-minute walk to Maximiliansplatz or a short bus ride.

Opening hours

Wednesday, March 11 to Saturday, March 14, 2026, daily from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

Admission

Free admission. Food and purchases directly at the stalls.

A herald of spring for centuries

The Bamberg Mittefastenmarkt has taken place for centuries in mid-Lent — a traditional herald of spring in the UNESCO World Heritage city. When the first warm days arrive, Bamberg's city center transforms into a large market with numerous stalls, celebrating the transition between winter and spring.

Realignment 2026: Concentration on Maximiliansplatz

In 2026, the concept will change noticeably. In recent years, the market extended over about 500 meters between Gabelmann and Maxplatz — resulting in noticeable gaps between stalls due to declining numbers of exhibitors. The City of Bamberg is reacting: the Mittefastenmarkt will be fully concentrated on Maximiliansplatz in 2026 and merged with the weekly market. This will create a denser arrangement of stalls, better visitor flow, and a more atmospheric market setting.

What you will find at the market

Wooden and basket wares — typical assortment of Franconian spring markets
Household items, pans, brushes, cleaning supplies
Flowers and floral arrangements for the start of the gardening season
Easter decorations for the coming weeks
Culinary specialties from the region
Right next door: the Bamberg weekly market with Franconian produce

Bamberg in spring

The city of Bamberg is located in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and its Old Town has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993. During the Mittefastenmarkt, you can combine your market visit with an exploration of the historic upper town, the town hall on the bridge pier, and the famous Bamberg breweries (Schlenkerla, Spezial, Mahrs) — the perfect start to spring in Franconia.