Medieval Market at Hohnsensee – Hildesheim Lake Spectacle
Knighthood, Viking World, and Crafts at Hohnsensee – Hildesheim Spring Spectacle
About Medieval Market Hohnsensee
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A Market by the Water
The JoWiese grounds at Hohnsensee are one of Hildesheim's most beautiful event locations: an open meadow landscape directly on the shore of an inner-city lake, framed by trees and offering views across the water. During the first days of May, a historical camp is set up here, showcasing the world of the Middle Ages in all its facets – from the Wendish-Scandinavian Viking world to high medieval knighthood.
Show Combat and Camp Life
The focus is on the reenactment groups who demonstrate daily life from past centuries in authentic tents, camps, and combat arenas. Knights train with sword, lance, and shield, Vikings display their weaponry and crafts, and archers gather at the shooting range. Show combats take place several times a day and are among the main attractions. Aspects of camp life are also conveyed: cooking over open fires, equipment maintenance, and storytelling from sagas and myths.
Craftspeople and Market Stalls
The market itself brings together craftspeople from all over Germany and neighboring countries. Blacksmiths work at the anvil, leatherworkers create pouches and belts, woodturners present their goods, and horn carvers, felt makers, and glass bead makers demonstrate their techniques live. There are also stalls selling medieval clothing, jewelry, drinking horns, and books. The medieval cuisine is an experience in itself: suckling pig from the spit, stews, flatbread, mead, beer, and non-alcoholic specialties.
Music and Program
Music is an integral part of any medieval festival. Medieval bands, bagpipers, drummers, and minstrels perform on the JoWiese grounds, both as announced stage programs and as walk-acts between the camps. Fire shows in the evening add dramatic accents to the Hohnsensee shore, especially at dusk.
Family-Friendly
With a day ticket costing €12 (adults, €10 in advance) and a symbolic entrance fee of €1 for children, the spectacle is deliberately designed to be family-friendly. Hands-on activities for children, games in the camp, and child-oriented demonstrations ensure that even the youngest guests can experience a full medieval day.
Medieval Market Hohnsensee — edition 2026
The 2026 edition offers the full spectrum of medieval reenactment: authentic camp groups, fighting knights and Vikings, a diverse market with arts and crafts, and all-day entertainment with music and walk-acts.
The location on Hohnsensee offers particularly spectacular atmospheric scenes at sunset, when fire bowls, torches, and the evening fire shows reflect on the water's surface.
Programme Medieval Market Hohnsensee 2026
Program Structure 2026
- Friday, May 1st, 2026, 11 AM – Market opens, camps set up, first craft demonstrations.
- 1 PM – First show combat by knights and Vikings.
- 3 PM – Music program on the main stage (medieval bands, bagpipes, drums).
- 5 PM – Second show combat, followed by an archery competition.
- 8 PM - 10 PM – Evening fire show by the lake, camp life by torchlight.
- Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, 11 AM - 10 PM – Full festival day with show combats, music program, craft demonstrations, children's program in the afternoon, fire shows in the evening.
- Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, 11 AM - 6 PM – Family Day with additional hands-on activities, closing ceremony, and dismantling in the late afternoon.
Areas
- Camp – Knights, Vikings, ladies-in-waiting, servants, craftspeople in a historical setting.
- Market – Blacksmiths, leatherworkers, woodturners, horn carvers, glass bead makers, jewelry, clothing, books.
- Combat Arena – Show combats with sword, lance, and shield; archery for visitors.
- Stage – Medieval bands, minstrels, bagpipe groups.
- Tavern – Suckling pig, stews, flatbread, mead, beer.
Highlights Medieval Market Hohnsensee 2026
- Three days of Medieval Market at Hohnsensee
- Knight and Viking show combats several times daily
- Craft stalls and medieval cuisine
- Live music and minstrels all day
- Evening fire shows by the lake
- Family-friendly (Children's admission €1)
Prices Medieval Market Hohnsensee 2026
Practical information — Medieval Market Hohnsensee
Date 2026
- Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
- Friday and Saturday 11 AM - 10 PM, Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM
Location
- JoWiese grounds at Hohnsensee, 31139 Hildesheim
Admission
- Day ticket adults €12 (advance purchase €10)
- Children €1
- Family and weekend tickets often available (information from the organizer)
Getting There
- Hildesheim city bus to Hohnsensee
- By car via the A7, designated visitor parking in the vicinity
Notes
- Cash payment is common at most market stalls; ATMs are in the city center.
- Program elements may be adjusted in case of extreme weather.
- Medieval attire for visitors is welcome but not mandatory.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Medieval Market Hohnsensee al mejor precio.
Sponsored link