Medieval Market Ratingen — Knights, Jesters, Bards

750 Years of Ratingen — City Anniversary with a Medieval Market

To mark the 750th anniversary of the city of Ratingen — founded in 1276 — the municipal Office for Culture and Tourism is organizing a year-round program of events. One of the highlights is the Grand Medieval Market on May 30th and 31st, 2026, in the historic Old Town. Unlike commercial medieval events, this market focuses on the city's own history — Ratingen was an important trading post in the Duchy of Berg in the Middle Ages, and the anniversary provides an opportunity to bring this past to life.

Program — Knights, Jesters, Bards

Knight Fights and Spectacles

• Knight Fights in full armor — choreographed duels with sword, lance, and shield
• Children's Knight Fighting School — children receive wooden swords and are introduced to combat techniques
• Jesters and Minstrels roam the streets
• Storytellers recount medieval sagas and legends

Music

• Bards with traditional instruments — hurdy-gurdy, shawm, bagpipes, pommer, lute
• Market Music with medieval-sounding melodies

Children's Crafts

• Children's Forge — children can try their hand at small blacksmithing tasks under guidance
• Juggling School — children learn the basic techniques of juggling
• Further hands-on workshops on medieval crafts

Wooden Rides

• Wooden Ferris Wheel — the unusual highlight: a Ferris wheel constructed entirely of wood, without modern drive technology
• Medieval Carousel — hand-operated carousel for children

Merchants

• Period Goods — leather goods, jewelry, candles, honey, mead, herbs, furs, mead drinking horns
• Medieval Food Stalls — suckling pig, bratwurst, candied almonds, mead, wine, honey bread

Venues in the Old Town

The event is spread across the three central squares and streets of Ratingen's Old Town:

• Market Square — Main stage, knight fights, wooden Ferris wheel
• Lintorfer Straße near the City Church — Merchant stalls, market atmosphere
• Oberstraße by St. Peter and Paul Church — Children's program, workshops

Ratingen as a Medieval City

Ratingen, with around 92,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest cities in the Mettmann district, located east of Düsseldorf. The city was granted town privileges in 1276 by Adolf V. of Berg — hence the calculation for the 750th city anniversary in 2026. The historic Old Town with its Market Square, City Church, half-timbered houses, and remnants of the medieval city walls provides the ideal backdrop for a medieval market format — the atmosphere is created naturally, without the need for elaborate sets.

Tip for Families

The market is explicitly designed as a family program — the children's sword fighting school, children's forge, and juggling school are the central hands-on activities. Costumes are not mandatory but are welcome — those who come in historical attire will feel most comfortable. Admission is free; food, drinks, rides, and some hands-on activities are subject to a charge.