Oldtimer Meeting and Crafts Market Bauernmuseum Selfkant

The Bauernmuseum — A Local History Museum with Depth

The Bauernmuseum Selfkant in Tüddern is a local history museum with a special character. On a historic farmstead laid out in the classic Lower Rhine four-sided farmyard style, it preserves the agricultural and craft heritage of the Selfkant region — Germany's westernmost tip, curving south of Aachen into the Netherlands. The museum is operated by volunteer members of Bauernmuseum Selfkant e.V. and is an important regional learning center for rural history.

A Meeting Held Every Two Years

The Oldtimer Meeting with Crafts Market is the museum's main large-scale event. It takes place every two years over Whitsun — in 2026, this corresponds to the anticipated dates of May 24th-25th (Whitsun Sunday + Monday). Limiting it to every two years makes the event special: neither too frequent nor too rare, with strong support from the region.

Over 500 Tractors and Vintage Cars

The core of the meeting: over 500 historic vehicles, primarily tractors from the agricultural history of the Lower Rhine. In addition:

• Vintage cars from the years 1920 to 1980
• Motorcycles, mainly German traditional brands
• Stationary engines from agriculture (diesel engines, stationary units)
• Agricultural machinery beyond tractors (combine harvesters, potato harvesters, old harrows)

Many of the vehicles are presented in motion — they drive around the grounds, their owners explaining their function and history. A real experience rather than a static exhibition.

International Audience

The Selfkant region is located directly on the Dutch and (for short distances) Belgian borders. The meeting accordingly attracts international exhibitors and visitors: Dutch tractor enthusiasts, Belgian vintage car clubs, German clubs from the entire area. The official and unofficial languages on site: German, Dutch, sometimes English.

Crafts Market — Traditional Crafts Live

Alongside the Oldtimer Meeting, a Crafts Market takes place. Traditional craftspeople demonstrate their skills live:

• Show baking with the famous “Selfkantfla” — a regional bread baked in the museum's historic bakehouse
• Basket weaving live
• Blacksmithing in the museum forge
• Spinning and weaving with old equipment
• Pottery
• Woodturning and carving

These demonstrations are not just for show but are real craftwork — the finished products are offered for sale and partly finance the exhibition.

Culinary Delights

On site, you'll find classic Lower Rhine fare: Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), Bratwurst (grilled sausage), freshly baked Selfkantfla, cake from the bakehouse, beer, coffee. Not a giant food court, but a moderate selection managed by the association.

Why a Visit is Worthwhile

Anyone who loves industrial history and rural tradition — and wants to experience it all in a friendly, family atmosphere — should come to Tüddern. The Oldtimer Meeting is not a high-gloss event, but a genuine club celebration with high authentic charm. Moderate admission, personal atmosphere.