Pforzemer Mess 2026

Pforzemer Mess — Summer Tradition in the Gold City

The Pforzemer Mess (in the broad Pforzheim dialect: "Pforzemer Mess" instead of the official "Pforzheimer Mess") is the traditional summer Volksfest of the Gold City Pforzheim. For 10 days, the large Messplatz on Habermehlstraße transforms into one of the most important summer Kirmes (funfairs) in the northern Black Forest region. The organizer is the city of Pforzheim — the Mess usually takes place from early to mid-June.

Program 2026 — Rides and Market

From Friday, June 12th, to Sunday, June 21st, 2026, the Pforzemer Mess offers the full Volksfest experience. Around 40–50 rides and stalls line up on the Messplatz, plus a dedicated area for the Krämermarkt (market) with stalls, classic snack stands, and showman classics (shooting gallery, fortune teller, lottery stall).

Highlights 2026 — New and Classic Attractions

The Pforzheim Showmen's Association is bringing a particularly dense program of top attractions in 2026:

• Grand Soleil — the Ferris wheel with panoramic views over Pforzheim and the Black Forest foothills
• Wilde Maus — Das Original — the cult roller coaster with short, sharp turns and unmistakable car wobbling
• Konga — the giant swing, a Frisbee-type ride with up-and-down motion
• Hexentanz — classic spinning ride
• Skater — modern high-speed carousel with spin effects
• Parkour — running and jumping course for children and families
• Autoskooter — the classic fun for all generations
• NEW 2026: Diablos Residenz — a modern haunted house ride with the latest generation of effects, introduced for its premiere at the 2026 Mess

Market and Family Offer

In addition to the rides, the Pforzemer Mess features an extensive Krämermarkt: stalls with sweets, gingerbread, roasted almonds, marzipan, toys, gift items, keychains, fashion accessories, garden decorations. Classic stall games — shooting gallery with plush prizes, throwing games, wheel of fortune, "Hau-den-Lukas" (strength tester) — complete the offering. The Mess is deliberately designed to be family-friendly: Family days with reduced carousel prices, children's carousels in a dedicated area, visible security personnel.

Festival Tent and Catering

Several festival tents and snack stands offer classic Pforzheim fare: Bratwurst and fried potatoes, fries, potato pancakes, Maultaschen, Spätzle, pizza, crêpes, cotton candy, candied almonds, frozen yogurt. Beer from the region (Black Forest breweries), wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options.

Pforzheim — the Gold City on the Edge of the Black Forest

Pforzheim, with around 130,000 inhabitants, is an independent city (Stadtkreis 08231) at the transition from the Black Forest to the Kraichgau. Known as the Gold City due to its jewelry and watch industry (Wempe, Wellendorff, Stuhrling) and as the location of the Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences with its renowned design and jewelry studies. The city lies at the confluence of the Enz, Nagold, and Würm rivers — and is the gateway to the Northern Black Forest.