Name: Soester Allerheiligenkirmes 2026
Start: 2026-11-04T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-08T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Altstadt Soest (rund um Markt, Petrikirchhof, Vreithof)

Allerheiligenkirmes

About Allerheiligenkirmes

From November 4th to 8th, 2026, the historic Soest old town transforms into Europe's largest old town fair: around one million visitors in five days, 300 showmen on 50,000 m² between the market square, Petrikirchhof, and Vreithof. The traditional horse market on Thursday, long opening hours until 2 a.m. on weekends, and a mix of high-tech rides, classic stalls, and Westphalian gastronomy make the Allerheiligenkirmes the undisputed Volksfest highlight of the Soest district.

Dates 04 Nov — 08 Nov 2026

Venue Soest (05974)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Allerheiligenkirmes — edition 2026

Five days of Allerheiligenkirmes in the Soest old town with around one million visitors, 300 showmen, and the traditional horse market on Thursday. Long opening hours until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, free admission to the entire area.

The 2026 edition of the Soester Allerheiligenkirmes takes place from Wednesday, November 4th, to Sunday, November 8th. Over five days, rides, stalls, and gastronomy are spread across the entire old town between the market square, Petrikirchhof, and Vreithof. The historic horse market on Thursday remains the identity-defining element. The fair is jointly organised by the City of Soest and Wirtschaft und Marketing Soest GmbH.

Highlights Allerheiligenkirmes 2026

Around 1 million visitors in five days
300 showmen on 50,000 m² of old town area
Historic Horse Market on Thursday
Long nights until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday
Medieval townscape as a backdrop

Programme Allerheiligenkirmes 2026

Wednesday, November 4th, 2026 — Opening

12 p.m.–11 p.m. (all showmen open from 3 p.m.)
Official opening with the mayor, barrel tapping

Thursday, November 5th — Horse Market

10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Historic Horse Market (continuation of the medieval tradition)
Equestrian programme, horse trading demonstrations

Friday, November 6th — Long Night

12 p.m.–2 a.m. (showmen from 1 p.m.)
Highest attendance in the evening

Saturday, November 7th — Main Fair Day

10 a.m.–2 a.m. (showmen from 11 a.m.)
Family Day in the afternoon, party atmosphere in the evening

Sunday, November 8th — Closing

11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Family Sunday with reduced prices at many stalls

Permanent Offer

High-tech rides (looping, Ferris wheels, Wilde Mäuse), classic showman stalls, Westphalian gastronomy (Reibekuchen, Pottwurst, Bratwurst, Schmalzgebäck), beer tents, and mulled wine stands.

Prices Allerheiligenkirmes 2026

Free admission to the fairgrounds. Rides, gastronomy, and game stalls are subject to charges according to the showmen's price list.

Practical information

Practical information — Allerheiligenkirmes

Getting There

Soest has an ICE/IC train station on the Hamm–Paderborn line (Cologne–Kassel route). The city centre is a five-minute walk from the station. By car, take the A44 (exit Soest or Soest-Ost) or A2 (exit Hamm/Lippetal). During the Kirmes, Park-and-Ride is recommended — the city centre is extensively cordoned off.

Admission

Free admission. Rides and food stalls are subject to charges.

Tip

Those who wish to avoid the crowds should come on Wednesday afternoon or Sunday morning. Friday and Saturday evenings are among the highlights — but also the busiest times. The Horse Market on Thursday is the most historically authentic experience.

Europe's largest old town fair — for centuries

When the Soest city centre sinks into Kirmes mode for five days at the beginning of November, it's time for the Allerheiligenkirmes — Europe's largest and oldest old town fair, with origins in the medieval horse market of the Hanseatic city. Around 300 showmen crowd onto 50,000 m² between the market square, Petrikirchhof, Vreithof, and the narrow alleys of the old town; around one million visitors multiply Soest's normal population of ~50,000 fivefold over five days.

Horse Market — the historical root

Thursday is Horse Market day: the direct continuation of the medieval tradition when Soest became Westphalia's central horse trading hub during Allerheiligen week. Today, the market is dedicated to historical heritage, combined with a programme around horses and equestrianism. In total, the Allerheiligenkirmes has around 350 exhibitors on Horse Market Thursday.

Opening Hours — long nights on weekends

Wednesday, November 4th: 12 p.m.–11 p.m. (all showmen open from 3 p.m.)
Thursday, November 5th (Horse Market): 10 a.m.–11 p.m.
Friday, November 6th: 12 p.m.–2 a.m. (showmen open from 1 p.m.)
Saturday, November 7th: 10 a.m.–2 a.m. (showmen open from 11 a.m.)
Sunday, November 8th: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

What makes the Allerheiligenkirmes unique

The fair is not concentrated in one festival area but is spread across the entire historic old town — rides and stalls are located between half-timbered houses and Romanesque churches (St. Patrokli, St. Petri, Wiesenkirche). This combination of a Volksfest and a medieval townscape is considered unique in Europe. High-tech rides (Wilde Maus, looping coasters, large Ferris wheels) alternate with classic showman stalls, complemented by Westphalian gastronomy — from Reibekuchen to Pottwurst and Schmalzgebäck — and, of course, beer.

Soest — Hanseatic city with Volksfest tradition

Soest is the district capital of the Soest district in the Westphalian Hellweg Börde, part of North Rhine-Westphalia. In the Middle Ages, the city was one of the most powerful Hanseatic cities and boasts one of Westphalia's most significant townscapes with its almost completely preserved old town ring. The Allerheiligenkirmes is the annual highlight in the event calendar — documented since the 14th century, it has grown continuously and is now both an economic factor and an anchor of identity.