Soester Allerheiligenkirmes

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.