Stunikenmarkt

Stunikenmarkt — A Tribute to Johann Bernhard Stuniken

The Stunikenmarkt is Hamm's largest city centre funfair — and at the same time a tribute to a historical citizen of the city: Johann Bernhard Stuniken, a merchant from Hamm in the 18th century. Stuniken (mentioned in a document in 1775) represented the Hamm merchant class that made the city a prosperous Westphalian medium-sized town. The market named after him symbolically builds on this trading tradition — today as a modern Volksfest (folk festival) with rides, showmen, and culinary offerings.

Format — Five Days of City Centre Funfair

The Stunikenmarkt 2026 runs from Friday, 18 September to Tuesday, 22 September 2026 around St. Paul's Church and Santa Monica Square in the city centre:

• Friday, 18 Sept (4:00 PM–11:30 PM) — Opening with free beer and free rides: traditional start, where beer and some rides are free
• Saturday, 19 Sept (2:00 PM–11:30 PM) — Full Day
• Sunday, 20 Sept (2:00 PM–10:00 PM) — Family and Visitor Day
• Monday, 21 Sept (2:00 PM–10:00 PM)
• Tuesday, 22 Sept (2:00 PM–10:00 PM) — Family Day with fireworks: reduced prices, evening fireworks to conclude

Rides and Attractions

The showmen's offerings are classic and comprehensive:

• Carousels in several variations (carousel horses, Calypso, Wave Flyer)
• Haunted house as a traditional classic
• Ferris wheel as a central attraction with a view over Hamm's city centre
• Swinging, chain carousel, and rotational rides
• Wild Mouse, Crazy Frog, adrenaline rides
• Sweet stalls and snack stands

St. Paul's Church and Santa Monica Square

St. Paul's Church — Hamm's Gothic hall church from the 14th century — forms the spiritual and visual centre of the city. It stands amidst the market squares, which are occupied by rides for the Stunikenmarkt. Santa Monica Square is named after Hamm's US twin city Santa Monica (California) — an international touch in the Westphalian city centre.

Hamm in the Westphalian Ruhr Area

Hamm is an independent city in the southern Münsterland/northeastern Ruhr Area with about 180,000 inhabitants — the easternmost major city in the Ruhr Area. Known as a former railway hub and for the Maximilianpark with the famous Glass Elephant. The Stunikenmarkt, alongside the Spring Funfair Bockum-Hövel and the Hamm Pub Night, is one of the central event highlights in Hamm's annual calendar.