Thuringian Horse Market Buttstädt

From Horse Market to Volksfest

In 1637 — in the midst of the Thirty Years' War — Buttstädt in the Thuringian Basin developed into an important trading post for horses and cattle. Traders came from Eastern Europe via the old trade routes to sell their animals in the small town. This economic necessity evolved into a market that has endured for centuries — transforming from a purely commercial event into a Volksfest. Today, the Roßplatz (Horse Square) is still the center, but instead of thousands of horses, you'll find festival tents, carousels, and food stalls.

Parade on Friday

The event kicks off on Friday with a festive parade through the town center: riding groups, traditional costume wearers, clubs, decorated floats, and music bands march from the outskirts to the Roßplatz. The parade is a deliberate homage to the horse market tradition — several stud farms and riding clubs from Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, and Saxony send horses and riders.

Three Days of Market Activities

On all three festival days — Friday, Saturday, Sunday — the streets of the old town turn into a festival mile. Traders offer handicrafts, leather goods, and traditional costumes, regional vendors provide culinary specialties (Thuringian Bratwurst, Rostbrätl, farmer's vegetables), amusement rides operate for children and adults, and shooting galleries and arcade games complete the offerings. In the festival tent at Roßplatz, bands of all styles play — from folk music to cover bands.

37,000 Visitors — A Major Event in Rural Thuringia

With around 37,000 visitors, the Buttstädt Horse Market is the largest Volksfest in the Sömmerda district and one of the most highly attended markets in the Thuringian Basin. The small town, with just over 2,500 inhabitants, sees its population multiply tenfold over the weekend — guests come from the entire district, from Erfurt, Weimar, Jena, and the neighboring states of Saxony-Anhalt and Lower Saxony.

Free Admission and Deeply Rooted

Admission to the festival grounds is free. This is part of its ethos: a Volksfest that denies no one entry, that involves the entire town, and that is an unquestionable part of Buttstädt's identity. For those wanting to experience the Thuringian Basin in the summer, the Horse Market is an ideal occasion.