As the largest folk festival on the Lower Rhine and in Westmünsterland, the Bocholter Autumn Fair always takes place on the third weekend in October.
With its supporting programme, the event's offerings go far beyond typical fairground performances. Fast-paced rides and a wide variety of delicacies are complemented by famous live acts in a large Bavarian festival tent. More than 320 showmen and women make the funfair an unforgettable experience for around 500,000 visitors.
The programme starts with the opening happy hour at noon on Friday. All the sales, raffle and draw shops will be offering special offers, and many rides will be available at reduced prices. Towards evening, the traditional tapping of the barrel takes place. Afterwards, a rousing fireworks display impresses the guests.
The funfair in Bocholt will take place in 2023 from 13 to 16 October in Bocholt city centre.
Up to and including Monday, famous musical artists will attract thousands of people from the entire region and the Netherlands to the folk festival, which has existed since 1455. Back then, the citizens celebrated the so-called Kirchweihfest (church consecration festival) on the occasion of the construction of the Gothic city church of St. George. Since then, the event has grown and developed into the largest folk festival in the region. Admission to the Herbstkirmes is free; visitors only pay ticket prices to see the live acts in the Bayernfest tent. These can be viewed and booked early on the website.
Tip: If you want to visit the "Bokeltse Kermis", as the people of Münsterland also call it, we recommend using the special public transport services due to closures and heavy traffic. The car parks also adjust their opening hours on these days.
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