Castrop-Rauxel - Frühjahrskirmes

Forget all that typical marketing talk about ‘Ruhrpott romance’. At its heart, the spring fair in Castrop-Rauxel is quite simply the moment when the town realises that winter is finally over. When the first fairground rides start to be set up between the houses in the Old Town market, the atmosphere in the town changes instantly. It’s not a huge fairground where you wear yourself out walking, but just the right size to have a quick stroll around without turning it into a day-long hike.

What makes it special is this compact layout right in the centre. The music from the bumper cars echoes through the alleys of the old town, and everywhere you go, those typical fairground smells hang in the air – smells you really breathe in properly for the first time after the dark months. You don’t go there looking for the most extreme thrill of your life, but because it’s the meeting place for everyone. You linger at a stall, bump into people you feel you haven’t seen since last year, and end up back at the same stall as always.

It’s all quite laid-back and down-to-earth. You grab a bite to eat, watch the chaos at the prize stalls and simply enjoy the fact that there’s something going on in town again. There’s no need for lengthy planning – you just go along, have a wander and go with the flow. The Spring Fair is the no-fuss kick-off to the outdoor season in Castrop, without any frills, but with just the right amount of hustle and bustle that you need in spring.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by train: Castrop-Rauxel Süd station (distance 400 m)

- by bus: Castrop Markt stop (lines 341, 353, 364, 378)

By car:

- Venue: Market Square

Parking:

- Widumer Tor car park (Widumer Str. 16)

- Car park at the Stadtgarten (Am Stadtgarten 18)

- Car park (Lönsstraße 41)