Norden - Pfingstmarkt

In May 2024, the town of Norden celebrated 475 years of the Whitsun market around Norden's market square.

With the funfair, a colourful stage programme on the square in front of the bell tower, a jumble and flea market on the street opposite the former post office, a miniature funfair and a big family day on Tuesday, there was once again plenty to discover. Mayor Florian Eiben, together with the chairman of the East Frisian Travelling Showmen's Association, Timo von Halle, welcomed guests from the council and the town, as well as a group of mayors from the surrounding area of Norden, to celebrate 475 years of the Whitsun market in Norden.

Norden is the only town in East Frisia with 4 fairs a year. This is quite remarkable, but the fact that a fair has been held at the same location - the historic market square in Norden - for 475 years and is therefore perhaps even a little older, is also a source of enthusiasm for the showmen. The importance of Norden for them is immense and the connection with the town is unique. Showman veteran Theo von Halle is also proud of his own local history: ‘Norden is Whitsun for us - the 6th generation is already walking around the square here!’

In the run-up to the event, consideration was given to how the layout of the fair could be made more modern and interesting while at the same time presenting ‘something from the past’.

So now tradition met modernity and the tour of the funfair became a ‘zigzag run’. The new layout meant that more space and more event character could be extracted from the Norder market square, and the historical part of the Whitsun market featured a nostalgic carousel from 1886 that you might have seen on Alexanderplatz in Berlin at Christmas. A historic concert organ was also almost 150 years old.

After the children's programme on the stage, there was live music until 22:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the ‘Sundowner’. All around, a small area was created for eating, drinking and socialising with the traditional ‘chicken coop’ and a new ‘show bakery’ with Dutch oliebollen.

With five children's carousels, the Whitsun market is more than suitable for families, but there is fun and thrills for all generations ‘without admission and long queues like in an amusement park’, as the showmen always like to emphasise.

Source: City of Norden

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by train - Norden railway station (distance 1.4 km)

- by bus - bus stop Mittelmarkt

By car:

- Venue: Market square

Parking facilities:

- Car park (Gartenstraße 24)

- Car park (Kleine Mühlenstraße 21)

- Car park (Uffenstraße)