The Nördlinger Mess originated from a trade fair charter granted by Emperor Frederick II in 1219.
The festival is held on the Kaiserwiese, an area historically used for major city events.
The fair is deeply integrated into the local identity of the Ries crater region.
It remains one of the oldest recurring traditional markets in southern Germany.
The event transitions from a daytime commercial exhibition to an evening folk festival atmosphere.
Nördlinger Mess is an annual traditional fair held on the Kaiserwiese grounds in Nördlingen, Bavaria, dating back to a market charter granted in 1219. The event serves as a historic commercial fair that has evolved into a modern regional folk festival. It typically takes place over five days in mid-July. The site features a mix of traditional fairground rides, beer tents, and commercial trade exhibitions. It is situated within the Nördlinger Ries, a massive impact crater formed by a meteorite strike millions of years ago. The fairgrounds provide a significant cultural focal point for the local Ries region community. Visitors engage with regional food specialties and local brewery offerings. The event maintains deep roots in the city's medieval economic history as a central trading hub.
From the edge of the Kaiserwiese with the ferris wheel and the Nördlingen city church tower in the background.
Sample local Bavarian delicacies and regional beers inside the designated festival tents.
Walk the perimeter of the Kaiserwiese to appreciate the backdrop of the Nördlinger Ries crater walls.
Visit during the afternoon for a more relaxed trade-fair atmosphere or in the evening for the full folk-festival experience.
Do not expect a quiet or historical museum environment; this is a high-energy folk festival.
Occurs annually in mid-July; check official municipal listings for exact dates as they vary slightly each year.
