Crange's famous funfair, "Die Cranger Kirmes"

The “Cranger Kirmes” in Herne, is the second biggest funfair after the legendary Oktoberfest in Germany! This awesome funfair generally starts on the first Friday of August and entertains four million visitors (yes, four bloody million) for 10 days! With its picturesque location beside the Rhine-Herne Canal, you will be sated with the view while probably shouting on the big wheel, which lifts its visitors to a height of 60 meters into the air! It is believed that this funfair was born in the 15th century, on St. Lawrence’s Day in Crange, with the custom of a horse fair to be held. It must have been really boring at that time but sooner or later, the horse fair started hosting amazing jugglers, dancers, magicians and fortune tellers, which brought the world-famous Cranger Kirmes to its current fame! So, if you feel like attending this amusing funfair, here is your guide.

During this 10 day funfair, visitors can enjoy Ferris wheels, carousels, roller coasters, ghost trains, carnival games, food stalls, raffles and beer halls, as well as colourful gardens! If you are lucky enough to be present at the beginning and at the end of the funfair, you can watch amazing firework shows, too. So how does this fair start? I am glad that you thought of it! Ok, picture this; it is the first Friday of August. The weather is hot and inviting. You are checking the time and realising it is 16.00 pm, which is the opening time for the funfair! So, you rush to the area. There are more than 500 showmen setting up their lottery and shooting stalls, beer gardens, merry-go-rounds, ghost trains and bumper cars on a giant area. You can smell the freshly baked gingerbread hearts, cotton candy and roasted almonds, as well as the mouthwatering smell of juicy roasts, spicy dishes, crispy fried fish, crispy German sausages, original Italian pasta, and pizza! You can also have tapped Pilsner, freshly squeezed fruit juices and after a completely satisfying meal, you can enjoy a delicious coffee. Oh, have I mentioned the carousels, roller coasters and ghost trains??? Make sure you eat after joining such activities, because let's be real... nobody wants to be in the same roller coaster with a puking machine...

You can have all of that at a reasonable price as well! If you want to enjoy every single bit of this fair, I have some news for you. Since it is a giant area, you have to walk a total of 5 kilometers. However, trust me, it will worth every step that you take. After having so much fun, you can also buy various souvenirs to remember the best time you have ever had! 

Cranger Kirmes

Dorstener Str., Herne, Almanya

If you want to visit the Cranger Kirmes, get inspired by itinari now!