The History of Frankfurt's Dippemess

The Dippemess is a traditional fair that dates back to the 14th century. At that time, the "Maamess", as it was then called, was a mediaeval market proffering domestic articles. Potters from the Westerwald, Kannebäckerland and Urberach came here to sell their wares, especially their ceramic bowls and pots. These were known in the Frankfurt dialect as "Dippe", from which the event soon took its name. Over the years, more and more fairground booths and popular attractions joined the market.

In the 1950s, the Dippemess was relocated to Frankfurt's main fairground (Festplatz) on the Ratsweg, as the showmen’s larger rides and attractions could no longer be accommodated in the city centre. In the generous space available here, the Dippemess rapidly expanded and today it is Frankfurt’s largest fair and Germany’s most popular Easter event. With visitor numbers annually reaching 2.5 million, the Dippemess always features the latest high-tech rides and fairground attractions