St Martin's procession through Bocholt town centre

On Tuesday, 10 November, at 5.15 pm, up to 3,000 children from various schools will set off from Berliner Platz for the grand St Martin's procession through Bocholt town centre. The Verein für Heimatpflege e.V., the organisers, warmly invite you to join in by lining the streets with lanterns and rattles, and to join in the singing with the children.

Carrying homemade lanterns and traditionally carved beetroot torches, the children follow Saint Martin on his horse, singing as they go. Many volunteers, teachers and music groups accompany the pupils on their way through the city centre. 

Spectators are warmly invited to join in the singing and cheer on the children from the roadside. At the end of the procession, every child receives a St Martin's bag in front of the Historic Town Hall, filled with fruit, pastries and a small sweet. There, St Martin on horseback can be seen once again.

The Bocholt town centre St Martin's procession took place for the first time in 1910, making it the oldest St Martin's procession in Westphalia. The Verein für Heimatpflege e.V. organises the procession in cooperation with the City of Bocholt's Department of Culture and Education.

The parade route, sheet music and song lyrics, the legend of St Martin and lots more information can be found at: www.bocholt.de/Martinszug.