Send in Münster: Student Guide to the Fair

Send in Münster: How to Make the Most of the Fair as a Student

When Send starts in Münster, you can smell the roasted almonds in the city center. Suddenly, everyone is talking about the Ferris wheel, fireworks, fried fish, bumper cars, and the question: "Are we going today or is it too crowded?"

I live at Aasee in the student dormitory at Offenbergstraße 5, 48151 Münster and for me, Send is one of those events you have to experience at least once during the semester. Not necessarily because everything is cheap, but because it feels like Münster: relaxed, a bit nostalgic, and quite lively in the evenings.

What is Send in Münster Anyway?

Send is the largest fair in Münster and takes place at Schlossplatz, right between the city center, the castle, and university buildings. For students, the location is almost unbeatable: you can go there after lectures, meet up with people from your seminar, or spontaneously walk over from Aasee.

Typical attractions include rides, snack stalls, sweets, game booths, and beer stands. Send usually takes place three times a year: as a spring fair, summer fair, and autumn fair. The exact dates change every year, so I always check the city of Münster's website or local channels beforehand.

The Best Day for Send in Münster for Students

If you ask me, the best day for Send in Münster for students is not Saturday evening. Sure, that's when it's the busiest, but that can be annoying: long lines, crowded paths, and groups you keep losing track of.

I particularly like these time slots:

• Wednesday early evening: often more pleasant, good after uni or the library.
• Thursday after 7 PM: already has a good atmosphere, but usually not completely overcrowded.
• Sunday late afternoon: perfect for a quieter round with food and the Ferris wheel.
• Fireworks evening: nice, but only if you’re okay with crowds.

My tip: Arrange a fixed meeting point with your group, for example at the entrance towards the castle or at a well-visible ride. "We’ll meet somewhere near the food" never really works at Send.

Getting There from Aasee: How to Relaxedly Reach Schlossplatz

From the dormitory at Aasee, Send is really close enough that you don’t have to plan it as a big event. I usually walk along the promenade or towards the city center and depending on my pace, I’m quickly at Schlossplatz.

By bike, it’s even faster, but be careful: around Schlossplatz, the bike racks are often full on Send days. It’s better to park your bike a bit earlier, for example towards Hüfferstraße, Gerichtsstraße, or near the university buildings, and walk the last few meters.

If you’re coming from other districts, like Gievenbeck, Mauritz, Sentrup, or Kreuzviertel, the bus and bike are usually the least stressful options. In my opinion, driving to Send is hardly worth it for students.

What Does Send Cost? Realistic Student Budget

Entry to Send is free. It only gets expensive if you arrive hungry, go on three rides, and then buy roasted almonds "for later."

For a normal evening, I estimate about this:

• Small food round: about 5 to 9 euros, depending on whether it’s fries, crepes, or sausages.
• Drink: often 3 to 6 euros, don’t forget the deposit.
• Ride: usually 4 to 8 euros per ride.
• Sweets: roasted almonds, chocolate-covered fruits, or churros can quickly cost 4 to 7 euros.

My personal saving tip: Eat something beforehand in the dormitory or at the Mensa at Aasee and treat yourself to just one thing at Send that really tastes like a fair. For me, that’s usually roasted almonds or a crepe.

Best Send Food Spots: What’s Really Worth It

Of course, the stalls change, but there are classics that almost always work. If you’re looking for the best food at Send Münster for students, I wouldn’t buy blindly at the first stall, but rather take a quick walk around the square.

My favorites after several rounds at Send:

• Fried fish: not exactly cheap, but decent as a proper dinner.
• Fries with special sauce: solid, shareable, and ideal if you just want to snack.
• Crepes: the classic after a round of bumper cars.
• Roasted almonds: expensive per bag, but maximum fair smell.
• Chocolate-covered fruits: good if you just want "a little something."

If you’re out with a group, it’s better to share several small items. This way, you can try more and won’t be broke after five minutes.

Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, or Breakdance?

For me, the Ferris wheel at Send is the most beautiful Münster moment, especially just before sunset. You can see the castle, the towers of the city center, parts of Aasee, and the typical flat Münsterland around it.

Bumper cars, on the other hand, are a group activity. Especially if you’re new to Münster, it’s one of the easiest ways to casually strike up a conversation with roommates, fellow students, or people from the dormitory.

The faster rides are a matter of taste. I wouldn’t recommend them right after fried fish plus crepe. It sounds trivial, but it’s based on experience.

Fireworks at Send: Is It Worth It?

Yes, the fireworks are worth it if you don’t arrive just five minutes beforehand. Schlossplatz gets really crowded, and the paths around the promenade, the castle moat, and the city center are noticeably busier than usual.

I prefer to find some distance instead of standing right in the densest crowd. Towards the castle, promenade, or on the way back to Aasee, you can often find more pleasant perspectives.

Important: After the fireworks, everyone wants to leave at the same time. If you don’t want to deal with the crowd, stay for another 20 minutes, grab a drink, or consciously go in a different direction than the mass.

Send as a Date, Flat Share Evening, or Freshman Outing

Send is not just a fair, but also a great opportunity to get to know Münster better. As a date, a round over Schlossplatz is more relaxed than a stiff café meeting because you always have something to talk about.

For flat shares or dorm groups, Send is ideal because no one has to plan the entire evening. Just agree on a meeting point, walk around the square, maybe ride the Ferris wheel, and then head towards the old town or back to Aasee.

Especially for freshmen, Send is a good opportunity to understand the axis between the university, castle, city center, and Aasee. Afterwards, Münster feels immediately smaller and more familiar.

My Practical Send Tips from Münster

• Bring cash: Card payment is not guaranteed everywhere.
• Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be standing and walking more than you think.
• Plan a meeting point: Especially in the evening, getting lost is realistic.
• Don’t go completely hungry: Otherwise, you’ll buy everything.
• Park your bike smartly: Don’t look for the closest entrance.
• Keep valuables close: A fair is still a fair.

Conclusion: Send Münster is a Must-Do, But with a Plan

Send is not the cheapest evening in Münster, but one of the most typical. It’s especially worthwhile for students because Schlossplatz is so centrally located and you can have a good time even on a small budget.

If you live at Aasee, it’s almost too easy: just walk over, soak in the atmosphere, eat one thing, maybe ride the Ferris wheel, and then head back. Evenings like this make up the student life in Münster.

FAQ: Send Münster for Students

When does Send take place in Münster?

Send usually takes place three times a year at Schlossplatz: in spring, summer, and autumn. The specific dates are published by the city of Münster every year.

Is Send in Münster free?

Yes, entry to Send is free. Costs only arise for rides, food, drinks, and games. With 10 to 20 euros, you can have a nice evening as a student if you choose wisely.

How do I get from Aasee to Send?

You can easily reach Schlossplatz from Aasee on foot or by bike. The route from the student dormitory at Offenbergstraße 5 is practical and much more relaxed than driving.

Which day is best for students?

For students, Wednesday or Thursday early evening is often the most pleasant. The Send atmosphere is already there, but it’s usually less crowded than on Saturday or right before the fireworks.