Event Details
Welcome to Cannstatter Volksfest 2026
From Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 11 October 2026, the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt becomes the largest festival in Baden-Württemberg. The 179th Cannstatter Volksfest draws over 4 million visitors from around the world every year, making it Germany's second largest folk festival after Munich's Oktoberfest. Seventeen days of celebration, eight magnificently decorated beer tents, a traditional Alpine village, 330 fairground operators and a 25-hectare site along the Neckar river await visitors.
Highlights 2026
- Official barrel tapping ceremony by Stuttgart's Mayor on opening day
- Historic festival parade on the opening weekend through Bad Cannstatt's Old Town
- Eight beer tents and the traditional Albdorf Alpine village with 37,209 seats in total
- 80-metre Ferris wheel with panoramic views over Stuttgart and the Swabian vineyards
- Family Days on 30 September and 7 October with discounted prices from midday
- 102nd Agricultural Main Festival (LWH) running 27 September to 4 October on the same grounds
- Swabian specialities: Maultaschen, Spätzle, Rostbraten and grilled chicken
- Free entry to the entire festival grounds
Program & Opening Hours
On opening day (25 September), fairground rides open from 3:00 PM. From the second day, the regular opening hours are as follows:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday and days before public holidays: 12:00 PM to midnight
- Saturday: 11:00 AM to midnight
- Sunday and public holidays (including 3 October): 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
The traditional Historic Festival Parade takes place on the first Sunday of the festival, with more than 3,600 participants in historical costumes marching from Bad Cannstatt's Old Town to the Wasen. Running alongside the folk festival, the 102nd Agricultural Main Festival from 27 September to 4 October 2026 presents southern Germany's largest agricultural trade fair across 130,000 m².
Beer Tents & Prices
Entry to the festival grounds and all beer tents is free of charge. Table reservations must be arranged directly with the individual tent operators and usually require a minimum spend. A litre of beer (Maß) costs between €14.00 and €16.00 depending on the tent. The Wasenwirt charges €14.80 for a Maß of Stuttgarter Hofbräu festival beer. A half roasted chicken costs around €14.90. Traditional Swabian dishes such as Maultaschen, Rostbraten and Spätzle are available throughout.
Visitor Tips
- Always travel by public transport (S-Bahn, U-Bahn or bus); parking near the Wasen is severely restricted during the festival.
- Book tent reservations directly with your chosen tent operator well in advance.
- Weekdays are significantly quieter than weekends; families should take advantage of the Family Days on 30 September and 7 October.
- Pets are not permitted on the festival grounds.
- Tripods and bulky camera equipment are not allowed without official press accreditation.
- Book accommodation in Stuttgart several months in advance for the festival weekends.
History & Tradition
The Cannstatter Volksfest was founded on 28 September 1818 by Württemberg's King Wilhelm I and his wife Katharina as an agricultural and economic recovery festival after the Napoleonic Wars. Over more than 200 years, it has grown into one of the world's largest folk festivals. The iconic 26-metre Fruchtsäule (fruit column) remains the festival's symbol and a reminder of its agricultural origins.
