Stuttgart Spring Festival
Stuttgart Spring Festival welcomes thousands of people from across Germany and beyond, to experience superb food, music, funfair rides, fireworks and, of course, world-renowned German beer!
Stuttgart Spring Festival is, in many ways, reminiscent of Oktoberfest. For two weeks each year, the spring celebration takes place at Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart.
Celebrate spring in Stuttgart
The Stuttgart Spring Festival (Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest) kicks off on April 20 at 11 am.
Stuttgart Spring Festival is a lot smaller than the beer festival of Munich, and an absolute favourite on the Stuttgart event calendar. The crowds are a lot smaller compared with its Bavarian cousin and there are noticeably fewer tourists - and it's just as vibrant! To put it simply, it's a fun, authentic party that welcomes people from all walks of life.
Special days at Stuttgart Spring Festival
Visitors can make the most of their visit by taking note of the special days:
Opening ceremony and keg tapping
- Saturday, April 20 at 11.30am
VfB Stuttgart Fan Days
- Tuesday, April 23
Family Days
- Wednesday, April 24
- Tuesday, April 30
- Wednesday, May 8
VVS Day
- Monday, April 22
Air balloon race
- Saturday, April 27
Large musical fireworks display
- Sunday, May 12, from 9.30pm
Photo: Thomas Niedermueller
Stuttgart Spring Festival opening hours
The Stuttgart Spring Festival takes place on April 22 - May 14, 2023. Here are the precise opening times to keep note of:
- Monday - Thursday: 12pm-11pm
- Friday: 12pm-12am
- Saturday and public holidays: 11am-12am
- Sunday: 11am-11pm
Special opening hours
- April 30: 12pm-12am
- May 1: 11am-11pm
- May 8: 12pm-12am
Stuttgart Spring Festival highlights
Here are some of the key places to visit during the Spring Festival:
Festival tents at Stuttgart Spring Festival
The focal point of the Spring Festival is the network of festival tents, in which festival-goers can find outstanding German food and beer. Admission to the tents is free at all times, though reservation is recommended at busy times, to guarantee entry.
Wander and explore the village-like atmosphere in the Göckelesmaier tent, the Wasenwirt tent, the Grandls Hofbräu Zelt tent and the rustic Almhüttendorf tent. Enjoying beer and great food in the open air is also fantastic when the spring weather stays fine. If you don’t fancy crowded tents, then try speciality beers and some tasty German bites al fresco.
Try Tyrolean specialities in the Almhüttendorf tent, tasty, crispy Göckele in the Göckelesmaier tent, outstanding local beers in the Grandls Hofbräu Zelt and immerse yourself in the best DJ sounds as you sip beers in the Wasenwirt tent. Swabian Maultaschen are a must!
Funfair rides
Since the Stuttgart Spring Festival is a family event, there is plenty to keep everyone in the family entertained all day long. Funfair rides cater to everyone, thrill-seekers or otherwise, from carousels and Ferris wheels to haunted houses and the “Power Tower”. Making its first-ever appearance at the festival is the "Fortress Tower", which is an 80-metre drop! Rollercoaster fans can look forward to the "Alpina Bahn".
Photo: Thomas Niedermueller
Dress up for Stuttgart Spring Festival
Well, it’s not Oktoberfest, but in any case, the tradition of dressing up in Bavarian costume also seems to have caught on at the Stuttgart Spring Festival. So get your typical brown Lederhosen and white or chequered shirts ready for the event if you're a man, and the frilly and sometimes colourful Dirndl dress if you’re a woman. Looking the part is a key component of the fun at German beer festivals!
Plan your trip to Stuttgart Spring Festival
Since it’s a busy event, public transport is recommended. Take the S-Bahn S1, S2 or S3, the U-Bahn U1, U2, U11 or U13, or bus 45, 56. N4, N5 or N6. Check out the Stuttgart Spring Festival website for more information.
Thumb photo: Thomas Niedermueller