Bremen Freimarkt

About the Bremen Freimarkt in 2028

The Freimarkt is Bremen's autumn funfair and one of the oldest festivals of its kind in Germany. It fills the Bürgerweide, the large fairground behind the main station, with rides, stalls, tents and food. For the people of Bremen it is a tradition that marks the start of the darker half of the year, and for visitors it is an easy reason to see a Hanseatic city that is often skipped on tours of Germany.

Our data lists the 2028 edition from Friday 13 October to Sunday 29 October, which is again a seventeen-day run.

How the 2028 dates are estimated

There is no announcement for 2028 yet, and the window is an estimate built on the usual pattern: seventeen days that start on a Friday in October. In 2028 the second Friday of October is the 13th, which gives the closing Sunday of 29 October. That is two days earlier in the calendar than the estimate for 2027.

Treat the date as provisional until freimarkt.de publishes the schedule. The opening times, any special days and the exact opening ceremony are set by the organiser. Hold off on non-refundable bookings until the official schedule appears.

What to see and do

On the fairground you will find a mix of large rides for thrill-seekers, gentler attractions for children, games and a Ferris wheel that lets you look over the Bürgerweide. Evenings are the most atmospheric, with lights and crowds, while weekday afternoons are best for families with small children.

The old town is a short ride away. Look at the town hall and Roland, both UNESCO World Heritage, walk through the narrow Schnoor lanes, and follow the Weser promenade known as the Schlachte. If you have time, the Bremen Town Musicians and the Böttcherstraße make a pleasant half-day tour.

Food and drink

Gingerbread hearts, roasted almonds, Schmalzkuchen and Bratwurst are the fair's trademarks. In town, look for Bremen specialities such as Knipp, Labskaus, the winter dish Kohl und Pinkel and the fruit loaf called Bremer Klaben. Fish rolls are an obvious choice in a port city. Local and regional beer is on offer at the tents; check what is actually served on your visit.

Getting there and where to stay

Bremen Hauptbahnhof is only minutes from the fairground on foot, so rail is the simplest way to arrive. The airport has a tram link to the centre, and the city is reachable by the A1 and A27 motorways. During the fair, parking near the Bürgerweide fills quickly.

Choose a hotel near the station or in the old town for convenience. Rates rise on the weekends of the fair, so a midweek stay may be cheaper. Book flexibly until the dates are announced.

Planning around public holidays and bridge days in 2028

In 2028 the calendar helps you at the end of the fair. The closing Sunday is 29 October, and Tuesday 31 October is Reformation Day, a public holiday in Bremen. That makes Monday 30 October the bridge day: one vacation day gives you Saturday 28 October to Tuesday 31 October, four days, with the closing weekend of the fair in the middle.

German Unity Day on Tuesday 3 October comes before the fair, with Monday 2 October as its own bridge day, so that long weekend cannot be combined with the fair. For the opening weekend, Friday 13 to Sunday 15 October, you need one vacation day or none. A week-long stay from Monday 16 to Friday 20 October takes five vacation days and gives nine days from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 October. Check the school holiday dates for your state before you commit.

Tips and who it suits

The fair suits families, couples and friends who like a classic funfair and a city break at once. Wear weatherproof clothing, since October can be wet, and use public transport after an evening in the tents. Reconfirm the dates on the official site as soon as they are announced.