Oktoberfest Hannover

What Oktoberfest Hannover is

Oktoberfest Hannover is an autumn beer festival with tents, bands and a funfair on the Schützenplatz in the city. The data describes it as a 17-day event that starts on a Friday in late September. For 2028 there is no announcement yet, so the dates here are an estimate.

This page therefore describes a likely window, Friday 22 September to Sunday 8 October 2028, and not a confirmed schedule.

Dates and how they are set

The estimate follows the pattern of a Friday start in late September and a length of 17 days. That gives Friday 22 September to Sunday 8 October 2028, with Fridays on 22 and 29 September and 6 October, Saturdays on 23 and 30 September and 7 October, and Sundays on 24 September, 1 and 8 October. Tuesday 3 October falls inside.

The festival could start a week later, on 29 September, and run to 15 October. Until the organiser confirms, hold both possibilities in mind.

History and character

The festival is a modern addition to Hannover's calendar, inspired by the famous Munich event but with its own Lower Saxon audience. Brass bands, communal tables and costume dominate the tents.

The mood in 2028 will depend on the programme the organiser announces. As a rule, the early afternoon is for families and older guests, and the late evening is for groups who want to party.

What to see, do and eat

Stay with the tents and the funfair for food and drink: pretzels, roast chicken, sausages and beer, plus sweets from the stalls. Wear sturdy shoes, since the grounds can be muddy after rain.

By day, use the long autumn light for the Herrenhausen Gardens, the Maschsee or the old town of Hannover, with its half-timbered corner around the Kreuzkirche.

Getting there and where to stay

Take the Stadtbahn or bus to the Schützenplatz, and use Hannover Hauptbahnhof for intercity arrival. Drivers should expect limited parking.

Hotels around the city are in demand during fairs. With estimated dates, book only cancellable rooms. Public holiday weekends add pressure, and 1 to 3 October is one of them this year.

Planning around holidays and bridge days in 2028

German Unity Day, Tuesday 3 October 2028, is a public holiday in Lower Saxony and falls inside the estimated festival. Monday 2 October is the bridge day: take it, and you have Saturday 30 September to Tuesday 3 October, four days off for one vacation day. A longer plan from Friday 29 September to Tuesday 3 October costs two days, Friday and Monday.

A simple Friday-to-Sunday weekend, such as 22 to 24 September, takes one day. The holiday weekend of 30 September to 3 October may be busier and pricier, so book early. Reformation Day, 31 October, also falls on a Tuesday this year, but it is outside the festival.

Tips and who it suits

It suits groups of friends, colleagues and families with older children. Tables are often reserved, so ask early if you want a seat at the weekend.

Because the dates are unconfirmed, wait for the organiser's announcement before planning the long weekend around 3 October, then recalculate the days with the real weekdays.

A practical note on money and timing: beer-tent evenings can be more expensive than a normal night out, so decide in advance how much you want to spend, and check whether the organiser asks for table reservations or minimum consumption for groups. Because the dates are only estimated, also check whether opening hours differ on weekdays and weekends, and whether the holiday on 3 October brings an extended programme. A weekday afternoon visit is usually the calmest option for anyone who dislikes crowds.