Cannstatter Volksfest

The 2028 Volksfest on the Wasen

Every autumn the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart hosts the Volksfest, with large tents, a fairground and Swabian cooking beside the Neckar. In our calendar the 2028 edition runs from Friday 22 September to Sunday 8 October, 17 days, with the German Unity holiday falling inside the run.

It is an outdoor and tent event, so the weather decides how much time you spend between the two.

Why the dates are only an estimate

The organiser has not yet published the 2028 dates, so the status is estimated. We used the recent pattern of a 17 day run from a Friday to a Sunday; the equivalent Friday in 2028 is 22 September, two days earlier in the month than in 2027 because of the leap year. If the organiser places the festival a week later or earlier, the dates will differ.

As a result, treat 22 September to 8 October as a planning placeholder. The official event page of the city is the source to check.

Character, sights and food

The festival grew out of an agricultural fair created in 1818 under the Württemberg king and queen. The Fruchtsäule stands as a symbol of that harvest origin. The modern festival combines this heritage with brass music, beer tents and rides, and it retains a regional identity that visitors from further away notice quickly.

A wide range of ages visit, and the Swabian dialect is everywhere in the tents.

A typical day might start with a ride on the Ferris wheel and a walk along the stalls, followed by a roast chicken or a plate of Maultaschen in a tent. Sweet snacks include candied almonds and gingerbread hearts, and local wine and beer are the usual drinks. Families can look for rides suited to younger children in the afternoon hours.

In the evening the tents offer live bands and a livelier crowd, so choose your time of day depending on the mood you want.

Getting there and where to stay

Take the S-Bahn or Stadtbahn to Bad Cannstatt and walk. The ride from Stuttgart's main station is brief, and trains run frequently on festival days. Do not rely on parking nearby.

For a room, look in central Stuttgart early, or use Esslingen, Ludwigsburg or Fellbach with their S-Bahn links as quieter bases.

Public holidays and vacation days in Baden-Württemberg, 2028

In 2028, Tag der Deutschen Einheit, 3 October, is a Tuesday. The festival ends on Sunday 8 October, so the holiday lies inside the run. Monday 2 October is the natural bridge day, so Saturday 30 September, Sunday 1 October, Monday 2 October (one vacation day) and Tuesday 3 October (holiday) form a four day block.

Opening weekend on 22 to 24 September needs no vacation days, or one if you arrive for the Friday afternoon. The four day block of 30 September to 3 October costs one vacation day, and it is likely to be the busiest time at the Wasen. A midweek visit on Wednesday 4 or Thursday 5 October would cost one or two days. Allerheiligen, 1 November 2028, is a Wednesday and falls outside the festival.

Tips and who it suits

Because the Unity holiday brings crowds, avoid the long weekend if you prefer space. Reserve tent tables for groups and carry a small amount of cash.

Check the official page for the confirmed dates before you reserve accommodation or leave.

Planning tip for 2028: the long Unity weekend of 30 September to 3 October will pull in many visitors from all over Baden-Württemberg, so tents may be fully booked well in advance for the Saturday and Monday evenings. The calm days are the opening week, 25 to 29 September, and the closing week from 4 to 8 October, when a weekday lunch in a tent is easy. Dress for a mix of warm tents and cool autumn evenings outside.