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With Germany’s fabulous summer and autumn Volksfest scene remaining on ice for the moment, one can’t help but wonder about the fate of all those scary rides that come to town for a few days before moving on to the next big bash. Are they parked up in some vast vacant lot, gathering dust and cobwebs? And what about all those food stands churning out our Volksfest favorites, from juicy bratwursts to gingerbread hearts?
Many will be pleased to know that the attractions are still spinning and your favorite foods are sizzling on the grill, as many cities reimagine their beloved Volksfests into smaller, COVID-19 compliant versions of their former selves. Sometimes the fair parks up in its usual spot; in places where space is tight, alternative grounds have been found.
Those with a special place in their hearts for that fun fest feeling can seek it out in the following places:
Göppingen: At the EWS Arena, east of Stuttgart, several rides have been set up and will remain there through Aug. 15. A one euro entry fee is charged.
https://www.facebook.com/roschmannveranstaltungen/posts/2964527507135957
Wiesbaden: The Freuberg Land pop-up park, offering a handful of rides and food stands, remains in place at the Festplatz Vielchenweg in Wiesbaden-Freudenberg through Aug. 15. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
http://www.kcg-freudenberg1953ev.de/
Aschaffenburg: A temporary fun fair by the name of “Aschaffenburger Mainvergnügen” remains in place through Aug. 22. At the city’s Volksfestplatz along the Main River, visitors will find rides including scooters and a Ferris wheel, food booths and a beer garden. Entry is free.
Cologne: A pop-up park by the name of “Happy Colonia” set up on the Deutzer Werf offers rides and games of chance Wednesdays through Sundays through Aug. 22 (it’s also closed Aug. 11). Entry costs one euro. The cost of the rides is half price on Aug. 12 and 18.
Munich: In the absence of an Oktoberfest for the second year running “Sommer in der Stadt 2021” brings a hint of that midway feeling to the Olympiapark. In addition to the rides, a cultural program of theater and concerts adds a touch of vacation vibes to the happenings. The usual Oktoberfest venue of the Theresienwiese also offers a festive atmosphere, with rides, games of chance and an old-fashioned beer garden. The event runs through Aug. 22.
Hamburg: Northern Germany’s biggest Volksfest, the DOM, has returned following its pandemic-related absence, and through Aug. 29 visitors can enjoy the event in its COVID-19 compliant form. A free online ticket must be ordered in advance and contact data provided. Once the resulting QR code has been scanned, fairgoers can enjoy a pirate ship, raft ride, haunted house, fun house and three roller coasters.
Nuremberg: A temporary park by the name of “NürnBärLand” with several rides has been set up at the Festgelände of the Nürnberger Kongresshalle. The rides can be enjoyed Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 12.
https://www.facebook.com/Volksfest.Nbg
Augsburg: As an alternative to the usual Volksfest, the Plärrer-Familienpark takes place on the city’s Plärrergelände Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 12. Rides, games of chance and food booths await visitors.
https://augsburger-plaerrer.de/
Straubing: In place of the city’s beloved Gäubodenvolksfest, a smaller event titled “a trumm vom paradies” is scheduled to take place Aug. 12 through 22. Expect a more-than-decent mix of rides and beer tents.
https://www.ausstellungs-gmbh.de/gaeubodenvolksfest/
Stuttgart: The Cannstatter Wasen, usually the site of the world’s second-biggest beer bash, remains quiet this year, but from Sept. 24 through Oct. 10, food stands, gaming booths and a handful of rides will be set up in the city center.
https://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/e-wasen-stuttgart-2021
In next-door Luxembourg, the city’s big event known as the Schueberfouer has been replaced by a similar fun fair featuring two roller coasters, a freefall tower and other adrenaline-inducing rides. A total of 42 rides and booths can be enjoyed on the Glacis from Aug. 21 through Sept. 12.
