By Erin Porter
Germany Travel Expert, about.com
Along with cherry blossoms, the arrival of Spargelzeit and the opening of biergartens, Germany's Spring Festivals are a sure sign that warmer weather is on its way. Possibly the king of the season is Stuttgart's Spring Festival, better known as Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest or the tongue twister Cannstatter Wasen in the local dialect.
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Started
in 1818 by King Wilhelm I, it is junior to a fall festival also called
Wasen (sometimes referred to as the "small Wasen") and features a
similar atmosphere to Oktoberfest. This is the largest spring festival in Europe and attracts around 1.5 million visitors each year.
Follow this guide to Stuttgart Spring Festival to enjoy the best of the Fest.
Attractions at Stuttgart Spring Festival
The Frühlingsfest has stalls and stalls of delicious food and sweets, live Schlager music and performances and - of course - beer. Just like Oktoberfest, there are beer tents and endless Maßkrüge (1 litre mugs).
Beer Tents at Stuttgart Spring Festival
Admission is free, but during high times the tents may reach
capacity. Visitors can easily find a spot before 16:00 - just cozy up on
the benches to the other drinker. To make sure you have a spot, make a
reservation at your favorite tent.
- Almhüttendorf - Featuring an alpine atmosphere (complete with Edelweiß sign), this tent has Tyrolean specialties with ski lodge decor.
- Grandls Hofbräu Zelt - One of the most popular and raucous tents.
- Göckelesmaier - Provides a typical Volksfest experience.
- Wasenwirt - Sponsered by SWR3 radio station, this is where the party is at.
Rides at Stuttgart Spring Festival
The
fairgrounds are not just a place to drink, there are great rides to go
with your alcohol consumption. A time honored - if a bit nauseating - German festival
tradition, the biggest attraction is the massive 47-metre Ferris wheel.
Riders can observe the grounds from above, as well as the other rides.
Wasenhasi of Stuttgart's Spring Festival
The official mascot of the Cannstatter Volksfest, this Tracht wearing
bunny rabbit is straight from the imagination of Baden-Witemburg
native, Gecko Keck (alias Gerhard Wörner). Wasenhasi and his girlfriend
Hasi adorn many of the goods and even walk the grounds ready for every
picture opportunity.
Market at Stuttgart Spring Festival
Krämermarkt began with the Wasen.
It is a traders's market of everythign imaginable form clothing to
leather goods to jewellery to gifts. Look for the row of booths near
König Karls Bridge and shop away.
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When is the Stuttgart Spring Festival?
This
78th annual fair usually occurs mid-April to the beginning of May and
will be kicking this season into high gear on April 16th, 2016. On the
opening Saturday their is the traditional tapping of the keg by the mayor of Stuttgart. Once the beer starts flowing, it doesn't stop til May 8th.
When
planning your visit, keep in mind special events like the opening day
with the ceremonial tapping of kegs and family days. On every Wednesday
there are family days with special offers for parents (like discounted
parking) and children (half-price rides). Look for face painters, a
fairy tale carousel and rides like the children’s railway. There are
even kid's menus at many of the food stalls.
Where is the Stuttgart Spring Festival?
The festival takes place on the grounds of Cannstatter Wasen, the traditional fairgrounds on the banks of the Neckar river in the city's Bad Cannstatt district.
To reach the festival grounds from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (main train station):
- By S-Bahn - S1, S2 or S3 S-Bahn services to Bad Cannstatt station
- Regional Trains - R1, R2, R3 or R8 trains to Bad Cannstatt station
- U-Bahn - Closest stations are Cannstatter Wasen (U11), NeckarPark (U11 and U19), Haltestelle Bad Cannstatt Wilhelmsplatz (U1, U2, U3, U19), Mercedesstraße (U1, U2, U11)
