Events and festivals in Bremen on 31 October and 1 November 2026 revolve around the Freimarkt on the Bürgerweide. Also on are open studios in the Viertel, the globale° literature festival and the FAC Festival at the Schlachthof.
Behind the central station lies the Bürgerweide. The Bremen Freimarkt is open there on Saturday, 31 October 2026, and on Sunday. Events and festivals in Bremen on 31 October and 1 November 2026 revolve around the Freimarkt on the Bürgerweide. Also on are open studios in the Viertel, the globale° literature festival and the FAC Festival at the Schlachthof.
The Freimarkt on the Bürgerweide
The Bremen Freimarkt is the largest folk festival in northern Germany and one of the oldest in the country. The first Freimarkt took place in 1035. Its history goes back to market rights granted in the 11th century. The 2026 edition runs until Sunday, 1 November.
The fairground covers about 100,000 square metres. More than 300 fairground operators and some 40 rides share it, from the Ferris wheel to modern high-tech attractions.
In Bremen this season is called the fifth season of the year, and the greeting that goes with it is “Ischa Freimaak”. Around four million people visit the fairground every year. The big Freimarkt has been held on the Bürgerweide since 1893.
Entry to the grounds is free; rides and stalls are paid for one by one. The Bürgerweide is reachable by train, tram and bus. In the city centre, the Kleiner Freimarkt adds nostalgic carousels in a calmer atmosphere.
Medieval market, literature and open studios
Saturday, 31 October, is Reformation Day, a public holiday in Bremen.
Between the Liebfrauenkirche and the town hall, the Historischer Markt zu Bremen occupies the Schoppensteel and the front of the Unser-Lieben-Frauen-Kirchhof. Every day from 11 am to 8 pm, guild masters show their craft, and the cook stalls serve potato fritters, bratwurst and fried salmon. The market was founded in 1985 for the 950th anniversary of the Freimarkt. It also ends on 1 November.
On 31 October the FAC Festival opens the Kesselhalle of the Schlachthof cultural centre. Doors open at 4 pm, the programme starts at 4.30 pm. FLINTA* artists take the stage, among them Wa22ermann, the author Şeyda Kurt and the band Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys. A joint FAC choir with Pony Tyler closes the day. Tickets start at 39.20 euros.
The globale° runs until 1 November. Since 2007, the festival for transnational literature has invited multilingual authors. Readings, discussions, concerts, films and theatre evenings are spread across the Theater Bremen on Goetheplatz, the university and other venues.
In the Bremer Viertel, studios, workshops and shops open their doors: KunstWerk im Viertel invites visitors on 31 October and 1 November, from 11 am to 6 pm each day, to watch the members of the AKB Bremen at work. The motto is KUCKEN KOMMEN.
Entry is free, and a city map leads to the participating studios.