Name: Bremen Freimarkt 2026
Start: 2026-10-16T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-01T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Bürgerweide (sowie Marktplatz und rund um die Liebfrauenkirche)

Freimarkt

About Freimarkt

The Bremer Freimarkt is the largest Volksfest in Northern Germany and one of the oldest Volksfests in Germany – the first Freimarkt took place as early as 1035. For a good two weeks, the Bürgerweide transforms into a festival meadow covering around 100,000 square meters with over 300 showmen and women and about 40 rides. In Bremen, this time is affectionately called the fifth season, and the traditional greeting is 'Ischa Freimaak!' The highlights include the opening fireworks, the grand Freimarkt parade through the city center, and the parallel Historical Market around the Town Hall and Liebfrauenkirche. The 'Kleiner Freimarkt' (Small Freimarkt) in the city center also offers nostalgic carousels in a quieter atmosphere.

Dates 16 Oct — 01 Nov 2026

Venue Bremen (04011)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Freimarkt — edition 2026

The 991st Bremen Freimarkt takes place from October 16 to November 1, 2026, on the Bürgerweide. The opening is on October 16 at 4 PM, and the grand Freimarkt parade moves through the city on October 24, 2026, starting at 10 AM. The Historical Market runs concurrently around the Town Hall and Liebfrauenkirche.

For the 991st edition, over 300 showmen and women will once again transform the Bürgerweide into Northern Germany's largest Volksfest starting October 16. The opening is on October 16 at 4 PM, followed by the opening fireworks in the evening. The grand Freimarkt parade will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, starting at 10 AM through the city center. The Historical Market between the Town Hall and Liebfrauenkirche invites you for a nostalgic stroll, complemented by the 'Kleiner Freimarkt' in the city center.

Highlights Freimarkt 2026

991st edition of Northern Germany's oldest Volksfest (since 1035)
Opening fireworks on October 16 starting around 9:45 PM
Grand Freimarkt parade on October 24 starting at 10:00 AM through the city center
Over 300 showmen and around 40 rides on 100,000 m²
Halle 7 with daily changing theme parties, plus Historical Market at the Town Hall and 'Kleiner Freimarkt'

Programme Freimarkt 2026

The 991st Bremen Freimarkt 2026 — Northern Germany's largest Volksfest and Bremen's "fifth season." For 17 days, over 300 showmen and women with around 40 rides will transform the over 100,000 m² Bürgerweide behind the main train station into a giant festival grounds. Free admission.

Friday, October 16, 2026 — Opening

4:00 PM — Official opening on the Bürgerweide
approx. 9:45 PM — Grand fireworks display over the Bürgerpark

Saturday, October 24, 2026 — Grand Freimarkt Parade

from 10:00 AM — Festive parade with over 100 groups, floats, showmen, and music bands through Bremen's city center
The route traditionally leads through the city past the Town Hall

Halle 7 — Party Zone

Daily changing theme parties with guest stars (Schlager, Mallorca, 90s hits, etc.)
from 9:00 PM, until approx. 5:00 AM on weekends
Admission €6

Rides and Attractions

Around 40 rides — roller coasters, free-fall towers, gyro drops, and the Ferris wheel as highlights
Classics: bumper cars, haunted house, Wild Mouse, swing ship
Children's carousels and family area
Bremen specialties at the snack stands: Schmalzkuchen (fried dough), candied almonds, Bratwurst, and Mutzen (fried pastries)

Parallel Events in the City Center

Historical Market between the Town Hall and Liebfrauenkirche — medieval-style stalls, jugglers, falconers, and historical food
'Kleiner Freimarkt' in the City — a compact offshoot for families right in the center
Open Sundays for Shopping in Bremen's city center during the Freimarkt

Classic Bremen Greeting

Throughout the Freimarkt season, Bremen locals greet each other with the traditional "Ischa Freimaak!".

Prices Freimarkt 2026

Admission to the Bürgerweide and the festival grounds is free. Rides and stalls are paid for individually. Halle 7 costs €6 admission (from 9:00 PM). The Historical Market at the Town Hall is also freely accessible.

Practical information

Practical information — Freimarkt

Getting There

The Bürgerweide is located directly behind Bremen's main train station, making it easily accessible by train, tram, and bus. The Historical Market and the 'Kleiner Freimarkt' are in the city center around the Town Hall and Liebfrauenkirche.

Admission

Admission to the festival grounds is free; rides and stalls are paid for individually. The Freimarkt runs for a good two weeks.

The Fifth Season in Bremen

When the Bürgerweide lights up in October, Bremen's fifth season begins. The Bremer Freimarkt is the largest Volksfest in Northern Germany and also one of the most traditional in Germany: its history dates back to 1035. Around four million people visit the festival meadow year after year – the familiar greeting 'Ischa Freimaak!' then becomes part of the cityscape.

A Huge Festival Meadow

Over 300 showmen and women set up their stalls on around 100,000 square meters, along with about 40 rides, from the Ferris wheel to modern high-tech attractions. The grand Freimarkt has been held on the Bürgerweide near the main train station since 1893.

Fireworks, Parade, and Historical Market

The opening is marked by a fireworks display on the first evening. The second highlight is the Freimarkt parade: a grand procession with costumed groups, marching bands, and floats that attracts thousands of spectators and is broadcast on television. In parallel, the Historical Market between the Town Hall and Liebfrauenkirche invites you for a nostalgic stroll among the magnificent buildings of the old town. The 'Kleiner Freimarkt' in the city center complements the event with nostalgic carousels in a quieter atmosphere.

Hanseatic Tradition

The Freimarkt dates back to a market charter granted in the 11th century and is thus deeply rooted in the Hanseatic city's history. Over the centuries, the trading market has evolved into the largest Volksfest in the north – a piece of Bremen's identity that brings the city together anew each year.