Name: Göppinger Maientag 2026
Start: 2026-06-12T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-15T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Festplatz EWS-Arena Göppingen

Göppinger Maientag

About Göppinger Maientag

From June 12th to 15th, 2026, Göppingen will once again celebrate its Maientag — one of Southern Germany's oldest and most traditional local festivals. Since 1650, the Maientag has been celebrated as Göppingen's town festival and national day. For four days, the people of Göppingen and their guests will gather on the festival grounds at the EWS-Arena for the traditional Volksfest (popular festival), crowned by the grand parade on Saturday with over 3,000 schoolchildren in historical costumes. On Monday evening, the final day, a spectacular fireworks display concludes the event.

Dates 12 Jun — 15 Jun 2026

Venue Göppingen (08117)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Göppinger Maientag — edition 2026

The Göppinger Maientag 2026 runs from June 12th to 15th — four days of Volksfest and local celebration. Friday evening: Maientagsansingen. Saturday morning: Grand parade with over 3,000 schoolchildren in historical costumes. Sunday and Monday: Volksfest on the EWS-Arena festival grounds. Monday evening: Grand fireworks display to conclude the festival.

Maientag 2026 — Four days of festivities

In 2026, the Göppinger Maientag celebrates its 376th anniversary — one of Southern Germany's oldest and largest local festivals. From June 12th to 15th, 2026, the town transforms into a festival ground with a grand parade, Volksfest, and a spectacular fireworks finale.

Highlights Göppinger Maientag 2026

Local festival since 1650 — 376th edition
Grand parade with 3,000+ schoolchildren in historical costumes
Maientagsansingen on Friday evening
Volksfest with carousels, festival tents, and live music
Fireworks finale on Monday evening
Free admission

Programme Göppinger Maientag 2026

Friday, June 12th, 2026

Evening: Maientagsansingen — festive opening with songs and speeches

Saturday, June 13th, 2026

Morning: Grand parade through the city center
Satirical school parade (schools and clubs)
Historical parade (3,000+ schoolchildren in costumes)
From midday: Festival operations at the EWS-Arena grounds

Sunday, June 14th, 2026

Volksfest operations on the grounds
Carousels, roller coasters, festival tents with live music

Monday, June 15th, 2026

Family day with reduced ride prices
Evening: Grand fireworks display at the EWS-Arena

Prices Göppinger Maientag 2026

Admission to the parade and festival grounds is free. Carousel rides, food, and drinks are at usual Volksfest prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Göppinger Maientag

Getting there

Göppingen is located between Stuttgart and Ulm, easily accessible via the A 8 (Aichelberg exit) and the B 10 (Stuttgart–Ulm). By train, get off at Göppingen station on the Filstalbahn — from the station, it's a 15-minute walk to the EWS-Arena and the city center. Parking spaces around the EWS-Arena are signposted; travel by public transport is recommended.

Program Overview 2026

Friday, June 12th: Maientagsansingen in the evening. Saturday, June 13th: Grand parade in the morning, festival operations on the grounds from midday. Sunday, June 14th: Festival operations. Monday, June 15th: Festival operations, family day, fireworks in the evening.

Admission

Admission to the parade and the festival grounds is free. Carousel rides, food, and drinks are at usual Volksfest prices.

Contact

Maientags-Büro (Maientag Office) of the City of Göppingen: Tel. 07161 650-10350 or 650-10351.

One of Southern Germany's oldest local festivals

The Göppinger Maientag has been celebrated since 1650 — originally as a peace festival after the end of the Thirty Years' War. Over 375 years of tradition make it one of the oldest and most traditional local festivals in Southern Germany. From June 12th to 15th, 2026, the town in the Göppingen district will once again transform into a festival ground for the entire region for four days.

Maientagsansingen on Friday evening

The festival kicks off on Friday, June 12th, 2026, with the traditional Maientagsansingen — a festive opening with songs, speeches, and ceremonies. Göppingen's schools participate with their choirs and music groups. For most schoolchildren, this marks the end of the school year — the Maientag is effectively a day off school in Göppingen.

The grand parade on Saturday

The highlight of the Maientag is the grand parade on Saturday, June 13th, 2026, in the morning through the city center. The parade traditionally consists of two parts: the satirical school parade with critical and humorous contributions from Göppingen's schools and clubs on current topics, and the historical parade, which tells the story of the region in impressive scenes. Over 3,000 schoolchildren in historical costumes, accompanied by music bands, riding groups, and club delegations — one of the largest local festival productions in Southern Germany.

Festival grounds at the EWS-Arena

From Saturday to Monday, the actual Volksfest takes place on the festival grounds at the EWS-Arena: carousels, roller coasters, Ferris wheel, candy stalls, and classic Volksfest attractions. Festival tents offering food and drinks from local restaurateurs and clubs, live music, Schlager parties, and family entertainment. For generations, the festival grounds have been a firm meeting point for the entire region — from toddlers to seniors.

Fireworks on Monday evening

The spectacular fireworks on Monday evening, June 15th, 2026, provide a grand finale to the Maientag. Thousands of visitors gather around the EWS-Arena to witness the pyrotechnic display. The fireworks traditionally mark the end of the festival days and are considered one of the best festival fireworks in the region.