Herbstvolksfest Gera

Gera — Tradition of Festival Ground Culture

Gera, with around 92,000 inhabitants, is the third-largest city in Thuringia and boasts a long tradition of Volksfests. The season begins in spring with the Geraer Frühlingsfest, followed by the Höhler- and Hofwiesenparkfest in summer, and in autumn, the Herbstvolksfest at Hofwiesenpark marks the traditional end of the season. The Hofwiesenpark — a spacious green area along the White Elster river — provides the ideal setting as a festival ground with ample space for rides and tents.

Two Weeks of Showman Program

For over two weeks, the festival grounds will feature a variety of rides, carousels, roller coasters, water rides, thrill rides (Ferris wheel, Break-Dancer), and game stalls (shooting galleries, duck fishing, lucky wheels, lotteries). A gastronomy mile with beer tents, bratwurst stands, crêpes, gingerbread, candied almonds, and snack bars will cater to visitors. Showmen from Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt come to Gera for these two weeks — many are family businesses that have been operating for generations.

Family Days and Halloween

The Family Days on Wednesdays with reduced prices are the social hallmark of the festival: Families with children and grandparents traditionally visit the Volksfest on these days. The showmen offer special prices for carousel rides, snacks, and game stalls — a tradition maintained at many Volksfests in eastern Germany. Around October 31 (a public holiday in Thuringia, Reformation Day), several showmen organize a Halloween program: pumpkin decorations, costume events, candy specials for children, and spooky effects in ghost trains and the like.

Finale with Fireworks

The highlight of the festival is the closing fireworks display on the last day — a pyrotechnic show over the Hofwiesenpark, visible from afar along the White Elster and in the surrounding residential areas. Thousands of visitors come just for the fireworks, which mark the end of Gera's Volksfest calendar until the following spring festival. In the state of Thuringia and the East Thuringian region, the Herbstvolksfest Gera is one of the most important festival dates of the year.