Name: Hoppegarten Grand Season Opening — Colorful Easter Races 2026
Start: 2026-04-05T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-04-05T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Galopprennbahn Hoppegarten

Hoppegarten Season Opening

About Hoppegarten Season Opening

On Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Hoppegarten Racecourse will kick off the season with the "Colorful Easter Races." Eight races starting at 11:15 AM (gates open 9:45 AM), including the Altano-Rennen (preliminary heat for the Oleander-Rennen) and the Preis von Dahlwitz featuring top gallopers. Family program with Easter egg hunt, pony rides, bouncy castle, and live music from the BVG Orchestra. One of Germany's most traditional racing events.

Dates 05 Apr — 05 Apr 2026

Venue Hoppegarten (12064)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Hoppegarten Season Opening — edition 2026

Tickets →

The Hoppegarten Grand Season Opening 2026 takes place on Easter Sunday, April 5. Eight races starting at 11:15 AM, including the Altano-Rennen (Listed race over 2,800 m) and the Preis von Dahlwitz. Family program with Easter egg hunt, pony rides, bouncy castle, live music by the BVG Orchestra. Gates open 9:45 AM.

Colorful Easter Races April 5, 2026

The traditional season opener at Hoppegarten Racecourse begins on Easter Sunday with 8 races.

Sporting Program

11:15 AM — First Race
12:18 PM — Altano-Rennen (3rd Race, 2,800 m, Listed Race, preliminary heat for the Oleander-Rennen — defending champion FLATTEN THE CURVE as favorite)
2:00 PM — Preis von Dahlwitz (6th Race, Listed Race with top gallopers, incl. 2025 Derby contenders DELGARDO and ZUCKERHUT)
Total of 8 races

Family Entertainment Program

Easter egg hunt with prizes
Pony rides and petting zoo
Bouncy castle
Face painting
Live music from the BVG Orchestra (founded 1902)
Food offerings incl. from Curry 36

Services

Gates open from 9:45 AM
Parking lots open from 7:00 AM
Live stream from 10:40 AM

Highlights Hoppegarten Season Opening 2026

First race day of the 2026 racing season
Altano-Rennen — Listed race and Oleander preliminary heat
Preis von Dahlwitz with top gallopers
Family program for Easter Day
Live music by the BVG Orchestra (founded 1902)

Programme Hoppegarten Season Opening 2026

Program April 5, 2026 — Easter Sunday

7:00 AM — Parking lots open
9:45 AM — Gates open to the racecourse
10:40 AM — Live stream begins
11:15 AM — 1st Race — Season Opening
12:18 PM — 3rd Race Altano-Rennen over 2,800 m (Listed Race, defending champion FLATTEN THE CURVE)
2:00 PM — 6th Race Preis von Dahlwitz (Listed Race with top gallopers, Derby precursor)
Throughout the day — 5 more races, family program: Easter egg hunt, pony rides, bouncy castle, face painting, BVG Orchestra concerts
Conclusion in the afternoon — Award ceremonies and relaxation in the racecourse garden

Tickets available at tickets.hoppegarten.com. Live broadcast of all races online from 10:40 AM.

Prices Hoppegarten Season Opening 2026

Tickets available from the on-site ticket office or online at tickets.hoppegarten.com. Various categories (standing room, grandstand, box seat). Reduced prices for children.

Practical information

Practical information — Hoppegarten Season Opening

Getting There

S-Bahn: S5 Berlin Hauptbahnhof → Strausberg, stop Hoppegarten (Mark). From there, a 10-minute walk to the racecourse.
Car: A10 Berliner Ring, exit Hoppegarten. Parking lots open from 7:00 AM.
Address: Galopprennbahn Hoppegarten, Goetheallee 1, 15366 Hoppegarten.

Tickets

Tickets available via tickets.hoppegarten.com/tickets/20260405 or at the on-site ticket office. Various categories (standing room, grandstand, box seat).

Times

Gates open 9:45 AM, first race 11:15 AM, live stream starts 10:40 AM.

Tip

Come in spring attire — Hoppegarten has a strong fashion tradition, comparable to British race days. A hat for Easter is not mandatory but welcome. Combine your race day with a walk through the Hoppegarten training area, where the gallopers do their morning training runs.

Season Start with Tradition

For decades, the Hoppegarten Grand Season Opening has been the most important major sporting event in Brandenburg's horse racing. On Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Hoppegarten Racecourse will open its season with the traditional "Colorful Easter Races." Eight races, including three Listed races, make it the most action-packed opening day of the German racing season.

Program and Highlights

Race day starts with gates opening at 9:45 AM, and the first race is at 11:15 AM. A total of eight races are scheduled:

Altano-Rennen (3rd Race, 12:18 PM, 2,800 m) — the most important preliminary heat for the Oleander-Rennen in May. Defending champion FLATTEN THE CURVE returns as the favorite.
Preis von Dahlwitz (6th Race, 2:00 PM) — features top gallopers, including 2025 Derby contenders DELGARDO and ZUCKERHUT.
Other Listed races and maiden races for young gallopers.

The live broadcast begins at 10:40 AM — those who cannot attend can follow every race online.

Easter Sunday Family Program

Hoppegarten is not just about racing; it's also one of the region's largest family events. The Easter date makes this particularly evident:

Easter egg hunt with prizes for children
Pony rides and petting zoo
Bouncy castle and face painting
Live music from the BVG Orchestra (founded 1902, one of Berlin's oldest public transport orchestra)
Diverse food offerings, including the Berlin currywurst institution Curry 36

Hoppegarten Racecourse

The Hoppegarten Racecourse in the municipality of Hoppegarten, east of Berlin (Märkisch-Oderland district), is one of Germany's oldest and most traditional racecourses. Founded in 1868, it was the social center of Berlin's equestrian scene during the imperial era and remains one of the few active racecourses in eastern Germany. The spacious park, historic grandstands, and intact racing infrastructure make every race day a visual experience.

A Race Day in Berlin's Racing Tradition

The "Colorful Easter Races" are the first of 8-10 race days per year at Hoppegarten and, simultaneously, the most popular family race day. Anyone experiencing horse racing for the first time should choose this day: the program is varied, the atmosphere is family-friendly, and the combination of high-level sport (Listed races) and a festival character (Easter egg hunt) is unique.