Magdeburg Autumn Fair

Germany's Oldest Folk Festival

The Magdeburg Autumn Fair is more than just a folk festival – it is one of the oldest continuously celebrated folk festivals in Germany. The organizers list the 2026 edition as the 1,016th iteration, with a tradition that can be traced back to medieval privileges. In the Middle Ages, Magdeburg was one of the most important trading cities between Hamburg, Cologne, and Krakow – and the Autumn Fair marked the end of the harvest and trading year.

Today, the festival takes place on the Messeplatz Max Wille in 39128 Magdeburg – a large festival ground in the north of Magdeburg, which is used twice a year (spring and autumn). The program is a classic folk festival in Magdeburg's largest format: Ferris wheel with a view over the city, Wave Flyer, chain carousel, one or two roller coasters, dodgems, haunted house, strongman game, shooting galleries, gingerbread hearts, almonds, crêpes, and of course, Magdeburg specialties like Eierschecke and Knack-Mehlbeutel.

What makes the Autumn Fair special is its duration: three and a half weeks of festivities, Wednesdays to Sundays. While other folk festivals often last only a long weekend, here you have ample opportunity – even during the week – to ride the Ferris wheel without crowds. The festival appeals to all generations: grandparents who have been coming for decades, families with children, young people on weekends.

Magdeburg is a district-free city and the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt. The festival grounds are well connected by tram and bus in the Olvenstedt district – about 10 minutes from the main train station.