Mainburg Gallimarkt

Galli — the oldest market in the Hallertau

"Galli" refers to St. Gallus' Day (October 16th), the traditional date for folk festivals and markets in Southern Germany. Mainburg, in the Lower Bavarian district of Kelheim, has held its Gallimarkt as the oldest traditional market in the entire Hallertau — the world's largest contiguous hop-growing region — for centuries. Today, the market combines three very different worlds: a Bavarian folk festival, an international hop trade fair, and a classic funfair.

Hallertau Oktoberfest in the Marquee

Inside the marquee, the Hallertau Oktoberfest follows classic "Wiesn" logic: beer tapping on Friday evening, followed by daily bands, Bavarian cuisine, and "Maß" (liter steins) served by staff in traditional dress. Local breweries and the hop capital Mainburg supply the hop-focused beers — a nod to the region, as practically all German premium beers contain hops from the Hallertau.

HopFA — World's Largest Trade Fair for Hop Technology

The true unique selling point of the Gallimarkt is the HopFA (Hop Trade Fair) — according to the organizers, the world's largest trade fair for hop technology. Covering around 20,000 m², manufacturers present harvesting machines, drying plants, picking equipment, storage technology, and sorting equipment for hop cultivation. Hop growers from all over the Hallertau, as well as from the Elbe-Saale growing region, Tettnang, and international hop-growing areas (USA, Czech Republic), travel to Mainburg for the HopFA.

Trade Exhibition and Funfair

Alongside the HopFA, there is a trade exhibition with exhibitors from the region — crafts, car dealerships, heating technology, furniture, food. This is complemented by a classic funfair with market stalls, amusement rides (bumper cars, Ferris wheel, swing carousel), shooting galleries, and prize stalls.

Fire Brigade Show and Sunday with Open Shops

A special attraction are the fire brigade shows in the town's community center — vehicle demonstrations, equipment displays, often with turntable ladder performances. The event concludes on Sunday with a Sunday with open shops in Mainburg's city center (12 PM–5 PM) offering a leisurely shopping experience — shops open, strolling, coffee, and cake.

Mainburg in the Heart of the Hallertau

Mainburg is located in the Lower Bavarian district of Kelheim, at the transition between the Danube valley and the Hallertau hop fields. With the HopFA, the Hallertau Oktoberfest, and the Gallimarkt tradition, the town annually presents a unique festival format — attracting visitors from the entire greater region of Regensburg, Ingolstadt, and Munich.