Maschseefest Hannover

Northern Germany's Largest Summer Festival Anchor

The Maschseefest first took place in 1986 – in the same year as the 'Kleines Fest im Großen Garten'. Both festivals have since become hallmarks of the Hannover summer. While the 'Kleines Fest' focuses on intimate variety shows, the Maschseefest cultivates its character as a large, public, low-threshold city festival by the water.

The Maschsee as a Festival Backdrop

The Maschsee is Hannover's largest inner-city body of water, created in the 1930s and since then a popular meeting place for walkers, rowers, sailors, and those seeking recreation. During the Maschseefest, the entire east bank and parts of the west bank are transformed into a festival mile. 20,000 square meters of gastronomic space are created with small snack stands, larger restaurants, bars, and seating areas for a total of around 4,000 people.

International Cuisine

Gastronomically, the Maschseefest is internationally oriented. Oriental, Mexican, Asian, Scandinavian, and Hanseatic – the stalls present a spectrum that reflects the culinary diversity of a major city. In addition, classic German festival specialties, cocktail bars, and cafés are represented.

200 Acts on Several Stages

For 19 days, bands, solo artists, DJs, choirs, dance groups, and show acts perform on numerous stages along the shore – a total of more than 200 acts. The program is broad: from soul and jazz to indie bands, German Schlager, and electronic music. Most performances are free.

Integration of the Finals 2026

The 2026 edition will partially overlap with the Finals. Both major events will be organizationally and programmatically intertwined: competition venues on the Maschsee, joint broadcasts, joint advertising campaigns. This will create a unique double format of festival culture and top-level sport in Hannover in July 2026.