Hanover’s event calendar revolves around three pillars: major trade fairs that bring international business travellers, large-scale public festivals that draw over a million visitors, and a steady programme of cultural events across the city’s museums and theatres. Understanding the trade fair schedule is critical since it directly impacts hotel prices and availability. The city’s signature public events run from late spring through December, with the Christmas Market closing out the year.
Events and Festivals in Hanover: Spring (March to May)
Hannover Messe (late April)
Hannover Messe is the world’s largest industrial trade fair, running for five days typically in the last week of April at the Deutsche Messe AG exhibition centre. It draws 200,000 to 250,000 visitors and 5,000 to 6,000 exhibitors from over 70 countries. The entire city transforms during Messe week: hotels within a 30km radius sell out months in advance with rates of 300 to 500 euros per night for properties that normally charge 80 to 120 euros. The exhibition grounds are at the Messe/Nord tram stop (lines 8 and 18), with special shuttle buses from the airport and main station. If you are not attending the fair, avoid visiting Hanover during this week entirely.
Spring Festival (Fruhlingsfest) (late March to early April)
The Hanover Spring Festival runs for three weeks at the Schutzenplatz fairgrounds with carnival rides, beer tents, and food stalls. Think of it as a smaller, local version of Oktoberfest. Rides operate Monday to Thursday 2pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday until midnight, Sunday until 10pm. Entry is free, ride tokens cost 2 to 5 euros each. The festival draws about 500,000 visitors over its run and is popular with families on weekend afternoons. Tram stop: Stadionbrucke (lines 3, 7, 13, 17).
Events and Festivals in Hanover: Summer (June to August)
Schutzenfest (late June to early July)
The Schutzenfest Hannover claims to be the world’s largest marksmen’s festival, a 10-day event attracting over 1.5 million visitors. It opens with a parade of 10,000 participants including rifle clubs, marching bands, and decorated floats through the city centre to the Schutzenplatz. The festival grounds feature over 200 rides and attractions, multiple beer tents serving local brews (Herrenhauser and Gilde), and food stalls selling everything from bratwurst to churros. The highlight is the closing fireworks display over the fairgrounds. The festival runs from the last Friday in June through the first Sunday in July. Tram stop: Stadionbrucke (lines 3, 7, 13, 17).
Maschseefest (late July to mid-August)
The Maschseefest transforms the Maschsee lake’s southern shore into a 3-kilometre (1.9-mile) promenade of food, drink, and live music for 19 days from late July through mid-August. Around 30 temporary pavilions and restaurants representing cuisines from across the world line the water’s edge, with most seating offering lake views. Music stages host everything from salsa bands to jazz quartets to DJ sets, all free. The festival is popular with locals who come straight from work for sunset drinks by the water. It draws roughly 2 million visitors over its run. Bring cash since many stalls do not accept cards. The festival site is a 10-minute walk from the Maschsee/Sprengel Museum tram stop.
Kleines Fest im Grossen Garten (July)
The Small Festival in the Great Garden is a five-week international performance series held in the Herrenhausen Gardens’ hedge theatre and open-air stages. The programme includes circus arts, cabaret, pantomime, live music, and physical theatre from international performers, with shows running nightly except Mondays from early July to early August. Ticket prices range from 15 to 35 euros depending on seating and the specific performance. The hedge theatre itself, with its 17th-century clipped hedges forming the stage wings, is one of the few surviving Baroque garden theatres in Europe. Tram stop: Herrenhauser Garten (lines 4, 5).
Events and Festivals in Hanover: Autumn (September to November)
Oktoberfest Hannover (late September to early October)
Hanover’s version of Oktoberfest runs for 17 days at the Schutzenplatz, overlapping with the Munich original. It features two large beer tents (each seating around 3,000), a traditional Bavarian brass band, and a full midway of carnival rides. The beer is served in litre steins for around 11.50 euros, and the atmosphere is more local and less tourist-packed than Munich. The festival runs Monday to Friday 2pm to 11pm, weekends 11am to midnight. See where to stay in Hanover for recommended hotels in every area and budget tier. For airport transfers, tram tickets, and practical advice, read our Hanover travel tips guide.
International Violin Competition (October)
The Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition takes place every three years (next: October 2027) at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media. Named after the 19th-century Hungarian violinist who was concertmaster in Hanover, the competition draws young violinists from around the world competing for a top prize of 30,000 euros. Even during off-years, the university hosts regular public concerts and recitals; check hmtm-hannover.de for the current programme. Check our full list of things to do in Hanover for attractions, gardens, and museums. See our Hanover neighborhoods guide for detailed area descriptions and hotel price ranges.
Events and Festivals in Hanover: Winter (December)
Hanover Christmas Market (late November to December 23)
The Hanover Christmas Market spreads through the Old Town around the Marktkirche, with over 130 wooden stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, roasted almonds, Gluhwein (mulled wine, 3.50 to 4 euros per cup plus 2.50 euros deposit), and traditional German Christmas treats. The market opens in the last week of November and runs daily until December 23, typically 11am to 9pm. A separate Finnish Christmas village sets up near the Kröpcke clock in the city centre with Scandinavian crafts and food. The medieval market section on the Ballhofplatz features craftspeople in period costume. On weekends the market gets very crowded after 4pm; weekday afternoons are more relaxed. For monthly temperature and rainfall data, see the Hanover weather by month guide. Read our guide on the best time to visit Hanover for month-by-month event and price advice.
