Everything about the Welser Volksfest
The Welser Volksfest (Wels funfair and folk festival) is one of the most traditional folk festivals in Upper Austria – with a festival tent, funfair and free admission. It takes place at the Wels exhibition grounds. Hotel Ploberger is just a few minutes' walk away – with underground garage, breakfast and quiet rooms in the centre.
Hotel, directions, parking and accommodation
What is the Welser Volksfest?
The Welser Volksfest is one of the most traditional folk festivals in Upper Austria –
and since the 19th century a fixed meeting place for young and old in the fair city of Wels.
At the Wels exhibition grounds, the festival meadow turns into an adventure world for all generations – with a festival tent, funfair and a lively folk-festival atmosphere.
The whole range of Austrian festival fun is on offer – from the festival tent with live music and rides in the funfair to the wine village and regional food.
The range extends from
hearty festival-tent atmosphere with music and dancing through thrilling rides and sideshows to traditional delicacies and a convivial beer garden.
This makes the Welser Volksfest appealing to families, friends and revellers of every age – and admission to the festival grounds is free.
What can I expect at the Welser Volksfest?
A remarkable feature is the mix of tradition and fun: the festival traditionally begins with the trial illumination and the ceremonial tapping of the festival beer, which open the event – a highlight known well beyond Wels.
In the festival tent, live bands and DJs provide a lively atmosphere, while the funfair with its rides provides adrenaline and fun for all generations.
As the Volksfest runs for several days and also attracts visitors from the surrounding area, it is a reason for many to spend an evening or a weekend in Wels – celebrating in the evening, a short, convenient journey and a quiet room in the old town to wind down the day. Visitors from the surrounding area, from Bavaria and from neighbouring federal states in particular like to combine the visit with a stay in the centre of Wels.
What's on at the Welser Volksfest?
A key part of the experience is the varied programme in the different areas of the festival grounds.
In the festival tent, well-known bands and DJs take turns, in the wine tasting area and the wine village convivial hours with wine and music invite you to linger, and the “Nacht der Tracht” (night of traditional costume) celebrates traditional customs.
In the funfair, classics such as the Ferris wheel, dodgems and ghost train await, as well as modern, thrilling rides – plus sideshows and food stalls with regional delicacies.
Opening hours of the Welser Volksfest
The Welser Volksfest usually takes place over several days at the Wels exhibition grounds and is traditionally held in spring and autumn.
The exact dates and daily opening hours of the current edition – including festival tent, wine tasting and funfair – are published by the organiser on the official website.
If you are travelling from further away or want to round off the evening in the festival tent, it is best to stay centrally, so the journeys remain short and there is no journey home after a long evening.
Tickets and admission
Admission to the grounds of the Welser Volksfest is free.
For guaranteed seats in the festival tent – for example for groups, company or client events – it is advisable to reserve a table in advance directly with the festival host.
The rides in the funfair are paid for individually on site. Current information on reservations is published by the organiser on the official website.
Getting to the Welser Volksfest
By car
Wels lies directly on the A1 Western Motorway and is easy to reach from Vienna, Salzburg, Linz and Munich.
By train
Wels station is one of Austria's most important railway hubs.
From there, visitors reach the city centre and the event areas within a few minutes.
By plane
Linz Airport is around 20 minutes from Wels and offers good connections for international guests.
Parking at the Wels Exhibition Centre
Visitors benefit from numerous parking options in Wels.
Underground garage at Hotel Ploberger
Guests staying at Hotel Ploberger enjoy a particular advantage:
The public underground garage at Kaiser-Josef-Platz connects directly to the hotel.
The car can stay there while you travel to the fair comfortably on foot or by the public transport that runs from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the exhibition grounds.
Parking at the festival grounds
During the Welser Volksfest, parking areas are available around the exhibition grounds.
For an event of this scale, an early arrival or the use of public transport is recommended, as traffic volumes are high.
City-centre location
Thanks to the hotel's central location, many routes can be covered comfortably on foot.
The Welser Volksfest with your dog
Some visitors would like to bring their dog.
At the Welser Volksfest, dogs are permitted with a muzzle and on a lead.
As a folk festival with music, crowds and rides is very stimulating for many dogs, you should consider carefully whether the visit will be pleasant for your animal. The organiser's current rules on leads and admission should be checked briefly on the official website beforehand.
If you travel with a dog and would rather have it settled quietly during your festival visit, you will be well looked after at Hotel Ploberger: dogs are warmly welcome there at any time.
This makes it easy to combine your festival visit with a stay in the centre of Wels – with short distances and green spaces nearby for the daily walks.
The Welser Volksfest with children
The Welser Volksfest is an experience for the whole family.
The funfair with carousels, Ferris wheel and child-friendly rides, plus sideshows and sweet treats, makes children's eyes light up – during the day it is usually more relaxed than late in the evening.
The spacious festival grounds leave plenty of room for a relaxed stroll with the whole family.
For your stay in Wels, the central location of Hotel Ploberger is an advantage: short distances, no long drives and a quiet retreat when the little ones get tired.
Where to stay during the Welser Volksfest?
For a festival visit over several days or a long evening in particular, the choice of accommodation makes the difference.
A central location in the Wels old town brings several advantages:
- short distances between hotel,
- festival grounds and city centre,
- restaurants and cafés within walking distance,
- no late-night drive home and
- a relaxed wind-down after a long festival evening.
Anyone who doesn't have to drive home in the evening, but stays overnight right in the city, can enjoy the festival without a care –
and starts the next day well rested. After a lively evening, the breakfast at Hotel Ploberger is a relaxed start the next morning.
Hotel Ploberger – 8 minutes' walk to the Welser Volksfest
Hotel Ploberger is only around 650 metres from the festival grounds.
The Wels exhibition grounds can be reached in about 8 minutes on foot.
If you prefer public transport, there is a bus connection running directly from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the exhibition grounds.
As a family-run house in its fourth generation, the hotel is a place where festival visitors and families wind down after a lively evening. The quiet, air-conditioned rooms sit in the middle of the city yet sheltered from the bustle. The sauna and fitness area invites you to recharge, and the generous breakfast buffet with regional products can be enjoyed in the garden on request.
Your advantages at a glance:- quiet, air-conditioned rooms in the heart of Wels
- generous breakfast buffet with regional products – in the garden on request
- sauna and fitness area for recovery
- public underground garage with direct lift access to the hotel
- 24-hour access to the hotel
- free Wi-Fi throughout the house
- restaurants, cafés and the Wels old town right outside the door
After an evening among festival tent, music and funfair, guests enjoy the calm of the house while still reaching everything important on foot.
Business travellers who visit Wels regularly will also find Hotel Ploberger – for example as a seminar hotel in Wels – a familiar address.
What are FAQs about the Welser Volksfest?
What is the Welser Volksfest?
The Welser Volksfest is one of the most traditional folk festivals in Upper Austria, with a festival tent, funfair and wine village. It takes place at the Wels exhibition grounds.
When does the Welser Volksfest take place?
The Volksfest is traditionally held over several days in spring and autumn. The current dates are published by the organiser on the official website.
Where does the Welser Volksfest take place?
At the Wels exhibition grounds in Upper Austria.
How much is admission?
Admission to the festival grounds is free. For seats in the festival tent, a table reservation with the festival host is recommended; the rides are paid for individually on site.
What does the trial illumination mean?
The trial illumination on the evening before, together with the ceremonial tapping of the festival beer, traditionally opens the Volksfest – an atmospheric start.
What is there in the funfair?
Classics such as the Ferris wheel, dodgems and ghost train as well as modern rides, plus sideshows and food stalls.
Is there music in the festival tent?
Yes. On all days, well-known bands and DJs provide a Volksfest atmosphere. The current programme is published by the organiser on the official website.
How far is Hotel Ploberger from the festival grounds?
Just a few minutes' walk. Alternatively, public transport runs directly from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the exhibition grounds.
Is parking available?
Yes. The public underground garage at Kaiser-Josef-Platz, with lift access to the hotel, is right by the hotel. Parking areas are also available at the festival grounds.
Can I arrive by train?
Yes. Wels station is an important hub; during the Volksfest there are direct public transport connections to the exhibition grounds. A convenient and safe option, especially in the evening.
Which hotels are near the festival grounds?
Hotel Ploberger is centrally located in the Wels old town, just a few minutes' walk from the exhibition grounds, which makes it particularly well placed for festival visitors.
Which restaurants are nearby?
Hotel Ploberger is in the middle of the Wels old town – restaurants, cafés and bars are within a few minutes' walk.
Can I bring my dog?
At the Welser Volksfest, dogs are permitted with a muzzle and on a lead; the organiser's rules apply. At Hotel Ploberger, dogs are welcome at any time.
Is the Welser Volksfest suitable for children?
Yes. With its funfair and child-friendly rides, the Volksfest is an experience for the whole family – during the day usually more relaxed than late in the evening.
Is the Volksfest suitable for company and group events?
Yes. Tables in the festival tent can be reserved for company and client events. Information is available from the festival host or from the organiser on the official website.
Is the Welser Volksfest accessible?
The Wels exhibition grounds are designed with accessibility in mind. Current information is published by the organiser on the official website.
Are there charging points for electric cars?
Charging options are available at Hotel Ploberger. It is best to ask the hotel directly for details.