Ostbayernschau | Opening Hours & Exhibitors

The Ostbayernschau in Straubing is one of the largest and most popular consumer exhibitions in Southern Germany, taking place every year alongside the traditional Gäuboden Volksfest at the festival and exhibition grounds Am Hagen. Those looking to experience trends, products, and advice live over nine days will find an exceptionally dense offering here: around 650 exhibitors from the region, from all over Germany, and from other European countries present innovations, classics, and practical solutions for everyday life, home, garden, mobility, and leisure in 16 halls and on a spacious outdoor area. Admission is free, the paths are short, and the opening hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM allow for relaxed strolling at any time of the day. At the same time, the close proximity to the folk festival creates a unique atmosphere of shopping joy, family outings, and regional festival culture. First-time visitors benefit from a clearly structured site plan, well-visible signage, service points, and a visitor offering that is intentionally kept accessible: from a free children's area to many interactive stations and numerous relaxation zones in the outdoor area.

Opening Hours, Admission, and Dates – What You Should Know for 2025 and 2026

A key argument for a visit is the predictability: The Ostbayernschau traditionally opens for nine consecutive days, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with free admission. In 2025, the consumer exhibition took place from August 9 to 17. During this period, the 16 halls and the outdoor area offered a wide mix of product presentations, advisory booths, and special exhibitions daily; concurrently, the adjacent Gäuboden Volksfest was open, allowing visitors a seamless transition between exhibition browsing and folk festival visits. Those planning further ahead can already mark their calendars for the next date: The Ostbayernschau is scheduled for August 8 to 16, 2026 – again with daily opening hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and free access. This regularity makes the fair attractive for both families and professional visitors, as the low entry threshold also allows for spontaneous and repeated visits. The free admission is particularly appreciated, making even short tours worthwhile, for instance, to specifically speak with a provider or compare prices. In terms of content, the 24 product groups cover a spectrum from household solutions to energy and heating technology, as well as outdoor, mobility, smart home, crafts, and regional delicacies. This is complemented by special exhibitions – such as fishing education exhibits or art workshops – as well as information booths from tourism, clubs, and associations. Relevant for parents: During the exhibition hours, free childcare is provided, making the exhibition visit more relaxed for adults who wish to receive advice in peace. This creates a fair experience that consciously focuses on everyday usability: opening early, structuring clearly, making access low-threshold, and reliably conducting it every year in August.

Exhibitors, Hall Plan, and Orientation – 16 Halls, 60,000 m², and a Large Outdoor Area

The size and structure of the Ostbayernschau are clear strengths. On approximately 60,000 square meters of exhibition space in 16 halls plus about 20,000 square meters of outdoor area, visitors will find an offering ranging from e-bikes and electric cars to kitchen and bathroom innovations, as well as garden and agricultural technology. The halls are thematically divided into 24 product groups, allowing interests to be quickly clustered, while the outdoor area features large exhibits, agricultural machinery, outdoor furniture, and relaxation islands. A core building is the Joseph von Fraunhofer Hall with an attached exhibition hall; it is one of the high-traffic areas and serves as a point of orientation for many visitors. To help visitors orient themselves in advance, the organizers provide a comprehensive overview plan that shows hall numbers, main paths, entrances, selected service points, and frequently requested areas. On-site, a dense signage system guides visitors, and info points assist with navigation. It is advisable to plan your personal tour based on two or a maximum of three focal points: For example, if someone wants to see bathroom and kitchen innovations first, then switch to outdoor solutions in the outdoor area, and finally visit the hall with regional specialties, they can use the paths efficiently. For product comparisons, it is useful to note specific products or key figures and take a second look at the favorites; with free admission, returning on another day without additional costs is also possible. Of interest to professional visitors: The Ostbayernschau combines high regional purchasing power with a large market density – according to the organizers, visitor and exhibitor surveys regularly document very high satisfaction rates. This makes the fair suitable for both initial contacts and in-depth advisory discussions at the booth. Those coming with children should plan to visit the children's area on the grounds; it is located near heavily frequented halls, allowing wait times to be bridged while an adult conducts a consultation in peace.

Access and Parking – Parking Spaces, Public Transport Options, and Tips for Getting There

The exhibition grounds Am Hagen are easily accessible from a regional perspective: Straubing is conveniently located on the A3 as well as on federal roads B8 and B20. For those arriving by car, around 5,000 paid parking spaces are available near the festival and exhibition grounds; as a guideline, visitors can expect to pay around 6 euros per car parking space. Additionally, the city operates a large replacement parking lot at the West Tangent with approximately 1,000 spaces, which significantly eases the situation, especially during the closure periods of the large parking lot Am Hagen (set-up and dismantling phases). The paths from the West Tangent parking lot are well signposted; alternatively, a shuttle bus is provided that regularly travels towards the city center. In general, the organizer requests that the temporary parking guidance system and the signposted access routes be observed, as there are limited capacities in the immediate vicinity of the festival grounds. Public transport from the city area is comfortable: During the exhibition period, four lines operate with an extended folk festival schedule directly to the bus station Am Hagen. On weekdays from around 7:00 PM, Saturdays from around 4:00 PM, and Sundays and holidays from around 9:00 AM, the usual stops are served hourly until about 12:30 AM. A special folk festival ticket is available at a lower price in advance; sales points are communicated by the city (e.g., the traffic office of the municipal utilities), and there is also an information stand at the bus station during the event period. For cyclists and motorcyclists, additional parking options are available in the city area; regardless of the mode of transport, it is advisable to arrive early in the morning due to peak times on holidays and the last weekend days. Navigation addresses for the destination are ‘Am Hagen 75, 94315 Straubing’ for the site itself and ‘West Tangente Straubing’ for the replacement parking lot. Visitors should note that the large parking lot Am Hagen is closed several weeks prior to the set-up phase – those commuting during this time should best use the West Tangent or inner-city parking garages and follow the current daily notices from the city. With these options, the journey can be flexibly planned depending on the time of day, day of the week, and weather.

Are Dogs Allowed? Family Services, Childcare, and Accessibility Overview

For safety and animal welfare reasons, bringing animals onto the festival and exhibition grounds is generally not permitted. A clearly defined exception is made for guide dogs, which may be brought in without restriction. This regulation is part of the municipal festival ordinance and is communicated again before each event to avoid misunderstandings. Families will find a consciously family-friendly environment at the Ostbayernschau: During the exhibition hours, free childcare is available, which includes play and reading corners, foosball tables, and often a bouncy castle, both indoors and outdoors. Parents can leave their children there for a limited time to receive advice in peace or to compare offers. Additionally, relaxation zones are provided in the outdoor area, serving as meeting and resting points. In terms of accessibility, the grounds and temporary infrastructure are oriented towards the requirements of large public events: wide, well-paved main paths, marked transitions between the outdoor area and halls, and the option to use barrier-free access points. Visitors who have specific support needs should inform themselves in advance about current information on the organizer's information pages; this helps to plan the individually suitable route from the parking lot through the entrance to the desired hall area. It is also practical that service and information points are marked on the site plan, so that, for example, changing rooms, first aid, or lost and found can be quickly located. According to the organizer, lost items are forwarded to the municipal lost and found office; its contact details and opening hours are published around the event date. In summary, an infrastructure emerges that takes into account the high family and leisure component of visitors, allows for quick orientation, and simultaneously considers sensitive points such as animal welfare, safety, and accessibility.

Program Variety, Farmers' Wives, and Regional Specialties – Why ‘Cheese’ and Kiacherl Are Topics Here

The Ostbayernschau sees itself as a ‘consumer exhibition’ in the best sense: try out, compare, talk to exhibitors, discover regional quality. In Lower Bavaria, the culinary aspect is inseparably linked to this. For many years, the farmers' wives of the Bavarian Farmers' Association have been a fixed presence at the Ostbayernschau with volunteer-operated booths. In 2025, the booth was once again publicly recognized – there were traditional Kiacherl and hearty breads, freshly prepared and made from regional ingredients; at the same time, the farmers' wives use their exhibition appearance to provide insights into preparation and origin and to donate proceeds to social purposes. The topic of cheese also has a tradition on the grounds: Regional dairies and cheese producers have been represented in the past – for example, Goldsteig Käsereien Bayerwald GmbH has already been present at earlier editions, accompanied by appearances from the Bavarian Milk Queen. Such appearances make visible how closely agricultural production, artisanal processing, and conscious enjoyment are connected in East Bavaria. For visitors, this means: In addition to the classic product comparison – for example, in kitchen appliances, smart home, or energy-saving technology – there are many opportunities to taste, engage in conversation with producers, and order or buy directly if needed. The enjoyment axis is complemented by thematic special exhibitions such as the fishing education exhibit, which imparts knowledge about local waters, or the art workshop, where crafts and the creative scene provide insights and invite participation. Those planning their tour can consciously incorporate culinary stops: First technical insights in the technology or construction halls, then a break at the regional specialties, followed by a stroll through the outdoor area to large exhibits or outdoor ideas. The advantage of free admission: You can return without time pressure if you want to let a product ‘sink in’ – many exhibitors are present throughout the nine days and often offer additional fair offers or package prices in the last days of the fair. This gives the Ostbayernschau its special character: it is a shopping center, marketplace, information forum, and enjoyment fair all in one.

Visitor Numbers, Impact, and Special Features – What Makes the ‘Lower Bavarian World Exhibition’ Unique

The Ostbayernschau is often referred to as the ‘Lower Bavarian World Exhibition’ for good reason: The mix of regional anchoring, enormous thematic breadth, and great public appeal is rare in this form. In strong years, the fair records around 380,000 to nearly 400,000 visitors; in 2025, around 390,000 guests were reported, while in 2024 there were about 380,000. Before the pandemic, peak values were even higher, with more than 450,000 visitors counted in 2019. The public magnet is also explained by the direct connection to the Straubinger Gäuboden Volksfest, which is one of the largest folk festivals in Bavaria and attracted around 1.25 million people in 2025. This proximity ensures a continuous influx, diverse daily profiles, and an overall atmosphere that makes ‘shopping’ significantly more experience-oriented than in traditional retail. Another feature is recurring actions that intensify the fair experience. In recent years, there has been a ‘Bargain Friday’ on the final day of the fair, where numerous exhibitors have announced special discounts or package offers; in 2025, this action day fell on the holiday of the Assumption of Mary on August 15. At the same time, organizers and exhibitors repeatedly emphasize the added value of personal conversations: Those making investment-relevant decisions – for example, in the areas of heating, kitchen, bathroom, photovoltaics, or mobility – can touch products, discuss pros and cons with experts, and compare offers directly. The organization is considered reliable; in exhibitor surveys, the processes are regularly rated as very good or good. Finally, for the region, the fair is an important economic factor: revenues on-site, orders for craftsmen and service providers, as well as a strong tourist impact through the combination with the folk festival. All these aspects make it understandable why the Ostbayernschau is a fixed date for many regular guests – whether for targeted purchases, inspired browsing, family outings, or culinary enjoyment. Those planning for 2026 can rely on the tried and tested: nine days in August, daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, free admission, 16 halls plus outdoor area, extensive service offerings, and an atmosphere that visibly combines advice, experience, and regional identity.

Sources:

• Exhibition and Event GmbH Straubing – Ostbayernschau: Information for Visitors (Opening Hours, Content, Childcare)
• Exhibition and Event GmbH – Frequently Asked Questions (Parking, Dog Policy, Lost and Found)
• Exhibition and Event GmbH – Information for Exhibitors (Figures, Hall Plan Information)
• Exhibition and Event GmbH – Directions and Public Transport Information (City Transport/Folk Festival Ticket)
• idowa – What Visitors Can Expect at the Ostbayernschau 2025 (Numbers, Times, Admission)
• idowa – 2025 Report: Gäuboden Volksfest 1.25 Million, Ostbayernschau about 390,000 Visitors
• Messen.de – Ostbayernschau 2025 Expects Around 650 Exhibitors (Area, Halls, Free Admission)
• City of Straubing – Gäuboden Volksfest with Ostbayernschau (Halls, Product Groups, Opening Hours)
• Ostbayern Tourism Association – Information on Halls and Experience Areas
• idowa – Best Parking Spaces Around the Festival Grounds (Number, Fees, West Tangent)
• Tradefairdates – Ostbayernschau 2026 (Dates, Opening Hours, Audience, Admission)
• Bavarian Farmers' Association – Farmers' Wives Bake at the Ostbayernschau (Tradition and Commitment)
• SPD Lower Bavaria – Visit to the Farmers' Wives at the Ostbayernschau 2025 (Kiacherl, Regional Catering)