Volksfestplatz Deggendorf | Events & Parking

The Volksfestplatz Deggendorf – commonly referred to as Festplatz Ackerloh on site – is the central open space for large open-air moments in the Danube city. Nestled between Neusiedler Straße and Eginger Straße, the site is ideally accessible and is used throughout the year for traditional folk festivals, markets, and cultural highlights. Anyone thinking of Deggendorf's festive atmosphere inevitably ends up here: at the VdK Spring Festival in spring, at the colorful Africa Festival in summer, or at flea markets that make collectors' hearts race. Thanks to its proximity to urban parking options, modern infrastructure including a fast charging park for electric cars, and solid connections to buses, trains, and AST, getting there is comfortable – whether with family, friends, or as an event organizing team. This guide consolidates the most important information on getting there and parking, current events, reservations in the festival tents, facilities on site, and practical tips to ensure your visit to Ackerloh runs smoothly from the start.

Getting There and Parking at Volksfestplatz Deggendorf (Ackerloh)

For driving, orientation is simple: The Volksfestplatz is located on Ackerloh, a festival site between Neusiedler Straße and Eginger Straße in 94469 Deggendorf. Follow the signs in the city to the festival site or Ackerloh – for larger events, the route is additionally marked, sometimes with temporary traffic guidance. Particularly convenient is the nearby Donau parking deck, accessible via Neusiedler Straße or Eginger Straße. According to city information, it offers around 435 parking spaces with modern standards such as an elevator and extra-wide disabled parking spaces. The pricing is very visitor-friendly: The first 30 minutes are free, after which low hourly rates apply, up to a low daily rate; in the evening, there is also an inexpensive night parking ticket. Opening hours are regulated seasonally (longer in the summer half-year), with entry possible until late evening – exit is generally ensured at any time. Those wishing to park directly at the festival site can use the designated areas P1 Ackerloh during major events, as well as P2 at the roundabout Neusiedler Straße and P3 at St.-Florian-Weg. These parking areas are designated by the city as visitor parking during municipal events such as the Danube Festival and also serve event visitors at Ackerloh as useful orientation. Special parking spaces for people with disabilities are set up at larger events at and around the festival site, including in the Donau parking deck and on P1/P2 – please pay attention to the current signage and instructions from the organizer. Modern mobility is also taken into account: Directly at Ackerloh is a Germany network charging park operated by BayWa Mobility Solutions. Four high-power chargers with up to 400 kW power serve eight charging spaces; the facility features paved, wide parking areas, a barrier-free extra parking space, public Wi-Fi, and video surveillance. Important for getting there: The charging park is accessible via the “rear” entrance towards the bowling center, not via the entrance to the parking deck. Before you start, enter the destination “Ackerloh” or “Neusiedler Straße/Eginger Straße” into your navigation system and follow the signage on site – this way you can reach the festival without traffic jams.

Events and Program: VdK Spring Festival, Africa Festival, Flea Market

The festival site Ackerloh is synonymous with joy of life in Deggendorf. The season traditionally kicks off with the VdK Spring Festival: In 2025, it is scheduled from April 25 to May 4 and attracts with a colorful mix of rides, parades, music, and culinary delights. The opening parade starts on the first Friday at the Upper Town Square and moves in festive formation to the festival site – a vibrant ritual that brings the city together. At Ackerloh, you can expect two strong tent operations, including the Widmann festival tent and a cozy beer tent, which together offer a diverse music and gastronomy program, from brass music at noon to party bands in the evening to family days with reduced prices. Traditionally, numerous showmen are part of the fair – in recent years, there have been around 60 according to reports – as well as classics like the Ferris wheel, high rides, and stalls from grilled fish to Baumstriezel. In summer, the Africa Festival sets a contrasting accent: From August 14 to 17, 2025, Ackerloh transforms into a marketplace of African culture with live music, dance and drumming workshops, bazaar, children's program, and diverse cuisine; entry is free according to city information. Throughout the year, there are also recurring market dates, such as the Friday flea market, which takes place at the Volksfestplatz and offers exhibitors and visitors short distances, early setup times, and solid accessibility. A tip: Check the current program pages of the organizers before your visit – many publish stage and site plans, reservation contacts, and daily highlights regularly. Those traveling from the surrounding area will also appreciate mobility offers during large festivals: The Waldbahn typically announces special trips or replacement services around the Spring Festival, so you can leave the car behind.

Tickets, Reservations, and Admission: How to Secure Your Spot in the Tent

Access to the open festival site at Ackerloh is free for many events; this typically applies to the fair operation, market stalls, and numerous ancillary offerings. Costs usually arise for rides, food and drinks, or separately advertised program points. For popular events like the VdK Spring Festival, early planning is recommended if you want a secured seat in the tent with a group. For the Widmann festival tent and the beer tent, the organizer provides reservation contacts; phone inquiries are common and recommended in advance, especially on weekends and during known band slots in the evening. In addition to classic table reservations, tent operators often communicate contingents for spontaneous guests, especially in the afternoon hours. Families benefit from designated family days with discounts on selected food and drinks; exact times and conditions vary each year. Please observe the safety and house rules of the organizers: On the secured festival site, as is now the case at many folk festivals, there are bans on carrying weapons and knives according to § 42 WaffG; the details are described in the respective festival regulations and are signposted on site. For those wishing to give experiences as gifts, it is worth looking at the voucher or reservation promotions of the tents. Tip: Keep the reservation confirmation ready when entering and plan for some additional waiting time during peak times, as entry controls and routing serve your safety and an orderly process.

Facilities of the Area: Location, Infrastructure, E-Charging Stations, and Service

Ackerloh is a robust, large outdoor location with mixed areas of paved sections and temporary structures. This flexibility makes it attractive for different formats: from large beer tent setups to mobile stages to market stalls, food trucks, and rides. For deliveries and logistics, access points via Neusiedler Straße/Eginger Straße are available; during events, the area is often structured with fences and controlled entry and exit points for safety reasons. A strong plus is the proximity to urban infrastructure: The Donau parking deck is located directly in the vicinity of Ackerloh and is within walking distance; furthermore, the area P1 Ackerloh is used as visitor parking during municipal major events. For electric mobility, the new high-performance charging park at Ackerloh is a significant enhancement. Four 400-kW fast chargers serve a total of eight charging points; if the vehicle supports it, energy for about 100 km can be charged in five minutes. Wide parking spaces, a barrier-free parking space, public Wi-Fi, and video surveillance are part of the concept. The correct access is important: The operator points out to use the “rear” access towards the bowling center, not the entrance of the parking deck. For organizers, these conditions mean short distances to energy, sanitary, and security logistics; for visitors, clear paths, lighting, and temporary signage provide orientation. Depending on the event, organizers set up additional services, from lost and found to medical services to bicycle parking zones. Those coming with children will typically find designated, clearly arranged family offerings at folk festivals; please pay attention to the current site plans and announcements.

Public Transport, Train, and Taxi: Convenient Arrival Without a Car

Deggendorf is well connected by train via the Waldbahn lines in the Bavarian Forest. The Waldbahn regularly communicates special notices around the Spring Festival: In 2025, for example, additional night trips or replacement transport in sections are announced, so you can return home relaxed after the festival. From the train station, you can reach the area of Eginger Straße/Neusiedler Straße with the city bus lines; real-time information on lines and departures is provided online by the city. Convenient for late returns is the call taxi (AST): It complements the regular service, is booked by phone, and serves defined times in the evening and at night. Those arriving by bicycle will find designated parking areas at municipal major events; moreover, urban bike routes are a good option when the roads at the festival site are more heavily burdened. For drivers who prefer to use parking garages, the Donau parking deck is recommended in addition to the outdoor parking areas, as well as – depending on the event – the Stadthalle parking garage on Wiesenstraße. Both are frequently mentioned in municipal travel recommendations. Our tip for planning: Check the notice area of the respective event on the day of the event. Often, access sketches, parking guidance concepts, temporary closures, and directions are documented there. This way, you can avoid detours and quickly recognize which entrances, meeting points, or taxi stands are active. For group returns, it is advisable to agree on meeting points outside the densest visitor flows, for example at prominent points on Neusiedler Straße or at the parking deck. This way, you remain flexible even with large crowds and find each other more quickly.

Tips for Families, Groups, and Accessibility on Site

Families particularly benefit at Ackerloh from the family-friendly program points of the large festivals: The VdK Spring Festival traditionally offers afternoons with reduced prices; at the Africa Festival, drumming and dance workshops as well as a children's program with activities such as face painting or bouncy castles are highlights. Pay attention to the current daily programs. For groups, it is advisable to clearly coordinate travel and meeting points and to make timely reservations in the tents if a shared table is desired. Use the Donau parking deck as a fixed orientation point: It is well signposted, offers an elevator and disabled parking spaces, and is conveniently accessible from the festival site. People with limited mobility should check the organizer's information: At larger events, special parking spaces are designated at the festival site and in surrounding parking areas (P1 Ackerloh, P2 Neusiedler Straße). The new charging park at Ackerloh includes a barrier-free parking space, and the access paths are wide and paved. For visiting the festival: Take some time for the approach, as the entrances and paths are guided for safety reasons. Strollers are common, but peak times should be noted – early afternoons are more relaxed than late evenings. Event rules – from the glass ban to the prohibition of carrying knives according to § 42 WaffG – serve safety; adhere to the signage. For emergencies, medical services are on site, funded through parking fees at municipal major events. For those staying longer, Deggendorf offers gastronomy in the vicinity of the Danube and the old town; with buses, AST, or Waldbahn, the return trip is also possible without a car.

History and Significance of the Festival Site in Deggendorf

Ackerloh has grown over decades to become a fixed meeting point for Deggendorf's folk festival and event culture. Symbolic of this is the VdK Spring Festival, which is entering its 72nd edition in 2025 – a traditional festival that has accompanied generations. Characteristic is the mix of parade, tent culture, and amusement park, which is not only locally anchored but also attracts guests from the district and beyond. This continuity has made the festival site a place of identity where tradition and modern infrastructure meet. In addition, Ackerloh serves as a stage for formats that showcase Deggendorf's diversity: The Africa Festival brings colorful accents every year with live music, dance, and culinary delights – an open, low-threshold cultural offering that reaches people of all ages with free entry. Markets such as the Friday flea market demonstrate the everyday usability of the site: variable layout, easy accessibility, and clear logistics. Recently, the location has been enhanced by investments in mobility. The Germany network charging park with 400-kW fast chargers expands the offer for visitors traveling electrically; additionally, there is good integration with urban parking facilities such as the Donau parking deck. During municipal major events – such as the Danube Festival in the Danube Park – Ackerloh (P1) also serves as an important visitor parking area. This role as a reliable infrastructure hub underscores the significance of the festival site for Deggendorf's event calendar. Anyone planning a visit today thus benefits from a mix of tradition and contemporary accessibility – exactly the combination that keeps a festival site alive.

Sources:

• VdK Bayern – VdK Spring Festival Deggendorf 2025 (Program, Reservation, Location)
• City Parking Deggendorf – Donau Parking Deck (Parking Spaces, Rates, Opening Hours)
• Passauer Neue Presse – New Charging Park at Deggendorf Volksfestplatz (400-kW Fast Charger)
• City Deggendorf – Information on the Danube Festival (Parking P1 Ackerloh, P2, P3)
• Deggendorf Danube Festival – Travel Recommendations (Parking Areas, AST, Parking Garages)
• City Deggendorf – Africa Festival at the Ackerloh Festival Site (Dates, Content)
• Waldbahn – Information on the Spring Festival (Special Trips/Replacement Services 2025)