Event
Tandemsistaz
last updated on August 28, 2026
Event
bike
Outdoor
Radfrühling Salzburg 2027: Bike Festival & Bike Exchange
The Salzburger Radfrühling is Salzburg's big annual bicycle festival and the perfect way to kick off the cycling season. Over two days, the Volksgarten becomes a meeting point for cyclists, families and anyone interested in discovering Salzburg on two wheels.
- 08 May - 09 May 2026
- Volksgarten
-
When
Usually in May; the 2026 edition took place on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 -
Where
Volksgarten Salzburg, with the AK/ÖGB bike exchange in the Eisarena -
Highlights
Bike exchange, test bikes, pump track, family program, bike tours, workshops, shows & live music -
Admission
Free
If you live in Salzburg, you probably don't need much convincing that cycling is a big part of everyday life here. Radfrühling is basically the city's annual celebration of that fact, with bikes to test, practical services, family activities, tours, shows and the popular AK/ÖGB bike exchange.
The event moved to the Volksgarten in 2025 and stayed there for the 2026 edition, with the bike exchange taking place in the Eisarena. The 2026 festival attracted around 13,000 people over two days, so it has clearly become more than a small spring cycling event.
The next Radfrühling is expected in spring 2027, but the exact dates have not yet been announced.
What is Radfrühling actually like?
Radfrühling is one of those Salzburg events that makes more sense once you stop thinking of it as a traditional "bike fair."
Yes, there are bikes everywhere. But the appeal is the mix of practical stuff and a relaxed festival atmosphere. You can come because you need a second-hand bike, because you want to test a cargo bike, because your kids want to use the pump track, or simply because you're curious about what is happening in the city's cycling scene.
The 2026 edition included bike services, guided rides, demonstrations, family activities, workshops and live music, with the Volksgarten acting as the main meeting point.
For me, that's the useful part of Radfrühling: you don't need to be a serious cyclist to have a reason to go.
There is plenty here even if you are not shopping for a bike
The 2026 program had a surprisingly broad mix of cycling activities.
There was a large pump track, bike checking and coding, bike and cargo-bike testing, guided E-bike and gravel tours, and a children's program running across both days. Saturday added trial shows, a trial workshop and a cargo-bike parade.
I particularly like this mix in principle because it reflects how people actually use bikes in Salzburg. There is space for the person who cycles to work every day, the family with a cargo bike, the teenager who wants to try a pump track and the person who is simply wondering whether an E-bike might make sense for them.
The bike exchange is probably the biggest draw
If you're looking for a used bicycle in Salzburg, this is the part I'd keep an eye on.
The AK/ÖGB bike exchange takes place in the Eisarena and brings a large number of used, roadworthy bikes together in one place. In 2026, around 1,800 bicycles were offered, and roughly two-thirds were sold. The selection included children's and youth bikes, city bikes and E-bikes.
That makes the bike exchange particularly useful if you're new to Salzburg and don't want to spend a fortune on a bike straight away. It can also be a good option if you've got a bike sitting unused at home and would rather pass it on than leave it gathering dust.
One thing worth remembering: the exact rules and times for handing in and buying bikes can change, so check the official AK/ÖGB information before the next edition.
The Saturday evening program makes it feel more like a festival
The 2026 edition also pushed Radfrühling beyond the daytime cycling program.
On Saturday evening, the Volksgarten hosted live music from 6:30 p.m., with Issue Twentyfive followed at 8 p.m. by the Revival Band, playing rock and pop hits and medleys from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
That is a nice change from the usual format of a daytime cycling event that simply packs up when the stalls close. If the weather cooperates, the combination of bikes, the park and live music gives the weekend a much more social feel.
Is Radfrühling worth going to?
I'd say yes, especially if you live in Salzburg and have even a passing interest in cycling.
I wouldn't necessarily plan an entire weekend around it. Instead, I'd pick the bit that actually interests you. Go early if you're hunting for a second-hand bike. Bring the kids if they want to try the cycling activities. Take part in a guided ride if you want to explore beyond your usual route. Or just stop by the Volksgarten, look at some bikes and see what's happening.
The 2026 edition attracted around 13,000 visitors, up from roughly 9,000 in 2025, so Radfrühling is clearly developing into a substantial local event rather than disappearing into the city's spring calendar.
And perhaps that's the best reason to keep the page bookmarked: the exact program changes every year, but the basic idea is useful. Salzburg is a cycling city, and once a year the Radfrühling puts that part of everyday life on display.
Frequently Asked Questions
The next edition is expected in spring 2027, but the exact date has not yet been announced. The City of Salzburg's planning documents indicate an early-May timeframe, while the event is intended to remain in the Volksgarten.
The main festival takes place in the Volksgarten Salzburg. The AK/ÖGB bike exchange is held in the Eisarena, next to the main event area.
Yes. The AK/ÖGB bike exchange is one of the main parts of the event. In 2026, around 1,800 roadworthy used bicycles were offered. The exact number and selection will vary from year to year.
Yes. The program includes children's and family activities, as well as attractions such as the pump track and cycling demonstrations. The city specifically describes the event as being aimed at a broad range of ages and cycling interests.
Yes. The Radfrühling program includes opportunities to test different types of bicycles, including bikes and cargo bikes. The exact selection and program can change each year.
