Preview: Bike Festival Vienna 2026

The grey of recent weeks is yesterday's news, because particularly eager bushes are already blooming and the first green shoots are already breaking through the branches. Spring will once again move into the heart of Vienna, and with it itinerant traders, whirling stylists, flying wheels.
Because whenever the first tulips bloom and the last gravel has been swept from the bike paths, bicycle fans of all disciplines and age groups take over the huge square in front of the city hall of the federal capital. For one weekend they celebrate and live, on this occasion, what is regarded as perhaps the largest, and in any case the most versatile cycling event in Europe.

This year it takes place on March 28 and 29, and the programme of the two-day event once again promises variety, action and pure atmosphere.
On the one hand, of course, there are the slopestylers again, who with their breathtaking tricks and spectacular jumps will take over the airspace in front of the iconic town-hall façade – surrounded by thousands of awestruck spectators behind the barriers and fueled by the adrenaline that pours through them when the best in the business spur each other on to top performances. Dirt Battle Vienna is the accompanying contest, which some freestyle pros prefer to attend over World Tour events because of its unique atmosphere. And because the 2025 premiere went so well, the competition will also be ushered in by its own women's event on Saturday in 2026. Taking part this year are, among others, Dawid Godziek, Alejandro Bonafe, Bernd Winkler, Patricia Druwen, Alma Wiggberg and CJ Selig, to name just a few.

At the other, much quieter and more small-scale end of the spectrum awaits again the Fahrrad-PopUp-Area, where everything that is creative, sympathetic and often acrobatic comes together: artistic cycling, unicycling, spinning sessions, bike painting, or BMX and bike workshops. All this and more is offered by the activity area that was set up for the first time last year, and taking part yourself will be just as encouraged on this site as watching in fascination — for example when Austria’s 2025 Cyclist of the Year, Lorena Schneider, mounts her artistic bike to show visitors what a World Championship medalist in this impressive discipline can do. Bikerina also send a strong signal for women’s cycling: for 20 years they have been enchanting audiences worldwide with their acrobatic unicycle show at circus level. And on Sunday morning the road cyclists of the Female Cycling Base will once again set off for their Women Social Ride.

And in between, of course, all the other highlights and fixed points that make the festival the melting pot of attractions, offerings and topics that is so unique in the scene:
In the E-Mountainbike Arena you can watch and try out how to tackle ramps, logs and rocks with fat tyres and extra power – this year demonstrated and supervised by none other than E‑mountainbike world champion Anna Spielmann.
In the Children's Bicycle World and at the Kids Bike Trophy the young bike fans have their playground and moment in the spotlight, and the exhibition area for grown-ups also has some attractions for the little ones.
At the 15th Vienna Bike Parade on Sunday morning everything that rolls is welcome. On main roads closed to other traffic the ride goes through the city to Praterstern, and the atmosphere is so incredible and unique that this tour rightly bears the title "most beautiful urban bike outing of the year".
Not to mention the heart of the event, the multifaceted expo area including the test course, where the newest products, e‑bikes and cargo bikes can not only be admired but also ridden straight away. From trend scouting to expert talk to upcycling, everyone will find something to enjoy at the booths and in the tents – and yes, of course food and drink are provided in many places and in a variety of ways.

Our tip: Come along, take a look, join in – we are doing it too!