Overview
- The Sommerdom opens with an official ceremony by Staatsrat Dr. Christoph Schwieger at 15:00 on Friday, July 24, starting the five-week XXL trial that runs through August 30.
- Organisers say the fair will feature 254 booths and attractions on Heiligengeistfeld, including two wildwater rides and the new family thrill ride called the Hypnotizer that reaches about 30 metres.
- The Olympia Looping, billed as the largest transportable roller coaster with five loopings and more than 1,250 metres of track, returns as a headline attraction.
- Operating hours have been adjusted for the extra week and the fireworks program was expanded to four evenings on July 24, August 7, August 21 and August 28, each at 22:30.
- Officials point to more than 1.3 million visitors last year and say the two-year test will be reviewed before deciding whether the XXL model becomes permanent while special events such as Regenbogentag on July 30 and the Sommerspiele on August 13 aim to broaden the festival's appeal.