Oktoberfest is on the one hand the "Schützenfest Hannover", the world's largest marksmen's Fun Fair in Hannover with over 1 million visitors per year and on the other hand the Kiel Week, the world's biggest sailing event and Volksfest in Kiel, with about 3 million visitors. In recent years, the Oktoberfest runs for 16 days with the last day being the first Sunday in October. However, if day 16 falls before 3 October (German Unity Day), then the festival will continue until the 3rd. (see table below) Technical accidents have rarely occurred throughout Oktoberfest history. The rides are extensively tested in
Hanover takes place around the Maschsee Lake. Each year around 2 million visitors come to enjoy live music, comedy, cabaret, and much more. It is the largest Volksfest of its kind in Northern Germany. The Great Garden hosts every year the "International Fireworks Competition", and the "International Festival Weeks Herrenhausen," with music and cabaret performances. The "Carnival Procession" is around long and consists of 3.000 participants, around 30 festival vehicles and around 20 bands and takes place every year. Other festivals include the Festival "Feuer und Flamme" (Fire and Flames), the "Gartenfestival" (Garden Festival), the "Herbstfestival" (Autumn Festival), the "Harley Days",