Host Nation Update, March 27, 2026
Unexploded bomb to be defused in Degerloch on March 29
A World War II bomb will be defused in the Stuttgart-Degerloch district on Sunday, March 29. Around 1,000 people in the Hoffeld district will have to evacuate a safety zone within a radius of around 600 meters.
he Stuttgart Regional Council discovered the unexploded bomb during a sounding in the Hospitalwald forest, which is owned by the state. The unexploded bomb is a British explosive device from the Second World War weighing around 250 kilograms.
The “Lothar-Christmann-Haus” retirement home and the Ramsbachtal recreational area are also located in the security zone. The Office for Public Order has already informed the affected residents in Hoffeld in writing about the impending evacuation.
Police will begin evacuating the security area at 9 am on March 29. The city administration, the fire department and the Stuttgart police will provide information on the status of the measures via the respective social media channels
(City of Stuttgart, March 17, 2026)
ADAC warns of massive traffic jams at the Engelberg Tunnel
The Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) paints a bleak picture for the Easter travel rush in southwest Germany. The traffic forecast for Baden-Württemberg predicts Maundy Thursday, April 2, will be the peak day for congestion.
The Engelberg Tunnel near Leonberg, which is still not fully open, could become a bottleneck and cause considerable frustration for travelers. Over the weekend of March 27 to 29, in addition to Baden-Württemberg, most other German states will also begin their school holidays. This increases the risk of traffic jams on the highways in southwest Germany, especially around the holidays.
“A traffic-free journey will be virtually impossible during the day,” said Holger Bach, Head of Traffic and Environment at ADAC Württemberg, referring specifically to Maundy Thursday April 2). “We expect heavy traffic over the Easter weekend; almost all of Germany will be on the road.”
ADAC advises avoiding the Engelberg Tunnel on the A81 where the risk of traffic jams is particularly high. While the westbound tube towards Karlsruhe/Munich was reopened on March 19, only one lane is available for trucks and cars. The ADAC Württemberg therefore anticipates continued traffic jams in this section of the A81, including on local alternative routes via Ditzingen, Leonberg, and Gerlingen.
The complete reopening with all lanes is expected to take several more weeks. Long-distance traffic heading south may avoid the area by using the A5 and A7.
The ADAC Württemberg also considers the start of the school holidays on Friday, March 27, to be among the days with a high risk of traffic jams. The peak of travel is expected to occur between noon and 5 p.m. On Easter Monday (April 6), the return travel traffic is predicted by the ADAC to once again lead to congested highways in Baden-Württemberg.
ADAC recommends traveling early in the morning or late in the evening Those with flexible schedules should avoid peak traffic days or reschedule their trips.
(Kreiszeitung BB Bote, March 25, 2026)
Everything you need to know about the Stuttgart Spring Festival 2026
The countdown to the big spring celebration on the Cannstatter Wasen fairgrounds in Stuttgart has begun. Around 240 showmen, restaurateurs, and market vendors will be hosting the Spring Festival on the banks of the Neckar River.
The 2026 Spring Festival starts on Saturday, April 18, and ends on Sunday, May 10. This means that in addition to the weekends, the fairgrounds on the Cannstatter Wasen will also be open on one public holiday: Labor Day, May 1.
This year, the opening ceremony will take place in the “Beim Benz” beer tent at 11:30 a.m. All attractions will be open from 11 a.m.
This year’s Spring Festival will feature four beer tents: the Wasenwirt, the Almhütte Royal, the Göckelesmaier, and the Beim Benz tent. Entry to all tents is generally free, but reservations are recommended on busy days.
Visitors can expect around 220 attractions. Besides several new rides, many classics like the Ferris wheel and the swing carousel will be back at the fairgrounds.
From Monday to Thursday, the Spring Festival is open from noon until 11 p.m., and on Fridays until midnight. On Saturdays, the fairground and beer tents open at 11 a.m. and close at midnight. Sundays also start at 11 a.m., but close an hour earlier at 11 p.m.
There are three exceptions: Opening day, April 18, from 11 a.m. to midnight, and Thursday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to midnight. May 1, which falls on a Friday, is also open from 11 a.m. to midnight. On VVS Day (using public transportation) on Monday, April 20, there are discounts for visitors with a VVS ticket. On the same day, it’s also VfB Wasen Day, with discounts for VfB members and season ticket holders.
Family days with discounts for visitors with children will be held on three Wednesdays (April 22, April 29, and May 6).
On April 30, an ecumenical church service will be held at the Wasen fairgrounds starting at 10:30 a.m. with Enrico Becker.
The Stuttgart Spring Festival will conclude on May 10 with a grand musical fireworks display by pyrotechnics world champion Joachim Berner. It starts at 9:30 p.m.
Since large crowds are expected during the festival, we recommend using public transportation instead of driving. Several bus and train stops are located within a 10-minute walk of the festival grounds. The special U11 light rail line will also run directly to the festival grounds.
(Kreiszeitung BB Bote, March 25, 2026)