Historic Ferris wheel – Circus Roncalli
Nostalgic views over the Roncalli Christmas village
Operator: Circus Roncalli / Sammlung Bernhard Paul
The Historic Ferris wheel from Circus Roncalli is one of the distinctive sights at Roncalli Christmas Village in front of Hannover Central Station. The attraction from Bernhard Paul’s collection combines a classic Ferris wheel ride with the market’s deliberately nostalgic design. Instead of spectacular speed, this ride focuses on views over the city and the activity at Ernst-August-Platz.
Learn more – pick a topic:
What to expect
- High ride with a view
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Historic Ferris wheel from the collection of Roncalli founder Bernhard Paul; 2026 at the Hannover Christmas village on the west side of the station forecourt.
A historic Ferris wheel combining views of festively lit Hannover with the special atmosphere of the Roncalli world.
Where Historisches Riesenrad – Circus Roncalli is touring
1 stop
The line links the stops in chronological order; it does not show a travel route.
What a ride on the historic Ferris wheel is like
The wheel stands out among the Christmas-decorated huts even from below. As you ride, the view of the square changes: the market stalls grow smaller, the façade of the central station comes into a new perspective, and people below move through a sea of lights. The contrast between the historic ride and the busy station surroundings is particularly appealing in the evening, when the Christmas village is illuminated.
Roncalli presents the Ferris wheel as part of a larger world of experiences. This includes huts decorated with traditional crafts, a nostalgic restaurant-café and a Christmas story regularly projected onto the station façade. The wheel is more than just decoration: the ride offers a unique perspective on the Christmas village setting.
History and origins of the Ferris wheel
The historic Ferris wheel comes from the collection of Roncalli founder Bernhard Paul, who is known for bringing together circus arts and historic showman attractions. This idea is continued at the Christmas village as an immersive nostalgic world, where old design elements sit alongside modern displays.
For the Hannover edition 2026, Deutsche Bahn specifically announces the historic wheel by Circus Roncalli. One special feature this season is its location on the west side of the station forecourt. The City of Hannover also highlights the small Ferris wheel as a defining landmark of the Christmas village. This makes a classic fairground attraction a permanent part of the city’s winter landscape.
- Operator
- Circus Roncalli / Sammlung Bernhard Paul
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Who is the Roncalli Ferris wheel for?
If you’re looking for a gentle scenic ride during a visit to a Christmas market, this offers something different from fast-spinning funfair rides. The combination of city views, historic atmosphere and winter lights is particularly appealing. For families and visitors exploring the Christmas village together, a ride can be a special part of the day. You can find out the specific riding requirements and prices directly at the ride.
Its location right in front of the main railway station also makes the ride appealing to visitors arriving by train. You can find an overview of the associated market by searching for the Roncalli Christmas Village on Kirmestermine.eu.
Upcoming funfair dates
Ride Historisches Riesenrad – Circus Roncalli live
Discover more