Faaker See, Austria provides perfect setting for the largest free motorcycle gathering in Europe.
Harley-Davidson® returned to the picturesque lakeside festival setting of Faaker See in Carinthia, Austria, from September 3rd-8th 2024, in what was a truly special year for European Bike Week. Approximately 100,000 people and more than 70,000 motorcycles joined the festival in the Austrian village of Faak am See, proving yet again the magnetic draw of the event in its 26th edition.
The festival, which is the largest free and open motorcycle event in Europe, saw riders from all over the world join for a week of moto-culture, entertainment and an energising festival atmosphere. Festival goers had the opportunity to explore the heart of the celebrations in the Harley Village – a site of around 40,000m2 – filled with authorised Harley-Davidson dealers from across Europe, as well as a variety of other traders offering accessories and apparel. Those looking for entertainment did not have to look far as the party atmosphere was felt across the site, with two stages featuring over 40 performances from a wide roster of international artists. Entertainment continued throughout the week with the rhythmically swirling flames and powerful pyrotechnic effects at the fire shows and spectacular drone-based light shows taking to the sky above the lake on Friday and Saturday night, providing breathtaking scenes between the music acts.
A special highlight of the 2024 festival was Harley-Davidson honouring the immeasurable contributions of designer, artist and living-legend Willie G. Davidson with a unique showcase of some iconic motorcycles of his influence in the Classic Bike Display, as well as giving enthusiasts the opportunity to view and purchase a limited-edition apparel range. In addition, Harley-Davidson was thrilled to present Bill Davidson, son of Willie G. Davidson, attending the festival and meeting with thousands of Harley-Davidson owners and enthusiasts.
The Harley-Davidson EXPO featured a range of the latest Model Year 2024 motorcycles, displaying the new era of touring performance, technology, and design with the all-new Street Glide® and Road Glide® models, which pulled in a significant and enthusiastic crowd. The Harley-Davidson Demo Zone was fully booked throughout the festival, with over 1,700 riders having the opportunity to test out the latest models. A true highlight for many was the Adventure Zone, a technical off-road arena right at the heart of the site. Off-road experts from across Europe provided demonstrations, dynamic displays, rider tuition and in-depth off-road tutorials on the Pan America™ 1250 Special. This year, the Adventure Zone was operated by world class instructors; Stuart Day (UK), Ralf Wiesenfeller (Germany) and Marco Belli (Italy), as well as demonstrations by Harley-Davidson off-road ambassador and rally legend Joan Pedrero (Spain).
This year’s ride-in Custom Bike Show sponsored by Metzeler had more than 60 entries across six categories – and a truly international feel. The Best in Show award was won by Thomas Emky from Germany, with the Metzeler Judges’ Choice award going to Max Biker, from the USA. And with more than 600 votes cast by attendees, the People’s Choice Award went to Dejan Nikolić from Slovenia. Prizes were awarded live on stage by Harley-Davidson’s Bill Davidson and H-D Chief Commercial Officer Luke Mansfield, with Riccardo Falcetta representing Metzeler.
Continuing the tradition of prizes, Saturday night saw lucky participant Maurizio Amoruso from Livorno, Italy win the ‘Willie-G themed’ Street Bob live on stage in front of a huge crowd at the H-D plaza.
On Saturday, around 10,000 riders took to the roads around Carinthia from Lake Faak, Villach and Finkenstein during the legendary parade, sponsored by Dunlop, making it one of the largest and most celebrated motorcycle parades in Europe.
Kolja Rebstock, Harley-Davidson VP for Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “European Bike Week is one of our biggest events of the year and we are delighted to have been joined in Austria by so many riders from all over the world. Delivering lifestyle experiences like European Bike Week to our customers and motorcycle fans is what makes our brand so unique. Responding to customer demand, we are excited to return our Harley-Davidson Euro Festival to the European events calendar next year, kick starting our 2025 season in style.”
Harley-Davidson celebrations continue next year with the return of the iconic Harley-Davidson® Euro Festival in Porte Grimaud, Golfe de Saint-Tropez from 8th-11th May 2025. The brand will also mark the 31st iteration of its annual European Harley Owners Group™(H.O.G. ™) Rally, which will take place 12th-15th June, 2025 in Medulin, Croatia.
European Bike Week will return to Faak am See from 2nd-7th September 2025.
More information about the event can be found at www.harley-davidson.com.
Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
