For some it’s the food. For others, it’s the beer. For almost everyone, it’s the atmosphere— there are countless reasons to love a volksfest or fun fair. Another important element for the young and young at heart is the midway rides, often at a caliber high enough to rival the stationary attractions found in many amusement parks. Here are some of the latest, most innovative or hair-raising rides just waiting to spin, drop or otherwise thrill you.

Gäubodenvolksfest

Straubing, Germany

Dates: through Aug. 19

SkyFall: Billed as the highest free-fall tower in the world, those brave souls with no fear of heights have ample time to appreciate a breathtaking view of the ant-sized festival down below before plunging 240 feet back to earth. This ride has been a hit with the fest-going public since 2013 and is still going strong. The SkyFall will also make an appearance at Munich’s Oktoberfest.

Nürnberg Herbstvolksfest

Nuremberg, Germany

Dates: Aug. 23-Sept. 8

Wilde Maus XXL: This mobile roller coaster was built to be as fun as it is scary. Before even boarding, passengers pass through a range of fun distractions, from a hanging bridge to rotating discs. Once on board, riders reach a height of 100 feet and experience three substantial drops, made all the more fun on a hot day, when they’re doused with water jets.

Schouberfouer

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Dates: Aug. 23-Sept. 11

Mr. Gravity: Mr. Gravity is an elevated ride consisting of 10 two-seated gondolas arranged in a circle. The gondolas sit atop a disc that rotates in both directions, and the disc itself is mounted on the end of another rotating arm.

Wormser Backfischfest

Worms, Germany

Dates: Aug. 28-Sept. 1

Anubis the Egyptian Giant: This Egyptian-themed propeller ride belongs to a class of attractions known as a booster. Dozens of such units, made up of a long arm with 360-degree spinning cars attached to both ends, operate throughout the world. The Anubis stands at 180 feet tall and accelerates to a speed of 75 miles per hour in just three seconds. Up to 16 passengers can ride simultaneously, legs dangling in the wind, on this Egyptian-themed contraption.

Rosenheimer Herbstfest

Rosenheim, Germany

Dates: Aug. 31-Sept. 15

Hangover: Described as the world´s highest mobile gyro-drop tower, up to 24 passengers seated in a circular formation can enjoy 360-degree views as the gondola rotates on its journey toward the heavens. On the way back down, riders plummet from a height of 280 feet and achieve speeds of up to 56 mph. More than 250,000 LED lights make the Hangover a real standout against the night sky.

Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt

Bad Dürkheim, Germany

Dates: Sept. 6-10 and Sept. 13-16

Escape Flight of Fear: This high-riding carousel was built in 2022. It can accommodate up to 30 passengers, seated in pairs. Riders are strapped in with a lap bar, as opposed to a shoulder bar, and fly randomly along a 25-foot-high flight path, with rapid changes of direction. Despite its speed, the ride is touted as family-friendly and easy on the tummy.

Oktoberfest

Munich, Germany

Dates: Sept. 21-Oct. 6

Olympia Looping: Also referred to as the Five Looper, the world’s largest transportable roller coaster is a natural fit to the world’s biggest volksfest. As the name suggests, riders are whisked head over heels a remarkable five times, reaching speeds of up to 62 mph along the ride’s three-quarter mile long track. The Olympia Looping’s owners suggest that riding in the front carriage as rain streams down is an experience unto itself.

Crazy Island: Not a ride at all but rather a funhouse, the largest such structure in Germany stretches over five floors and is strewn with 50 obstacles, including climbable torches, a hanging bridge and a waterfall. Caribbean-themed décor adds a touch of the exotic to the walkthrough.

Cannstatter Volksfest

Stuttgart, Germany

Dates: Sept. 27-Oct. 13

The King: This giant swing consists of four gondolas attached to a long arm that rotates 360 degrees. The rings that attach the gondolas to the arm swivel as well, and there’s plenty of motion going on as the ride achieves speeds of up to 75 miles per hour.

Gladiator: This giant propeller ride has a long arm that rotates along a horizontal axle at a speed of up to 50 mph. At the end of both arms are what resemble two-pronged forks holding two gondolas that are also capable of independent movement.