The 25th European Bike Week in Carinthia: Back to the roads! 

September 5th to 10th, 2023

In the next few days, Lake Faak will become Harleywood again. Numerous Harley fans are already traveling to Carinthia these days, with the actual meeting starting with the opening of the Harley Village in Faak am See on Tuesday, September 5th and lasting until Sunday, September 10th. This year's meeting, which runs under the motto “Back to the roads”, culminates in the Harley parade on Saturday, September 9th.  

Preparations are entering the finale

Preparations for the world's largest Harley meeting are in full swing. Over 80 exhibitors and 12 authorized dealers from all over Europe are expected at Harley Village. There are 20 food stalls available for culinary enjoyment, and 25 different bands ensure the best atmosphere. In total, the Harley Village is 40,000m ² in size.

Harley-Davidson will celebrate its 120th anniversary in 2023 and the Harley Owners Group will turn 40. To mark the occasion, there will be a dedicated classic car tent at the festival site. Another highlight is the Custom Bike Show on Friday. Ford will be represented at the Main Plaza as the official car partner.

Klaus Ehrenbrandtner , Carinthia Advertising Managing Director: “A very special anniversary of a very special event: Carinthia is celebrating 25 years of European Bike Week at Lake Faak. For the 25th anniversary we are expecting 70,000 bikes and more than 100,000 visitors from over 50 countries, who will ensure 150,000 overnight stays. Overall, the event generates a value creation effect of 25 million euros.

Many visitors have been part of the large EBW family since the first meeting, numerous guests have joined over the last 25 years and some may be there for the first time this year. They all share a love of freedom on two wheels, which you can experience here in Carinthia, on the south side of the Alps, on wonderful guided tours between mountains and lakes, on breathtaking panoramic roads.”

During the European Bike Week 2023, a new cooperation agreement will be signed between Harley-Davidson, Kärnten Werbe and the Villach - Faaker See - Ossiacher See region - so the European Bike Week will also take place on Faaker See in the next few years.

Georg Overs , managing director of the Villach tourism region: “The first Harleys have been heard in the region for a few days now - a sound that builds anticipation for the anniversary European Bike Week. Many friends will meet at Lake Faaker See for the 25th time. We warmly welcome you all and are particularly looking forward to the international guests who did not dare to come to Carinthia last year. The booking situation is good – now the only thing that should be right is the weather.”

Sven Kielgas , Event Coordinator Harley-Davidson Europe: “How time flies! We've been partying at Lake Faaker See in a relaxed and exuberant way for a quarter of a century and I'm delighted to have been involved as Harley-Davidson Europe's Event Coordinator since 2006. But this year is about much more: The Harley Owners Group turns 40 and Harley-Davidson looks back on 120 years of motorcycle manufacturing. Of course, this needs to be celebrated properly! That's why we're celebrating the HOG in 2023 and presenting a number of two-wheeled Milwaukee milestones from the last 120 years at our event.

Our news also includes the Adventure Zone, which offers a mega program around the Pan America models from Harley-Davidson, the lavishly redesigned Saloon Bar, powerful nighttime fire shows and even helicopter sightseeing flights. Of course, there will be our usual highlights again in 2023, such as the big expo, test rides, the custom bike show, the parade and lots of music. This year we have 25 bands on our two stages and I'm really looking forward to a number of gigs, like Stiletto's.  

Christian Poglitsch , mayor of the municipality of Finkenstein: “The 25th anniversary that we are celebrating this year at Lake Faaker See makes me unspeakably proud as mayor and as an avowed Harley fan and at the same time is a nice sign of the long-standing connection and the great Collaboration with the Harley-Davidson company. That’s why I’m really looking forward to welcoming the big Harley family to Faaker See and celebrating the best party of the year together with many friends.”

All information about the program of the European Bike Week 2023: https://www.bikeweek.at