Germany Events and Festivals
German culture is rich with seasonal festivals, many of which highlight specific regions and cities in their season. Some festivals are ancient, some born out of Christian traditions, others out of more ancient pagan festivals. German cuisine and locally-brewed beer are almost always part of the more festive occasions, especially in the world-renown Oktoberfest (which actually begins in September).
January
 International Ski Jump: on New Year's Day, Germany's premier winter sport resort, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, hosts one of the forerunning ski jump competitions in Europe. When the competition ends, this resort has art galleries, casinos, fine dining and a raucous night life to entertain guests.
February
 International Film Festival: Berlin's pre-eminent film festival lasts for one week in February and is held in several venues across the city's art districts. This event features dozens of films and draws internationally-acclaimed actors and directors alongside lesser-known screen workers and rising stars.
 Fasching: while some of Germany's Carnival festivals start much earlier in the season, they all come to a focus in February leading up to Ash Wednesday. Karneval (as it’s called in Cologne) is headlined by parades, pageants, light-hearted activities and after-hours partying. Cologne is the Karneval capital, with plenty of support from cities across the Rhineland.
March
 Strong Beer Season: traditionally, monks in Munich would brew a strong and nutritious beer after Fasching which is supposed to help strengthen the bodies of Lenten fasters. Prominent breweries unveil the season's strong beer after Ash Wednesday, and the tradition continues over four weeks.
April
 Walpurgis Festival: celebrated on the last evening of April throughout the towns and villages of the Harz Mountains, Walpurgis is a ghoulish event that bears a slight resemblance to Halloween. Some communities light bonfires to usher in the spring weather.
May
 Hamburg Summer: the city of Hamburg hosts an exciting series of summer events highlighted by numerous concerts, dramatisations and fairs. The festival stretches from May to July.
 Pentecost: Germany’s Catholic population—especially those found in Bavarian cities like Bogen and Kötzting--celebrate Pentecost with candlelit processions featuring dozens of horses and beautiful statues.
June
 Heidelberg Illumination: the castle at Heidelberg is bathed in floodlights and feted with extravagant firework displays. The celebration is sponsored by the local university and carries on for three months.
July
 Kinderzeche: Dinkelsbühl's medieval festival honours a storied event during the Thirty Years' War. Legend has it a group of children met invaders at the city gate and begged the invaders not to destroy their homes. Reenactments of this event are held during the festival.
 Freiburg Wine Tasting: the fruit of the Black Forest is unveiled in Freiburg during the wine tasting festival. Wineries reveal their new vintage and visitors are invited to be the first to taste this year's product.
 Wagner Festival: Richard Wagner's work is celebrated at his opera house in Bayreuth, Franconia. This is one of the Europe's most prestigious opera events, and tickets sell out years before the performance.
September
 Berlin Festival: this is one of Berlin's finest cultural events. Highlighted by classical music expositions (both symphony and opera) and theatre, the Berlin Festival celebrates the apex of the performing arts.
 Oktoberfest: beginning late in September and lasting through early October, Munich's acclaimed beer festival draws millions of attendees from around the world. Local breweries unveil seasonal specialties and invite beer drinkers by the thousands into exposition tents. Hotel rooms should be reserved well in advance of attendance.
October
 Frankfurt Book Fair: Frankfurt's international literary event draws big publishing houses, independent book-sellers and avid book browsers, alike. This is the world's biggest book trade fair, and draws plenty of international attention.
November
 Jazz-Fest Berlin: Germany's pre-eminent jazz festival is held early in November at the Berlin Philharmonic. The world's finest jazz musicians show up to showcase old standards alongside creative, experimental jazz.
 Hamburg Dom: in Hamburg, the Heiligengeistfeld transforms into a winter amusement park for several weeks. German sausages, fried potatoes, candied fruits and steamed corn on the cob are regular treats. Roller coasters, children's rides and a Ferris wheel draw celebrators from across the region.
December
 Christmas Fairs: cities across Germany hold several weeks of Christmas fairs and pageants leading up to December 25th. Special handicrafts, mulled wine, seasonal choirs and candlelight vigils are all featured. Nürnberg has a reputation for hosting one of the finest Christmas Fairs.
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