Festivals & events

43 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

Neujahrskonzert der Berliner Philharmoniker (1 January · Berlin · Berlin) — The Berlin Philharmonic's prestigious New Year's concert, broadcast worldwide and featuring classical masterworks. A cornerstone of German…
Neujahrstag (1 January · All regions · National) — New Year's Day, a nationwide public holiday celebrating the start of the new year. Banks, shops and most businesses are closed.
International Filmfestspiele Berlin (All February · Berlin · Berlin) — One of the world's most prestigious film festivals showcasing international cinema and hosting major red-carpet premieres. A highlight of t…
Fasching (All February · Munich, Nuremberg, and throughout Bavaria · Bavaria) — Bavaria's spectacular carnival season with elaborate parades, costumes and street celebrations. Known for its distinctly Bavarian twist on…
Cologne Carnival (All February · Cologne · North Rhine-Westphalia) — The Rhineland's most exuberant carnival with three days of street parades, music and traditional costumes. Famous for its satirical floats…
Düsseldorf Carnival (All February · Düsseldorf · North Rhine-Westphalia) — A vibrant Rhineland carnival with elaborate processions and traditional Düsseldorf humor. Known for its unique blend of music, dance and sa…
Mainz Carnival (All February · Mainz · Rhineland-Palatinate) — The Rhineland's oldest carnival with traditional processions and political satire. A centuries-old celebration of Mainz's unique carnival c…
Karfreitag (All March · All regions · National) — Good Friday, a nationwide public holiday observed two days before Easter Sunday. Most businesses close for this significant Christian holid…
Ostersonntag (All April · All regions · National) — Easter Sunday, celebrated across Germany with family gatherings, Easter markets and egg hunts. A major nationwide religious holiday.
Ostermontag (All April · All regions · National) — Easter Monday, the day after Easter Sunday and a nationwide public holiday. Businesses and schools remain closed.
Wagner Festival (All July · Bayreuth · Bavaria) — The world's oldest music festival dedicated exclusively to Richard Wagner's operas. Held in the specially designed Festspielhaus with perfo…
Oktoberfest (All September · Munich · Bavaria) — The world's largest beer festival celebrating Bavarian culture with traditional beer halls, food and folk music. A global phenomenon attrac…
Tag der Deutschen Einheit (3 October · All regions · National) — German Unity Day, celebrating the reunification of Germany on October 3, 1990. A nationwide public holiday marked by patriotic celebrations…
Leipzig Book Fair (All March · Leipzig · Saxony) — Germany's oldest book fair and one of Europe's largest literary events showcasing publishers, authors and readers. A cornerstone of German…
Frankfurt Book Fair (All October · Frankfurt · Hesse) — The world's largest international book fair attracting publishers and authors from around the globe. A major event in the global publishing…
Documenta (All June · Kassel · Hesse) — A legendary contemporary art exhibition held every five years, showcasing cutting-edge modern and contemporary art. One of the world's most…
Love Parade (All July · Berlin · Berlin) — A massive electronic dance music festival and techno parade celebrating music culture. An iconic Berlin event drawing hundreds of thousands…
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt (All November · Nuremberg · Bavaria) — Germany's most famous Christmas market with over 180 wooden stalls selling crafts and traditional Nuremberg specialties. Dating back to the…
Cologne Christmas Markets (All November · Cologne · North Rhine-Westphalia) — Multiple enchanting Christmas markets throughout Cologne featuring traditional crafts, mulled wine and festive atmosphere. The city's most…
Berlin Christmas Markets (All November · Berlin · Berlin) — Numerous festive Christmas markets across Berlin offering holiday treats and traditional crafts. A quintessential Berlin winter experience.
Hamburg Port Anniversary (All May · Hamburg · Hamburg) — A three-day celebration of Hamburg's historic port with historical ship parades, cultural performances and maritime festivities. One of Ger…
Kiel Week (All June · Kiel · Schleswig-Holstein) — The world's largest sailing festival featuring international yacht races and maritime celebrations. A premier event for sailing enthusiasts…
Wacken Open Air (All August · Wacken · Schleswig-Holstein) — Europe's largest open-air heavy metal festival attracting over 75,000 metalheads from around the world. A pilgrimage site for metal music f…
Rock am Ring (All June · Nürburg · Rhineland-Palatinate) — Germany's largest rock and pop music festival with multiple stages and international headliners. A major annual gathering for rock and alte…
Carnival of Cultures (All May · Berlin · Berlin) — Berlin's multicultural street festival celebrating diverse cultures with parades, music and food. A vibrant display of Berlin's cosmopolita…
Deutschlandfest (All October · Berlin and major cities · Berlin) — A nationwide celebration of German Unity Day featuring outdoor festivals, cultural events and music across the country. Coincides with Octo…
Heidelberg Theater Festival (All July · Heidelberg · Baden-Württemberg) — A prestigious international theater festival in romantic Heidelberg showcasing classical and contemporary performances. Held in atmospheric…
Asparagus Festival (All April · Beelitz and throughout Brandenburg · Brandenburg) — A culinary celebration of white asparagus harvest season with tastings, cooking demonstrations and regional dishes. A spring tradition in G…
Dresdner Musikfestspielen (All May · Dresden · Saxony) — Dresden's prestigious classical music festival featuring world-class orchestras and soloists in beautiful historic venues. A major event in…
Weimar Classical Open (All August · Weimar · Thuringia) — An international classical music festival celebrating Weimar's rich cultural heritage and connections to Goethe and Schiller. Performances…
Berlin Marathon (All September · Berlin · Berlin) — The world's largest marathon attracting over 40,000 runners with a route through Berlin's historic neighborhoods. A global sporting spectac…
Pfingstsonntag (All May · All regions · National) — Whit Sunday, the seventh Sunday after Easter, is a nationwide public holiday. Marks the descent of the Holy Spirit in Christian tradition.
Pfingstmontag (All May · All regions · National) — Whit Monday, the day after Whit Sunday, is a nationwide public holiday. Businesses and schools remain closed.
Ascension Day (All May · All regions · National) — Ascension Day, celebrated 39 days after Easter, is a nationwide public holiday marking Jesus's ascension. A major Christian observance acro…
Tag der Arbeit (1 May · All regions · National) — Labor Day, a nationwide public holiday celebrating workers and labor movements. International Workers' Day with various demonstrations and…
Karneval der Kulturen (All May · Berlin · Berlin) — A multicultural celebration showcasing Berlin's diverse communities through parades, music and food. One of Berlin's most colorful festival…
Jena Light Festival (All July · Jena · Thuringia) — An innovative light art festival transforming Jena's streets with installations and projections. A unique celebration of contemporary light…
Bregenzer Festspiele Overflow (All August · Friedrichshafen and Lake Constance region · Baden-Württemberg) — Cultural events associated with Austria's Bregenz Festival activities near the German-Austrian border. A major regional musical and theatri…
Bremer Freimarkt (All October · Bremen · Bremen) — One of Germany's oldest fairs dating back to 1035 with traditional rides, food and carnival atmosphere. A centuries-old autumn celebration.
Hanover Industrial Fair (All April · Hanover · Lower Saxony) — The world's largest industrial technology trade fair showcasing innovations and cutting-edge technology. A premier international business a…
Allerheiligen (1 November · Select regions · Berlin) — All Saints' Day is a public holiday in certain German regions, particularly Catholic areas. Traditionally observed with cemetery visits and…
Fronleichnam (All June · Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Catholic regions · Berlin) — Corpus Christi, celebrated 60 days after Easter, is a public holiday in Catholic regions. Marked by elaborate processions and religious cer…
Silvester (31 December · All regions · Berlin) — New Year's Eve with fireworks, parties and celebrations across Germany. A nationwide festive night welcoming the new year.