With the annual celebrations in Berlin, the entire region takes on an unparalleled curve of pride and happiness. If you are in Germany in October, make sure you witness the celebrations of this gala. In May, many holy visitors come to Dresden to see the city’s thriving jazz music scene. The Dixieland Festival, best known for its open-air events on the Elbe River, has become the oldest old jazz festival in Germany and the largest in Europe. For eight days, some half a million jazz fans come together to enjoy live performances by more than 350 artists. Oktoberfest is held every year from late September to early October in the Bavarian capital Munich and is the largest Volkfest in the world; A beer festival with a travelling fair.
It was then that Johannes Gutenberg first invented the mobile type a few kilometers from Frankfurt. Medieval festivals are not a German, or even European, type of event, but there are many IN Germany that are worth going to! What makes European oktoberfest medieval festivals so impressive is that they are often held in real castles, which makes the medievalness of it all much more real, and let’s not lie… Medieval enthusiasts even travel throughout the region to jump into the Medieval-Fest.
Reeperbahn is Europe’s largest club festival, with events and performances scattered around the city at various venues, allowing it to host hundreds of concerts in just four days. Held at Reeperbahn, Hamburg’s entertainment district, you’ll find indie, hip-hop, heavy metal, soul and jazz, so any visitor can find something they love or try something new. Today, we see millions of visitors enjoying food, beer and live performances during the week-end celebrations in late February. Concerts, accordion competitions, handicraft and item vendors, traditional folk dances, German music, German food and German beers make it a hugely fun and festive annual event.
Well, have you ever seen a parade of cows decorated with giant, extravagant and colorful headdresses marching off a mountain before? Schwetzingen features a salmon-colored palace and impressive gardens from the 18th century, which are worth a visit. Time in Schwetzingen can also be combined with excursions to the university city of Heidelberg, or perhaps even a spa day in elegant Baden Baden. If you’re feeling adventurous, sign up in advance to participate in the pumpkin canoe regatta.
These, of course, started as a religious event, but nowadays they are almost more like the Folk Festivals mentioned above. Luckily for you, there are SO MANY great festivals in Germany, that no matter what time of year you visit Germany, you should be able to come across one that you’ll enjoy immensely. And dare I say it, maybe you’ll find a German festival that’s better than Oktoberfest. October 3 is Germany’s largest national holiday, the German equivalent of July 4.
The Bayerische Staatsoper has more than 350 years of history and is easily one of the most famous opera houses in the world. It is known for hosting leading conductors and artists such as Kirill Petrenko and Anna Netrebko. This stylish apartment in Nuremberg is filled with natural light, perfect for a recovery day after the festival. Every year, on the eve of May Day, Germany celebrates a super creepy night of witches. Translated to Walpurgis Night, Walpurgis Night is a pagan celebration of St. Walpurga. From Waterfall Country in Wales to an underground cave in North Yorkshire, you’ll find beautiful and unique waterfalls in the UK.
Visitors can also check out a medieval market and pick up authentic costumes and antique jewelry. If you’ve ever had the desire to try archery while chewing on a chicken thigh, then this festival is for you. During the festival, cross-events are also planned in clubs, galleries and factory halls. Amateurs and professionals also perform together throughout the region.