But in 1810, the Crown Prince of Bavaria invited the entire kingdom to attend his wedding party, and more than 40,000 people accepted him. The celebration was so successful and raw that the people of Munich decided to make it an annual tradition. Despite the name, the celebrations begin in late September and last 16 days. The biggest festival is held in Munich, although many areas also have local versions. Thousands of people descend to Munich from around the world to watch a parade that ends at Munich’s Therese Meadow, which is covered with rides, tents, markets, artists and attractions.
This Munich festival is by far one of the biggest and most popular, but you’ll find Oktoberfest celebrations all over Germany and even around the world. ©iStock.com/no_limit_picturesEvery September, the beautiful spa town in the southwest of Bad Dürkheim hosts the world’s largest wine festival, the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt. The festival has been a tradition in Bad Dürkheim for more than 600 years.
Airbeat One is one of, if not the most published festival in the country. It is known for its unique location in the generally quiet rural town of Neustadt-Glewe. The festival takes place on the local runway over a weekend in July and brings the venue to life through five different stages, each dedicated to a different electronic genre. Together, these rock concerts are the biggest music festival in Germany.
Reeperbahn is where new music label favorites make their debut and the next stars are discovered. Label headhunters, aspiring indie and underground music fans come with tens of thousands at a time. Attendees sit under the beautiful oak and chestnut trees decorated with paper lanterns, enjoying cold beers in stone beer mugs, all locally, made specifically for the event. Franconia and international dishes are also available, including pretzels, sausages and delicious Obatzda cheese. Ideal for families, there are also all kinds of walks and attractions for all ages. There are two wine rooms and a brewery, where visitors can enjoy a drink of their choice while listening to live local music.
Hafengeburtstag is a celebration of the city of Hamburg, usually the first weekend of May each year, with more than a million people spending the weekend at the festival that spans the entire city. You’ll see floats, trucks, and tractors parading 6 kilometers through central Cologne, with costumed performers and spectators. This festival offers concert versions of songs performed by solo musicians, performances for children, and events specially designed with families in mind. The musicians offer live entertainment in a fun, festive and relaxed atmosphere. Musicians also like to wear costumes to engage listeners, which increases the festive atmosphere.
This festival mainly attracts EDM giants such as Tiesto, Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas &Like Mike, Nervo, deadmau5, Klangkarussell, W&W, Robin Schulz and more. From charming villages to serene beaches, the country is full of great places. He is dedicated to creating awareness and appreciation for German and Central European cuisine. Find hundreds of authentic recipes, contemporary food ideas and guides to the diverse food cultures in the region.
It commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1989 after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Although most German cities hold official celebrations on the holiday, there is no party like the one in the capital, where the effects of the wall were felt most acutely. Germany is a renowned European country, popularly known for its festivals, football, beer, food, history, architecture, avant-garde buildings and much more. In June, the elegant town of Schwetzingen, nicknamed the city of asparagus, hosts the day-long Spargelsamstag. At this festival, a queen is crowned, lively music is played and you can devour the famous white asparagus. If you want to buy a package of Spargel, you can do so in the city or at roadside stalls in the countryside.
Berlinale is the world’s largest international film festival, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. The biggest party in the world for beer and shooter, a rather unique combination, has been held for almost 500 years. Organized annually in July, some 5,000 shooters attend, with the best shooters in the Shooter Parade, the highlight of the event. There are also five large beer tents and carnival attractions, including an impressive 200-meter-high Steiger Ferris wheel. Germany is known for its beer and beer festivals that celebrate the drink, 99% of which contain only water, hops, malt and altered yeast.
New Year’s Day is a national holiday and an opportunity to rest after the festivities of the night before. Bleigießen, a type of divination, is popular on this day (and on New Year’s Eve). This Catholic holiday is celebrated by decorating palm branches with ribbons and eggshells. The spirit of Oktoberfest lives in Munich’s oktoberfest breweries all year round. If you like German rock and metal, you may recognize names that have been headlined before. Characters such as Saltatio Mortis, Grave Digger, Korpiklaani, Moonsorrow, Schandmaul and Orphaned Land have played in the past, all with their own unique take on dark and passionate music.
Whatever happens, you’re sure to have an adventure exploring the many, many stages out there. Germany has a festival for almost every occasion and at any time of the year. Here’s a brief look at Germany’s most famous festivals and the food and traditions that come with them. Germany is known for its iconic Christmas markets that pop up all over the country during the holidays. While Krampus festivals in Germany often coincide with a Christmas market, there are some that are in themselves their own amazing and unique festivals. While it’s not technically a festival, every time a group of Germans gather for some sort of celebration, it’s a sure way to have a good time!