Germany is a real mecca for lovers of pop, rock and rap music. A few years ago, a real boom in music festivals began in the country.

According to the German Music Information Center in Bonn, more than 600 music festivals are regularly held in Germany today - about four times more than 20 years ago. Unofficial sources cite even higher numbers: for example, according to the website www.festivalticker.de, exactly 1,978 festivals took place in Germany in 2015. The most popular among spectators are countryside open-air festivals, which allow you to enjoy not only live music in the fresh air, but also all the delights of summer - for example, pitching a tent on the festival grounds on the lake.

Some music lovers travel from one festival to another for weeks on end: so-called "festival hopping" has become a fashionable summer sport among young Europeans. Numerous companies even offer special tours to major music festivals, including departures from Russia.

These 17 festivals are worth visiting in 2016:

1. Rock am Ring

When? 3.-6.06.2016
Where? Mendig Airfield/Eifel Volcanic Region (Rhineland-Palatinate)
Number of visitors: ≈ 90.000
Website: www.rock-am-ring.com

Rock am Ring is Germany's oldest and largest open-air music festival. Last year he celebrated his 30th birthday. Both German and foreign groups of various genres perform on four festival stages. In 2016, concerts are scheduled for such world stars as Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath, as well as famous German musicians Fettes Brot, Alligatoah, SDP, etc.

2. Rock im Park

When? 3.-6.06.2016
Where? Zeppelinfeld in Nuremberg (Bavaria)
What? Rock, pop rock, hip hop, heavy metal, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 75.000
Website: www.rock-im-park.com

Since 1993, the organizers of Rock am Ring have been holding a parallel festival in Nuremberg called Rock im Park. The concept and selection of musicians at both festivals are identical, and the same concerts in Mendig and Nuremberg are spaced out over days.

3. Chiemsee Summer Festival

When? 24.-27.08.2016
Where? Ibersee on Lake Chiemsee (Bavaria)
What? Reggae, hip-hop, rock, electro
Number of visitors: ≈ 35.000
Website: www.chiemsee-summer.de

The Chiemsee Summer Festival is the result of the merger of Chiemsee Reggae and Chiemsee Rocks. The four-day festival program, taking place in one of Germany's most beautiful tourist regions, includes performances by more than 100 German and foreign artists. The headliners for 2016 are already known: Sportfreunde Stiller, Die Fantastischen Vier and Limp Bizkit. Also performing at Lake Chiemsee will be LaBrassBanda, Blumentopf, Prinz Pi, Wanda and many others.

4. Deichbrand

When? 21.-24.07.2016
Where? Naval airfield Cuxhaven/Nordholz (Lower Saxony) What? Rock, metal, punk rock, hip-hop
Number of visitors: ≈ 45.000
Website: www.deichbrand.de

Deichbrand is the only German festival to be shortlisted for the European Festival Award 2015 and thus officially named one of the best music festivals in Europe. Thanks to its location on the North Sea, Deichbrand attracts lovers of kitesurfing, wakeboarding, beach volleyball and wading. In 2016, it will be held for the 11th time and will become an important event for fans of German-language music: performances by the groups Die Fantastischen Vier, Sportfreunde Stiller, Beginner, OOMPH!, Irie Révoltés and more than 30 other musicians have already been announced.

5.Hurricane

When? 24.-26.06.2016
Where? Eichenring in Schessel (Lower Saxony)
What? Alternative rock, indie, hip-hop, Neue Deutsche Härte (NDH), electro, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 73.000
Website: www.hurricane.de

Hurricane is a major North German festival, which in 2016 will take place for the twentieth time between Hamburg, Bremen and Hannover. It will feature performances by famous foreign artists, popular German musicians and a number of debutants. Among the headliners of Hurricane 2016, viewers will see such stars as Rammstein, The Offspring, K.I.Z., AnnenMayKantereit, Prinz Pi and Wanda.

6.Southside Festival

When? 24.-26.06.2016
Where? Neuhausen ob Eck (Baden-Württemberg)
What? Rock, indie, hip-hop, Neue Deutsche Härte (NDH), electro, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 60.000
Website: www.southside.de

Since 1999, simultaneously with the Hurricane festival in southern Germany, near Lake Constance, a sister festival, Southside, has been taking place with an identical musical program.

7. Zelt-Musik-Festival

When? 13.-31.07.2016
Where? Freiburg (Baden-Württemberg)
What? Pop music, rock, hip-hop, hit, soul, ethnic music
Website: www.zmf.de

Zelt-Musik-Festival (ZMF) is the largest and oldest music festival in Baden-Württemberg. Since 1983, the three-week festival in Freiburg an der Breisgau has presented a colorful program combining music, art, theatre, cabaret and sports. A special feature of the festival is free entry to its territory, on which, in addition to two concert tents, there are several more stages with a free program. In 2016, among other things, spectators can expect performances from Sarah Connor, Dieter Thomas Kuhn and the rock band Eisbrecher.

8. Zeltfestival Ruhr

When? 19.07.-4.09.2016
Where? On Lake Kemnader See in Bochum (North Rhine-Westphalia) What? Pop music, rock, hip-hop, hit, comedy, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 130.000
Website: www.zeltfestivalruhr.de

Zeltfestival Ruhr is one of the most visited festivals in Germany. Every year, for more than two weeks, an entire tent city with concert venues and restaurants is built in Bochum. The key to the success of the festival is a mixed musical program and mandatory performances by stars.

9. Reeperbahn Festival

When? 21.-24.09.2016
Where? District of St. Pauli in Hamburg
What? Indie, pop, rock, folk, singer-songwriters, electro, hip-hop, soul, jazz, neo-classical, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 30.000
Website: www.reeperbahnfestival.com

The Reeperbahn Festival has been filling the stages and bars of Hamburg's St. Pauli district with music for over 10 years. This is the largest club festival in Germany, which is one of the three most important meeting places for representatives of the music and digital industries in Europe. Under the slogan “Talents, Trends & Trade”, the festival features more than 600 different events on more than 70 stages near Hamburg’s famous Reeperbahn. Reeperbahn Festival is the perfect place to discover new talent and new trends in music.

10. Sputnik Spring Break

When? 13.-16.05.2016
Where? Pouch Peninsula near Bitterfeld (Saxony-Anhalt)
What? Hip-hop, electro, house, techno, rock
Number of visitors: ≈ 25.000
Website: www.sputnikspringbreak.de

Sputnik Spring Break traditionally opens the season of major open-air festivals in Germany. The festival's impressive location on the Pouh Peninsula and top-notch headliners make it a must-see for live music lovers. In 2016, Alligatoah, Genetikk and Bosse will perform on its main stage.

11. Summerjam

When? 1.-3.07.2016
Where? On Lake Fühlinger See in Cologne (North Rhine-Westphalia)
What? Reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, urban brass, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 30.000
Website: www.summerjam.de

Summerjam, one of the largest reggae festivals in Europe, has been taking place regularly since 1986. On an island surrounded by artificial lakes in the north of Cologne, the organizers are, among other things, building two outdoor stages, a dancehall arena, lounge areas, a swimming area, a market and a children's playground. In 2016, the famous Jamaican dancehall artist Sean Paul will come to Cologne. Viewers will also see performances by a number of representatives of German hip-hop, for example, Die Orsons, Namika, SDP or Moop Mama.

12. Die Neuen DeutschPoeten

When? 2.-3.09.2016
Where? IFA Summer Garden in Berlin
What? Singer-songwriters, pop music, hip-hop, rock, reggae, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 26.000
Website: www.dieneuendeutschpoeten.com

The festival Die Neuen DeutschPoeten was founded seven years ago by the Berlin youth radio station Fritz. It features exclusively performers who sing in German and pay special attention to writing lyrics. For the stars, an invitation to Berlin is a special honor: Cro, Jan Delay, Clueso, Tim Bendzko, Marteria and many others have already played here. In 2016, the festival will feature performances including: group Fettes Brot and rapper Sido.

13.splash!

When? 8.-10.07.2016
What? Hip-hop
Number of visitors: ≈ 25.000
Website: www.splash-festival.de

With over 100 international and German performers performing annually, splash! is one of Germany's most popular music festivals. For hip-hop fans, it was and remains the most important event of the year. In 2015, US rap star Nicki Minaj became the headliner of the festival. In 2016, her compatriot Wiz Khalifa will be the last to appear on the main stage. Concerts by German rappers Eko Fresh, Teesy and Maeckes have also already been announced.

14. Kosmonaut

When? 24.-25.06.2016
Where? At the Rabenstein reservoir near Chemnitz (Saxony)
What? German rap and pop music, indie rock, etc.
Number of visitors: ≈ 15.000
Website: www.kosmonaut-festival.de

The Kosmonaut festival, named after the East German cosmonaut Sigmund Jahn, was first organized by the Chemnitz group Kraftklub in 2013. Already in the first year, all tickets were sold. The picturesque location on the shore of a lake open for swimming, the largely German headliners and intimate size of the festival make it especially attractive to fans of contemporary German music.

15. Highfield

When? 19.-21.08.2016
Where? On Lake Störmthaler See near Grosspösna and Leipzig (Saxony)
What? Indie rock, punk rock
Number of visitors: ≈ 25.000
Website: www.highfield.de

Highfield has become the most important indie rock festival in the eastern part of Germany over the past few years. In 2016, concerts of the groups Rammstein, Deichkind, Wanda, Genetikk and other German stars are announced here.

16. Wacken Open Air

When? First week of August
Where? Wacken (Schleswig-Holstein)
What? Hard rock, heavy metal
Number of visitors: ≈ 80.000
Website: www.wacken.com

W:O:A has been around since 1990 and is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. Many of the 1,850 residents of the village of Wacken, where the festival takes place, help with the festival. There is even a separate train to Wacken called the Metal Train.

17. Melt!

When? 15-17.07.16
Where? Ferropolis Peninsula near Gräfenhainichen (Saxony-Anhalt)
What? Pop, indie rock, dance music
Number of visitors: ≈ 20.000
Website: www.meltfestival.de

Melt Festival Venue! impressive: this is an open-air museum of brown coal mining. Bands and DJs perform among huge excavators and in the amphitheater. And in the nearby lake you can swim in hot weather.

Polina Kuzavleva, Anna Sukhneva, Goethe-Institut

There is a lot of interesting information about modern German music in the magazine of the Goethe-Institut ""!

The Germans are big fans of all kinds of holidays. The Berlin calendar, for example, is jam-packed with annual fairs, festivals, concerts and shows, many of them internationally renowned and very popular with tourists. In this regard, it is enough to recall the Berlin Film Festival (February) - the second largest in the world, the annual pride parade Christopher Street Day(CSD, usually in June), techno festival "Love Parade" at the beginning of July, Berlin Jazz Festival in October and Christmas markets the entire last month of the year. However, other cities and lands are not at all behind this extravaganza of holidays - almost every locality in the country has its own holiday calendar. There are so many festivals taking place in Germany at the same time that many of them have begun to experience a shortage of performers and even visitors.

At the very beginning of the year, the annual festival of arts and digital culture deserves close attention transmediale(usually takes place from late January to early February) in Berlin and the famous carnival(Karneval, Fasching, early February), which has special traditions in different lands - the Germans even call its period the “fifth season”. Within its framework, for example, the most popular samba carnival (Bremer Karneval, February 2) takes place in Bremen - the largest event of its kind in the country. The holidays in Munich and Cologne are widely known. Also attracts thousands of visitors Berlin International Film Festival(Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, February 8), or “Berlinale” is the largest in Germany and one of the most authoritative in Europe.

In mid-March the famous Leipzig Book Fair(Leipziger Buchmesse) - the second largest in the world and one of the oldest (first opened in the 17th century). It is accompanied by the spring literary festival "Leipzig Readings" and other events organized as part of the larger Leipzig Industrial Fair.

April starts with April Fool's Day- "twin brother" of our April Fool's Day, then you can get to "Bergkirchwei"(Bergkirchweih) is one of the oldest and largest folk festivals in Bavaria and indeed the whole country. The holiday usually takes place in the city of Erlangen (Erlangen, Erlanga), starting on the Thursday before Trinity and lasting as many as 12 days filled with all kinds of fairs, processions, musical performances and feasts. Thuringian is also very popular Bach festival(Thüringer Bachwochen, Bachfest, April-May), taking place in Weimar and bringing together the best classical performers from all over the world. And at the very end of April - beginning of May the famous all-German festival begins "Walpurgis Night"(Walpurgisnacht), dedicated to the witches' Sabbath on Mount Brocken (the highest point of the Harz, 1141 m) and the beginning of spring as such. Torchlight processions, costume parades, spring bonfires and folk festivals can be observed throughout the country during this period.

And immediately after this the country literally explodes May Festival(Maifest, Maifeiertag) in honor of the regenerating nature, the blossoming spring. Villagers celebrate the end of winter by cutting down, painting and decorating the "Maypole" (Maibaum), as well as their houses and gardens, holding merry feasts in traditional costumes, lighting festive bonfires (it is clearly seen that this is an element of paganism and the still ongoing "Walpurgis night", which is close in time to this holiday "May dances"). And the holiday week ends with a fireworks festival "The Rhine is on Fire"(Rhein in Flammen), individual events of which are held along the entire valley of the great river until September. May 9 in Germany is Father's Day, which was once a purely men's holiday, but now simply serves as an occasion for a family outing. May 10 is celebrated as Book Day - in 1933, the Nazis carried out a barbaric burning of books objectionable to the regime on this very day. On May 12th comes the turn of Mother's Day with all the attributes inherent in such an event. And then the most popular international festival opens its doors "Dixieland" in Dresden (International Dixieland Festival Dresden) in mid-May, the world's largest festival of gothic music and art Wave-Gotik-Treffen(50 days after Easter, usually the second or third ten days of May) in Leipzig and festival Jazz Rally in Dusseldorf (second half of May - early June).

Annual Pride Parade Christopher Street Day(CSD, usually in June-August) once began in Berlin, Bremen, Münster and Cologne - these cities are still its main platform, although all kinds of processions and actions on this occasion cover almost all of Germany. Also in June there are three days Rock am Ring(first weekend of the month) - one of the largest rock festivals on the continent, Hamburg Short Film Festival(Hamburg International Short Film, late May - early June), International Bach Festival in Leipzig (Bachfest Leipzig, mid-month), large-scale folk festivals Operanplatzfest(Opernplatzfest, third ten days of June) in Frankfurt am Main, festival of contemporary music Hurricane in Shesel (Scheeßel, three days in the middle of the month), opera festival in Munich (Opernfestspiele, last week of the month) and historical folk festival "Landshut Wedding"(Landshuter Hochzeit), held every four years at the end of June - beginning of July in the Bavarian Landshut.

July begins with the world's largest electronic music festival "Love Parade" in Berlin, then it's worth visiting the fireworks festival "Cologne Lights"(Kölner Lichter), Bayreuth Richard Wagner Festival(Bayreuther Festspiele, late July - early August) and heavy music festival Amphi Festival(second half of July) in Cologne.

In August, theater theaters are worth visiting Nibelung Festival in Worms (Nibelungenfestspiele Worms) as part of Cultural Summer programs Rhineland-Palatinate (Kultursommer Rheinland-Pfalz), Peace Festival(Friedensfest, August 8, this day is a public holiday in the city) in Augsburg, a festival of gothic music and art M"era Luna in Hildesheim (Hildesheim, first ten days of the month) - one of the largest in Germany, mass celebrations and concerts on Dresden Day (August 16), one of the largest cultural festivals in Europe - "Holiday on Museum Embankment"(Museumsuferfest, August 23) in Frankfurt am Main, annual metal music festival Summer Breeze in Dinkelsbühl (second half of August), colorful "Hemp Parade"(Hanfparade, last week of August) for the legalization of hemp and "Long Night of Museums"(Lange Nacht der Museen, January 12 and August 31) - both events take place throughout the country, but they originated in Berlin.

The most famous German holiday is definitely the beer festival. Oktoberfest(Oktoberfest, Wiesn) - the largest folk festival in the world. It starts in Munich in the second half of September and lasts 16 days. However, in the southern regions the ancient "Almabtrib"(Almabtrieb, literally “return from mountain pastures”), associated with the removal of livestock from summer alpine meadows. During this period, dozens of spectacular events, fairs of local products, folk festivals and parties are held. The holiday starts on September 18 in the town of Allgäu (40 km south of Munich) and then spreads throughout the mountainous regions of southern Germany and Austria. In his honor, they even make a special cheese, Hirtenkäse, which uses only the milk of cows that took part in the holiday.

At the beginning of October, a whole series of festivities marking the end of the harvest starts. Erntedankfest(Thanksgiving holiday) and is accompanied by church services, folk festivals and fairs. However, each region has its own holiday dedicated to a specific variety of grapes, cheese or even turnips, as well as to the patron saints of the region. From October 4 to October 14, a traditional Wine Festival, and in neighboring Dürckheim - Sausage Festival. Colorful processions, cheerful musicians and townspeople in traditional dresses, fairs and markets, tastings of food and drinks - these are the main features of these holidays, which are also part of the series of autumn events. Also worth attention Festival of Lights(October 9-20) in Berlin, Bremen Freimarkt, or Free Market Festival (Bremer Freimarkt, mid-month, lasts 17 days) - the oldest folk festival in Germany (held since 1035), not much inferior in scope to Oktoberfest, Frankfurt Book Fair - the largest in the world (mid-month), a fun rural holiday Kirmes is already a pagan version of the end of the harvest (the third Sunday in October), as well as Halloween, which has become traditional for the Germans (October 31 - the night before All Saints' Day).

In November, the international theater and music festival of Russian-speaking youth is interesting JULA(November 2-6), St. Martin's Day(Martinstag) is another festival dedicated to the harvest with its children's procession with Laternenumzug lights, as well as numerous events associated with various historical events in the life of the country and religious dates.

Well, almost the whole of December is imbued with the spirit of the approaching Christmas - starting with St. Nicholas Day(6.12) and numerous Christmas markets, through Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas(December 25) and St. Stephen's Day(December 26), and ending Sylvester(Silvester, German New Year's Eve) and on New Year's Eve, the whole country is just preparing for these events. The Christmas celebrations themselves are private in German and mostly take place within the family circle, but in Munich, Nuremberg, Essen and Heidelberg they often spill out onto the streets in the form of folk festivities or all kinds of performances.

May 23-June 1 – Fressgass" Fest, Frankfurt. One of the first street festivals of the year, held since 1974. During the festival you can buy souvenirs, taste incredible national cuisine, relax at numerous parties, concerts, musical performances, and take part in various events people of all ages.

May 25-June 3 – Wine Festival in Weindorf, Würzburg. This is a paradise for wine lovers, the festival has been held since 1976. There are more than 30 open-air restaurants, numerous stands with wine and chocolate, private wineries open their doors to show the process of creating several dozen varieties of local wines.

May 25-June 10 – Handel Festival, Halle. One of the world's oldest music festivals, organized since 1922. The event is held in the homeland of the world-famous composer, and over time the festival has become a center for research into the work and performance of Handel's music.

May 25-June 24 – Mozart Festival, Wurzburg. One of the world's most famous classical music festivals is held in the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Gardens of Würzburg. Award-winning symphony orchestras perform the masterpieces of the outstanding composer at more than 50 concerts in outdoor and indoor venues. Every year the music event is attended by up to 30,000 people.

June 8-10 – Luther Wedding Festival, Wittenberg. The stunning mass re-enactment of Martin Luther's marriage to nun Katharina von Borra, accompanied by 2,000 participants in wedding costumes, attracts tens of thousands of guests every year. The old town is transported back to the Middle Ages, fairs, games, concerts are held, artisans make their products, and there is a lot of entertainment available for children and adults.

June 8-17 – Bach Festival, Leipzig. The most prestigious international music festival dedicated to the work of the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach, with a varied and rich program. The festival has been held since 1904 and includes a total of about 100 concerts and performances, featuring organ and church music from the 19th century, chamber music and jazz interpretations.

June 15-17 – Stadtteilfest Bunte Republik Neustadt, Dresden. A street festival dedicated to the virtual state in one of the districts of Dresden - Neustadt, which existed from 1990 to 1993. The celebration takes place in an atmosphere of fun, with popular DJs and bands performing, and drinks and food from local restaurants being sold on the streets. The festival annually attracts more than 150,000 spectators, 100 musical performers and 1,000 artists.

June 22-24 – Elbhangfest, Dresden. Street festival in Dresden, held since 1990 and attracts up to 80,000 participants. The festival has a wide range of events - exhibitions, local tours, concerts and events, street art, culinary delights and small fairs. The main event is the procession from Loschwitz to Pillnitz, as well as the dragon boat festival.

June 27-July 22 – Tollwood Summer Festival, Munich. The largest summer festival takes place in the South Olympic Park. More than 50 restaurants and cafes, 200 souvenir shops take part in it, the festival includes theater and music programs, and performances by world artists. It attracts about 900,000 spectators, and most of the events are free. The festival is positioned as an environmental forum and tries to connect the culture of music, theater, cabaret and art with environmental consciousness.

June 29-July 1 – Oberlindenhock, Freiburg. Traditional street festival with live music, cooking shows and wine tastings.

July 5-9 – Classic Open Air, Berlin. This festival is over 25 years old and orchestras, vocalists and musicians perform in the open air. Not only classical music is performed, but also world-class pop music by such artists as Sting, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams and others.

July 5-10 – Wine Festival, Freiburg. Numerous wineries in the region present their products at numerous stands; in addition to wine, you can also enjoy the gastronomic masterpieces of authentic Baden cuisine.

July 6-22 – Kiliani Volksfest, Wurzburg. This is a noisy folk art festival, it offers numerous attractions, beer tents, fireworks, and fun entertainment programs. The event attracts up to 1 million visitors annually.

Photo: The Headhoops, flickr.com

July 13-15 – Melt Festival, Greichenfeinichen. One of the largest open-air electronic music and indie rock festivals, held since 1997.

July 21 – Kölner Lichter, Cologne. The grand summer music and fireworks festival “Cologne Lights” on the banks of the Rhine River. World-class musicians perform music of all genres, you can ride on more than 60 boats on the river and watch fireworks being launched from the water. A total of up to 6 tons of fireworks are released into the air.

July 22 – Klassik Open Air, Nuremberg. It is the largest outdoor classical music festival on the European continent. It is visited by more than 160,000 guests annually, the concerts are free, organized by the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra and the city department of culture. The festival program combines exquisite and popular pieces for classical arrangements of cinematic music, as well as a fireworks show.

July 20-August 5 – Sommerwerft, Frankfurt. This is a colorful street festival on the banks of the Main River, a real celebration of theater, music, poetry, dance, cinema and other arts. Here you can feel the amazing contrast between freedom and standards, as well as between tradition and modernity.

July 26-30 – Schlossbergfest, Freiburg. Popular music festival on the Schlossberg hill. A romantic and beautiful place for dancing, relaxing and music of different genres - rock, pop, jazz, folk, Latin, electronic and modern. The program also includes a special samba and salsa show. There is a children's playground, you can stroll in the decorated chestnut garden on the shore of the reservoir, enjoy fireworks and culinary delights.

August 4 – Klassik Open Air, Nuremberg. This is the second part of the festival of free classical concerts and fireworks in Luitpoldhain Park, the first taking place at the end of July.

August 15 – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Bavaria and Saarland. In Germany, this day is usually called the Ascension of Mary, people gather in Catholic churches and bring with them 7 different herbs, symbolizing the number of wounds of the Virgin Mary. In cities, church processions and chants are held, the walls of houses are decorated with bouquets of herbs, and they are also thrown into open fires.

August 15-19 – Village Wine Festival, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. At the festival, cafes and restaurants, together with wine companies, offer a wide range of wines and snacks. The festival features more than 70 types of wine and delicious delicacies. Guests are entertained by animation and a varied musical program - from folk music to chanson, jazz, Latin and rock and roll.

September 21-October 14 – Oktoberfest, Berlin. Perhaps the most famous German festival in the world, with a large tent city, a brass band, traditional Bavarian dishes, and most importantly - freshly brewed beer! The festival features gastronomic stands, carousels and attractions, interesting events for adults and children, darts and breakdancing competitions. Entrance to the festival is free.

September 22-October 7 – Oktoberfest, Munich. This is exactly the Oktoberfest that everyone has heard about. It takes place in the city's central square, where there are about 30 beer tents, huge, beautifully decorated tents that can accommodate several thousand people. Each tent belongs to one of the 6 main breweries in the city, which are allowed to bottle their beer at Oktoberfest. Every year more than 6 million people come to the holiday and drink about 6 million liters of beer.

September 27-October 6 – Film Festival, Hamburg. International film festival, the third largest in Germany after Berlin and Munich. National and international feature films and documentaries are shown in 10 permanent and several changing sections, in a variety of genres - art house, innovative cinema, films by young directors alternate with films by world-famous directors.

September 28-October 14 – Cannstatter Volksfest (Oktoberfest in Stuttgart). Beer festival, beloved by all Germans, is held in the same format as other beer festivals. The event also includes children's entertainment shows, attractions, fairs and, of course, beer tents.

September 28 - October 14 – Berlin Leutchtet, Berlin. This is an incredibly spectacular festival of lights for which Berlin's streets, buildings, landmarks and main squares are decorated by lighting designers to create light shows, projections, video art and light art installations.

October 2-15 – wine harvest festival, Neustadt am Weinstrasse. For the celebration, a special wine village is created, where various events take place - a popular procession with fireworks, entertainment for every taste, wine tasting, attractions, musical performances, and much more. More than 100,000 spectators visit the festival every year.

October 3 – German Unity Day. A national holiday that has been celebrated since 1990. This is the only German public holiday established at the federal level; all other holidays are regulated by the states.

October 10-14 – Book Fair, Frankfurt. This international fair has a tradition of over 500 years. The book fair awards the German Book Prize, the World Prize for the German Book Trade, the German Youth Literature Prize and many other industry awards. For this purpose, 7 presentation forums have been opened in different halls, with up to 300,000 people participating annually.

October 19-November 4 – Halloween at Frankenstein's Castle, near Darmstadt. The holiday has been celebrated in the castle for 40 years. This is a place where nightmares become reality, so convincing are the various stage shows and quests in the dark corners and dungeons of the castle. Lunch at the castle is closely intertwined with theatrical performances; here you will definitely meet Count Dracula, Jack the Ripper and Frankenstein. There is also an adapted children's program.

November 23-December 31 – Tollwood Winter Festival, Munich. The history of the festival dates back to 1988; in winter it attracts up to 600 thousand spectators. For 30,000 sq.m. The territory hosts various entertainment events, this is a festival of ecological gastronomy, music, various forms of theater, performances and performances of the visual genre, theatrical and art productions take place here.

December 25 – Christmas. Many shops and cultural institutions offer Christmas discounts; on this day it is customary to meet with friends and family, give gifts and have fun.

December 26 – Boxing Day. On this day, it is customary to share food and give gifts to the poor and sick; this tradition has been preserved for many centuries and the Germans greatly honor it.

Germany is a country where punctuality, scrupulousness and order are valued above all else. It is not surprising that German holidays are events whose preparation is taken with extreme responsibility. However, the celebrations are just as fun as in any other country in the world. So, what dates are of particular importance to residents of the state?

German holidays: Oktoberfest in Munich

For more than two centuries, Oktoberfest has been celebrated annually in Munich, with which no one in the world can compare in terms of popularity. Like many other German holidays, this event lasts several days. It is traditionally held in the first ten days of October. According to statistics, the celebration annually attracts over 6 million connoisseurs of good beer, who flock to Munich from all over the world.

The venue for the celebration is Theresa's Meadow, located in the heart of Munich. 14 huge tents are being erected here, each of which has space for ten thousand people, as well as 15 small tents, the capacity of which can accommodate approximately a thousand people. When listing other German holidays, one cannot remember a more lively event than this one. Waitresses scurry around the tents, serving beer to guests; legendary pork sausages are also offered. Of course, the organizers of the event do not forget about the music.

in Stuttgart

Volksfest is the name of the famous harvest festival that takes place every year in Stuttgart. The event starts on September 23rd and lasts until October 9th, competing with the Munich festival. It’s hard to imagine German holidays without beer tasting; the drink is also offered in Stuttgart. However, the festival differs in that it provides a wide range of entertainment for the whole family. While parents pay tribute to Bavarian sausages and beer, children have fun riding on the rides.

The Volksfest festival is extremely important for Germans; these days the tradition is to thank God for an excellent harvest. Special church services are held. The festive procession looks very colorful and large-scale; thousands of residents and guests of the city follow the parade. Hundreds of magicians and artists perform at the fair, and music is heard everywhere.

German Unity Day

When listing German holidays and traditions associated with them, one cannot fail to mention German Unity Day. The celebration is dedicated to the unification of the country, which ended in 1990. The date of the event has remained unchanged since then - October 3, the holiday is official, celebrated in all corners of the state.

In terms of scale, this event can hardly be compared, for example, with the American one. There is no military parade, but residents of the country are happy to take part in mass celebrations and watch free concerts. Of course, the celebration ends with fireworks. Parliamentary meetings are also traditionally held on this day.

St. Martin's Day

When naming the most famous German holidays and the customs associated with them, one cannot forget St. Martin's Day. Many German residents mention this celebration as one of their favorites; it takes place on November 11th. There is even a beautiful legend relating to this event, the main character of which is a Roman legionnaire who rescued people from trouble.

St. Martin's Day is adored not only by adults, but also by children. Children run through the streets, lighting their path with lanterns and singing songs. At this time, their parents are preparing a festive dinner. An obligatory guest at the festive table is considered to be without whom it is impossible to imagine this event. Interestingly, St. Martin's Day is respected in other countries: Austria, Switzerland.

Love Parade

The Germans are not at all as prim as it seems to residents of other countries. Original German holidays can serve as proof of this. Let’s say that a Love Parade is held annually in the country, and the event is scheduled for July 19th. In honor of the celebration, women dress in revealing outfits, and music plays everywhere.

Of course, the Love Parade does not take place without the foamy drink loved by almost all residents of the state, which literally flows like a river. Thousands of people join the festive procession; professional DJs are responsible for the musical accompaniment of the ceremony.

Official celebrations

Easter is an event that cannot be forgotten when listing German holidays and weekends associated with them. The religious celebration, which lasts three days, has its own symbol - colored eggs, and the inhabitants of the country traditionally attend Sunday services. Then adults and children congratulate relatives and friends, everyone exchanges gifts and songs.

Germans begin to prepare for the New Year and Christmas about a month in advance. People are starting to work in all corners of the state. The appearance of the streets is changing, and they are filled with colored lanterns, ribbons, and garlands. Celebrating the New Year is traditionally accompanied by dancing and singing, and it is not complete without fireworks.

Other German holidays are also worthy of attention. In May, residents of the country celebrate Workers' Solidarity Day; the celebration is traditionally held on the first day of the month. The rallies involve thousands of people armed with banners and flags. Of course, songs are sung.

Religious holidays

Religious celebrations cannot be ignored when listing German holidays. The calendar shows that most of them fall in November. For example, the first day of this month, considered the day of saints and dead, is important for Germans. Traditions say on November 1 to remember people who have left this world, to visit the graves of friends and relatives, and to decorate them with flowers.

An important part of the holiday is the church service, during which the orchestra plays mourning music. After the completion of the service, the clergyman sprinkles the burials with holy water.

Festival of Lights

This event does not have a history going back centuries like many other German holidays, as it was first held in 2005. However, the Berlin Festival of Lights caught the fancy of the Germans, forever becoming one of the favorite celebrations of German residents. Famous architectural monuments, including the Chancellor's Residence, the Bergamon Museum, the Berlin Cathedral and others, become light installations for two whole weeks. City streets sparkle thanks to countless lanterns and floodlights.

Book Fair

The Frankfurt Book Fair is an event that every book lover considers it his duty to attend. It is held in October, and publishing houses from many countries around the world (about a hundred) participate in the festival. It is interesting that this holiday has been celebrated for over 500 years, but its popularity remains unchanged.

Any country has its own calendar of unique and interesting holidays that are not typical of other countries. Sometimes the names of the celebrations coincide, but the traditions and customs of their implementation do not coincide. Germany also has a lot of exciting and interesting events, which you should definitely know about if you want to visit the country. Each month has its own celebrations, the analogues of which cannot be found anywhere, for example:

September is famous for such a celebration as Oktoberfest;
In December, Christmas markets are held throughout the country;
In February, a unique Carnival (Fasching) is held;
The Berlin International Festival invites everyone in February;
If you have plans to come to the country in June, then you should definitely visit Kiel Week.

Each of the events noted is unique and requires special attention, so it is worth considering them more carefully.

With the exception of ski resorts, this month there is a lull in tourism, and the country's residents are basically left to their own devices. During this period, when the days are cold and short, it is best to simply get acquainted with the sights, visit museums and churches.

Neuschwanstein Castle in winter, Bavaria, Germany (Photo above © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)

Mountain Madness (Berg Wahnsinn)

But, as noted, even in January there are a lot of people coming to the ski resorts, of which there are a lot. Those who prefer active recreation should definitely grab their skis and go on an exciting journey along the mountain slopes, ranging from luxurious options (Garmisch-Partenkirchen) to tranquil family-type resorts (Bavarian Forest). Regardless of the level of preparation, everyone will be able to find a route according to their abilities.

February

The German carnival, of course, cannot be compared with the celebration in Rio, but it is no less hot here. The ski resorts are simply crowded during this period, as there are school holidays around. Therefore, if you want to visit them, you should take care of booking accommodation in advance.

Filmfestival in Berlin

The event, which is held in February in Berlin, is considered one of the most prestigious film festivals in Europe. This is a unique two weeks for the country, during which the brightest and most successful representatives of cinema walk along the red carpet, from beginning stars to seasoned directors and film critics.

Carnival (Fasching)

The celebration of this event falls on the eve of Lent. People try to spend these days as much fun as possible, so throughout the country costumed performances and processions are organized right on the streets of cities and villages. The largest celebrations are held in Mainz, Rhine, Cologne and Düsseldorf. But to watch unique events with special traditions, it is better to go to the Black Forest or Munich.

March

Spring has arrived and the days are gradually getting longer and longer. The smell of spring is already in the air. Even the menus at coastal restaurants are showing a hint of spring, as fresh herring begins to appear and food prepared with wild garlic (Barlauch) becomes incredibly tasty and, naturally, popular.

Neighborhood of Brandenburg, Germany (Photo above © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)

April

Celebrating Easter in Germany is a magical sacrament that cannot be avoided even by those who have not believed in Easter bunnies for a long time. Spring is already appearing in all its glory, because its real personification appears - the flowering of white asparagus. Residents go crazy for this plant.

Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgisnacht)

Special attention should be paid to the pagan celebration - the witches festival, which is held on April 30 in the villages of Harz. This is a real spring revival for this area, as both adults and youth dress up as witches and wizards and take to the streets to sing and dance in the festive sacrament.

Walpurgisnacht in Germany (Photo above © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)

Maifest

April 30 also marks the end of winter, which is celebrated on this day. An important tradition of this event is the cutting of the maypole (Maibaun). Then it is carefully painted, covered with carvings and various decorations. After this, the real party begins with baking, dancing and delicious treats.

May

The warmest and most welcoming month of spring, when in every courtyard and street cafe you can already hear the clinking of glasses and cheerful conversations. Beer houses are especially busy at this time. It is during this period that a huge number of holidays are celebrated in Germany, which for Germans become real mini-vacations, which naturally leads to a large number of traffic jams.

Dresden at night, Germany (Photo above © pxhere.com / CC0 Public Domain License)

Carnival of Cultures

It is in May that a huge number of Berlin residents celebrate the cultural and ethnic diversity of parties and exotic foods. The holidays are celebrated with a lot of dancing, magnificently dressed dancers, DJs, and musicians with colorful performances. This whole public is constantly scurrying around the streets of the city, attracting everyone's attention.

Labor Day (Tag der Arbeit)

The Germans made Labor Day a national holiday in their country, which is celebrated almost throughout Germany. Many countries organize ceremonial marches in support of workers' rights. And in Berlin, recently, only a large street fair has begun to be held on this day.

Mother's Day (Muttertag)

On the second Sunday in May, mothers are celebrated throughout Germany. On the eve of this holiday, florists, greeting card companies and confectioners have very busy days, whose products are sold out in huge quantities. If you want to celebrate a holiday in some restaurant, then you should take care of booking a table in advance.

Festival "Wave-Gotik-Treffen"

This festival has rightfully received the title of the most massive Goth festival, which is held in Leipzig. During this period, which also celebrates Trinity/Pentecost, the city is painted in somber dark colors, as thousands of representatives of the Gothic movement gather here.

June

As summer approaches, the pace and frequency of festivals in Germany increases. During this period, gourmets can rejoice at the appearance of a large assortment of fresh products on the market. As the day of the solar equinox approaches, the intensity of holidays and celebrations increases in the northern part of the country.

Father's Day (Vatertag)

Many people call this holiday Father's Day, and most call it Men's Day (Mannertag) and is celebrated in the first month of summer. In fact, this day becomes a good excuse for men for their wives to have a good drink in the company of friends. The celebration of Men's Day always coincides with the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord.

African Festival (Afrikanische Festival)

Würzburg hosts the largest festival of African culture and music in terms of scale and significance (www.africafestival.org). It stands out for its unique concerts and fairs, which attract more than 100 thousand people.

Kiel Week (Kieler Woche)

Every year a huge number of tourists gather on the Baltic Sea coast, because at this time the city of Kiel hosts a unique sailing festival in the world, which is distinguished by the presence of hundreds of sailing ships, parades of various ships, historical ships, as well as great and unbridled fun.

Christopher Street Day

A unique festival where a huge number of homosexuals gather, even more than at other gay pride parades in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne. But despite your sexual beliefs and orientation, it is still worth visiting such a festivities, because a huge number of interesting events are held here.

July

With the onset of summer, the hottest time for tourists and residents begins, as this is the period of vacations and trips, because schoolchildren are already on vacation. But it is worth remembering that at this time, regardless of the chosen vacation spot, you should take care of booking a hotel or other accommodation options. The Baltic and Mediterranean seas are already completely ready to accept everyone who wants to swim.

Samba Festival

In July, Coburg invites everyone to a revelry of songs and dances, because about 100 different groups gather here, and the number of performers on stage is more than three thousand from a dozen countries. The number of spectators sometimes exceeds 20 thousand.

Music Festival of Schleswing-Holstein (Musikfestival Shclezvig-Holstein)

Another vibrant German event, which takes place from July to August in many northern states. Castles, churches and farms offer unique and very interesting concerts to everyone.

August

August is considered the hottest month for Germany, but the sultry heat gradually subsides after thunderstorms in the afternoon. This is a wonderful season for forest lovers – Pfifferlinge. At this time, many go for fresh berries and chanterelles, some look for them in the forests themselves, while others go to the market to buy the treasured delicacy.

Festival of Shooters (Festival Sportschutzer)

Most German men prefer to spend their leisure time visiting shooting clubs to demonstrate their marksmanship skills at the shooting festival, which is held in August. The oldest is held in Düsseldorf, and the largest is in Hannover.

Wine Festival (Weinfest)

August is also significant for the Germans with the ripening of grapes. When the grapes are ripe and full of juice, the festival period begins. This is a huge number of tastings, processions, costumed performances, fireworks. Among the largest events of this kind, Durkheimer Wurstmarkt (www.duerkheimer-wurstmarkt.de) should be highlighted.

Kinderzehe

A unique 10-day German children's festival (www.kinderzeche.de) held in Dinkelbühl, through which the Romantic Road runs. The festival is unique not only for the holding of a huge number of children's events, performances and competitions, but also for the participation of children in the restoration of historical monuments.

Festival of Opera Music of Richard Wagner (Festival der Opernmusik von Richard Wagner)

Even the most elite of the German upper classes come to the small town of Bayreuth to listen to the epic works of operatic nature created by Wagner. All concerts are held in a specially built hall. Not every resident can get here, but some still manage to get the coveted tickets.

September

This month is quite attractive not only for residents, but also for tourists. On such days it is not too hot, but also quite sunny. Despite the fact that the tourist season in Germany is coming to an end, life is in full swing thanks to a huge number of wine festivals. By the end of the month, nature is renewed, the trees shimmer with a riot of colors.

Berlin Marathon

Since 1977, in September, a running marathon has been held on the streets of the capital, in which everyone takes part, and their number sometimes exceeds 50 thousand runners. During this event, about 9 world records were set during its existence.

Harvest Festival (Erntefest)

In provincial towns and large villages, colorful celebrations are held to celebrate the harvest. Festive processions (Erntedankzug) are organized with dressing up in national costumes.

Oktoberfest

A unique festival organized for all beer lovers in Munich (www.oktoberfest.de).

October

Autumn is in full swing, as evidenced by a significant reduction in day length, as well as regular cold snaps and heavy rains. It is during this period that the season of trade fairs is in full swing, where you can buy a lot at attractive prices. The largest events are held in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg and other large cities. This month there is a significant reduction in the work of travel agencies, museums and attractions, some of them are closed during the winter.

Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse)

Frankfurt hosts the largest book fair, which brings together more than 7,300 bibliophiles from 100 countries.

November

At its core, November in Germany is considered a very dreary month; residents try not to leave their cozy, warm homes without any extra reason. But there are also advantages to this calm, because in popular tourist places there are no long queues or crowds of people. It is also worth noting that in November there are a huge number of theater and opera performances. But when visiting such events, you should bring warm clothes, umbrellas or raincoats.

St. Martin's Day (Der Tag des Heiligen Martin)

On November 10-11, a unique festival is held, which is dedicated to the modest and generous Saint Martin, who lived in the 4th century. A festive procession with torches marches through the entire city, and the townspeople act out famous scenes from the life of a great man, for example, when St. Martin cut his coat to give half of it to a poor man. The festivities are accompanied by a luxurious feast, which certainly includes roast goose.

December

Thanks to the four weeks of Advent, winter evenings and days become brighter and lighter. During this time, Christmas markets are held throughout the country, all streets and houses are decorated with colorful lights, homemade Christmas cookies are baked and Advent-specific events are held. Ski resorts at this time are already completely covered with snow.

St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaustag)

This unique night from December 5 to 6 is the most awaited for children. They leave their shoes outside the door in the hope that St. Nicholas will fill them with gifts and sweets. And those who behaved badly all year and did not listen to their parents, instead of gifts, may find branches in their shoes, which are left by St. Nicholas' assistant Knecht Ruprecht.

Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt)

German Christmas markets always attract visitors with huge amounts of fragrant gingerbread, mulled wine and shimmering decorations. These are all integral attributes of the Christmas holidays, which begin on December 24th. The Christmas markets in Nuremberg are the most popular and famous.

Saint Sylvester's Day (Tag Des Heiligen Sylvester)

In Germany, New Year's Eve is called St. Sylvester's Day. The Pope, in whose honor the celebration is held, lived back in the 4th century. Thanks to his efforts, Christianity was adopted as the official religion in the country. The New Year is celebrated throughout the country with the launch of a huge number of fireworks, which are launched not only by professionals during the holidays, but also by amateur pyromaniacs.

Watch a video about Christmas in Germany at the link below:

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