Big events and festivals in Germany

Who is studying a lot should take a rest from time to time as well. As a student from abroad you have the great chance to go to exciting events and to plan your free time in a totally different way than in your country of origin. We can provide you with some excellent tips – irrespective of where you are going to study, which personal preferences and interests and how much free time you have. Go get your calendar to make sure you will not miss any of the recommendations mentioned below:

Where? In almost every area of Germany.

This is a huge recommendation for all those who love to go to open-air-festivals or music-festivals: Every year there are plenty of different types of music-festivals in every part of Germany with famous musicians from all over the world. Whether you prefer smooth sounds of Jazz, Reggae, Indie or you are more into pop music, rock, hip-hop or electro and techno – there will definitely be a festival that fits your very special taste of music and therefore will guarantee you a weekend full of fun and good music. Most of the festivals are in summer and often last from three up to four days. If you are up to a relaxed music weekend with your friends – check your calendar, buy tickets, get your camping equipment and spend your holidays on a music festival. Just in case you need a few tips which specific open-air-festivals take place in Germany annually, there are a few recommendations of German festivals below:

Rock am Ring (Nürburgring/Eifel), Splash (Gräfenhainichen/Ferropolis), Melt! (Gräfenhainichen/Ferropolis), Summerjam (Cologne/Fühlinger See), Juicy Beats (Dortmund/Westfalenpark), Lollapalooza (Berlin), MS Dockville (Hamburg), Hurricane (Scheeßel), Deichbrand (Seeflughafen Cuxhaven/Nordholz), Wacken (Wacken), Sonne Mond Sterne (Saalburg-Ebersdorf), Fusion (Lärz/See Müritz), Parookaville (Weeze) and a lot more.

Where? In every bigger city.

Who is interested in arts, culture and music, but prefers enjoying it in a calmer atmosphere should go to a musical, theatre or opera nearby. In Germany you can visit many famous musicals, like Disney’s musical Tarzan, The Lion King, Dance of the Vampires, Mamma Mia or Starlight Express. For people who are more into classical music, an evening in an opera in one of the main cities (Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Frankfurt and Co.) where they offer popular classical music would be the perfect idea.

Where? Biggest film festival: Berlinale in Berlin.

Are you interested in films and would like to be one of those who have the privilege to watch the newest, highly recommended films that just came out? In case you could find yourself in these lines you cannot miss the film festival in Berlin (short form: Berlinale) that takes place every year. Besides the film festival of Cannes and Venice are considered as one of the main and most important film festivals worldwide. The Berlinale consists of the presentation of more than 400 movies of all kinds of genres which will be honored by a professional jury afterwards with the famous golden or silver bear award. If you are interested to follow this recommendation and go to Berlinale (takes place every year in February), look up the available tickets soon enough. 

If you are not able to go to the film festival in Berlin but still would like to visit a similar event, there are some alternatives: For example you could go to the short film festival in Oberhausen or the popular film festival in Munich. Moreover there are plenty of smaller film festivals that present movies of a specific genre, for example: The international women film festival which consists of the merge of the “Feminale” film festival of Cologne and the “femme totale” film festival of Dortmund.

Where? In almost every city, the biggest carnival party: Cologne.

The biggest carnival party annually takes place in Cologne. Thousands of people go to some of the biggest cities of Germany just to celebrate this special “fifth season” of the year which is also called “Fasching” in Germany. Wearing colorful costumes, people go on the streets to have a good time together, watching the impressive self-made wagons and going to party afterwards in one of the many pubs and clubs in the city. If you are also interested in being a part of this huge event just make sure being able to speak a few typical carnival vocabulary: “Helau” and “Alaaf” are obligatory for everyone who is a real carnival-fan and therefore kind of necessary to learn before going to Cologne.

Where? In Munich.

Everyone should know this event or at least should have heard about it: The famous "Oktoberfest" that takes place every single year in Munich in the south of Germany. D’Wiesn (as it is called as well) is the biggest folk festival all over the world and therefore very popular amongst tourists. It is located at the so called Theresienwiese and as a guest you can find many lodges to celebrate in with good friends, some beer and music as well as you can find lots of roller coasters, merry-go-rounds and other attractions at the festival. Having in mind that this event exists since 1810, it is a very old and famous tradition of German culture. Every year millions of people (2017: 6.2 millions) travel to Munich to celebrate the Octoberfest. So, go get your own Dirndl or leather pants (quite affordable items are available online or just borrow one from your German friends) and get a train ticket to make a short trip to Munich during the season. For those of you who like to be spontaneous: At the moment the "Oktoberfest" 2018 in Munich takes place. You can still go there until October, 7.

Little tip for all those who are not able to go to "Oktoberfest": There exist many smaller alternatives in many regions of Germany. In case you cannot make it to Munich, you can still celebrate a smaller "Oktoberfest" in another city. For example, you could join the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart, which is also a very big and popular event.

Where? In every region in Germany.

After I have already mentioned some of the biggest and most popular folk festivals like Oktoberfest, Cannstatter Wasen or “Schützenfest” in Germany I would like to present a few smaller folk festivals of Germany that are also worth visiting. In almost every region in Germany, you can find smaller folk festivals that are a long lasting tradition of the country. Some of them only proceed in a very specific area or city while others exist in different parts of Germany simultaneously and in the same way. A few of those events would be the “Freimarkt” of Bremen, the “Libori Kirmes” in Paderborn, the “Send Kirmes” in Münster and the biggest “Kirmes” at the rhine taking place in Düsseldorf. Besides these events, there exist some events that are not necessarily folk festivals but traditional events the region is famous for and that are highly visited by people. One of the most popular events to mention in this context is “Kölner Lichter” (Lights of Cologne), a huge event that proceeds each summer. It offers a huge range of different music performances and at the end of the day the event finds its perfect finale with a great firework-show directly at the riverside of the rhine that flows through the city. Depending on where you study just inform yourself which special events your city offers or which events you could visit nearby.

Where? In almost every small and big city in Germany.

If you study in Germany during the winter season you should not miss to go to one of those famous Christmas- or Christkindl markets in almost every city in Germany. For many Germans this market is a highlight of the cold season. Get your coat and scarf, take your friends , drink one or two cups of hot “Glühwein” (mulled wine) or hot chocolate, eat a bunch of delicious Christmas cookies and enjoy to stroll around together at the Christmas market that is created with lovely decoration, small cute lodges, music and a heartwarming-atmosphere. Typical German Christmas markets open at the first Advent of every year and last until Christmas evening or in some cases even until January. In some of the cities where Christmas markets take place you can also find a few little shops and sometimes even an ice rink for ice skating!

Of course, the list of festivals and bigger events taking place in Germany is too long to mention everything. Especially because of the wide range of different tastes and interests it is difficult to bring up every event, but at least this text gives you an impression of which kinds of bigger and traditional events are offered in this country. For people from abroad these events should be interesting to keep in mind and to get an insight in German culture and how Germans celebrate in general. You can also go to parties at your university, private events and more. Maybe this text could inspire you a little and perhaps you even marked some days in your calendar after reading these lines. I am certain about at least one thing: You will have a great time anyway!