Kirmes
July 15-24, Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf’s biggest funfair offers various attractions on the Oberkassel Rhine meadows, which is transformed into a magic world of high-tech fairground rides and nostalgic carousels, welcoming more than four million attendees annually. Its highlight is the grand fireworks display over the shimmering Rhine waters, exploding around 10.30pm. Celebrated on the occasion of the Memorial Day (July 23) of Saint Apollinaris since 1435, a historic procession and a target shooting competition are major parts of the fair.
Groesstekirmesamrhein.de
Rock Am Ring
June 3-5, Nuremberg
Germany’s premier rock festival is held on the Nürburgring racetrack. It draws over 80,000 people moshing to more than 80 international acts. Rock im Park (Rock in the Park), its twin event, is held over the same weekend. Launched in 1985, the events feature similar line-ups, and together create the country’s largest music festival.
Rock-am-ring.com
Art Cologne
April 14-17, Cologne
At the world’s oldest art fair for modern and contemporary art, leading international galleries showcase a curated range of top-quality artworks at the Cologne Exhibition Centre. Dating back to 1967, the fair features several sectors and art from diverse movements. Also visit the nearby museums and galleries around the Rhineland to explore special exhibitions.
Artcologne.com
Carnival of Cultures
May 13-16, Berlin
Berlin celebrates its cultural diversity at the Karneval der Kulturen at Blücherplatz in Kreuzberg. Its grand finale is the street parade on Pentecost Sunday where dancers, musicians and artists perform and about a million people from around the world partake. About 300 market stalls attract visitors with culinary temptations, arts, crafts and more. Since 1996, the carnival has been open to all forms of cultural expression and the parade turns the street into Berlin’s largest stage, questioning everyday life and politics.
Karneval-berlin.de
Oktoberfest
September 17-October 3, Munich
From tapping the first keg to big brass concerts, the annual Oktoberfest hosts several major events, including a traditional costume parade. Called the world’s largest Volksfest (people’s fair), about six million visitors come to party the Bavarian way at the Theresienwiese festival grounds, although the event is also celebrated much further afield. With October 3 a national holiday, the 2016 edition will be 17 days long with loads of food, drinks and merrymaking.
Oktoberfest.de
Kiel Week
June 18-26, Kiel
Featuring more than 2,000 yachts, ships, dinghies and surfboards, Kieler Woche or Kiel Week is a huge open-air music festival with an accompanying children’s cultural celebration. The world’s largest sailing event as well as the largest summer festival in northern Europe, it began as a one-day regatta about 133 years ago. Today, it is a week-long event where the who’s who of sailing participate and 300 plus musical acts perform.
Kieler-woche.de
Freimarkt Fair
October 14-30, Bremen
About 1,000 years old and one of Europe’s earliest festivals, the Freimarkt Fair transforms Bremen into a huge outdoor stage where everyone has something to show or sell and all are indulged in the non-stop entertainment. Enjoy the roller coaster and amusement parks, eateries, parades, concerts and parties from morning to night. Started by Emperor Conrad II in 1035, the collective madness for 17 days in Bürgerweide and the marketplace attracts more than four million visitors.
Freimarkt.de
