Germany is one of the largest countries in Europe, so there is a number of great times to visit; therefore, it is best to do your research thoroughly before booking a flight. A couple of the most popular cities in Germany that you should not miss are Hamburg (a port city), Berlin (the capital city of Germany), Cologne, Munich (the capital city of Bavaria), and Frankfurt. Whilst summer is the most touristic and crowded period of time during the year throughout Germany, there are many other ideal occasions you should not miss to experience genuine German culture with locals. Mark on your 2016 travel calendars these festivals and celebrations in Germany.
Christmas throughout Germany
If you are a big fan of snow and Santa Claus, visit Germany during December. During the four weeks prior to Christmas Eve, all of Germany will be glowing with lights and decorations around the Christmas markets. The largest Christmas markets in Germany usually take place in Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Dresden, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Bremen, Stuttgart, and Munich.
New Year’s Eve celebrations in Berlin
The largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany take place in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. The celebration at midnight at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin is a multicultural party with more than a million people at various open-air and indoor parties. In the Bavarian capital, some mandatory stops are the most famous beer gardens (Augustiner or Hofbräuhaus), and Marienplatz - the most important central square in Munich. In Frankfurt, Nightlife and party lovers celebrate in Sachsenhausen, or at Römerberg square where there is the 250-meter tall Main Tower.
Carnival in Köln/Cologne
Cologne Carnival, in the beginning of February, takes place over the whole week with numerous locals, immigrants, and tourists dressing up for masked balls in fancy, colourful costumes to gather and celebrate the crazy season. The most important dates of the Cologne carnival during February 2016 are the Women’s carnival Day on the 4th, Rose Monday on the 8th, and Ash Wednesday on the 10th. On these days, the streets are alive and overflowing with crazy parties.
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Oktoberfest in Munich
Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival and traveling funfair that is held every year. It draws over 6 million people from around the world to come together to celebrate in Munich (Bavaria, Germany). During the 16 days between mid or late September and the first Sunday of October, people put on their best Bavarian traditional outfits, drink beer by the litre, eat traditional Bavarian food, and listen to live bands playing traditional Bavarian music while singing and dancing all day and night.
Oktoberfest 2016 begins on the 17th of September with the arrival of the tent patrons in a parade of the tent owners and breweries throughout Munich. After the Munich mayor taps the first Oktoberfest beer barrel in the Schottenhamel Tent, the Oktoberfest celebration continues with a series of performances and concerts until the 2nd of October.
Oktoberfest is also celebrated throughout Germany (especially in Berlin and Hannover), and other countries around the world.
Berlin Tour Guide
Matti Geyer
I was born in Berlin the year before the wall fell and thus had the fortune and privilege to grow up in a city that was growing up itself. In 2008, I decided to turn my passion for this amazing city into a career by becoming a tour guide. Both my parents lived in East Germany: My dad became a teacher, until refusal to join the Communist party ended his career, whilst my mom worked as a tour guide for tourists from the Soviet Union. In a way, I am following in her footsteps, although our tours would be incredibly different. For instance, my mom failed her first test tour, when she didn’t refer to the Berlin Wall by its official East German propaganda term ‘antifascist protection barrier.’On my tours, I am always happy to share personal family stories about what it was like growing up in such an exciting and ever-changing city. I have a Bachelor’s degree in English and History from the University of Potsdam and a Master’s degree in European Studies from the Viadrina Frankfurt/Oder.When I’m not guiding, I work as a journalist at one of Berlin’s biggest radio stations or spend time with my wife and son. I have also lived in New York City and in Brussels, where I worked at the Goethe-Institut and the European Parliament, respectively. I speak fluent English with hardly any accent. I am a member of the Berlin Guides Association. I am looking forward to showing you around this amazing city – on and off the beaten track – and to sharing its fascinating anecdotes, stories, and secrets! I am also a big fan of Potsdam, and am always happy to take people there as well!
Tours by Matti
Berlin Tour Guide
Asaf Leshem
My name is Asaf and I am a professional tour guide. I hold a Ph.D. in Dark Tourism and interpretation of history. In Berlin I guide tours on such topics as the Cold War, the Third Reich, Berlin's Jewish Heritage, Berlin and Brandenburg's Prussian History, and more. I also guide in Potsdam, and I am certified to guide in the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen. I am also an enthusiastic runner and cyclist. For repeating visitors, looking for unique experiences outside the city, I guide special cycling tours in Brandenburg's northern lake district, and in the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve.
Tours by Asaf
Berlin Tour Guide
Tina
Born and raised in Australia, I studied psychology at the University of Queensland but had always loved reading modern history books. I came to Berlin for a nerdy history vacation in 2017, fell in love with the city and decided to make it home. I offer tours of Berlin and its surrounds which are rich with history and packed with energy. I don’t just show my guests Berlin's sights; I also explain the history behind them in an accessible and engaging way and help my guests to connect with the city’s spirit and uncover its real soul. Not sure what to do in Berlin? In addition to my Tips on Trip101, you can find lots of ideas on my Instagram. Every Thursday I post a highlight Story called "Tina's Tips" where I suggest events in Berlin for the coming week, like comedy, live music, gallery tours, dance parties etc.
Tours by Tina
Summer with various festivals
The highest travel season in Germany falls between May and September. This time of the year is filled with festivals and concerts all around Germany. The most important parties during this time of the year are: the Meistertrunk show in Rothenburg (medieval costumes and Biergarten parties on May 13-16), the Carnival of Cultures in Berlin (May 22-25), and the Stadtteilfest Bunte Republik Neustadt (counter-cultural block party on June 17-19).
If you are a fan of theatre and concerts, come to Sommerwerft-Frankfurt (theatre and arts festival) in late July; Bardentreffen Nürnberg (world music festival) on July 29-31, or Klassik Open Air in Nürnberg (a series of free classical concerts and fireworks in Luitpoldhain park) in late July.
August and September is the time for German alcohol lovers with the International Beer Festival in Berlin on August 5-7, the Weindorf Beer Festival in Cochem on August 25-29, the Rheingau Wine Festival in Frankfurt on August 31-September 9, and Oktoberfest.
History
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