Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | Are you curious about festivals in Germany? Germany is truly the land of festivals. The festival year kicks off in earnest in the spring, while summer offers major music festivals and autumn continues with Oktoberfest and wine festivals, before the year ends with Christmas markets. Here you will find tips for all of this year's German festivals, regardless of whether you prefer classical music, hard rock, crafts, beer or just a nice atmosphere.
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Plenty of festivals in Germany
Germany knows how to throw a party. If it's not carnival, it's Easter, asparagus or rock concerts. No matter what time of year you visit, there's a great party to enjoy.
Carnival
The German Carnival is a colourful celebration with carnival trains, imaginative costumes and a heavily celebration. The festivities actually last for a long time, but the peak falls in February or March, depending on when Easter falls. You can experience the celebration in many places, including in the Rhineland and in southern Germany.
For a real party atmosphere, you can go to Cologne, Düsseldorf, Aachen and Mainz. Baden-Württemberg celebrates in traditional costumes with very special wooden masks, as you can see in the picture.
Venetian carnival
Another variation on carnival, which seems really cool, is the Venetian carnival held in Ludwigsburg in southern Germany. Held in September every other year, this festival is full of costumes, acrobats, fire artists, music, dance and theater.
Easter celebrations
There are plenty of German festivals focusing on Easter and spring, in several parts of the country. Here are some tips for festivals or markets with crafts, flowers and perhaps music or other entertainment.
HUSUM CROCUS FESTIVAL
At the end of March, Husum organises a festival in honour of the crocus flower, including a craft and flower market.
- When? In March
- Read more: Husum Tourism
- Parking space for motorhomes: Loof's Wohnmobilhafen, at Dookkoogstrasse 7, Husum
Egg art market in Benediktbeuern
In the monastery in Benediktbeuern in southern Germany, the egg art market "Ova Burana artistica" is organized, with various Easter crafts.
- When? Every year, about two weeks before Easter
- Read more: Easter international
EASTER MARKET IN WARNEMUENDE
An Easter market is organized in Warnemünde, which offers both craft stalls and carousels for the children.
- When? Around Easter
- Parking space for motorhomes: Stellplatz Millelmole, Am Bahnhof
”"OSTERMÜNDE" IN TRAVEMÜNDE
”"Ostermünde" is a German festival held in Travemünde, with Easter bonfires, an Easter egg parade and an Easter egg hunt.
- When? During the Easter weekend
- Parking space for motorhomes: Fishing harbour New Travemünde Landstrasse 304, Travemünde.
Asparagus festivals
If you haven't had enough after all the Easter and spring festivals, you can look up one of All of Germany's asparagus festivals, which takes place from April to June. For example, visit the Beelitzer Spargelfest in Beelitz, the first weekend in June.
Oktoberfest in Munich
Oktoberfest in Munich is perhaps the party of parties in Germany, with colorful parades, concerts with brass bands, funfairs and beer tents where the atmosphere is at its best. The party is held every year during September and October.
Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Nuremberg
Do you like rock? Then you shouldn't miss the twin festivals Rock am Ring and Rock im Park. The festivals are arranged in parallel, Rock am Ring at the Nürburgring and Rock im Park in Nuremberg, and take place in early June each year.”
South Side/Hurricane Festival in Scheessel/Neuhausen ob Eck
The Hurricane and Southside are two large and popular outdoor festivals. The festivals always bring together great artists and are held annually in Scheessel and Neuhausen ob Eck, in the month of June.
Wacken festival
Wacken is a very popular festival for all those who like hard rock. The festival started as a small local festival in 1990 and has since grown to attract around 100,000 people every year. It is now so popular that tickets can sell out early. The festival is arranged in late July/early August.
Beethoven Festival in Bonn
If you prefer classical music, you can set your sights on the Beethovenfest in Bonn – a festival held during September and early October every year.
”"Rhine in Flames"”
”Rhine in flames”, or Rhine in Flames as it is in Swedish, is a fireworks event. The event takes place on several dates between May and September.
Autumn wine festivals
During October and November, in connection with the harvest, lots of events are organized. German wine festivals around the country. Expect wine, food and wine queens!
Christmas markets
Last but not least, Germany is a country full of wonderful Christmas markets. During December you will find popular Christmas markets in many places, for example Christmas market in Nuremberg and Christmas markets in Lübeck, Dresden and Hamburg. Read more about Christmas celebration in Germany here.
Top image in post: Carnival © DZT Greg Snell
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English (UK) 
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Lena i Wales says:
What has changed with festivals and celebrations in Sweden, we are starting to catch up with what has long been a tradition in Germany, for example, where people have always wanted to have fun and make sure to organise a party or festival. I have always liked that mentality.
Has been to a number of carnivals in Holland and Germany.
Have seen Rhein in Flammen, fantastic.
Take care!
22 January 2020 - 9:21
Helena says:
Do you think we're getting better at this kind of thing in Sweden? We think it's a bit bad with things like this ... In Germany there seems to be a festival all the time 😉 We've also ended up at a carnival in Belgium once. Glad you saw Rhein in the flame! 🙂
22 January 2020 - 17:26
Solan says:
Oh yes, we're driving home via Germany for Easter. The only thing we focus on is asparagus. We buy it directly from the grower, no festival hassle at all!
? So not a festival fan, but what great info for the more dedicated.
With location tips. Thumbs up!?
22 January 2020 - 10:38
Helena says:
But asparagus is not "just" that, asparagus is good 🙂 .
22 January 2020 - 17:27
BP says:
The funny thing about many of Germany's festivals is that they have been around for hundreds of years, such as the carnival. And the "basic rules" seem to still exist today. Have visited the carnival trains in Cologne and Düsseldorf. Great fun and very lavish.
Having lived in Munich for 6 years, I have of course visited the Oktoberfest as well. Yes, there have also been a few wine festivals in the Mosel Valley.
I would really like to see the Rhine in flames irl. Looks incredibly cool.
22 January 2020 - 20:12
Helena says:
Glad you experienced the festival trains in Cologne and Düsseldorf! I heard a story about the carnival in Cologne on FB, and it sounded absolutely crazy, haha, must probably go there at some point! 🙂
23 January 2020 - 7:20
Lena - gott för själen says:
Oh my goodness! I knew that festivals were popular in Germany, but I had no idea that much!
Hug Lena
23 January 2020 - 6:01
Helena says:
Same here, some things I was aware of before but not everything. It almost feels like a "festival year", like there is always a festival going on 😉.
23 January 2020 - 7:21
Maggan och Ingemar says:
Fun with festivals. I thought it was mostly in the autumn. Now we must take and plan. ?
23 January 2020 - 16:23
Helena says:
There seem to be festivals often in Germany 🙂 but many in spring actually!
23 January 2020 - 22:33