Watch Germany Upcoming Popular festivals Guide 2023 & 2024

Germany is known for its vibrant culture and festivals. Every year, the country celebrates a variety of popular festivals that are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. From Oktoberfest to Karneval, these festivals provide an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the unique culture of Germany.

From beer-filled celebrations to carnivals full of music, dancing, and costumes - Germany's upcoming popular festivals offer something for everyone. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural diversity - there is no better place than Germany to experience the joys of these upcoming popular festivals.

Upcoming Popular festivals

There are many popular festivals in Germany throughout the year, including:

Karneval (also known as Fasching or Fastnacht): This festival takes place in February or March and is particularly popular in the western and southwestern regions of Germany. It features parades, costumes, and parties.

Oktoberfest: This famous festival is held in Munich in September and October and is known for its beer, traditional food, and folk music.

Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market): These markets are held in towns and cities across Germany in the weeks leading up to Christmas. They feature vendors selling handmade gifts, food, and mulled wine.

Berlin Festival of Lights: This festival is held in October, during which many of the city's landmarks and buildings are illuminated with colorful lights and laser shows.

Nuremberg Christmas Market: is the oldest Christmas market in Germany, dating back to the Middle Ages. The market is held annually in the heart of the city's Old Town and features more than 180 stalls selling gifts, crafts, and festive food.

Hanover Schützenfest: Is the largest marksmen's festival in the world, which takes place every year in Hanover. The festival features parades, live music, and a large fairground.

These are a few examples and the list is not exhaustive, there are many more festivals and fairs that take place throughout the year, depending on the region and city you're visiting.

Karneval Music festival

Karneval, also known as Fasching or Fastnacht, is not primarily a music festival, but rather a festival of costumes, parades, and parties. It takes place in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday and is particularly popular in the western and southwestern regions of Germany, such as Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Mainz.

During the Karneval, people dress up in costumes, attend parades and parties, and sing traditional Karneval songs. These songs, known as "Karneval hits" or "Karneval musik," are typically upbeat and catchy, and often feature lyrics that poke fun at current events or social issues. The music is mostly brass band music and Schlager music which is a genre of German pop music.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich, Germany, that typically takes place over a two-week period in September and October. It is one of the most famous festivals in the world and is known for its beer, traditional food, and folk music.

The festival began in 1810 as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Today, Oktoberfest is celebrated by millions of people from around the world who come to Munich to experience the festival's mix of German culture, food, and beer.

The festival is held at the Theresienwiese, a large open field in the heart of Munich, where large beer tents are set up by different breweries. Visitors can sample different types of beer, eat traditional German food such as sausages, roasted chicken, and pretzels, and enjoy live music and folk dancing. The festival also features carnival rides and games, and traditional costumes are worn by many attendees.

Oktoberfest is famous for its beer, which is brewed in large steins and is brewed by the liter. The beer served at Oktoberfest is brewed by the breweries that are located in the region of Munich, following the "Reinheitsgebot" (German Beer Purity Law) which specifies that beer can only be brewed using water, barley, and hops.

While Oktoberfest is a great time to experience German culture, it can also be quite crowded and expensive, and it's important to plan ahead and book accommodations early if you plan to attend.

Weihnachtsmarkt

Weihnachtsmarkt, also known as Christmas markets, are a traditional German holiday event that takes place in towns and cities across Germany in the weeks leading up to Christmas. They feature vendors selling a variety of handmade gifts, crafts, food, and drink, with a festive atmosphere of Christmas lights and decorations.

The markets typically have a variety of wooden stalls and booths, decorated with twinkling lights, where vendors sell everything from hand-crafted ornaments and gifts, to traditional German Christmas foods such as gingerbread cookies, candied fruits and mulled wine (Gluhwein). Many Christmas markets also feature live music and entertainment, and some have an ice-skating rink, a Christmas tree, and a nativity scene.

Some of the most famous Christmas markets in Germany include:

Nuremberg Christmas Market: is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany, dating back to the Middle Ages. The market is held annually in the heart of the city's Old Town and features more than 180 stalls selling gifts, crafts, and festive food.

Berlin Christmas markets: Berlin has several Christmas markets that are famous for their variety and atmosphere, including the Christmas market at Spandau Citadel, the Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace, and the Christmas market at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Munich Christmas markets: Munich is home to several popular Christmas markets, including the Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz and the Christmas market at the famous Hofbräuhaus brewery.

Weihnachtsmarkt is a great way to experience the German Christmas traditions, it's also a great opportunity to purchase unique Christmas gifts, and enjoy traditional German food and drinks while surrounded by the festive atmosphere.

Berlin Festival of Lights

The Berlin Festival of Lights is an annual festival that takes place in October, during which many of the city's landmarks and buildings are illuminated with colorful lights and laser shows. The festival has been held every year since 2005 and is one of the largest light festivals in Europe.

During the festival, many of Berlin's famous landmarks and buildings, such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Cathedral, and the TV Tower are illuminated with colorful lights, projections, and laser shows. Visitors can take guided tours or walk through the city on their own to see the light displays.

The festival also features live music, performances, and other events, such as a light parade, to add to the festive atmosphere. Many of the buildings and landmarks that are illuminated during the festival are open to the public, so visitors can also go inside to see the light displays and exhibitions.

The Berlin Festival of Lights is a great opportunity to see the city in a different light and experience the beauty of Berlin's architecture in a new way. The festival is free to attend and is a great way to experience the city's culture, art and history.

It's also a great time to visit the city as the weather is usually mild and the days are shorter, so the light displays are best viewed in the evening. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and book accommodations early