Eight unmissable events happening in Germany in March 2025

Local Germany

01-03-2025

For most people in Germany, the winter can be a bit of an endurance test. Desperately seeking a bit of warmth, you may take out a season ticket at your local sauna - or you may simply decide to hibernate until spring returns once more.
But though the winter may seem long, March is the month when Germany takes a massive leap towards summer. The days get longer faster, the clocks go forward, and buds and flowers start to add colour to the landscape of grey.
All of this makes March the perfect time to get out and about and rediscover your social side. Luckily, there are plenty of great events happening to help you do just that.
March 3rd: Rose Monday Carnival Parades, Cologne & Düsseldorf
No roundup of March events would be complete without mentioning Germany's vibrant carnival season, which bundles together a string of parades and raucous street parties in the week leading up run-up to Ash Wednesday.
Though celebrations are held in several regions of Germany, the best-known carnivals undoubtedly take place in the Rhineland. On Rose Monday, or Rosenmontag, elaborate floats are paraded through the city centres of Düsseldorf and Cologne, cheered on by revellers in colourful costumes.
Women gather by Cologne cathedral for carnival celebrations. Photo: picture alliance / Oliver Berg/dpa | Oliver Berg
Music, performances and other festivities often kick off first thing in the morning, and parties run until late at night at pubs and other venues throughout the city.
Though International Women's Day falls on a weekend this year - meaning most Berliners won't get the day off work - there's still plenty going on to mark the occasion.
At the Deutsches Theater, for example, the Frauen*kampftag offers a full-day programme of events completely free of charge, starting with a boxing workshop lead by featherweight champion Nina Meinke and ending with an interactive clown show titled 'Don't Be Scared' and a party with local Berlin DJs.
Mosques around the city will also open their doors to women to gather together for a breaking of the Ramadan fast at sundown (6:03pm), while a purple-themed feminist cycle demo will ride through the city from Mariannenplatz from midday.
In addition, feminist and queer films will be shown as part of the Final Girls Fim Festival at City Kino Wedding from March 5th to 9th.
March 14th - April 6th: Strong Beer Festival, Munich
One for the beer lovers, Munich's Starkbierfest or 'Strong Beer Festival' has been celebrated by breweries in the Bavarian capital since the 15th century. And the annual event comes back to the city on March 14th.
For three weeks, beer halls and breweries throughout Munich will be packed with stronger varieties of beer - both in terms of alcohol and nutritional content. The tradition goes back to a time when monks brewed strong, nourishing beers to help them survive the weeks of fasting during Lent.
But just to be extra careful, make sure you enjoy some filling German food alongside your Maß.
March 17th: St. Patrick's Day, Nationwide
According to the latest statistics, around 35,000 Irish citizens live in Germany - but what the community lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in energy.
Each year on St. Patrick's Day - which celebrates the patron saint of Ireland - you can expect to see Irish pubs around Germany decked out in a sea of bright green, with traditional folk or pop music blaring.
Irish bagpipe players take part in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Munich. Photo: picture alliance / Andreas Gebert/dpa | Andreas Gebert
Whether Irish or not, anyone up for a big of 'craic' (hilarious banter) and a few drinks (or more than a few) will be welcomed with good humour at these watering holes, so head on down to your nearest bar to celebrate.
In Munich, a vibrant array of Irish characters - from leprechauns to medieval maidens and rugby players - will take part in a parade on Sunday, March 16th, kicking off a two-day open air festival in honour of Irish culture.
March 21st - April 21st: Hamburger Frühlingsdom, Hamburg
If you're itching for the start of spring festival season, be sure to head up to Hamburg from March 21st for the Frühlingsdom. From trying out a host of funfair attractions to grabbing German favourites like Pommes (fries), Bratwurst and crêpes, this spring event is sure to keep the whole family entertained.
The Dom dates back to 1337 when local Hamburg merchants and others were allowed to take shelter in St Mary's Cathedral. It is now held three times a year, including in summer and winter. The event takes place in the Heiligengeistfeld in St. Pauli.
March 29th & 30th: Street Food Festival, Frankfurt
On its tour of German cities, the Street Food Festival is set to arrive in Frankfurt this March, with two days of fresh flavours and mouthwatering aromas filling the halls of Klassikstadt.
With an entry fee of just 4 euros, you can find a stunning array of regional and international cuisine on offer, showcasing the best of Frankfurt's vibrant culinary scene. From Korean bibimbap to Venezuelan arepas, the festival is a great chance to branch out and try new things, as well as indulge in luxurious cocktails and craft beers.
If you're worried about running out of room to sample the delectable dishes on offer, never fear: the festival is open each day from midday to 10pm, giving you plenty of time to build up an appetite once again after gorgeing on a hearty lunch.
March 27th - 30th: Leipzig Book Fair, Leipzig
Germany's Frankfurt Book Fair may be the country's most well-known, but a close runner-up takes place every March in the eastern German city of Leipzig.
A children's book on display at the Leipzig Book Fair in March. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Hendrik Schmidt
The Buchmesse, which dates back to 1632, features not only a diverse line-up of local titles but also those in several languages from authors all over the world. This year there is a focus on literature from Norway, with the slogan 'Spring Dreams' reflecting themes of renewal and inspiration.
This year the fair is being held in conjunction with Manga-Comic-Con and 'Leipzig liest' reading festival.
March 31st - April 4th: Hannover Messe, Lower Saxony
When it comes to exploring the future of tech and innovation, no event quite tops the Hannover Messe.
As the world's leading trade fair for industrial technology, the Messe showcases cutting-edge innovations in automation, robotics, energy solutions, and digitalisation.
Each year, major tech brands descend on the capital of Lower Saxony to showcase groundbreaking products and ideas, offering a first glimpse in the technologies of the future.
For professionals, there will once again be a packed roster of networking events and a conference schedule featuring industry-leading speakers.