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Local Germany
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Local Germany
11 unmissable events happening around Germany in May 2025
With its blissful, sunny days and numerous public holidays , May can often feel like the unofficial start of summer in Germany: Beer garden season begins, the long daylight hours can bring renewed energy to your social circle, and a spate of spring festivals are fully underway. If the dazzling blue skies are making you itch to get out and about - or even escape to a different part of the country - here are some of the biggest and best events to know about. May 1st: May Day, throughout Germany To ensure we all start the month feeling rested, May is due to kick off with a nationwide public holiday. In Germany, May 1st marks both Maitag (May Day) and Tag der Arbeit (Labour Day), combining charming folk traditions on the one hand with rowdy demonstrations for better workers' rights. In Berlin's Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district, you can expect to see people setting up sound systems in local parks and drinking in the streets, or heading to day parties at legendary nightclubs like About Blank and Berghain. However, there are also numerous political marches and demos , such as the "Mach dich stark mit uns!" demo set up by the union DGB, and the Antifa-led "Revolutionäre 1. Mai" . Elsewhere in the country, you can find street parties and open stages, as well as public demonstrations in honour of the labour movement. If traditional festivals are more your thing, look out for local May Day celebrations in your area, including the age-old custom of dancing around the maypole. READ ALSO: Germany's most bizarre May 1st traditions May 2nd - 11th: Liberation of Europe Week , Berlin In the lead up to Victory in Europe Day on May 8th, and for a few days afterwards, the German capital is hosting numerous events commemorating the Second World War and its victims. This year, more than 100 such events are happening around the city, including exhibitions, guided tours, film screenings and theatre productions. Advertisement At the opening of the memorial week on May 2nd, composer Marc Sinan will present the world premier of his oratorio 'Befreiung' (Liberation) at the Akademie der Künste on Pariser Platz. The famous square next to the Brandenburg Gate will also host an open-air exhibition exploring for the full week with the title: '...finally peace?', exploring themes of war and liberation. On May 8th, the German capital will celebrate a special public holiday in honour of Victory in Europe Day, marking the 80th anniversary since Nazi Germany was defeated by the allied forces. May 3rd: Rhine in Flames festival, Bonn Every year between May and September, villages, castles and hills along the Middle Rhine Valley light up overnight in five dazzling firework displays. The first takes place this year on May 3rd in Bonn, and it's bound to be a spectacle to remember. To admire the valley bathed in a sea of light and colour, it's best to arrive early and select a prime spot near the river or in Bonn's historical Old Town. For a truly unforgettable experience, you can book a boat trip to gaze at the fireworks while cruising along the river with a glass of wine in hand. Onlookers watch the Rhine in Flames fireworks from the Niederwald Memorial in Rüdesheim, Hesse. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Andreas Arnold May 8th: Mushroom Church , Berlin If you've never heard of mushroom music, you're probably not the only one - but fungi-loving composer Tarun Nayar has made it his life's work. Under his artist name Modern Biology, Nayar has gone viral online with his other-worldly soundscapes, which he bases on the bioelectric changes in mushrooms and plants. In the atmospheric setting of Berlin's Passionkirche , Nayar is set to take audiences on a journey of sensory and intellectual discovery this May, presenting his ambient music alongside poetry, colourful projections and a short scientific talk. Whether you become a devoted fan of the fungal arts or not, this promises to be a fascinating and memorable foray into the floral kingdom. READ ALSO: How to maximise your public holidays like a German this May May 9th to 11th: Hafengeburtstag , Hamburg For almost half a century, Hamburg has been celebrating its beloved port with a joyous celebration known as the Hafengeburtstag (Harbour Birthday), and this year, the harbour is turning 836. Over the years, the event has grown into the largest port festival in the entire world, celebrating the sea, the Hanseatic city, and its rich maritime past. Advertisement Over a long weekend from Friday to Sunday, visitors to Hamburg can admire elegant parades on the harbour, featuring historic tall ships and imposing naval vessels, as well as luxury cruise liners. Along the Elbe River, you can enjoy a packed roster of live music stages and food markets, as well as plenty of family-friendly attractions, exhibitions and tours of the grandest sailing ships. On Saturday evening, the harbour will also be lit up in a majestic firework display. May 11th to 18th: International Dixieland Festival , Dresden Europe's oldest and largest Dixieland jazz festival takes place each year in Dresden, making the Saxon capital something of a mecca for music fans. This year, 350 artists from around the world will be performing in open-air concerts and riverboat parties, as well as in concert halls and theatres around the city. The undoubted highlight, however, is the bombastic Dixieland Parade on Saturday, which kicks off at the Carola Bridge and weaves along the river into the Old Town. Musicians take part in the annual Dixieland festival parade in Dresden Old Town. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Schäfer May 16th - 17th: Die Blaue Nacht , Nuremberg It may seem like an unusual concept, but over the years, die Blaue Nacht (Blue Night) has become a cult event in Nuremberg. Every year, the scenic Franconian city sees its Old Town bathed in blue light, creating a surreal nocturnal atmosphere. On the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, this year's Blaue Nacht will be themed "Love and Peace" - a motif inspired by the colourful hippie era with its advocacy of global peace and harmony. Advertisement Celebrating the best of Nuremberg's rich cultural life, around 50 museums, galleries, church and theatres are set to stay open late on Saturday night with special performances and exhibitions. These include the KunstKulturQuartier and the reopened Künstlerhaus, as well as the the City Archive, the Kunstbunker, the Kreis-Galerie and the Deutsches Museum. Ten art installations from the Blaue Nacht art competition will be on display for two days starting on Friday. May 17th - 24th: Green Sauce Festival , Frankfurt For a full week in May, the Hessian capital will be embarking on a vibrant celebration of its most iconic culinary creation: Frankfurter Grüne Soße . This tangy green sauce is a source of pride for Frankfurt residents, and tends to accompany all manner of dishes, from Schnitzel to beef brisket. During the Green Sauce Festival, local restaurants and chefs will be competing to see who produces the most delectable herbal concoction. Each night, 650 guests will gather in the Hausener Brotfabrik to sample seven delicious sauces, served with traditional eggs and potatoes as well as a variety of local beers, ciders and apple wines. READ ALSO: 9 incredible foods you have to try while visiting Frankfurt At the end of each evening, guests will vote for their favourite, with the top seven facing off against each other in a grand finale on May 24th. Along with the best of regional cuisine, the sampling of the sauces will take place in a lively atmosphere, complete with local musicians, magicians and other family-friendly entertainment. Advertisement May 17th - June 14th: Dresden Music Festival , Dresden For nearly five decades, the Dresden Music Festival has brought world-class classical, jazz, and world music to one of Germany's most historic cities. Under the theme of "Horizons", this year's event is set to be bigger and more diverse than ever, drawing renowned orchestras, soloists, and ensembles from across the globe to perform in multiple venues throughout the cities, from the cavernous Frauenkirche to intimate baroque salons. A musician from the Dresden Music Festival orchestra practises his clarinet before a workshop concert at the Palais im Großen Garten in Dresden. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Oliver Killig Highlights this year include the thrilling and unpredictable 'music festival meets circus theatre' evening at the Circus Tent on the Elbufer, where circus performers enter into a unique artistic dialogue with world-class jazz and classical musicians, as well as a children's adaption of Richard Wagner's The Ring Cycle and the exhilarating open-air event, 'Dresden sings and makes music' on the Brühlische Terasse. May 28th - June 9th: Weindorf Wine Festival , Würzburg It may be a small city, but over the years the annual 'Weindorf' festival in Würzburg has developed a big reputation. From late May to early June, residents set up their 'wine village' in the historic market square next to the Marienkapelle to celebrate the best local foods and the rich wine-growing culture in Upper Franconia. Around 100,000 visitors flock to Würzburg each year for the festival, so it's worth booking a table in advance at one of the seating areas hosted by local restauranteurs and hoteliers. This year, around 100 Franconian wines are available from 30 different vineyards, with more than 100 regional dishes to sample alongside them. READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Germany in May 2025 Advertisement May 29th: Ascension Day, throughout Germany Germany is set to have another public holiday at the end of May, capping off a month of incredible events. Ascension Day - or Christihimmelfahrt in Germany - is a Christian celebration marking Jesus' ascension to heaven, and churches around the country will be holding special services. In a rather different tradition, May 29th also happens to be Vatertag (or Father's Day): a wild occasion when men take to the streets lugging carts of beer and see who can get the drunkest throughout the day. For most people, however, it is simply another free day off work - and, if you're savvy enough, the chance to book off a Brückentag on Friday the 30th and enjoy a four-day weekend. READ ALSO: Why Germans get wholly wasted on Ascension Day
Local Germany
28-04-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
What's open and closed on May 1st in Germany
May 1st is a nationwide public holiday with traditions dating back well over a century - in German its commonly called Tag der Arbeit (or Labour Day in English). Interestingly, the historical labour strikes and protests that led to the designation of the date as Labour day actually started in the United States in 1886. But in the 130 years since then, Labour Day as its celebrated on May 1st has been largely forgotten in the US, whereas the tradition lives on in Germany and around 65 other countries internationally. May 1st is one of just nine national public holidays that is celebrated in every federal state in Germany - so no matter where you live in the country, you should expect that most shops will be closed on Thursday. Here's an overview of what's open and what's closed during the May 1st holiday. EXPLAINED: Why is May 1st significant in Germany? Shops Supermarkets and most independent shops will be closed closed for Tag der Arbeit. As always in Germany, there are certain supermarkets (typically found only in central train stations) that are legally allowed to remain open on Sundays and holidays. So if you know of a grocery store in your local Hauptbahnhof where you like to shop on Sundays it may also be open on May 1st, but do check the store's hours before heading out, as holiday hours may vary. A report by Focus Online rounded up the supermarkets that will be open in Germany's major cities on May 1st, which you can find here . You may also find the odd exception in the form of a local corner store such a Spätkauf or Kiosk , but generally speaking, you'll be better off assuming that nothing will be open and doing your shopping for Thursday ahead of time. REVEALED: Where to buy groceries on a Sunday in Berlin Advertisement Bars, restaurants and cafés Very often hospitality businesses, especially those in popular tourist areas or big cities, will want to stay open to cater to the May 1st crowds. However, others may have owners or staff that would rather have the day off themselves. In short, if you're out and about in a bigger city for the holiday, you shouldn't have much trouble finding something to eat or a place to have a drink, but you'll want to check in advance if you have plans to meet friends at a particular place. People sitting in a beer garden at the Seehaus am Kleinhesseloher See in the English Garden in Munich. Photo: picture alliance / Andreas Gebert/dpa | Andreas Gebert Tourist attractions and leisure activities Leisure centres, museums and other major tourist attractions also often close on May 1st, while some may maintain holiday hours. But honestly, if you're visiting Germany at this time, May 1st brings a great opportunity to experience contemporary German culture first-hand by diving into a wide range of parties and/or demonstrations on the streets. In a major city, you likely won't need to venture far before you stumble upon a political demonstration, a spring-time festival or a similar holiday events. But if you'd rather plan your day out here are some event lists to get you started in Berlin , Hamburg , Frankfurt and Munich . Offices, banks and schools Almost all offices close on May 1st, as do banks and public administration offices. If May 1st falls on a Thursday, as it does this year, some offices (and many workers) may decide to 'bridge' the holiday and remain closed Friday as well. Schools also close and, once again, some schools may decide to give their pupils (and teachers) the Friday off too. READ ALSO: 'Bridge days' - How to maximise your public holidays like a German this May Advertisement Public transport & emergency services Public transport runs as usual on holidays including May 1st, but be aware that many cities have a holiday timetable with reduced services. Most doctors' and dentists' practices will be closed on May 1st, so if you do have a non-urgent medical procedure scheduled for May 1st, you may want to check ahead that the appointment was not made in error. But emergency services will of course function normally, with hospitals remaining open. If you have a non-emergency medical issue on Labour Day, you can dial 116 117 or try this website for a directory for local medical offices near you. In an emergency, call 112 for the fire brigade or ambulance or 110 for the police. Most pharmacies will be closed, so make sure you have enough medication ahead of the public holiday. Alternatively, a list of emergency pharmacies is found at .
