SHARE
COPY LINK
For members

EVENTS

Eight unmissable events in Germany in January 2023

Think the month after Christmas is all doom and gloom? Think again. These eight events happening in Germany this January are bound to banish the winter blues.

Balloons over Tegernsee
Balloons fly over the Tegernsee Valley at the Montgolfiade Balloon Festival. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Tegernseer Tal Tourismus GmbH | Stefan Schiefer

It’s cold, it’s wet and the joy of Christmas is behind us, so it be can tempting to stay home and hibernate in January. But before you draw the curtains and wrap yourself up in a big blanket, check out a few of these events happening around Germany this January.

Who knows? They may even tempt you out of the house…

January 1st – 15th: Christmas Gardens 

If you’re not quite ready for Christmas to be over, why not gather family and friends and head to one of the magical Christmas Gardens around the country? From Berlin to Stuttgart and Dresden to Cologne, parks and botanical garden across the country are lit up with dazzling lights and imaginative installations.

To get the best experience, head there after dark and enjoy a hot chocolate or cup of Glühwein as you soak up the sights of the winter wonderland. You can find details of all the Christmas Gardens around the country and how to buy tickets here

Christmas Garden in Baden-Württemberg.

A fox made out of lights at a Christmas Garden in Baden-Württemberg. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Felix Kästle

January 5th – 21st: Tanztage 2023, Berlin

This cult festival of contemporary dance is returning to Berlin for the 32nd time, showcasing the best up and coming talent on the dance scene. This year, the performances will explore our sensory overwhelm in the modern world and consider how we can adapt to the rhythm of today’s high-speed, social media-driven reality.

Each of the ten performances will be accompanied by seminars or workshops that will build on the themes explored in the work. Visit the Tanztage website for more information and to book tickets.

January 6th: Epiphany 

After the 12 days of Christmas comes the feast of Epiphany or Dreikönigsfest – the Festival of the Three Kings. On this date, three lucky German states – Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt – also have a bank holiday. 

If you’re in a Catholic state, you may see ‘Star Singers’ go door to door collecting money for charity, and traditionally the Chancellor also gets a visit from these tuneful youngsters, who are usually dressed up as the three kings. 

Even if you’re not in one of the regions where you get to put your feet up on the 6th, there are often plenty of evening concerts happening on this date, so keep an eye out for something in your area. 

READ ALSO: Three Kings’ Day: What you should know about Germany’s public holiday in three states

January 16th – February 1st: Pop Freaks Festival, Stuttgart 

After a two-year Covid hiatus, Pop Freaks festival is returning to the Merlin cultural centre in Stuttgart for six days of groundbreaking music from the German-speaking world. More than just a pop event, Pop Freaks Festival showcases bands and artists from across the spectrum of genres, with a mixture of music-industry veterans and up-and-coming acts. This year, the line-up includes Kratzen, Tristan Brusch and Wildes, among others. You can find more details and a full line-up here

READ ALSO: Five ways to make the most of Germany this winter

January 20th – 23rd: Nachtiville Festival, Wangels, Schleswig-Holstein

If you’ve been missing summer beach parties this winter, make sure you head to Nachtiville, an electronic music festival held on Weissenhäuser Strand on the Baltic coast. As you might imagine, shivering on a beach all night wouldn’t be too fun in January, so you’ll be relieved to know the festival is primarily indoors.

This year around 4,000 electronic music fans are expected to turn up, and Ben UFO, DJ Stingray, und Helena Hauff are confirmed in the line-up. 

Weißenhäuser Strand Germany

Weißenhäuer Strand, where Nachtiville Festival is held. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Christian Charisius

January 23rd – 29th: Film Festival Max Ophüls Preis, Saarbrücken

Berlinale may not be on until February, but film buffs can still get their fix at the Film Festival Max Ophüls Preis (MOP) in Saarbrücken. Over six days, a total of 127 films will be presented in 225 screenings in the seven festival cinemas in Saarbrücken and other parts of Saarland. Of these, more than 50 will be competing for top prizes in the categories of feature film, documentary, medium-length film, and short film.

You can find more information on the festival and the competitors for this year here on the MOP website

READ ALSO: Surviving winter: 8 tips for enjoying the cold like a true German

January 27th – February 5th:  CTM Festival, Berlin

If you’re itching to go to a January event that couldn’t be more Berlin if it tried, the CTM Festival could be exactly what you’re looking for. This contemporary art and music festival is focusing on the theme of “Portals” this year and will explore how music and sound can be a gateway to alternative realities. Organisers say there’ll be a strong focus on South Asian electronic music this year, as well as collaborations between African and German artists via the Afropollination project. The festival is also teaming up with KW Institute of Contemporary Art on a multimedia performance that will bridge the worlds of music and visual art. 

For more information and to book tickets, visit the CMT Festival website.

January 29th – February 5th:  Montgolfiade Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Tegernsee, Bavaria

It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque setting for a balloon festival than Tegernsee, a sprawling lake in Bavaria surrounded by Alpine views. This year, visitors can once again pack a picnic hamper, wrap up warm, and admire an endless array of colourful balloons as they soar over Lake Tegernsee. And for those who prefer higher altitudes, 2023 marks the first year where people will be able to book balloon rides themselves and enjoy the view from above. 

Depending on the weather conditions, balloons will be taking off daily from 9am from various launch sites in the Tegernsee Valley. You can find more information and book your balloon ride here

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

EVENTS

Six fascinating events to dive into spring in Germany

Forsythia flowers are in full bloom and April is loaded with events to celebrate the warmer weather and sunshine to come. Here are some of our top picks.

Six fascinating events to dive into spring in Germany

Spring Festivals across Germany 

Starting around Easter weekend, Germany’s myriad spring festivals bring bright colours and beer-fueled revelry to cities around the country. 

Spring festivals come by many names in Germany – there’s the clearly named Frühlingsfest (spring fest) such as in Munich, or the Volksfest (people’s festival) like in Nuremberg, and then there are uniquely named local variations like Frankfurt’s Dippemess. But they all offer carnival rides, abundant food and drink, and an opportunity to see how German’s let loose – think Oktoberfest, but with a palpable spring theme.

This year both Dippemass in Frankfurt and Volksfest in Nuremberg begin in late March and continue until April 14th.

Munich’s Frühlingsfest will run from April 19th to May 5th. Stuttgart’s spring festival is on from April 20th to May 12th.

Readers in the north of the country may want to try Hamburg’s DOM running until April 21st this year.

Cherry blossom gazing

Delicate white and pink blossoms that appear only for a couple weeks in April, cherry blossoms are both a symbol of spring and object of fascination around the world, from the furthest reaches of East Asia to right here in Germany.

The early onset of warmer temperatures in Germany this year is causing cherry trees to bloom earlier than usual, but there should still be some blossoms on the trees during the previously scheduled cherry blossom festivals that take place in many German cities.

READ ALSO: Seven signs that spring has arrived in Germany

The city of Bonn’s old town, with its cherry tree covered streets, has become the go to spot for blossom gazing and photography in Germany. Early to mid-April tends to be the best time to visit, and this year the blossom-adorned streets will be closed to cars for three weekends starting from April 13th.

But if you don’t live close to Bonn you can find several locations around Germany where cherry blossoms are in full bloom here.

cherry blossoms Bonn

Tourists stroll under blossoming cherry trees in Bonn’s old town. In the narrow streets of the old town, blossoming trees form a pink canopy in April. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Thomas Banneyer

Music festivals begin

While the majority of Germany’s bigger music festivals are held in summer, there are quite a few in spring – with a few noteworthy music fests even happening in the coming month.

For fans of metal music, the 19th iteration of Ragnarök Festival will be held at Stadthalle Lichtenfels on April 4th to the 6th this year.

For something a little softer, Polimagie Festival in Dresden features indie, rock and pop artists from Germany, the UK, and Europe – from April 17th to 21st.

Alternatively, jazz and big band lovers are encouraged to check out the fourth Jazz Festival of the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. Several concerts will take place from the 17th to 22nd. Single tickets are around €20, and are found here.

International Women’s Film Fest in Dortmund and Cologne: April 16th to 21st

Germany’s largest forum for women in the film industry, the “Frauen Film Festaims to “strengthen the influence of women in all trades of the cinema industry: first and foremost directors, but also cinematographers, producers, screenwriters, composers, actors and more.”

It’s also an opportunity to see one of 95 films from 40 countries. Choose from screenings of short film collections or feature length films from debuting including those entered in the International Debut Feature Film Competition.

There are also workshops and discussions that allow attendees to meet some of the women behind the films.

Find more information here.

Gallery Weekend Berlin – April 26th to 28th

Since 2005, Berlin galleries have presented exhibitions by emerging and established artists during this three day event. 

The last gallery weekend included performances, screenings, sound pieces, readings, and installations. This year 55 galleries spread across Berlin’s central neighbourhoods will participate.

According to the event organisers, a handful of exciting new galleries will join the event this year including: Galerie Molitor, Noah Klink Galerie, Schiefe Zähne, Sweetwater and Heidi.

More information can be found at Gallery Weekend Berlin’s website.

witches stare each other down

On Walpurgis Nacht, people in witch and devil costumes storm the town hall in Wernigerode. The traditional Walpurgis festival is celebrated throughout the Harz Mountains. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Matthias Bein
 

Walpurgis Nacht

The origins of Walpurgis Night date back 1,000 years to pagan traditions in Germany, and is celebrated on the night of April 30th each year. 

St. Walpurgis was honoured with a feast day on May 1st, and people gathered to dance the night before. It’s also considered to be the time when witches gather. The name “Walpurgis Nacht” was popularised by Goethe’s Faust in 1808.

Smaller villages in some regions in Germany, like the Harz mountains, celebrate Walpurgis Nacht with festivals. Bad Grund, for example, hosts festivities including open air theatre and dancing. 

Walpurgis related celebrations can also be found in Germany’s bigger cities, such as Peaceful Walpurgis Night which is hosted in Berlin’s Mauerpark each year.

READ ALSO: Are you ready for Walpurgisnacht, Germany’s night of witches?

SHOW COMMENTS