Famous Festivals to Experience When Visiting Germany

I believed I am very lucky to witness and experience some of the most famous and fabulous festivals in Germany. If you have the chance to visit Germany, don't miss the events and festivals that you might only experience once in your lifetime.

Chinese Carnival in Dietfurt, Bavaria. taken during our visit last March 2011.

Carnival in Germany

Carnival, also called the “Fifth Season” in Germany, is a festival celebrated throughout the many regions of Germany. Each region’s celebrations are unique to the area. Carneval begins six days prior to the fasting period of the Lenten season which begins with Ash Wednesday. This time is used to celebrate with feasting, parades and floats, dancing in the streets and costume balls. The most popular parade is the televised Rose Monday Parade in Cologne.

The Carnival in Cologne, Mainz and Düsseldorf are among the famous ones in Germany.

inside one of the beer tents in Oktoberfest in Munich. taken last September 2010.

Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is an enormous two week beer festival held in Munich, Germany. Starting in late September until the first Sunday in October, this world famous celebration offers amusement rides, parades with brass bands and delicious Bavarian cuisine. Beer tents are everywhere! Oktoberfest is a colorful and exciting extravaganza. Last 2010 marked the 200th anniversary of its beginning. This popular German tradition annually hosts over 6 million visitors worldwide on the more than 100 acres Theresienwiese. All ages enjoy Oktoberfest!

International Film Festival in Berlin

International film lovers flock to Berlin every year for the International Film Festival. Over 400 films, with many premiers, from around the world are highlighted during the Berlin International Film Festival. Known as Berlinale, this is one of the most important European film festivals, besides Cannes and Venice. Over 200,000 people attend the star-studded parties and special events annually. If you love movies, this is one festival you do not want to miss. Located at Potsdamer Platz, it is easy to get there using the subway/metro. A free shuttle bus is also offered.

Don't forget to bring a lot of Euro currency in Berlin. If not, you can also get a caxton fx card for all your shopping needs. This city is a great place for shopping, entertainment, dining, cinema, concerts and opera.

Love Parade

Would you love to be part of a huge mass of music lovers dancing in the streets? Love Parade is an enormous dance party held in July in Berlin, Germany. DJs from around the world come together to participate in this all-nighter. Get plenty of sleep before the party because this is one weekend where you will not want to miss a thing. Local nightclubs and restaurants stay open all night. Not for the fainthearted, however, the Love Parade has been known to get wild!

Thanks to the food and drinks PR experts from Taylor Herring for compiling this article.