What's on in Germany: Nine unmissable events this August
August 1st -3rd:
Berlin Brettspiel ('Board Game') Con
Start the month with some friendly competition at
Berlin Brettspiel Con
, one of Europe's largest gatherings for board game enthusiasts.
Held at the Estrel Convention Centre, the get together features new releases, classics, indie prototypes and family favourites.
There are also tournaments, giant free-play areas, and the chance to stock up on your favourites.
Throughout August:
Bayreuther Festspiele
('Bayreuth Festival')
The Bayreuth Festival Theatre in Bayreuth, Bavaria. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Karmann
For opera lovers, August is all about Bayreuth.
The legendary Bayreuther Festspiele in Bavaria draws fans of Richard Wagner from around the world to its unique hilltop theatre. Expect cutting-edge productions and musical perfection in the only opera house built to Wagner's specification.
August 6th – 10th:
Open Flair Festival
in Eschwege, Hesse
A cult (and family) favourite, the Open Flair Festival in Eschwege majors in rock, punk and indie acts alongside poetry slams, cabaret, and art.
The lakeside location and relaxed vibe make it a summer highlight—perfect for those seeking great live music in a family-friendly setting.
Open Flair is one of dozens of music festivals taking place around the country in August. In Schleswig-Holstein, heavy metal heads will be raising a glass to deceased Black Sabbath front man Ozzie Osbourne at
Wacken Open Air
at the beginning of the month.
MS Dockville
takes place in Hamburg in the middle of the month.
READ ALSO:
Months of disruptions ahead as Berlin-Hamburg railway closes for construction
Masses have gathered in front of the main stage in the evening at the Open Flair festival. Photo: picture alliance / dpa-tmn | Paul Ripke
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At the end of August,
Berlin Atonal
combines electronic music and immersive visual art in a stunning, post-industrial space.
August 13th –17th:
Weindorf Rothenburg ob der Tauber
in Rothenburg, Bavaria
Raise a glass at the Weindorf, Rothenburg's beloved wine village festival. Local winemakers set up stalls beneath the towers of this perfectly preserved medieval town on Germany's Romantic Road.
Sip Franconian specialties, enjoy hearty regional fare, and unwind to live music as the sun sets over the cobblestones.
August 13th –-30th:
Tanz im August
, Berlin
Tanz im August transforms Berlin into a global centre for contemporary dance.
READ ALSO:
Eight art galleries you have to visit in Germany this year
Over two weeks, Germany's capital city hosts international stars, experimental groups, and innovative productions across venues like HAU and Radialsystem. From dazzling solos to daring large-scale works, this festival is a must-visit for anyone who believes in the power of dance to tell a story.
Image from the 'Some thing folk' performance to be included in the Tanz im August event in Berlin. Photo: Cullberg / Ligia Lewis | Some Thing Folk
August 20th – 24th:
Gamescom
, Cologne
Gamers, mark your calendars! Towards the end of August, Cologne welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to the world's biggest video game trade fair.
Test the latest releases, join e-sport tournaments, spot your favourite streamers, and get exclusive peeks at what's coming next in the gaming world. Expect giant halls, cosplay, esports, and pop culture energy on overload.
August 21
st
– 25
th
:
Sandkerwa Folk Festival
in Bamberg, Bavaria
These days, the Sandkerwa is one of the largest folk festivals in Bavaria, offering five days of celebration in the narrow streets of Bamberg amidst the romantic atmosphere of Little Venice. Think riverside beer tents, colourful folk parades, traditional music, and the lively Fischerstechen ('fishermen's jousting') on the Regnitz.
READ ALSO:
Five of Germany's busiest tourist attractions and where to go instead
Each year, over 200,000 people gather to (re)discover Franconian beer, specialities, music, dancing and traditional garb. Puppet stages, concerts and fishing competitions are also on the agenda this year, alongside an impressive fireworks display.
August 23rd –24
th:
Open Days of the German Federal Government
, Berlin
Ever wanted to walk through the corridors of power?
The Open Days of the German Federal Government open up rare public access to the chancellery, ministries, and other government buildings in Berlin.
Advertisement
Explore the inner workings of Germany's democracy, quiz ministers and policy experts, and enjoy hands-on children's activities and live performances.
August 30
th
:
Kölner Lichter
, Cologne
Kölner Lichter, with Cologne Cathedral in the background, last took place in 2019 and makes its return this August. Photo: picture alliance/dpa / Henning Kaiser
Prepare to be dazzled as the Kölner Lichter lights up the Rhine. After a five-year pause, Cologne's legendary fireworks event returns, synchronizing dramatic pyrotechnics with music. Arrive early to find a good spot on the banks of the river!
August 29th – 31st:
Museumsuferfest Frankfurt
, Frankfurt am Main
Round off the month on a high at Museumsuferfest, Frankfurt's lively weekend of arts, food, and music along the Main river.
READ ALSO:
In which German cities can you swim in the river?
This art and culture event takes its name from the
Museumsufer
, the nickname given to the banks of the river due to the large number of museums located there. For the occasion, museums on the northern and southern banks of the Main keep their doors open late into the night.
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Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76 – DW – 07/23/2025
Heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76 after fighting Parkinson's disease. His records as a member of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist sold over 100 million copies. John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne, the frontman of English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76. Nicknamed the "Prince of Darkness" and the "Godfather of Heavy Metal," Osbourne is largely credited with founding the heavy metal genre. Though he parted ways with Black Sabbath in 1979 over his drug and alcohol addictions, he rejoined the band several times, including for a farewell live performance last month.
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What's on in Germany: Nine unmissable events this August
August is the month to enjoy Germany at its festive best. Don't forget to double check dates and pre-book tickets where needed. Many of these events fill up fast! August 1st -3rd: Berlin Brettspiel ('Board Game') Con Start the month with some friendly competition at Berlin Brettspiel Con , one of Europe's largest gatherings for board game enthusiasts. Held at the Estrel Convention Centre, the get together features new releases, classics, indie prototypes and family favourites. There are also tournaments, giant free-play areas, and the chance to stock up on your favourites. Throughout August: Bayreuther Festspiele ('Bayreuth Festival') The Bayreuth Festival Theatre in Bayreuth, Bavaria. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Karmann For opera lovers, August is all about Bayreuth. The legendary Bayreuther Festspiele in Bavaria draws fans of Richard Wagner from around the world to its unique hilltop theatre. Expect cutting-edge productions and musical perfection in the only opera house built to Wagner's specification. August 6th – 10th: Open Flair Festival in Eschwege, Hesse A cult (and family) favourite, the Open Flair Festival in Eschwege majors in rock, punk and indie acts alongside poetry slams, cabaret, and art. The lakeside location and relaxed vibe make it a summer highlight—perfect for those seeking great live music in a family-friendly setting. Open Flair is one of dozens of music festivals taking place around the country in August. In Schleswig-Holstein, heavy metal heads will be raising a glass to deceased Black Sabbath front man Ozzie Osbourne at Wacken Open Air at the beginning of the month. MS Dockville takes place in Hamburg in the middle of the month. READ ALSO: Months of disruptions ahead as Berlin-Hamburg railway closes for construction Masses have gathered in front of the main stage in the evening at the Open Flair festival. Photo: picture alliance / dpa-tmn | Paul Ripke Advertisement At the end of August, Berlin Atonal combines electronic music and immersive visual art in a stunning, post-industrial space. August 13th –17th: Weindorf Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Rothenburg, Bavaria Raise a glass at the Weindorf, Rothenburg's beloved wine village festival. Local winemakers set up stalls beneath the towers of this perfectly preserved medieval town on Germany's Romantic Road. Sip Franconian specialties, enjoy hearty regional fare, and unwind to live music as the sun sets over the cobblestones. August 13th –-30th: Tanz im August , Berlin Tanz im August transforms Berlin into a global centre for contemporary dance. READ ALSO: Eight art galleries you have to visit in Germany this year Over two weeks, Germany's capital city hosts international stars, experimental groups, and innovative productions across venues like HAU and Radialsystem. From dazzling solos to daring large-scale works, this festival is a must-visit for anyone who believes in the power of dance to tell a story. Image from the 'Some thing folk' performance to be included in the Tanz im August event in Berlin. Photo: Cullberg / Ligia Lewis | Some Thing Folk August 20th – 24th: Gamescom , Cologne Gamers, mark your calendars! Towards the end of August, Cologne welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to the world's biggest video game trade fair. Test the latest releases, join e-sport tournaments, spot your favourite streamers, and get exclusive peeks at what's coming next in the gaming world. Expect giant halls, cosplay, esports, and pop culture energy on overload. August 21 st – 25 th : Sandkerwa Folk Festival in Bamberg, Bavaria These days, the Sandkerwa is one of the largest folk festivals in Bavaria, offering five days of celebration in the narrow streets of Bamberg amidst the romantic atmosphere of Little Venice. Think riverside beer tents, colourful folk parades, traditional music, and the lively Fischerstechen ('fishermen's jousting') on the Regnitz. READ ALSO: Five of Germany's busiest tourist attractions and where to go instead Each year, over 200,000 people gather to (re)discover Franconian beer, specialities, music, dancing and traditional garb. Puppet stages, concerts and fishing competitions are also on the agenda this year, alongside an impressive fireworks display. August 23rd –24 th: Open Days of the German Federal Government , Berlin Ever wanted to walk through the corridors of power? The Open Days of the German Federal Government open up rare public access to the chancellery, ministries, and other government buildings in Berlin. Advertisement Explore the inner workings of Germany's democracy, quiz ministers and policy experts, and enjoy hands-on children's activities and live performances. August 30 th : Kölner Lichter , Cologne Kölner Lichter, with Cologne Cathedral in the background, last took place in 2019 and makes its return this August. Photo: picture alliance/dpa / Henning Kaiser Prepare to be dazzled as the Kölner Lichter lights up the Rhine. After a five-year pause, Cologne's legendary fireworks event returns, synchronizing dramatic pyrotechnics with music. Arrive early to find a good spot on the banks of the river! August 29th – 31st: Museumsuferfest Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main Round off the month on a high at Museumsuferfest, Frankfurt's lively weekend of arts, food, and music along the Main river. READ ALSO: In which German cities can you swim in the river? This art and culture event takes its name from the Museumsufer , the nickname given to the banks of the river due to the large number of museums located there. For the occasion, museums on the northern and southern banks of the Main keep their doors open late into the night. 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John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne once admitted that his destructive lifestyle may have killed him years ago. But the "Prince of Darkness" overcame addiction to continue his work and pioneer the heavy metal genre. British musician Ozzy Osbourne, who rose to fame in the early 1970s with pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath before becoming a solo artist and a TV celebrity via the hit reality show, "The Osbournes," has died at the age of 76, just weeks after a farewell show. The heavy metal rocker, who took on the moniker "The Prince of Darkness" during the height on his Black Sabbath fame, was aware that the destructive lifestyle of his past could have led him to die years ago. "Do you feel immortal?" Osbourne was asked in a BBC interview before one of Black Sabbath's final gigs in 2017. "No, I feel lucky to be alive," he replied, "because I've done some pretty damn crazy stuff in my life." John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne was born December 3, 1948 near Birmingham in the West Midlands, and was raised in the city that he credits with nurturing a unique musical movement — among countless Bimingham bands were Black Sabbath's heavy metal rivals Led Zeppelin. Leaving school at 15 to pursue various failed apprenticeships as a plumber and toolmaker, and also working in a slaughterhouse and a mortuary, Osbourne — who already took on the nickname "Ozzy" at school — soon found himself in prison for six weeks for theft. In 1968, Osbourne, a budding vocalist who had played in several local blues bands, formed a group called Polka Tulk Blues with bassist Geezer Butler, guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. They soon changed their name to Earth, and then to Black Sabbath. Like the Beatles, which were a major early influence on Osbourne, Black Sabbath were able to work on their new heavy rock sound while playing a series of three-hour gigs at The Star Club in Hamburg. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Having secured a record contract, the band's early heavy metal rock riffs and dark, occult-inspired lyrics sung by their eccentric long-haired frontman were showcased on two 1970 albums, the self-titledBlack Sabbath" and "Paranoid," which each sold over a million copies. By 1973, with the release of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath," the band, and especially Osbourne, were global superstars. But amid the constant touring, Osbourne developed his infamous drugs and alcohol addiction. He recalled winding down after performances by drinking a bottle of hard spirits and taking a handful of sleeping pills. The rest of the band were also doing drugs, but by the late '70s, Osbourne was often too drunk to rehearse and write songs, and the band's output suffered. In 1979, Osbourne was kicked out of Black Sabbath for his unreliability and excessive substance abuse. However, unlike fellow English rock legends like John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, who died at 32 in 1980 from alcohol abuse, Osbourne was determined to survive his addiction. "The day I got fired from Sabbath was at the time the worst day of my life," he said in an interview in the 1980s. "But then looking back now, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me." Upon leaving the band, Osbourne went into a hotel room for three months and, in his words, "got smashed out of my brain everyday." But soon after, he kicked drugs and embarked on a highly successful solo career that included 13 studio albums. Up until his death, he sold upward of 40 million records. Osbourne's debut solo album, the 1981 "Blizzard Of Ozz," included the US top 10 single "Crazy Train," and was certified five times platinum. A year later, the heavily tattooed, eyeline-wearing singer, whose style veered between glam and gothic, gained further infamy for biting the head off a live bat on stage during a US tour. Osbourne claimed he thought it was a toy — though he had allegedly bitten the head off two doves in front of a CBS Records PR executive the year before. In 1997, Osbourne rejoined the band upon which his wildman persona was built. That same year, Black Sabbath played at the Ozzfest metal music festival that Osbourne founded the previous year with his wife and manager Sharon. He was a regular with the old band until they recorded a final studio album in 2013 titled "13." The band's final gig, billed "Back to the Beginning," was performed in their hometown of Birmingham in July 2025. The sometimes incoherent singer became a kind of ageing rock caricature in the early 2000s when he agreed to make his family, then living in LA, the subject of a reality TV show, "The Osbournes," also starring two of the Osbournes' three children, Kelly and Jack. Appearing on the Jay Leno Show with wife Sharon during the peak of his reality TV fame in 2005, Osbourne explained: "I don't smoke anymore, I don't drink alcohol anymore, I don't take drugs anymore, in fact I'm quite boring these days." Despite Osbourne claiming he was "dying" in 2019 after suffering a fall in his Los Angeles home early that year and spending months in and out of the hospital following spinal surgery (which was complicated by pneumonia), Osbourne released a much-anticipated new single at the start of 2020, "Straight to Hell." The song, which quickly garnered millions of YouTube hits, was from Osbourne's 12th solo album, his first for a decade, titled "Ordinary Man"the title track features a vocal duet with Elton John. His final album, "Patient Number 9," was released in September 2022. In an interview in January 2020, Osbourne and his wife also acknowledged that Ozzy had been diagnosed with a form of Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disease. Talking on the Good Morning America program, he was asked if he was on his deathbed. "Far from it," he said. "I hope they hang in there for me," he said of his fans following the cancellation of his world tour. "Because I need them." Having often admitted that his drugs and drinking should have killed him decades before, Osbourne might have finally succumbed to his extreme lifestyle. But he never was an ordinary man.
