11 unmissable events happening around Germany in May 2025
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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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
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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
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"You get the feeling that he takes a gloomy view of the world, whereas in 'Parting' it is a hopeful view." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
