January

Heilige Drei Knige - The Three Hallowed Kings

January is one of the months with the fewest festivities, (although carnival in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Mayence and Munich have either started on the 11th of November at 11.11am or will start the day after the "Heilige Drei Knige". ) But many have to recover from New Year's Eve parties, so they celebrate the profound festivity of the "Heilige Drei Knige" on the 6th of January. February

Carnival* (Fasching)
Now the "crazy days" of carnival are at the peak of interest. From Maundy Thursday until carnival's Tuesday there are many big parties throughout Germany. There are not many eyes and throats staying dry... History: The historical background of carnival is as manifold as the different names for it in German. Further information are to be found here (in German) de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karneval,_Fastnacht_und_Fasching Some of the highlights of carnival are the carnival pageants, which take place on carnival's Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. For example: the Carnival Monday's Pageant in Mayence was celebrated for the first time in 1838. Nowadays there are about 600,000 visitors every year. March

Starkbierzeit - "Time of Strong Beer"

Two weeks after Ash Wednesday starts the "Starkbierzeit" in Bavaria, which is especially popular in Munich (German). History: For centuries a very strong beer is brewed in order to endure the meager Lent (carne vale!), the so -called "Starkbier" ("Strong Beer"). It has to contain at least 16% original wort, which is equivalent to about 6.5% alcohol. The "Starkbierzeit" is sometimes called the "Fifth Season" in Bavaria. In March people living in Munich go "on top of the hill". This doesn't mean they go to the Alps but to the Nockerberg (German) and there they enjoy a cold, dark beer, the Salvator (German). With that they eat "O'batzter" (=crushed Camembert with onion, paprika and butter), "Steckerlfisch" (a grilled fish on a stick), "Leberks" (a typical Bavarian meat) or "Brathendl" (broiled chicken).

There are some traditions connected to the "Starkbierzeit". For example the "Derblecken" or "Tratzen" is,when the cabaret artists make fun of politicians and prominence. These people are often in the audience and listen humorously to the mockery and criticism. They know that the most important thing to help raise their popularity is to be a part of the official life. April

Easter
In Central Europe the end of winter is highlighted with Easter. Exactly 46 days after Ash Wednesday, with the end of carnival, Easter Sunday is celebrated. It is the celebration of the Easter egg, paschal lamb, Easter fires, Easter well,.. . Even more terms related to Easter can be found at www.German-easter-holiday.com (English). Besides the bunny and the lamb, the egg is especially important at Easter. No matter if it's a chocolate egg or a real one, a decoration on some boards or a colorfully painted breakfast egg Easter without an Easter egg can't be imagined in Germany. Since pre-Christian times the egg has been used as a symbol for awakening nature and fertility. It has a great significance in many nations. May

"Erlanger Bergkirchweih"
- Festivities of the Consecration of the Church of Erlangen www.der-berg-ruft.de (German) Once a year a well - known beer-festival takes part one week before Whitsun in Erlangen, Franconia. June

"Kieler Woche" - The week of Kiel

www.kieler-woche.de (German/English) About 3.5 million people come to Keil for the biggest sailing event in the world. Participants include more than 5,000 sailors with 2,000 boats. Besides being a sportive and cultural event, "Kieler Woche" is a grand folk-fair as well. With the command "Leinen los!" ("drop the lines") the big event is opened with great interest from the crowd and starts with the traditional "Aalregatta" (Eel-regatta) from Kiel to Eckernfrde. About 200 sailors take part in this leisurely race. Another sight is the world cup of the high-seas yachts "Mumm 36". People that are interested in sailing should not miss the Hanse Sail (English) in Rostock. It is also possible to take part in some of the popular sailing events. July

"Annafest" in Forchheim
www.annafest-forchheim.de (German) Similar to the Bergkirchweih in Erlangen this traditional public fair takes place every year during the last week in July in Forchheim on the "cellar-hill" (close to Bamberg). August

Bamberger Sandkerwa
www.sandkerwa.de (German) The biggest festival in the town of Bamberg and an attraction to all guests is the so called "Sandkerwa" which takes place every year at the end of August. In the narrow streets of "Im Sand" (a district close to the river Regnitz) there is a long-lasting state of exception. Many inner courts and houses are opened on these days and many of the old romantic places are changed into wine-inns or pubs. At the public places and in the hotels there are bands playing different kinds of music: from German folkmusic to Rock and Pop to Salsa and Samba. A site with pictures of the "Sandkerwa" and the old town of Bamberg you can find here (German)! September

Harvest festivals
September in German wine regions is the time of vintage and wine festivals No matter if it's at the Rhine, Moselle, Palatine or Main: everyone who likes wine will find something that suits their taste. October

"Oktoberfest" in Munich
www.oktoberfest.de (German/English) In September/ October the most interesting folk festival of all takes place, the "Oktoberfest" in Munich, also called "Wiesn" (meadow). Every year more than six million people visit this festival, making it the largest folk festival in the world. November

Hamburg's DOM
www.hamburger-dom.de

Known as the largest funfair in Northern Germany, Hamburg's Dom exists as winter- dom (7. Nov. -7. Dec. 2003) and summer- dom (30. July- 29. Aug. 2004). It's a "classical" fun fair with show-booths, food-tents and fair-attractions. December

Nuremberg Christkindles Market

www.christkindlesmarkt.de (English) and www.christkindlesmarkt.netzland.net (German). A lot of pictures you can find at: www.nuernbergerchristkindlesmarkt.de (German) Christmas Markets, opening with the beginning of Advent, can give one some good ideas for Christmas presents. One of the most beautiful and popular Christmas Markets is in Nuremberg. It starts on the Friday before the first Advent.