Famous German Holidays and Festivals – How many do you know?

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Blog | 0 comments

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Germany is one of the hottest tourist destinations in Europe.

In addition to the various physical attractions found in Germany, the country is also known for its rich history and culture that draws tourists from all over the world. In this region, German Cuckoo Clocks are very famous clocks.

Germany is intent on doing everything possible to preserve its rich history through traditional festivals. There are many festivals in a German calendar year.

If you are looking to have full German tour experience, make it a point to visit this wonderful country during one of the major festivals. Here is a guide we published if you ever plan to visit the famous Black Forest region. Click here to read the travel guide.

There are plenty of traditional festivals combining ancient customs with modern carousing. The following are some of the main festivals and holidays in Germany.

Fasching/ Carnival Season

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Also known as Fasnacht.

Fasching is the German carnival season that normally happens in February during the days leading up to the Ash Wednesday.

In most regions, Fasching officially kicks off on November 11 at 11:11 am. The festival is characterized by parades and parties, feasting and frivolity, and people rocking masks and costumes.

In this period, participants are encouraged to really let loose before the austerity of Lent. During Fasching period, there are various balls, parades, and dancing in the streets of almost every town in Germany. The Black Forest is also situated in Germany.

The masks and costumes allow common people to make fun of their kings and princesses without fearing reprisal. Comic plays, skits, and speeches are also quite common during this fun festival. If you want to visit at the climax of the festival, make sure you are there on Thursday that is before Ash Wednesday. That’s when things go absolutely crazy.

Erntedankfest

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Erntedankfest is an old German festival that literally means ‘Thanks for the Harvest’.

This is like the German version of the American holiday Thanksgiving, only without the turkey. Like most German festivals, Erntedankfest is rooted in religion and is celebrated by both Catholics and Protestants.

The festival is normally held on the first Sunday of October whereby churches are decorated with large wheat crowns and a display of fruits and vegetables. In some parts of Germany, baskets are filled with foodstuff then distributed to the needy after the festival.

Oktoberfest

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Also known as Wiesn, Oktoberfest is one of the most famous festivals in the world and also the largest folk festival in the world.

Over the past 10 years, the festival has attracted millions of visitors annually who are mostly interested in the millions of liters of beer available.

With the main venue in Munich, the festival runs for about two to three weeks from late September to mid-October.

The festival is a vital part of the Bavarian culture and has been held for over 2 centuries in Germany and also in other cities where it was adopted. During the festival, large quantities of beer are consumed. For instance, in 2013, about 7.7 million liters of Oktoberfest beer was consumed.

In addition to the beer, there are other attractions like amusement rides, games, side stalls, parades, and a variety of traditional dishes to try. If you are not interested in the Munich celebrations, take a trip to Black Forest Germany where they also celebrate the festival in style.

What else do you want to see in Black Forest Germany? Cuckoo clock shops! This article introduces the history of the cuckoo clock and the Black Forest region. Before you buy your first cuckoo clock, make sure you read this article: how to buy your first cuckoo clock?

Weihnachtsmärkte

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Also known as the Christmas Markets, Weihnachtsmarkte takes place throughout the country where most Christmas markets are decorated to look like Victorian towns featuring Christmas-light-filled booths that sell various German delicacies. In addition to food, there are various holiday-themed festivals in some of the bigger Christmas markets. Some of these include Ferris wheels, choral concerts, merry go rounds, and fireworks.

Kinderzeche

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The Kinderzeche is a festival aimed at celebrating children.

It is based on an old 17th-century legend of Children who helped free the town of Dinkelsbuhl from Swedish troops who had taken over during a war.

Since then, the children of Dinkelsbuhl have been given an annual party which includes a parade, sword dances, and a reenactment of the events that led to the Swedish surrender. The kids are also given a cone full of sweets to honor their predecessors’ bravery.

Christian Holidays

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Being a Christian nation, Germany has lots of holidays and festivals rooted in Christianity.

Like the rest of the world, the Germans also celebrate Christmas, Easter, and other popular Christian holidays. During these holidays, shops, agencies, offices, and schools are closed.

During these holidays, it is recommended to tour different parts of the country to experience how they celebrate them in their unique way.

For instance, the Black Forest is a great place to experience the Easter holidays in Germany.

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