Festivals in Germany in July

Munich Opera Festival

Celebrated every summer since 1876, the Munich Opera Festival at the Nationaltheater (among other venues) offers an excellent program of opera and ballet performances throughout June and July.

The month-long event opens with a choral concert at Michaelskirche. Another highlight is Opera for All where a performance is transmitted live to an outdoor audience at Max-Joseph-Platz.

Berlin Fashion Week

Attention Fashionistas: International designers present their latest collections in Berlin during Berlin Fashion Week. Known in German as Berliner Modewoche, find out what’s "in" and experimental at the runway shows and watch professionals at the trade fairs, exhibitions, and parties.

Classic Open Air at Gendarmenmarkt

Enjoy classic music al fresco at Gendarmenmarkt, one of the most beautiful historic squares in all of Berlin.

In this festival series, the concerts feature operetta, German and Italian opera, and classical and contemporary music. Check the program for special features and extras like concerts that end with a light show or fireworks.

Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are required. 

Cologne Gay Pride

Cologne is home to one of the oldest and most vibrant gay communities in Germany. The annual celebration, Cologne Pride, is one of the largest gay and lesbian events in the country.

Highlights of the festivities include a colorful pride parade with more than 120 floats marching through the historic center of the city. Parties, panel discussions, and a street festival complete the weekend.

Kinderzeche Dinkelsbühl

Dinkelsbühl is one of the most underrated towns on the Romantic Road. Its Kinderzeche is one of the oldest festivals in the country. Begun in 1897, the festival honors the town's history.

During the 30 Years War, as many small towns were ravaged, Dinkelsbühl was saved by its children. They pleaded before a Swedish colonel and effectively saved the historic town from destruction.

The festival retells the town's story and traditionally dressed children are given bright bags of sweets during a joyful procession. Adults also put on traditional dress and carry flowers to celebrate their beautiful town. 

Christopher Street Day Berlin

Every summer, Berliners raise their rainbow flags to celebrate Christopher Street Day (CSD) with a spectacular Gay Pride Parade.

The festivities take place in the heart of Berlin and ends by looping around the Siegessäule (Victory Column or "Golden Else") in the Tiergarten — a city landmark that has become a symbol for gay Berlin. The park holds sunbathing nudes throughout the warmer months, but on this day you can find naked people on the floats, dancing in the parade, and in the crowd. 

And it wouldn't be Berlin without countless debates and demonstrations.

Bayreuther Festspiele

Also known as the Richard Wagner Festival, this annual event in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth pays tribute to the 19th-century German composer.

It is the world's largest Wagner Festival and sells out every year since it opened in 1876. Wagner fans often get their tickets years in advance to enjoy some of the composer's best operas. Performances are in a specially designed opera house, the Festspielhaus, which was built under Wagner's supervision.

Hamburger DOM

Since the 14th century, Hamburg has celebrated the DOM, one of the largest open-air fun fairs in the North of Germany. Held three times a year, the July festival (usually) features the best weather.

Bring the whole family for classic carnival rides, thrilling roller coasters, and live concerts. Plan a visit on Friday night when fireworks light up the night.