Festivals in Germany in June

Things are a bit quieter during the Holy month, and this year it runs into June. Starting in May, you may notice the country's significant Muslim population fasting during the day and feasting late into the evening.

When: May 26th - June 24th, 2017
Where: Everywhere

Halle, the birthplace of composer Georg Friedrich Handel, pays tribute to the German composer by hosting the annual Handel Festival. Come to hear international musicians interpret Handel’s works, from his early chamber music and Italian cantatas, to the Messiah.

When: May 26th - June 11th, 2017
Where: Halle an der Saale

More than 150,000 rock music fans gather each summer at the race track of the Nuerburg Ring to get up and get down at "Rock am Ring", Germany's biggest open air music festival. In a picturesque setting of rolling green hills and enormous white tent tops, the star-studded lineup of international rock bands keep the fans dancing for all three days.

UPDATE: Note that the 2017 festival was disturbed by a terrorist warning, but the music eventually played on with festival goers and bands coming together to party once the threat was cleared.

When: June 2nd - 4th, 2017
Where: Nuerburg Ring

This world-class music festival in Leipzig commemorates the life and work of the city's most famous resident, Johann Sebastian Bach. Renowned artists from all over the world perform Bach's classical masterpieces in historical venues like the Thomaskirche (Thomas Church), where Bach worked as a cantor for 27 years.

When: June 9th - 18th, 2017
Where: Leipzig

"Kiel Week" (Kieler Woche) - billed as the largest sailing event in the world - attracts 5,000 sailors, 2,000 ships, and more than three million visitors every year. The event dates back to 1882 and offers hundreds of regattas, historic ship parades, and a cultural program that transforms the city center of Kiel into the largest summer festival stage in Northern Europe.

Kiel Week is one of the largest tall ship conventions in Germany. It is also one of the largest Volksfeste in Germany.

When: June 16th - 25th, 2017 
Where: Kiel

Celebrated every summer since 1876, the Munich Opera Festival at the Nationaltheater offers an excellent program of opera and ballet performances throughout June and July. Highlights include the free open-air concerts “Opera For All”.

If you can't get enough opera, it is proceeded by festivals in Bayreuth and Salzburg.

When: June 14th - July 31st, 2017
Where: Munich

This French festival is at its strongest in Berlin. Since 1995, Berliners celebrate the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer with this city-wide music festival.

With performances on over 80 open-air stages, the street festival offers everything from reggae, and jazz, to hip hop, electronic music and klezmer. The free concerts start in the early afternoon and will last long into the summer night. The largest is held at the much loved Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg.

When: June 21st
Where: Berlin

Spargelzeit (white asparagus season) is a serious obsession in Germany. The "King of Vegetables" appears on every menu, grocery store and German's palate. For true devotees, buying it in the stores is not enough. Spargel-lovers must go to the source.

The states of Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony are two of the most important asparagus growing regions, with the city of Beelitz claiming the north-eastern title. Each region claims to grow the best Spargel, but the only way to know for sure is to tour them all. Popular routes allow visitors to buy straight from the farms and go to the many festivals devoted to the veggie. 

Note that the price of the vegetable goes down as the market is slowly flooded until the last official harvest day for German asparagus, St. John's Day on June 24th.

When:  March - June 24
Where: Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony and the city of Beelitz

Elbhangfest takes place along the Elbe with three main stages are in Loschwitz, Wachwitz and Pillnitz. Over 200 events take place in a seven kilometer stretch with local crafts, guided tours and - of course - food and drink. If you arrive on opening day, attend the parade.

When:  June 23rd - 25th, 2017
Where: Dresden