All dates and events below are subject to change. Contact the German National Tourist Board for more information. 

January

New Year's Day International Ski Jumping, Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This is one of Europe's major winter sporting events. January 1.

February

International Film Festival, Berlin. Stars, would-be stars, directors, and almost anyone with a film to peddle show up at this well-attended festival. It's a showcase for the work of international film directors as well as the latest German films. Contact the Berlin International Film Festival for more information. Late February.

Ambiente. This is one of the principal consumer goods trade fairs of Europe. Its origins go back centuries. For information, call tel. 069/75750 (http://ambiente.messefrankfurt.com). Mid-February.

Fasching. Carnival festivals take place throughout Germany, reaching their peak on the Tuesday (Mardi Gras) before Ash Wednesday. Particularly famous carnivals take place in Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and especially Munich.

March

Spring Fairs. Highlights throughout Germany, especially in Augsburg, Münster, Nürnberg, Hamburg, and Stuttgart. Dates vary from year to year.

April

Walpurgis Festivals. Celebrated in the Harz Mountains. Festivities occur on the night of April 30.

May

Hamburg Summer. An entire series of cultural events, including concerts, plays, festivals, and special exhibitions throughout May, June, and July. For information, contact the Hamburg Tourist Bureau, in Hauptbahnhof (tel. 040/30051300; www.hamburg-tourism.de).

International May Theatre Festival, Wiesbaden. This city near Frankfurt hosts a premier cultural event—a series of artistic celebrations lasting a month. For information, contact the Wiesbaden Tourist Office.

June

Floodlighting of the Castle, Heidelberg. Fireworks enliven the display in this storied university city. For more information, contact the Heidelberg Tourist Bureau. June, July, and September.

Mozart Festival, Würzburg. Mozart fans flock to this major cultural event in the baroque city of Würzburg. Mid-May to late June.

July

Freiburg Wine Tasting. Local residents and visitors enjoy the first vintages from grapes grown in the Black Forest district. For more information, contact the Freiburg Tourist Board. Late July.

Richard Wagner Festival, Bayreuth. One of Europe's top opera events, this festival takes place in the composer's Festspielhaus in the capital of upper Franconia. Note that opera tickets often must be booked far in advance. For information, contact Bayreuther Festspiele. Late July to late August.

August

Musikfest Berlin takes place for a little more than 2 weeks. During the festival, Berlin plays host to orchestras, ensembles, conductors, and soloists from around the world. The festival is organized in conjunction with the Stiftung Berliner Philharmoniker.

September

Oktoberfest, Munich. Much of Germany's most famous festival takes place in September, not October. Millions show up, and hotels are packed. Most activities are at Theresienwiese, where local breweries sponsor gigantic tents that can hold up to 6,000 beer drinkers. Contact the Munich Tourist Bureau for particulars or just show up. Reserve hotel rooms well in advance. Mid-September to mid-October.

October

Frankfurt Book Fair. A major international event for publishers, book dealers, agents, and authors. Mid-October.

Spielzeit'europa. Schaperstrasse 24, Berlin (tel. 030/254890; www.berlinerfestspiele.de), is a 4-month season of theater and dance performances at Festspiele. October to January.

November

JazzFest Berlin. This annual festival, staged at the Philharmonie, attracts some of the world's finest jazz artists, ranging from traditional to experimental. Early November.

Winter Dom, Hamburg. An annual amusement fair (sometimes called Hamburg Dom) at the Heiligengeistfeld. Early November to early December.

December

Christmas Fair, Mainz. Mainz stages its Christmas fair on the Rhine for the 4 weeks preceding Christmas. December.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.