Finally, Spring is here! The sun is out and the flowers are blooming. Lazy days spent with picnics in the park are just around the corner, and it’s time to rejoice in the great outdoors once again. For many, however, the start of summer means just one thing… the start of festival season. Why not try something new this year? Forget rainy ol’ England. Head to Germany, land of techno and cheap beer. The country plays host to a huge range of festivals to suit everyone’s tastes. Check out our handy guide and maps below to help you decide which to head to this year.
Festivals in May 2016
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MUSIC FESTIVALS IN GERMANY IN 2016: PART 1 [Infographic] by the team at Wimdu
1st – May 1st
The 1st May in Berlin is more than just a music festival. Held on ‘International Worker’s Day’, it has its roots as a celebration of labourers and the working-classes. But this being Berlin, the day has become synonymous with an all-out, free-for-all street party. Raves pop-up everywhere alongside the protests, and of course, last well into the next day…
13th – 15th – Rock Hard
Taking place over the Whitsunday weekend in Gelsenkirchen Amphitheater is the infamous Rock Hard festival. Considering the lineup, which includes legendary bands such as Blind Guardian, Sodom and metal Church, the 3-day ticket is a bargain at €85.
13th – 16th – Immergut Festival
Immergut Festival is one of the most important indie-rock festivals in Germany and takes place this year in beautiful Neustrelitz, in the heart of the Mecklenburger Seenplatte countryside. Don’t miss the opening party at the Landestheater Neustrelitz on 26th May, one day before the official start of the festival.
Festivals in June 2016
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MUSIC FESTIVALS IN GERMANY IN 2016: PART 1 [Infographic] by the team at Wimdu
3rd – 4th – lunatic Festival
The lunatic Festival was first organised as part of a seminar project by a group of students from the University of Lüneburg, and has been steadily increasing in numbers since. The line-up features artists from a variety of musical genres. This year sees the likes of Balthazar, Genetikk, Rangleklods, Chefket and Carnival Youth, Grossstadtgeflüster, Passepartout , Akua Naru, Isolation Berlin and Kafka Tamura take to the stage.
3rd – 5th June – Rock im Park / Rock am Ring
The legendary Rock am Ring festival, held at the Mendig Airfield, as well as its sister event, Rock im Park, at the Zeppelin Field in Nuremberg, will once again take place from the 3rd until the 5th June. The lineup for both includes artists such as Fettes Brot, Black Sabbath, Tenacious D, Billy Talent, Korn and Major Lazer.
8th – 10th – Afrika Karibik Festival
‘Exotic days’ are promised at the Afrika Karibik Festival, which takes place at the Aschaffenburg fairground and features international artists such as Sean Paul and Adel Tawil. A beach and a children’s play area give the event a cheerful, family atmosphere.
24th – 26th June – Hurricane Festival / Southside Festival
Hurricane Festival is one of the largest and most famous music festivals in Germany, and has been held since the 90s on the motorcycle track in Eichenring in Scheeßel in Lower Saxony. It coincides with the Southside Festival, held in Neuhausen ob Eck. Expect artists such as: Rammstein, The Prodigy, Dropkick Murphys, Deichkind, Bloc Party, Fritz Kalkbrenner, Digitalism, Prinz Pi and Haftbefehl.
29th June – 3rd July – Fusion Festival
Fusion is not just a music festival. Founded in 1997, it also includes art installations, performances and theatre. According to the organisers, for four whole days it will be ‘a parallel society free from constraints and characterised by mutual tolerance.’ Taking place on a former military airfield in Lärz, the site offers vegan and vegetarian food and has been described as a European ‘Burning Man’.
29th June – 24th July – TollWood
The TollWood festival takes place over much of July at the Olympiapark Süd in Munich, and has a lineup including Deep Purple, Anastacia, Jamie Cullum and Rea Garvey. In addition to live music, it offers its famous ‘Ideas Market’, crafts and organic food stalls and a varied programme of theatre performances. And the best part? Most of it’s free!
Click here to check out festivals in July and August.
Cover image Flicker @ kapa123
