BAVARIA

Kulmbach Beer Week

Through Aug. 5, Kulmbach

Bike and Music Weekend

Aug. 2-5, Geiselwind

Blues & Jazz Festival

Aug. 3-12, Bamberg

Germany’s biggest free-entry, open-air festival for jazz and blues brings the sounds of New Orleans to the city streets. From Aug. 3-5, enjoy special jazz concerts at the Boehmerwiese; On Aug. 6-12, blues and jazz are played at Maxplatz and Gabelmann.

Spearing the Dragon

Aug. 3-29, Furth im Wald

Furth’s dragon is of the mechanical kind and one of the biggest robots in the world. The high-tech monster gets slayed in a play recalling a battle fought in 1431. Tickets cost 22 euros and up.

Klassik Open Air/ Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra Evening Concert

Aug. 4, Nuremberg

Fränkisches Weinfest/ Franconian Wine Fest

Aug. 10-14, Volkach

Rothenburger Weindorf/ Rothenburg Wine Village

Aug. 15-19, Rothenburg ob der Tauber

KMC & THE PFALZ

Zauberhaftes St. Wendel/Magical St. Wendel

Aug. 3-5, St. Wendel

Some 20 street magicians show off their acts Aug. 3-4, and a family magic festival takes place Aug. 5. The open-air magic gala at the Shlossplatz from 8 p.m. May 4 is one of the program highlights. Entry is free.

Auto-free Lautertal

Aug. 5, between Kaiserslautern and Lauterecken

From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the B270 highway is closed to motorized traffic and cyclists, in-line skaters and hikers can enjoy music, food and drink in the towns along the route.

Pfalzwerke Energy Beats and Lichterfest

Aug. 10-11, Trippstadt

On Friday evening, the Schlosspark rocks to sounds spun by top DJs and on Saturday evening, the park is bathed in illuminations, bands play, and fireworks light up the sky. An entry fee of 12-15 euros charged.

Erlebnistag Deutsche Weinstrasse/ German Wine Road Adventure Day

Aug. 26, Bockenheim to Schweigen-Rechtenbach

Cyclists, hikers and other nature lovers can revel in gorgeous scenery, regional specialties and wine along 60 miles of traffic-free road through charming villages. Road closure is 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Barbarossa-Fest “Swinging Lautern”

Aug. 30-Sept. 1

Live jazz, swing, soul, blues and rock rings out from stages in downtown Kaiserslautern, and marching bands perform in the pedestrian zone. Entry is free.

RHINE-MAIN

Main Festival

Aug. 3-6, Frankfurt

Originally a celebration for fishermen and boatsmen, today’s version of this volksfest includes fairground rides, gaming booths, live music and tasty treats takes place along the Main riverbanks. Highlights are a fishermen’s joust on Aug. 5 and fireworks on Aug. 6.

Rheingau Wine Festival

Aug. 10-19, Wiesbaden

New wines, select harvests and sparkling wines pair with culinary delights as concerts and shows are performed on stage. Over 100 vintners serve their best vintages at this vast fest in the heart of the city. Those traveling by bus from within city limits can purchase aWeinfestticket at a cost of 4.50 euros, which includes a glass of wine from selected wineries.

Mainz Wine Market

Aug. 23-26 and Aug. 30-Sept. 2

This wine fest set in a leafy park presents the wines of the Rheinhessen region. To sample the sparkling wines known as Sekt, make way to the stands set up in the rose garden. An artist’s market takes place on Saturdays and Sundays.

STUTTGART

Stuttgart Summer Fest

Aug. 2-5, Stuttgart

Bands play and culinary treats are served under stylish white tents set up at the Schlossplatz. The stands are manned by the city’s top hotels and dining establishments.

Esslinger Zwiebelfest/ Esslingen Onion Fest

Aug. 3-13, Esslingen

Bierboerse/ Beer Market

Aug. 24-26, Boeblingen/Sindelfingen

and

Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Karlsruhe

Stuttgart Wine Village

Aug. 29-Sept. 9, Stuttgart

REST OF GERMANY

International Berlin Beer Festival

Aug. 3-5, Berlin

Karl-Marx-Allee becomes the world’s largest beer garden, with stands selling 2,400 brands of beer brewed in 87 countries. New Zealand’s beers are the special guest at this year’s edition.

Rhine in Flames

Aug. 11, Koblenz

Fireworks and illuminations light up the evening skies and an illuminated convoy of 60 ships chugs along a ten-mile stretch of the Rhine from Spay to Koblenz. A summer music festival by the Deutsche Eck runs parallel Aug. 10-12.

Snipes Hype Festival

Aug. 24-26, Oberhausen

An urban lifestyle festival with rap and hip-hop at its heart has $uicideboy$ and Giggs among its headliners. Tickets start from around 125 euros.

Blumenkorso/ Flower Parade

Aug. 26, Bad Ems

PLAN AHEAD

Duerkheimer Wurstmarkt/ Bad Durkheim Sausage Market

Sept. 7-11 and Sept. 14-17, Bad Duerkheim

What’s billed as the world’s biggest wine festival unfolds just a short distance from the KMC. In addition to the wine tasting, enjoy live music, culinary treats and hair-raising attractions. Those who don’t care for wine can enjoy two the two tents in which beer is served and bands play.

Festival of Lights

Oct. 5-14, Berlin

Berlin’s most stunning landmarks are brought to life through colorful projections and the wizardry of 3D video mapping. To get the most out of your visit, book a “lightseeing” evening bus tour.

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