Germany is a country of stability and strict order. The country, which experienced collapse and devastation, was at one time divided into parts, but proudly survived everything and is now practically an exemplary state in terms of economy, infrastructure and politics. Today, many countries look up to Germany and follow its example.

Germany is a country located in Central Europe. It borders on many European countries (Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Luxembourg, France, Belgium and the Netherlands) and has access to two seas - the Baltic and the North. This country has a large number of rivers and lakes, as well as mountainous terrain, which makes it possible to call it one of the ecologically clean countries. The Bavarian Alps alone are worth a lot of attention of people who strive for clean mountain air and nature that has not been touched by man.

Political structure makes Germans proud of their country. Over the past 60 years, the government has well built the entire state system, which made it possible, unnoticed by the common population, to survive the economic crises that swept through Europe in the early 90s of the XX century and at the beginning of the XXI century.

As for the Germans themselves, they are hardworking people. These are people who know that weekdays are for work, and holidays are for good rest. Germans are a people who spend not only weekends and holidays in a fun and interesting way, but also holidays, of which there are not so many in their calendar. A holiday for a German does not have to take place in a home circle. They love street noise, beer, dancing and fun. Many tourists, getting on a German holiday, may come to the conclusion that these Germans are not so strict and hardworking. But few tourists know that Germans love to relax and know that there are holidays for this. If you celebrate a holiday, then do it with pleasure and fun.

If you compare the German and Russian holidays, then you can find a lot of differences here. We are used to counting how many days off at the beginning of the year, and we are especially happy when the holiday falls on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Sunday. In this case, you can wait for an extra weekend. In addition, if you look at the Russian calendar, you can see that every day is some kind of holiday - professional or church.

In Germany, the opposite is true. Weekends are not added, days are not rescheduled, and the number of holidays is not so much. For example, if Christmas falls on Sunday, then most likely the Germans will have to go to work the next day. In addition, due to the fragmentation of the territory and their subsequent reunification, each federal district has formed its own holidays, especially in religious and historical terms.

All holidays in Germany can be roughly divided into three categories - state, religious and folk. Public holidays apply to the entire territory of the country. For example, such holidays include May 1 - Labor Day. In principle, everything is clear with these holidays. But with religious holidays, everything is much more complicated. A lot of people of various confessions live in the country, but there are two main and major trends - Catholicism and Lutheranism. Depending on which denomination prevails on the federal land, those holidays are celebrated. For example, All Saints' Day is celebrated by Catholics, and Reformation Day is celebrated by Lutherans. There are holidays that are celebrated only in a certain city. For example, Peace Day is celebrated in the city of Augsburg in Bavaria. Church holidays, as in Russia, can have a fixed or floating date. The floating date is calculated according to the church calendar. Folk holidays include carnivals, festivals, etc. These are holidays that take place only on weekends, and their celebration is accompanied by folk festivities. For example, folk holidays include Oktoberfest, the Fifth Season of the year, or a very young holiday, the Love Parade.

In Germany, the year begins with the celebration of the New Year, which is celebrated, as elsewhere in the world, on the night of December 31 to January 1. On January 6, the Catholic Epiphany is celebrated, which is of great importance for the Christian inhabitants of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt. For Catholics, this day is also a holiday. They mark "". January is famous for another holiday, or rather a memorable date. On January 27, 1945, the prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp were released. Therefore, this day is the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust.

In February, Germany plunges into the world of festivals and carnivals. It all starts with the world-famous Berlinale Film Festival. The film festival takes place every year in Berlin and has a floating opening date, that is, the management independently determines the opening date of the Berlinale. Another famous folk festival takes place in Bremen. It is accompanied by music, dancing and vivid performances dedicated to the famous Brazilian dance - samba. The festival is called "Bremer Karneval" - samba carnival. Catholics in Germany hold the Fastnacht or Fasching carnival in February. Large-scale festivities take place in Munich and Cologne. At the same time, they begin to prepare for the carnival in the month of November.

March is known for only one unique German holiday - the Leipzig Book Fair. This is the largest book fair in the world after Frankfurt.

April begins with the funniest and most famous holiday in the world - April Fool's Day or April Fool's Day. It is celebrated on April 1. The month of April is marked by a number of great church holidays that have a floating date. These holidays include Catholic Good Friday, Maundy Thursday, etc. These holidays are found in both the Catholic and Christian church calendar. Their dates do not coincide, but mostly fall in April and early May. These days are accompanied by Easter fairs, and on Easter Monday, the Germans visit relatives and friends, presenting them with gifts symbolizing Easter.

Germans celebrate Labor Day, which is accompanied by fun, dancing, singing and meeting friends. May is celebrated, which falls on the second Sunday of the month. May is also known for such holidays as (May 10), the oldest jazz festival Dixieland in Dresden (floating date), Father's Day (floating date), the Jazz Rally music festival in Dusseldorf (floating date), the festival of gothic music and culture in Leipzig ( date is floating).

The great church holidays of the Ascension of Christ and the Day of the Holy Spirit fall on different days. They can be celebrated both in May and June. The Ascension of Christ takes place on the 40th day after Easter, and 9 days after it, the Day of the Holy Spirit is held.

June starts with the Hamburg Short Film Festival, which lasts a week. The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated on the second Thursday after the Day of the Holy Spirit. It often falls on June days. Despite the fact that it is a public holiday, only a few states declare it a day off.

In June and July, Germany hosts international festivals that do not have a fixed date. These festivals include: the Bach Music Festival in Leipzig, dedicated to the great German composer Johann Sebastian Bach; Munich Opera Festival; the public festivities "Opernplatzfest" in Frankfurt am Main; Festival "Cologne Lights" - a festival of fireworks, which takes place in the city of Rhine.

On June 24, the Germans celebrate a church holiday - the Nativity of John the Baptist Day of St. John. A special feature of the holiday is the burning of a fire and everything connected with this process.

In August, all holidays are associated with a specific federal state. For example, 8 August is a public holiday, but only for one city. In Bavaria, the city of Augsburg celebrates City Day or Peace Day.

On August 15, Mary's Assumption is celebrated, which is declared a day off only in some communities of Bavaria and in the federal state of Saarland.

In August, Frankfurt am Main celebrates a significant and great cultural holiday in Europe - the festival on the Museum Embankment.

September is famous for the beer festival - Oktoberfest. In the second half of September, Munich becomes a large beer bar where you can meet people from different parts of the world. The beer festival lasts 16 days.

October starts from (October 3). This day has great historical significance for all Germans, because West and East Germany were reunited in 1990.

On the first Sunday in October, Catholic Germany celebrates Thanksgiving or the end of the harvest of agricultural products. On the third Sunday in October, Germany continues to honor agricultural producers at the Kirmes in Germany festival. The festival is accompanied by fairs and folk festivals in honor of the harvested harvest. Another festival takes place in Burmeni called "Free Market". It lasts 17 days, and the date is determined by the organizers of the celebration.

On the night of October 31 to November 1, the most mystical holiday is celebrated - Halloween. All Saints' Day is celebrated directly on November 1.

In October, a great Lutheran holiday is celebrated - the Day of the Reformation. It is celebrated in Thuringia, Brandenburg, Meckelburg-Vorpommern, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.

The month of November is famous in Germany for the following holidays: Fateful day (November 9), a special day in the history of Germany associated with the abdication of William II from the throne and the suppression of the "beer coup" in Munich; Saint Martin's Day (November 11) is a favorite holiday for children; Day of People's Mourning (floating date); Day of Repentance and Prayer (floating date) is celebrated by Protestants; Memorial Day (floating date).

The month of November is accompanied by gray and rainy weather. Therefore, many holidays in Germany are not of an entertainment nature, but are increasingly associated with saints, martyrs and the dead.

December is the last month of the year, which is accompanied by the holidays associated with Christmas. On December 6, Catholics celebrate St. Nicholas Day and begin to prepare for Christmas. December 24 - and December 25 -. December 26 is celebrated as St. Stephen's Day or the Second Day of Christmas. December 27 - Memorial Day of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian.

It should be noted that in Germany on holidays, which are officially recognized as a day off, shops, government agencies (schools, kindergartens, municipalities, etc.) and services are closed. Gas stations and shops with them, pharmacies on duty remain open, as well as emergency services, rescue services and doctors on duty in hospitals. On Christmas and New Year's Eve, everyone works until lunchtime, incl. the shops. Although many office workers will have a day off.

There are people in Germany who know that the holidays are made for fun. They know how to properly spend a particular holiday, no matter what day it falls on (weekend or weekday). Having visited this country, you begin to understand how to celebrate the holidays.

The most effective way to get a better sense of the spirit of the country and learn more about its culture is to attend a folk festival or folk festival. In Germany, there are plenty of such events: in addition to the well-known Oktoberfest, fairs, parades, processions, competitions and other interesting events are held throughout the country on a grand scale.

During mass festivities, tourists have the opportunity to get acquainted with the national cuisine, see traditional costumes, hear folk German songs and, in general, to penetrate deeper into the atmosphere of the country, which is invaluable for forming a correct presentation. The largest number of festive events occurs in the summer, and many events are also held in the fall and spring.

The largest events in Germany

Oktoberfest

Perhaps the most famous and grandiose festival in Germany, which annually attracts millions of tourists from all over the world - connoisseurs of high-quality German beer and folklore traditions. It takes place in Munich in the second half of September and early October. On the Teresa's meadow, pavilions of brewing companies (only Munich ones) are installed, which produce a foamy drink in accordance with the laws of the 15th-16th centuries.

Kranger Kirmes

Fairytale festival, which takes place in the city of Herne. It starts on the last Friday of August and lasts a whole week. This is a fun extravaganza with carousels, music and attractions. In terms of the scope of events, the event is second only to the famous Oktoberfest. It is believed that Kranger Kirmes appeared in the 15th century, when illusionists, jugglers, street performers and magicians began to appear in the local market for the sale of wild horses.

Cannstatter Volksfest

Another beer festival in Germany, but this time in Stuttgart. Its history began in the 19th century. At first, beer was not the main "character", but gradually the emphasis shifted, and today visitors can taste the foamy drinks of hundreds of companies that set up their tents on an area of ​​16 hectares, as well as eat hearty schnitzels, roast beefs and other delicacies. The Cannstatter Volksfest takes place in September-October and lasts 16 days.

Great fair on the Rhine

A large-scale holiday in Dusseldorf, which takes place in July for 10 days and annually gathers about 4 million people. The events are organized in a large meadow in the Oberkassel region. Market stalls and attractions are set up in the middle of old buildings, which become natural backdrops for the fair. Traditionally, the festival is organized by the Shooters Society of St. Sebastian, which has a 700-year history.

Kiel week

A folk festival where traditional festivities, carnival processions and sailing regatta are combined. It takes place in the port of Kiel in June and lasts a little over a week. The first ship race took place in the 19th century under Kaiser Wilhelm II. The main events can be seen on the embankment: on specially constructed stages, visitors are entertained by musicians, circus performers, and comedians.

Festival of Saint Liborius in Paderborn

The holiday is dedicated to St. Liboria - the patron saint of the city. It is held in the last days of July. Festive events begin with the ringing of the cathedral bells and a solemn procession with the relics of the saint. After the end of the official ceremony, fairs, concerts and colorful shows open in the center of Paderborn. The events end with a large-scale fireworks display.

Cologne carnival

Carnival takes place in February before the beginning of Lent (there are similar traditions in many European countries). At this time, the city turns into a theatrical area: thousands of residents in bright costumes, balls, carnival meetings, gala dinners and mass processions - all this accompanies the holiday. For several days, life in official institutions freezes.

Cologne gay pride parade

The gay pride parade in Cologne is considered one of the largest in Europe, annually gathering up to a million spectators and tens of thousands of participants. The main event is a carnival procession, during which representatives of the LGBT community follow the streets of the city on special platforms. The main theme of the gay pride parade (like all similar events) is the fight for the rights of sexual minorities and the promotion of social tolerance.

Hanseatic regatta

International competition in the port city of Rostock, which attracts participants from all over Europe. Regatta spectators have the opportunity to admire a wide variety of sailing ships, stylized as old ships. Some captains even allow tourists to board or go out to sea for a short walk after the race. The regatta is held in August and lasts only 3 days.

Berlin Marathon

The mass race, which officially started in 1974 for the first time. Since then, the number of its participants has only increased, sometimes the organizers are even forced to reject applications due to the large number of applicants. In addition to the classic distance, you can join the roller skating marathon and children's competitions. During the event, several world records were set.

"Document"

This is an opening day dedicated to contemporary art, which has been held in Kassel since 1955. The first exhibition featured works by Picasso, Kandinsky and other representatives of this genre. Documenta became the successor to a tradition interrupted in 1937 when the Nazi regime banned the demonstration of "degenerate art". Vernissage is held once every five years.

Bochum Total

A music festival that takes place in the city of Bochum in early summer. As a rule, it lasts several days. It hosts bands playing in various genres from jazz to hard rock, so the event is attended by a very motley audience. For the first time, the festival was held in 1986 on two small venues; today city clubs, pubs, streets and parks are used for the stages.

Port birthday in Hamburg

A maritime holiday, striking in its scope: sites where mass events are held stretch for many kilometers along the Hamburg embankment. The festival starts on the first Friday of May and lasts for several days. Opening and closing is accompanied by a colorful parade. The program includes processions, fireworks, ceremonial passage of ships along the river and rowing competitions.

"Cologne Lights"

Summer fireworks festival in Cologne, famous for its colorful shows. Numerous tourists watch the fireworks from the banks, ship decks, bridges and rooftops, from where the most advantageous angle opens. In order to take a suitable position, you have to come a few hours before the start. The Cologne Lights is a one-day festival, culminating in a grandiose light show.

Berlin Light Festival

During this festival, Berlin's landmarks are adorned with incredible light installations. The Cathedral, the Brandenburg Gate, Pergamon, government residences are turning into an arena for a fabulous play of spotlights that create vivid and memorable images. Observing the facades of buildings, you can watch a whole light performance created by skilful directors. The festival has been running since 2005 in November and lasts about two weeks.

Rock festival Rock am Ring

One of the key rock music festivals taking place at the Nurburgring - the Formula 1 race track since 1985 (early June). Since 1987 it has been held in the open-air format. Since then, such mastodons as Eric Clapton, AC / DC, Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, Scorpions, Van Halen have performed there. Tickets for the festival are sold together with places in the campsite, on the territory of which visitors will have to live for three days.

Wurstmarkt Wine Festival

Germany isn't just producing great beer. German wine is also distinguished by its excellent quality and excellent taste characteristics. The festival dedicated to this drink is traditionally held in Durkheim (Bavarian Palatinate). During the festival, visitors can taste dozens of varieties, appreciate the local wine culture and enjoy the special atmosphere of the event.

"Lights of the Rhine"

Festival events cover several cities located on the Rhine. They start in Bonn in May and end in Bingen in September. The Lights of the Rhine is a celebration of colorful fireworks, light installations accompanied by music, chivalrous tournaments in castles, ship parades and concerts. It is the longest in time, for almost 4 months almost the entire population of the cities standing on the river and numerous tourists have time to take part in it.

Berlin Film Festival

The first film festival was held in Berlin in 1951. Since then, it has become one of the most prestigious and significant events in the world of cinema. It is especially important that directors from various countries, and not only from Europe and America, present their films to the jury. For many aspiring masters, the Berlinale becomes a successful debut, after which a successful career begins. The festival takes place in February.

Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival

A classical music festival held in the cities of Schleswig-Holstein. Leading symphony orchestras and world-famous performers come to it to perform against the backdrop of stone vaults of ancient cathedrals and castles, illuminated by the lights of embankments, in parks and workshops of old factories. Within the framework of the festival, about 200 concerts are organized at dozens of venues.

All German holidays with exact dates and translation into German are already listed in the blog - you can find them here. There they are all: from the January holiday of the Three Magi to the December Sylvester! German holidays are divided into two categories: religious and state. The first, of course, are more.

Holidays in Germany: winter

The most important holiday in Germany is Christmas. It is a quiet, family friendly and very cozy holiday for Germans. But until the very culmination of this holiday - before Christmas Eve there is Advent time. It is during this period that a festive atmosphere blows on the streets: you can take a walk, choose new holiday decorations for your home, drink hot mulled wine, and at home you must start culinary preparations for the holiday: bake Christmas cookies, rolls and gingerbread.

Therefore, it is safe to say that Christmas starts already at the end of November - from the first advent when the Germans light the first candle on the Christmas wreath (more about Advent -). The whole December is in a festive mood. From the first of December, children (and not only children) open the windows of their Advent calendars, and on the night from 5th to 6th they put up their boots in anticipation of a gift from grandfather Nikolaus. Christmas Eve is the culmination of all the action, the whole December rush around holiday decorations and gifts.

So tired of all this bustle, from purchases, from sweets, from attending pre-Christmas events, that to my beloved in the old times of the New Year, I crawl on my last breath ... And I want it to be January 1st, and better just the 2nd!

New Year's Eve in Germany is, of course, a much busier holiday. People are throwing parties, putting on fireworks - which, by the way, can only be used on New Year's Eve. The Germans' table for the New Year is not bursting with treats. The main thing is to stock up on champagne and other alcohol, and prepare a small snack for it, but definitely not kilograms of salads of all stripes))

Having survived all these holidays - and sighing deeply - you begin to live an ordinary life. Get rid of all edible supplies. For the New Year and Christmas, after all, you need to stock up on a large amount of food - for reasons - "what if not enough, and the shops will be closed ..."

And then one day, waking up on a January morning, you decide to cook chicken soup, which you need to buy ... You go to the store, but it turns out that they are closed, because on January 6 it is already in the yard, and this day of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to Jesus and another day off in Germany. Because you have to look at the calendar more often. I’m not making it up ... We often planned to go somewhere and buy something, go to the hairdresser - and so on, and we ended up on this very day.

Orthodox Christmas falls on the holiday of the Three Volkhov: in Germany, like all religious holidays, it is quiet and homely. Many do not even notice it: just another day off.

The next winter holiday - which is not celebrated by all of Germany at all, and does not take place in the north - is the carnival. I have already talked about it in detail and will not repeat myself within the framework of this article - be sure to read

After the carnival week, it is time for fasting. This means a rest from the holidays. And this rest lasts until Easter. Although before Easter, religious people still honor Palm Sunday.

Holidays in Germany: spring and summer

Spring and early summer are a whole set of religious holidays related to Easter in one way or another. See the table:

Holidays in the diagram are marked in red that are weekends throughout Germany. The rest - may be days off in certain regions, or not at all. January 24 and December 31 are still working days for some, and the shops are open until two o'clock in the afternoon, so that everyone has time to buy what they need.

Father's Day and Mother's Day are celebrated in May. Moreover, Father's Day is always a day off and it always coincides with the Ascension Day. What's funny: father's day is celebrated violently and noisily by young men who so far have no children))

And mother's day falls on Sunday: what kind of holiday it is and you can read a little about the history of its appearance here

Summer is a time when there are very few official holidays. Because summer is already a holiday. Germans don't stay at home at all if the weather is good. The parks are overcrowded, the forest paths are too, not to mention the beer gardens and other interesting places.

And in summer there are a lot of other unofficial holidays - urban and rural. Every July we hold a wine festival under our windows - although the region is not at all wine-making or grapevine. But for three days here it is so noisy and fun: that after such a party, the tongue will not turn to say that the Germans are boring and do not know how to celebrate holidays. Both old and young - they dance until late and have fun like the last time))) Some are even taken away by ambulances.

Besides, summer is a time of holidays - why not a holiday? The Germans are planning this business long before the onset of warmth and are therefore looking forward to it.

Holidays in Germany: Autumn

Of the autumn holidays, St. Martin's Day stands out, when children walk the streets with laterns and sing songs. Read more about it. What other holidays take place in the fall? Harvest festival, feast of all saints,

And Halloween has also moved to Germany - although not everywhere: nevertheless, many have adopted it: and not only carve a pumpkin, but also dress up in all sorts of evil spirits. In some famous places, there are various intimidating excursions.

There is also such a thing in Germany as Stadtfest - a street festival. At first I thought - these are some kind of processions to match the carnival. But no! It’s just a fair in the city center. With sausages, pancakes, beer, sweets and some entertainment for children. Such is the city's holiday: walk, eat and enjoy life !!!

With the same motto, Germans enjoy visiting medieval markets, knightly tournaments and other themed fairs. You can even find similar holidays every week in the nearest villages and towns.

What about the various fountain festivals, sausage festivals, forests, bridges, mills ... and other regional parties? In general, you thought that the Germans are a boring people, but they have a holiday every day.

Germany is the leader of European countries and is characterized by a high level of development of life, economy and industry. Germans love order, punctuality and scrupulousness in almost everything. And they treat any holidays, and there are a lot of them in Germany, with the utmost seriousness and thoroughness.

Holidays in Germany

Not all holidays are weekends and are celebrated throughout the country. This is largely due to the state structure of the republic, which is distinguished by federalism. An important role in this is played by the independence of each of the federal states.

All national holidays have their own old traditions and foundations, especially for religious and pagan celebrations. Despite the fact that Germany is a highly developed state, it has managed to preserve its identity, measured and calm life.

Like any other country, the German republic has both state and purely national holidays that are associated with some memorable date or historical day. There are also celebrations in the country associated with Catholic beliefs. In addition, Germany celebrates several well-known holidays such as:

1. New Year's Day -1 January.
2. Knowledge Day September 1.
3. Workers' Day -1 May, etc.

Features of national holidays

Germany hosts numerous concerts, festivals, fairs and festivals every year. If it is a general day off, then only cinemas, bakeries and cafes will be open. All traditions and holidays in Germany are closely related to the culture of this country. Despite their seemingly calm and serious nature, the German people love to have fun. Although the main cultural life of Germany, with a mass of museums and theaters, is concentrated in large cities, bright echoes of the holidays are scattered throughout the quiet and remote corners of the provinces.

Beer party in Germany

Munich Oktoberfest is the most famous and popular beer festival on the planet. In 2010, he celebrated his 200th anniversary, the celebration is held from September 20 to October 4. This beer festival in Germany is annually attended by more than 6 million drink lovers from all over the world. They come here to taste it and enjoy the unique taste. The famous beer from the best Munich breweries is only brewed during this period in accordance with the law of 1487 on the purity of beer. The alcohol content of the drink must not exceed 6.8%. Since its inception, the festival has only been canceled a few times, for good reasons:

1. Cholera epidemic.
2. Prussian-Austrian War.
3. Franco-Prussian War.
4. First and Second World Wars.
5. Hyperinflation in Germany in 1923-24.

The beer festival is held in Theresa's meadow in the center of Munich. 14 large tents with a capacity of 10,000 people and 15 small ones with a capacity of about 1,000 people are being built on it. Life is raging inside the tents: waitresses serve 10 beers at a time, festival guests enjoy a foamy drink and gobble up the famous Munich pork sausages and fried chicken. Beer flows like a river to the incessant sound of music. There are many other entertainments at the festival: carousels, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel. In addition to tasting beer, you can just walk in the park, make new acquaintances, buy souvenirs, visit some attraction or a flea circus.

Harvest festival

The harvest festival Volksfest in Stuttgart is celebrated from 23 September to 9 October. He is the main competitor of the Bavarian festival. Like all beer festivals in Germany, the Volksfest is famous for the amount of frothy it drinks. This festival is in many ways similar to the Munich beer festival, but its main feature is that it is family-oriented.

The holiday is rooted in the distant past. On this day, people rejoice at a good harvest of vegetables, fruits, berries, grains, thank God for his gifts. Churches hold special services dedicated to the holiday, while buildings are adorned with wheat wreaths and the fruits of the new harvest. All vegetables and fruits are consecrated and laid out in front of the altar.

Day of Unity of Germany

It is celebrated on October 3rd. It is a national holiday that has been celebrated on the day of the successful unification of West and East Germany since October 1990. This day was declared an official holiday in Germany. And the Independence Day of the Federal Republic of Germany, which was celebrated on June 17, was abolished.

Many national holidays in Germany are characterized by the fact that rallies and sessions of parliament are held on this day in the states and city halls. Members of the upper chamber of the FRG parliament, as well as various politicians and public figures are actively involved in this. Concerts and festivities take place in cities, and in the evening - fireworks await everyone.

German Holidays in October

More than 70 well-known historical and architectural monuments of the city take part in the grandiose festival of light in Berlin, these are:

1. Famous Berlin Cathedral.
2. Bergamon Museum.
3. Chancellor's residence.
4. TV tower and others.

All these buildings turn into light installations for two weeks. The Festival of Light has existed not so long ago - since 2005, but has already gained worldwide popularity. Like other holidays in Germany, it attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world.

Berlin during the festival is like a fairy-tale world with millions of colored lights that adorn the buildings. The streets of the city are illuminated at night with spotlights and lanterns. Berliners and visitors alike enjoy watching light performances projected onto the walls of buildings. So that tourists can view all the light programs, there are excursion routes - bicycle, bus, walking and even boat. The Berlin festival is rich in its cultural program. Guests and residents of the city are presented with exhibitions of photographs depicting the city at night.

What other holidays are there in Germany in October? The cherished dream and the main holiday of every book lover is the Frankfurt Book Fair. At this festival, publications from more than 100 countries are presented - these are books, magazines, newspapers, comics, various printed materials. It also does not do without the production of multimedia literature. The Book Forum is about 500 years old.

Germans love to have fun and try not to miss a single celebration or holiday. They also honor national holidays adopted from Europeans. The Germans treat those days with honors and with all seriousness when it is necessary to commemorate the dead. Also, the Germans celebrate Halloween - October 31 - an international gathering of evil spirits. In America, he is celebrated by dressing up in masquerade costumes of witches and ghouls and carving a head from a pumpkin. German youth are also having fun.

Germany in November

Basically, all holidays in Germany in November are Catholic festivals. November 1 is the day of all martyrs, saints and the dead. On this day, Catholics visit the graves of deceased relatives and friends. The Germans decorate them and light the lamps. First, all relatives gather at the house of the older family members. Then, after lunch, everyone drives to the cemetery, where flowers are laid at the graves and candles are lit. The pastor begins the church service, he prays and reads sermons, the orchestra plays funeral music. After the end of the service, the pastor goes around the cemetery and sprinkles the graves with holy water. In some southern states of Germany, November 1 is a day off; on this day, it is forbidden to talk loudly and listen to music. Basically, all holidays in Germany in November are Catholic and religious festivals.

Saint Martin's Day is celebrated on November 11th. This day is also considered the day of the harvest and is especially loved by children. It is on November 11 that a significant procession takes place with lighted lanterns and torches. Children, long before the holiday, prepare paper lanterns with their own hands, where candles will be inserted later. According to legend, a young soldier Martin warmed a freezing beggar with his cloak. Subsequently, fellow villagers looked for him with torches and lanterns in order to thank him for his good deed.

Official celebrations in Germany

All public holidays in Germany are common to all states. And they are all declared as days off. And New Year's holidays in Germany are celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1.

Easter is the most important religious celebration. The holiday includes Good Friday, Easter and the following Monday. Despite the fact that officially religion is separated from the state in Germany, all these three days are days off. The symbol of German Easter, like any other, is colored eggs. On Sunday morning, all residents go to church for divine services, and then young people with children visit their friends and give them congratulations, songs, egg baskets, etc.

May 1 - Workers' Day of Solidarity. On this holiday, as in many countries, numerous demonstrations and rallies are held in Germany. People of various professions come out with flags, banners, march through the streets of the city and shout various slogans and sing songs.

Christmas fun and New Year's celebrations

December 5 and 26 are officially days off throughout the country. In this church services are held, people give each other their attention and gifts. It is customary to spend weekends at home, at a decorated Christmas tree and with loved ones. Spruce is usually dressed up in early December, and harvested on January 2-3. A month before Christmas starts in Germany, fairs open in all cities in the country. Streets are decorated with garlands, colorful lanterns and balls, ribbons. During the Christmas sales, a large number of gifts and decorations, delicious food, drinks and costumes are bought. New Year's Eve is celebrated, as elsewhere in Europe, with fireworks, songs, dances.

Love parade

Despite their stiffness and love of order, there are also very unusual holidays in Germany, for example, the love parade. This festival takes place annually in various cities of the German state on 19 July. It is accompanied by loud music, very revealing outfits. One cannot ignore the national drink - beer, it flows like a river. This holiday is like a real carnival, a nationwide procession that lasts a whole day under the incessant musical accompaniment of the best DJs.

Germany is rich in its holidays. Most of the tourists visiting the country these days not only get involved in the national culture, but also discover a lot of interesting things. After all, there will be a great variety of impressions from visiting Germany.

For each of the holidays, be it religious or state, the Germans treat with great respect and carefully prepare, decorating houses, buying gifts and setting a rich table with beer always present on it.

Some festive dates are days off for the entire country, others are celebrated only in some regions. And of course, throughout the year you can find many bright and outstanding festivals, fairs and carnivals. The people of Germany just love to have fun and do it with soul and scope.

Winter and annual events of this season in Germany

The coldest time of the year is traditionally the most eventful and rich in annual events. Already from the first days of December, a series of fairs and sales, shows and carnivals begins in the country, and thousands of garlands and tall firs appear on the streets, on whose fluffy paws stars, Santa figurines and other decorations are hung.

New Year and Christmas in Germany

The main attributes of the Christmas holidays are a wreath with four Adventskranz candles, a Christmas calendar with windows and chocolate. In houses, windows are painted, candles and images with biblical scenes are displayed on the window sills, and elegant Christmas trees flaunt on the balconies of residents. Not without fairytale German heroes - The Nutcracker, Frau Hall and others.

The most famous fair on Christmas Eve takes place in the city of Nuremberg. It is traditionally opened by a girl dressed in a golden-winged angel. As in many other seasonal holiday bazaars (Krskindlesmarkt, Alexanderplatz, etc.), the number of which exceeds 2500, the counters are full of sweets, mulled wine and painted souvenirs.

Christmas in Germany celebrated for three days: December 24 - Christmas Eve, 25 - Catholic Christmas and 26 - St. Stephen's Day. The first of three days, Christmas Eve, the Germans spend in church (including at night mass), and the evening - at a festive dinner with the obligatory Stollen pie, after which the children are presented with long-awaited gifts. On December 25, families gather at the table again, celebrating their favorite holiday of the year in an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness. After dinner, December 24 in the country is a short working day, 25 is a day off.

New Year in Germany celebrate noisily and violently. On December 31, Germans prefer to take to the streets, drink champagne and watch musical performances, a laser show and a grand fireworks display. A wonderful New Year's tradition is to "jump" into the coming year. With the last strike of the clock at midnight, the Germans climb onto chairs and, with a cry of Prosit Neujahr, jump down. Also, traditionally, on the 31st, a sports race is held for everyone.

After incendiary dances at discos and a large amount of drunk all day on January 1, the Germans sleep off and "improve their health."

But do not think that the Christmas holidays are already over by January 1. The spirit of Christmas is in the air right up to January 6 - Three Kings Day when children go to neighboring houses to sing songs and receive treats deserved by talent from adults. And on January 7, in Munich, you can catch a grandiose carnival.

February holidays in Germany

The largest of all German film festivals - “ Berlinale". Every year, new films from the film industry are presented here to the audience. The winners are awarded honorary gold and silver bears. The event takes place over several days at the Berlinale Palast.

Also in February (in the middle or at the end), a major carnival is held in Cologne and Munich Fastnacht (Fasching). Prepare for the carnival ahead of time. On one Thursday in February, there is a women's holiday of permissiveness - Weiberfastnacht. And on the following Monday with grandiose street processions, concerts and festivities, the Germans celebrate Rosenmontag (Rosenmontag). The next day, Tuesday, is a traditionally children's holiday with gifts and short classes in schools. Wednesday among all this carnival series justifies the name "Ash": on this day, after a storm of fun with a headache and a hangover, the carnivals prepare for the great forty-day Lent, which begins after "Ash Wednesday" and continues until Easter.

Spring annual events in Germany

Easter- a religious holiday that is celebrated all over the world at the end of March or in the middle of April. Germany is no exception. The most magnificently celebrated two days of the entire Easter week: Sunday and Monday (public holiday). Traditional symbols are eggs and rabbits. When you find yourself in Germany during this event, which ends Lent, you will see many beautiful customs, interesting fun, games and interesting traditions of celebrating Easter in Germany.

The 1 of May Like the rest of the world, Germany celebrates Labor and Spring with the traditional maypole decoration and demonstrations.

Mother's Day and Father's Day in Germany- Honored events and public holidays. They are celebrated on the second Sunday in May and on the fortieth day after Easter, respectively. And if it is customary for beloved mothers and grandmothers to show signs of attention and give gifts, then men gather on their day and leave for picnics, grabbing a kind basket with goodies and drinks.

Summer Love Parade in Germany

In the summer, a whole season of gay pride parades called Christopher-Street-Day opens in Germany. At the same time, in several German cities, adherents of free sexual relations, dressed in carnival costumes and with funny slogans in their hands (for example, "Have you hugged a gay today?"), Take to the streets at once. Musical support is provided by cars (sometimes very unusually decorated) and buses, slowly moving behind a colorful procession. At the same time, a huge number of residents gather to admire the procession.

Themed events (parties, concerts, exhibitions, etc.) are held in Germany for two weeks immediately before the processions of many thousands. In 2014, the annual love parade became 36 in a row and was held on June 21.

Autumn holidays in Germany

Autumn is not only a season that heralds the onset of cold weather, but also a very rich season for various events and holidays.

September 1 schoolchildren from all over the world go to school after the holidays. But only in Germany it is customary for children to give huge paper cones filled to the top with sweets to show how sweet it is to study at school.

Oktoberfest

Germany's main beer festival has been celebrated for over two hundred years. Fans of the frothy drink produced by Munich breweries have fun for nearly three weeks. In 2014, the festival starts on Saturday 20 September and ends on 5 October.

Traditionally, on the first morning of the festival, the procession of the owners of beer tents begins, and exactly at 12 noon, the foam festival is officially opened with cannon volleys. The next Sunday, the holiday takes on an even more grandiose form: more than eight thousand people dressed in historical and carnival costumes, accompanied by the sounds of orchestras, pass from the Bavarian parliament building to the Teresa meadow, where many tents with an amber drink and a myriad of sausages and sausages await their guests and other snacks. In addition to alcoholic revelry, the festival offers rides for everyone. And the state of health of those who came to Oktoberfest is monitored by medical workers.

October 3 - Day of German Unity

This holiday is perhaps the most modest of all. In honor of the great event for the country, musical performances and festive fireworks are organized in Berlin and some other cities.

Feast of Kirmes (third Sunday in October)

An ancient rural festival dedicated to harvesting. A couple of weeks before Kirmes, a symbolic straw effigy is buried in the ground along with a bottle of schnapps, and for the holiday itself it is dug up and attached to a decorated tree. The event is accompanied by services, games, dances and songs. The next day, the scarecrow is sent to the ground with pieces of pie, shards of glass, the head of a rooster and the same bottle of schnapps. This tradition is like a symbolic offering to the land for a rich harvest.

Halloween and All Saints Day, October 31 - November 1

In Germany, they love to dress up in all sorts of evil spirits and other scary carnival costumes on the eve of All Saints' Day. It is not complete without the antiquity of a pumpkin candlestick and traditional treats. The biggest party is usually held at Castle Frankenstein. And the next morning the Germans rush to the graves of their deceased relatives to honor their memory. In some parts of the country, November 1 is a day off.

National Sorrow Day in Germany, 18 November

A day of mourning with a rich historical background is held in all cities in Germany. The chancellor, heads of government and diplomatic corps make speeches, the country's anthem is always played, and mourning rallies are held. Residents mourn for those killed in the First and Second World War.

"Fifth season" in Germany

According to ancient tradition, the “fifth season”, which marks the beginning of preparations for Christmas festivities and the opening of the festival season, begins every year on November 11 at 11:11 am. This season will last until the very end of February and will end with a magnificent carnival.

In addition, many religious and secular holidays are celebrated in Germany. Some of them are traditionally celebrated at night, while others are associated with very interesting historical events. And there are so many festivals and carnivals throughout the year that it is simply impossible to count them. Having visited the country and having attended several celebrations, you will not only be imbued with love for this cheerful people, but also feel how they know how to relax in Germany.

We often perceive the people of Germany as dry and callous pedants. But as soon as you get to know them in an informal setting, you will surely be convinced of the opposite. Most fully conducive to communication visiting institutions, whose doors are thrown open for guests at nightfall.