There’s no better way to enjoy Germany’s summer months and (usually) fabulous weather than by hitting one of its many festivals. They happen all over the country, often outdoors, and range from music to art to celebrations of cultures.

Get ready to party this summer as we explore some of the best summer festivals in Germany.

Carnival of Cultures

Berlin celebrates its unique carnival in summer during the colorful Carnival of Cultures. More than 1.5 million visitors pay tribute to the multicultural spirit of Germany’s capital with this four-day street festival.

Enjoy exotic food and drinks, concerts, and parties. The highlight of the festival is the street parade on Sunday featuring elaborately decorated floats, singers, and dancers from over 70 different countries.

Rhine in Flames

This festival invites you to see the Rhine’s natural beauty in a whole new light. Thousands of Bengal lights, stunning fireworks, and illuminated steam boats glide down the Rhine, bathing the river banks, vineyards, and castles in a magical glow. Watch from the shores or board one of the boats for an enchanting journey.

Fusion Festival

Fusion Festival is the equivalent of the Burning Man of Germany.

Held in a former Russian military airport in Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg, this eclectic program of events follows the motto “anything goes.” It fuses electronic music with film, theater, and art. Up to 55,000 free spirits gather here every year to camp, party, and dance.

Bach Fest Leipzig

This premier classical 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 masterpieces at historical venues like the Thomaskirche (Thomas Church), where Bach worked as a cantor for 27 years.

Berlin’s Christopher Street Day

Berlin’s Gay Pride events are a highlight of the city’s summer season. Known as Christopher Street Day (CSD), these events include serious debates, concerts, and vibrant after-parties.

Don’t miss the largest CSD Parade in Berlin, which attracts some of the largest crowds on the continent. Over 500,000 people gather to march from Kurfürstendamm in Charlottenburg to the gay symbol of the city, the Siegessäule. Bring your fetish gear, elaborate costumes, or enjoy the atmosphere in any attire.

Germany’s Hafenfest

Hafenfests across Germany bring the party to the water each summer. “Kiel Week” (Kieler Woche) is renowned as the largest sailing event in the world, attracting 5,000 sailors, 2,000 ships, and more than three million visitors annually.

This historic event dates back to 1882 and features regattas, ship parades, and a cultural program that transforms the city center of Kiel into the largest summer festival stage in Northern Europe.

Hamburg SommerDOM

Since the 14th century, Hamburg has celebrated the DOM, one of the largest open-air fun fairs in northern Germany. This summer festival occurs three times a year and offers endless opportunities for fun in the sun.

Bring the whole family for classic Ferris wheels and carousels, thrilling roller coasters, and live concerts. Schedule a visit for every Friday night when fireworks illuminate the night around 10:30 PM. Best of all, visiting the DOM is free.

Rock am Ring

Each summer, more than 150,000 rock music fans gather at the racetrack of the Nürburgring for Germany’s largest open-air music festival. The remarkable lineup of international rock bands has included names like Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Volbeat. No matter the genre, this festival keeps fans dancing for three days.

Traumzeit Music Festival in Duisburg

This music festival is set in a former smelting works at Landschaftspark Duisburg Nord in Duisburg. The massive blast furnaces, gas tanks, kettles, pipes, and chimneys create a unique backdrop for concerts, light shows, and visual projections. The music ranges from classical to pop, jazz, and electronic.

Berlin’s International Beer Festival

The Internationales Berliner Bierfestival features a “Mile of Beer” along Karl-Marx-Allee. This festival showcases local and international favorites, inviting attendees to step outside the box and enjoy craft beers that offer something different.

Elbjazz Festival in Hamburg

The famous harbor of Hamburg, the second busiest port in Europe, transforms into a stage during the international jazz festival “Elbjazz.” More than 50 concerts take place along Hamburg’s waterfront, allowing attendees to dance at the docks, on cargo ships, or in the fascinating harbor museum. A free ferry shuttle connects the different venues while offering stunning views of Hamburg’s skyline from the water.