Throughout Germany hundreds of different open-air music festivals and cultural happenings offer a variety of international and local artists drawing large crowds either within the cities or special outdoor venues this summer.
he Ruhr region as European Capital of Culture offers 23 music festivals in July and August. Highlights are the Love Parade in Duisburg, formerly held in Berlin, with 1.5 million visitors (July 24) and the 'Bochum Total' city festival with several German and international stars on different stages throughout the city (July 15 -18). Visit www.essen-fuer-das-ruhrgebiet.ruhr2010.de.
In Xanten, near Cologne, the annual summer festival in the ancient Roman amphitheater is a highlight for friends of opera, musical and theater performances. International artists provide high-quality entertainment and the outstanding acoustics in the 2000 year old open-air theater (Aug. 13 to 29). Visit www.xanten.de.
The museum embankment festival in Frankfurt is a cultural highlight in Germany's annual festival calendar. Spread along the River Main, the festival features a non-stop program of cultural events and also takes in numerous major museums, theaters and concert halls across the city (Aug. 27 to 29). Visit www.frankfurt-tourismus.de.
Cologne hosts this year the VIII Gay Games and the world-wide gay-community will celebrate with sport and cultural events throughout the city. More than 10,000 participants from 70 countries will participate (July 31 to Aug. 7). Visit www.games-cologne.de.
Through September, Hamburg hosts a wide range of events featuring music and art, film and literature. The summer's biggest cultural event is the International Summer Festival at the Kampnagel crane factory, a converted industrial hall. The fest will feature a mix of international dance and theater, concerts and debates (Aug. 12 to 29). The Dockville Festival in the Wilhelmsburg district, Europe's largest river island, explores new avenues with its eclectic program, being a gigantic playground devoted solely to music and the arts (Aug. 13 to 15). Hamburg's summer festival season culminates in the Reeperbahn Festival, which features 150 bands on 20 or so stages around Spielbudenplatz square in the heart of famous St. Pauli. The program, which demonstrates a strong commitment to up-and-coming international music, excludes mainstream headline acts in favor of promising newcomers representing a multitude of genres (Sept. 23 to 25). Visit www.hamburg-tourism.de.
Beach clubs along the Elbe River are transformed by beaches and exotic palm trees, bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to Hamburg harbor including: Hamburg del Mar, Lago Bay, Hamburg City Beach-Club and Strand Pauli. Visit www.hamburg-tourism.de.
Situated on the River Weser close to the North Sea coast, the harbor city of Bremerhaven is a starting point for fabulous, well sign-posted cycling routes and summer festivals. Every five years Bremerhaven celebrates with the "Sail Bremerhaven" one of the largest maritime festivals in Germany. Windjammers and special ships of all sizes, classes and types will meet on the quays, led by the famous "Gorch Fock" of the German Marine fleet. The world's most beautiful Tall Ships invite to come on board and a diverse family program on land, at sea and in the air promises a great maritime experience (Aug. 25 to 29). Visit www.bremerhaven-touristik.de.
To celebrate the VIII Gay Games in Cologne, Rail Europe is offering a special deal on German Rail Twin Passes. For bookings until July 31 Rail Europe gives a 20 percent discount. The Gay Games in Cologne will be taking place from July 31 to Aug. 7. The world-wide gay-community will celebrate with sport and cultural events throughout the city. Visit www.raileurope.com . For more information, visit www.germany.travel.
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