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11 events not to be missed this July in Germany

The Local Germany
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11 events not to be missed this July in Germany
Zimbabwe singer Mathias Muzaza performing with his band Mokoomba at the Bardentreffen in 2013. Photo:DPA

July brings the culmination of the World Cup, opera, wine and music festivals.

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1. Football World Cup, 14th June - 15th July, locations across Germany

German fans at a public viewing on Berlin's Fanmeile. Photo:DPA

We’re already over mid-way through the World Cup and the tournament is just getting interesting. Be sure to get yourself to a "public viewing" of one of the matches to soak up the atmosphere with other fans. 

Most cities will have a designated public viewing area, but if you’re in Berlin head to the Fanmeile (fan mile) which stretches almost two kilometres from the Brandenburg Gate and is the largest public viewing in Germany.

Or if big crowds aren’t your thing, why not try your luck in one of the many bars or biergartens, where you’ll be able to enjoy a beer with locals, watching on one of the many make-shift screens put up.

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The final will take place on July 15th at 17:00 (too bad Germany won't be there).

 2. Munich Opera Festival, 24th June - 28th July, Munich 

The Staatsoper in Munich. Photo:DPA

This year’s Munich Opera Festival promises to be a treat for all. The theme for 2018 is show me your wound, in order to portray how the art of opera is where “humans in all their longing, being and hope – lay themselves bare and where, finally, they find themselves”.

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Throughout the festival, over 30 operas from five centuries, and more than 20 ballets from the 19th century to the present are performed, as well as concerts and song recitals. 

Don’t miss the premiere of Wagner’s Parsifal, which will also be broadcast live from the National Theatre to a screen on the Max-Joseph-Platz on 8th July. The broadcast will also be available online at STAATSOPER.TV.

3. Fashion Week, 3rd - 7th July, Berlin

Models presenting designs by William Fan in January. Photo:DPA

Berlin’s biannual event is back this July. If you’re an aspiring fashionista, or just want to catch a glimpse of one of the stylish models or designers, Berlin is the place to be.

This year, there will be a special focus on sustainable fashion and the link between fashion and technology.

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More info can be found on the website, which is also available in English here

4. Classic Open Air, 5th - 9th July, Berlin

The Classic Open Air outside on the Gendarmenmarkt. Photo:DPA

Classic Open Air will delight your senses with a backdrop of the most beautiful square in Berlin - Gendarmenmarkt.

Each night enjoy world-class musicians and different styles of music. The event kicks off with a performance from the Deutsche Filmorchester Babelsberg, who will please all with their collection of film music intertwined with classic, rock and pop.

There will be opera, beautiful piano pieces and even a Earth, Wind & Fire night dedicated to the classics of soul and funk. 

5. Freiburg Wine Festival, 5th - 10th July, Freiburg

Freiburg Wine Festival. Photo:DPA

This wine festival is a chance to sample the best wine from Baden-Württemberg's winegrowers' cooperatives and wineries. Try your hand at wine tasting and discover some of the speciality cuisine of the region. It's even free to go along.

The wine fest is open from 17:00 - midnight Mon-Thurs, and 17:00 - 1:00 Fri/Sat, so you can enjoy local food and wine into the early hours.

6. Kiliani Volksfest, 6th - 22nd July, Würzburg

The Kiliani Volksfest in Würzburg. Photo:DPA

The Kiliani Volksfest has been an annual feature in Würzburg since 1950 and celebrates German and Bavarian culture.

There's a full programme of musical acts (including Würzburg's "local heroes") to enjoy, and other fun attractions like rollercoasters and carousels.

Every year there is a food and drinks area where you can try the best local dishes. The event is opened and closed with a firework display.

7. Christopher Street Day celebrations, multiple dates, locations across Germany

Waving the LGBT flag at the Berlin Pride in 2017. Photo:DPA

This July, Christopher Street Day (CSD)/Pride celebrations will take place all across Germany. They are in memory of the Stonewall riots and the first big uprising of LGBT people against police assaults that took place on Christopher Street in New York in 1969. 

The most prominent CSD celebrations are in Berlin (28th July), Hamburg (27th July - 5th August) and Cologne (8th July). 

The full list of German cities where CSD celebrations will be happening this July is: Berlin, Braunschweig, Chemnitz, Cologne, Duisburg, Frankfurt, Kiel, Leipzig, Mönchengladbach, Munich, Pirna, Rostock, Siegen, Stuttgart, Trier and Wendland. You can find further information about the dates and specific events on the official CSD website.

8. Melt, 13th - 15th July, Gräfenhainichen

The Melt Festival in Ferropolis. Photo:DPA

Melt festival takes place in Gräfenhainichen, about a one-hour's drive from Leipzig, and a two-hour drive from Berlin. The annual music festival takes over the former mining site of Ferropolis, and attracts huge acts from around the world. 

This year's live acts include The XX, Florence and the Machine and Tyler, the Creator and the DJs playing include Nina Kraviz, Modeselektor, Ben Klock and of course Queen of Melt, Ellen Allien. 

There are still some final-phase weekend tickets left, and individual tickets available for the Saturday and Sunday. If you don't manage to get a ticket though, you can make your way to the festival and enjoy music on the sleepless floor - a stage that runs the whole 90 hours of the festival. 

9. Kölner Lichter, 21st July, Cologne 

Fireworks over Cologne. Photo:DPA

Every year Cologne hosts the largest synchronised music and firework ceremony in Europe. Watch the night sky light up about the cityscape. 

This year's motto for the night of lights is "paintings - the fire painters of Cologne". 

There are still some last-minute tickets available if you're interested, and you can get more info from the website here

10. Bardentreffen Nürnberg, 27th - 29th July, Nuremberg

A view from above the Bardentreffen festival in Nuremberg. Photo:DPA

The Bardentreffen, which literally meaning bard's meeting, is an annual open-mic festival which takes over the centre of Nuremberg on the first weekend of the Bavarian school summer holidays.

There's nine stages where you can catch performances over the course of the festival, and an official spotify playlist to get you in the mood. This year's theme is "RAP - Rhythm and Poetry". 

The city of Nuremberg and the festival's sponsors cover the costs so you don't even need to buy a ticket - it's all free!

11. Hamburg Sommer Dom, 27th July - 28th August, Hamburg

The Summer Dom Festival in Hamburg. Photo:DPA

If you're visiting Hamburg this summer be sure to check out the Sommer Dom festival. It's the largest funfair in Northern Germany, set up at Heiligengeistfeld outside the Hamburg Cathedral. The festival promises fun for all ages.

The funfair comes to Hamburg three times a year and attracts around 10 millions visitors. Don't miss a ride on one of the vintage carousels or thrilling rollercoasters. Take in the atmosphere and grab a Bratwurst while doing so. Every Friday there's a firework display at 10:30pm.

Entrance is free and rides and other attractions are offered at a discounted price.

    

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