Traveling to Munich this summer? Then check out our travel tips on how to enjoy the best months of the year in Munich - from open air markets and bike tours, to lakes and parks, here's how to make the most out of your summer vacation in Munich. And what's a better way to end a summer's day than sitting at long wooden tables shaded by century-old chestnut trees, enjoying a big stein of Bavarian beer fresh from the brewery? Munich is home to almost 200 beer gardens, among them the largest beer garden in the world (seating 8000 people!), so a visit to one should be on your to-do list. For a complete summer round-up, check out our 2012 Summer Guide Munich.

(Photo by Björn Láczay)

Berlin is at its best in summer - urban beaches, outdoor festivals, open-air movies... it's the loveliest time in the German capital, and if you are there next weekend, you can take part in Berlin's unique summer carnival, the Carnival of Cultures in the district of Kreuzberg. The four-day street street festival, which celebrates the multicultural spirit of the German capital, starts June 10th and features exotic food and drinks, concerts, performances, and parties.

Don't miss the highlight of the festival: A colorful street carnival parade with more than 4,500 performers from 70 countries takes place on Sunday, May 27, and it will feel a bit like Rio de Janeiro: Soak up hot samba rhythms, and enjoy Brazilian drummers, Congolese singers, Korean culture groups, and artistic larger than life puppets.

More about Carnival of Cultures

Summer in Germany

• Summer in Berlin
• The Best Summer Festivals in Germany
• What's on in June 2012

(Photo: svenwerk)

Tonight, April 30th, Germany celebrates Walpurgis Night, or Hexennacht - "witches' night". According to German folk tales, this is the night when witches fly to Mount Brocken in the East of Germany to hold a celebration and await the beginning of spring.

So what can you expect in this magical night? Many people dress up as witches and flock to Mount Brocken, located in the Harz region of Germany. Big bonfires are lit, and the "witches" dance around the flames. If you want to skip the dressing up but still want to go dancing, visit one of the many Tanz in den Mai ("dance into May") events, held all over Germany.You can dance all night long to celebrate the spring of spring - tomorrow, May 1st, is Labor Day, a public holiday in Germany. Shops, banks, and offices are closed, so there is no need to get up early.

Related Articles

• Events in May
• Nightlife in Germany
• Germany in Spring

Are you traveling to Germany in May? Then you picked a wonderful month:  The weather is usually warm and sunny, the summer crowds haven't arrived yet, and you can take part in many German festivals, events, and holidays. And May starts off just right: May 1st is "Tag der Arbeit", Labor Day, which is a public holiday in Germany. Many families use this day-off for a picnic in the park, while whole villages in Bavaria come together to raise a traditional "Maibaum" (Maypole) with colorful ribbons and carved figures to celebrate the warm season.

Find out what's on in one of the loveliest months in Germany, from the stunning firework festival "Rhine in Flames", to concerts, and art fairs, in our monthly overview Germany in May.