1. Oberammergau Passion Play
When the plague hit the Bavarian village of Oberammergau in the 17th century, its inhabitants vowed that they would perform the Passion Play every ten years, if the disease would spare them. It did, and the villagers kept their word: Once in a decade, Oberammergau produces the Passion Play. Over 2000 villagers take part in this extraordinary cultural event, which is set on an open-air stage with the German Alps as an impressive backdrop.
When: May 15 – October 3, 2010
Where: Oberammergau (1 hour south of Munich)
2. Handel Festival
Halle, the birthplace of composer Georg Friedrich Handel, pays tribute to its most famous resident by hosting the annual Handel Festival. Come to hear international musicians interpret Handel’s works, from his early chamber music and Italian cantatas to the Messiah.
When: June 3 - June 13, 2010
Where: Halle an der Saale
3. Rock am Ring Music Festival
More than 150,000 rock music fans gather each summer at the race track of the Nuerburg Ring to get up and get down at "Rock am Ring", Germany's biggest open air music festival. The star-studded lineup of international rock bands keeps the fans dancing for all three days.
When: June 4 - June 6, 2010
Where: Nuerburg Ring
4. Bach Festival in Leipzig
This world-class 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 classical masterpieces in historical venues like the Thomaskirche (Thomas Church), where Bach worked as a cantor for 27 years.
When: June 11 - June 20, 2010
Where: Leipzig
5. Kiel's Sailing Week
"Kiel Week" is the largest sailing event in the world, attracting 5,000 sailors, 2,000 ships, and more than three million visitors every year. The event dates back to 1882 and offers hundreds of regattas, historic ship parades, and a cultural program that transforms the city center of Kiel into the largest summer festival stage in Northern Europe.
When: June 19 - June 27, 2010
Where: Kiel, in the North of Germany
6. Berlin Gay Pride
Every June, Berliners raise their rainbow flags to celebrate Christopher Street Day with a spectacular Gay Pride Parade. The festivities take place in the Berlin district of Schoeneberg and around the Victory Column in the Tiergarten park. In addition, the city hosts the largest gay lesbian street festival in Europe, which takes place one week before the Christopher Street Day Parade.
When: Gay-Lesbian Street Festival, June 19 - 20, 2010; Gay Pride Parade end of June
Where: Berlin
7. Fete de la Musique in Berlin
Berliners celebrate the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer with this city-wide music festival. With performances on over 80 open-air stages, the street festival offers everything from reggae, and jazz, to hip hop, electronic music and klezmer. The free concerts start in the early afternoon and will last long into the summer night.
When: June 21, 2010
Where: Berlin
8. Munich Opera Festival
Celebrated every summer since 1876, the Munich Opera Festival at the Nationaltheater offers an excellent program of opera and ballet performances throughout June and July. Highlights in 2009 included the festival première of Richard Wagner's “Lohengrin”, and the free open-air concerts “Opera For All”.
When: June - July, 2010
Where: Munich
