Top Gay and Lesbian Events in Germany

Germany has one of the best gay scenes in the world. The major cities have great clubs, people accept alternative lifestyles and there are hundreds of gay events throughout the year. Christopher Day celebrations take place in all of Germany's major cities and there are some excellent gay and lesbian film festivals.

ColognePride

Generally the last week of June and first week of July annually
Cologne, Germany
The ColognePride days rival Carnival in Cologne for popularity and sheer volume of events - street festivals, parades, countless parties in various venues and themed days and evenings make the last week of June and the first week of July a truly vibrant time to be in Cologne. The last weekend in June, there is the Street Festival, well worth attending, and the parade on the last day of the ColognePride days is fantastic.

Munich Christopher Street Days

12 - 13 Aug 2008
Munich, Germany
The Munich Christopher Street Days celebration kicks off with the parade and then the street festival, with lots of entertainment, music and dancing both Saturday and Sunday.

Frankfurt Christopher Street Day (CSD)

18-20 Jul 2008
Frankfurt/Main
Frankfurt's Christopher Street Day celebrations cover a weekend with lots of special events and the parade, this Over 100,000 gays, lesbians, transsexuals and their friends live it up over the weekend of Frankfurt's Christopher Street Day.

Stuttgart Christopher Street Days

19 - 27 Jul 2008
Stuttgart, Germany
Stuttgart hosts the annual Stuttgart Christopher Street Days events with a parade, and a gala opening show that is well worth attending. There are a lot of political events as well, but the festival, the parties, the entertainment are delightful and July is a great time to visit Stuttgart.

Hamburg Pride

25 July - 3 Aug 2008
Hamburg, Germany
With a great opening gala, a parade on Saturday, and the festival going from Friday to Sunday in the center of Hamburg, there is plenty of great entertainment and a great party atmosphere in Hamburg, both on the main shopping streets and on the Reeperbahn. With a thriving gay and lesbian community, Hamburg is fun any time of year but Hamburg Pride days are great because of both the entertainment and the weather.

Rainbow Quai at the Museumsuferfest Frankfurt

29 - 31 Aug 2008
Frankfurt, Germany
In conjunction with the Frankfurt Museumsuferfest along the River Main, the Rainbow Quai spreads out across the bridge by the museums on the banks of the river. The museums sponsor concerts, art shows, and exhibits and the Rainbow Quai displays works of gay and lesbian artists from around the world.

Wigstöckel Berlin

4 Oct 2008
Berlin, Germany
Wigstöckel, literally translated, "wigs and stockings" is one of Berlin's great transgender events. It incorporates serious political agendas with absolutely incredible parties, competitions and great entertainment. I have truly seen some of the most beautiful women ever when I attended a few years ago and met absolutely lovely people but don't go in your standard tourist clothing - dress up a little, get into the spirit and enjoy the atmosphere and the lovely people you are likely to meet.

Hamburg Lesbisch Schwule Filmtage (Lesbian and Gay Film Festival)

21 - 26 Oct 2008
Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg's lesbian and gay film festival(the Hamburg Lesbisch Schwule Filmtage) highlights some of the best current new films in the international gay and lesbian communities. The film festival also encompasses several great parties in some of Hamburg's best locales.

Verzaubert International Queer Film Festival

March and April annually
Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin
Every year, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and Berlin join together to host a week each of the Verzaubert International Queer Film Festival. Some of the best gay and lesbian films worldwide are highlighted here and winners are graced with the Rosebud award, offered each year to a full-length film and a short film.

Dresden Christopher Street Days (Dresden Pride)

The first week of June annually
Dresden, Germany
The Dresden Christopher Street Days kick off the Christopher Street Day celebrations in Germany and includes a great parade as well as political events and parties.