For tourists who prefer a safe, developed and vibrant destination, Germany happens to be a popular choice. Ranked No. 1 in the Nation Brand Index for six straight years, Germany has attracted an average of 12 million tourists in the last few years, 11th in the world in terms of absolute numbers.
More than beautiful scenery, world-class infrastructure and centuries-old breweries, Germany hosts more than 10,000 different cultural festivals that reflect its rich heritage and history, and offer an unforgettable experience to participants, both local and international.
According to a survey by WorldData, Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne attract most of foreign tourists than traditional holiday spots like the Bavarian Alps, Black Forest, and the Baltic Sea resorts, most likely because those cities host the country’s liveliest and most vibrant festivals.
Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg
With more than 600 concerts taking place across 90 locations in and around the Reeperbahn, the street festival is one of the largest and most diverse in the world.
Not even one kilometer in length, the Reeperbahn is rich in contrast, bright, shrill, vibrant and down-to-earth. That is how Hamburg Tourismus describes the festival on its official website.
More than just a music festival, it also serves as a global platform for international talent.
Alongside concerts, organizers mount conferences and networking events that focus on topics such as sustainability, technology and marketing in the music industry.
Karneval in Cologne
When the clock strikes 11:11 a.m. on the 11th day of November, Cologne kicks off the Karneval with cheers of “Kölle Alaaf!” (Cologne, above all!). The history of this carnival is as old as the city itself and has been celebrated every year since the early 1800s.
With day-long parades that attract more than 1 million spectators, Karneval is not just a fun party held ahead of the Advent and Christmas season, the event has much economic value, generating around $630 million for the city of Cologne.
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlinale attracts the elite in filmmaking from 132 countries around the world and attracts an audience of several hundreds of thousands. On its 72nd year, the first post-pandemic Berlinale in 2022, reported an attendance of 156,472 film buffs.
As one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, the event also offers talent development opportunities through its program, Berlinale Talents. This budding, yet lesser-known, initiative provides discipline-specific workshops, public talks and networking opportunities to cinephiles and film professionals alike. As of 2022, its alumni reached 9,000 with many establishing their own initiatives in different parts of the world.
Oktoberfest in Munich
Over the years, Oktoberfest, ironically held in September, has become synonymous with the identity of Munich. What started as a simple marriage celebration between German royalty in the early 1800s, has now become a three-week-long festivity that attracts around 7 million people from all over the world, making it the world’s largest beer festival.
While celebrating German heritage and history, Oktoberfest provides a significant boost to the city and country’s aviation, food, hotel and transport sectors. The event has become an industry in itself and is valued at more than $1 billion.
