Highlights & Events 2026

Every year in May, Hamburg hosts one of the world's largest maritime festivals, impressively showcasing the city's close connection to seafaring. From May 8 to 10, 2026, the Hamburg Port Anniversary invites visitors to enjoy a varied program with extraordinary attractions: the grand arrival parade with majestic tall ships, the legendary tugboat ballet, evening light tours through the port, and a magnificent fireworks display. For families, there are interesting workshops and experiences on the topics of seafaring and sustainability for the protection of the oceans.

Immerse yourself in the fantastic world of the Middle Ages. On three weekends in July, Kaltenberg Castle hosts a unique spectacle for young and old alike, skillfully staging the craftsmanship and juggling, traditional camp life, and customs of the Middle Ages. The highlight of the event is the magnificent knight tournament. Only about 60 km from Munich, you can experience a live show in a class of its own, as daring riders storm the arena and the audience holds its breath in suspense. A wonderful experience for the whole family.

From July 26 to August 2, 2026 the Bavarian town of Memmingen is the setting for a thrilling spectacle. Under the motto “Wallenstein 1630 in Memmingen – citizens of the town act out their history,” one of Europe's largest historical festivals takes place. A varied program is offered, ranging from adventurous equestrian games, historical church services, medieval parades, and authentic camp life to a crafts market. Memmingen is easily accessible from Munich or Lake Constance, and a visit to the festival is a worthwhile excursion for young and old alike.

For opera and Richard Wagner lovers: In 2026, Bayreuth will celebrate its 150th anniversary from July 24 to August 26. Wagner's controversial early work “Rienzi” will be performed in Bayreuth for the first time, and Christian Thielemann will conduct the ceremony with Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th Symphony and also the “Ring” in 2026.

Please note that tickets for the festival can only be reserved and purchased in person (online reservation is now available). Pure Germany will be happy to organize your accommodation and tour around the festival.

On August 1, one of Europe's largest music-synchronized fireworks displays takes place in Cologne, bathing the Rhine and the Cologne skyline in a fantastic sea of lights. Visitors can experience the spectacle from the banks of the Rhine or from ships positioned in prominent locations on the river. When the half-hour fireworks display begins at around 11:00 p.m., music will be played from numerous sound towers in sync with the fireworks – goosebumps guaranteed.

Munich's Oktoberfest is probably the world's largest "Volksfest" and takes place every year from late September to the first weekend in October. Pure Germany offers their customers a special Oktoberfest package, to make sure the event experience will be a true highlight.

The event is extremely popular, so make sure you book your package in good time.

A world-class sporting event: the largest and most important football league in the world, the US National Football League NFL, is coming to Munich for three regular season games! The first game with the visiting team of the Detroit Lions will be played in the fall of 2026. The venue is the Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich.

Following extensive renovation and a spectacular extension featuring a 20-meter-high glass museum tower, the Bauhaus Archive/Museum of Design will reopen its doors in 2026. With the world's largest collection on the history of the Bauhaus, this icon of modernism displays the ideas and designs of one of the most influential design and architecture schools of the 20th century—from Walter Gropius to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—on approximately 2,000 square meters.

In 2026, Berlin will celebrate its 20th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Design. The city is an internationally significant design location. Festivals such as Berlin Design Week and the DMY Design Festival reflect the diversity of the German capital. Numerous design museums, street art spots, and tours through creative neighborhoods await interested visitors. Exciting events are planned for the anniversary year 2026, allowing visitors to experience Berlin's creative power.