Germany in September is a festival lover’s dream. As summer fades into autumn, cities and towns across the country come alive with celebrations of music, art, wine, beer, and culture.
From Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest to cozy local autumn fairs, from international jazz concerts to cutting-edge film and art events, there’s something for everyone.
For expats, these festivals are more than just entertainment; they’re a chance to experience German traditions up close. Meet new people and explore different regions of Germany this September.
Whether you want to enjoy a glass of Riesling in the Palatinate, dance at a Berlin club night, or wander the streets of Heidelberg’s Old Town, September is full of festivities.
Here are the most popular festivals happening across Germany in September 2025.
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#1 Oktoberfest, Munich
Address: Theresienwiese, 80336 München.
What it’s about: The world’s biggest beer festival with 17 large and 21 small tents, classic rides, and Bavarian traditions.
Attendance (source): 6.5 million visitors in 2024 (record year).
Dates: September 20 – October 5, 2025.
Official link: oktoberfest.de
#2 Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt, Bad Dürkheim
Address: Festplatz „An den Brühlwiesen“, 67098 Bad Dürkheim.
What it’s about: The world’s largest wine festival, with dozens of “Schubkärchler” wine stands and Palatinate specialties.
Attendance (source): Over 600,000 visitors.
Dates: September 12–16 & 19–22, 2025.
Official link: Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt
#3 Heidelberger Herbst (Autumn Festival), Heidelberg
Address: Altstadt (Old Town), 69117 Heidelberg.
What it’s about: A city-wide street festival across the Old Town with markets, multiple music stages, and a huge flea market.
Attendance (source): Up to 250,000 visitors; 250,000 in 2024.
Dates: 27-28 September 2025 (TBA).
Official link: Heidelberg Herbst
#4 Herbstfest Erding, Erding
Address: Volksfestplatz/Am Stadion, 85435 Erding (Erdinger Festzelt).
What it’s about: Traditional Bavarian fair with beer tents, rides, and regional food.
Attendance (source): Over 200,000 visitors.
Dates: August 29 – September 7, 2025.
Official link: Herbfest Erding
#5 Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg
Address: Festival Village: Heiligengeistfeld, 20359 Hamburg (events across St. Pauli).
What it’s about: Europe’s leading club festival and music industry conference across 90+ venues.
Attendance (source): ~45,000 visitors in 2024.
Dates: September 17–20, 2025.
Official link: Reeperbahnfestival.com
NOTE: If you are traveling to Germany, remember to get travel health insurance. It covers medical costs and hospital stays during your time in Germany and other countries in the Schengen area.
We find getting travel insurance from a German company better than from your home country.
- Many doctors and hospitals in Germany recognize these travel health insurance companies and can bill them directly. So you don’t have to pay anything out of your pocket.
- The German regulatory authorities (BaFin) closely regulate the insurance companies in Germany.
- Our research found that Dr. Walter’s “Provisit Visum,”* travel health insurance plan is better than those of countries like India, the USA, etc.
Even if you are traveling from another EU country, you should still get travel health insurance. The coverage of your home health insurance will not be as comprehensive as that of travel health insurance.
#6 Musikfest Berlin
Address: Primary venues include Philharmonie Berlin (Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, 10785) and Konzerthaus Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt, 10117).
What it’s about: Top-tier orchestras and ensembles opening Berlin’s concert season with classical/modern repertoire.
Attendance (source): Over 50,000 visitors in 2024.
Dates: August 30 – September 23, 2025.
Official link: Musikfest Berlin
#7 Berlin Art Week, Berlin
Address: It occurs in 23 different locations all across Berlin. You can find the locations on the official website.
What it’s about: A city-wide contemporary art programme linking fairs, museums, project spaces and private collections each September.
Dates: September 10 -14, 2025.
Official link: Berlin Art Week
#8 Fantasy Filmfest
Address: Fantasy filmfest occurs in all major German cities: Stuttgart, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Klön, Nürenberg
What it’s about: Germany’s leading genre film tour (thrillers, horror, sci-fi) across multiple cities.
Attendance (source): ~60,000 annual visitors (2023).
Dates: September 3–10, 2025.
Official link: Fantasy Film Fest
#9 Viersen Jazz Festival, Viersen
Address: Festhalle Viersen, Hermann-Hülser-Platz 1, 41747 Viersen.
What it’s about: Long-running international jazz weekend in the landmark Festhalle.
Attendance (source): ~2,700 attendees (2024).
Dates: 25-27 September 2026
Official link: Viersen Jazz Festival
#10 Stars im Park, Magdeburg
Address: MDCC Parkbühne, Elbauenpark, Tessenowstraße 7, 39114 Magdeburg.
What it’s about: Open-air pop programme planned for the Elbauenpark stage.
Dates: September 5, 2025
Official link: Stars im Park
#11 Heroes Festival, Freiburg
Address: Messe Freiburg, Neuer Messplatz 1, 79108 Freiburg.
What it’s about: Deutschrap festival with major headliners across multiple stages.
Attendance (source): ~20,000 visitors in Freiburg (2024).
Dates: September 5–6, 2025.
Official link: Heroes Festival
#12 Glücksgefühle Festival, Hockenheim
Address: Hockenheimring, Am Motodrom, 68766 Hockenheim.
What it’s about: Large-scale pop/EDM/hip-hop festival founded by Lukas Podolski at the Hockenheimring.
Attendance (source): “Up to 200,000” festival visitors.
Dates: September 11–14, 2025.
Official link: gluecksgefuehle-festival
#13 Folkfield Festival, Gelsenkirchen
Address: Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen, Grothusstraße 201, 45883 Gelsenkirchen (Nordsternpark).
What it’s about: Folk & medieval-rock day-festival hosted by Schandmaul in a riverside amphitheatre.
Attendance (source): ~6,000
Dates: September 13, 2025.
Official link: Folkfield
#14 Punk & Disorderly Festival, Berlin
Address: Astra Kulturhaus, Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin.
What it’s about: Legendary indoor punk/oi!/hardcore weekender drawing fans from around the world.
Attendance (source): ~1,600 (indoor capacity).
Dates: September 19–20, 2025.
Official link: Astra Berlin
#15 Euroblast Festival, Cologne
Address: Essigfabrik, Siegburger Str. 110, 50679 Köln.
What it’s about: International progressive/experimental rock & metal showcase; key gathering for the djent/prog scene.
Attendance (source): ~1,000 on average.
Dates: September 26–28, 2025.
Official link: euroblast.net
