From cherry blossoms and white asparagus to rock festivals, folk fairs and folklore, April in Germany is packed with reasons to get out and explore – whatever the weather decides to do.
If you’ve been in Germany long enough, you’ll certainly have heard someone say: “April, April, der weiß nicht, was er will” (April, April. It doesn’t know what it wants).
The saying comes from a longer poem by Heinrich Seidel and neatly captures April’s famously unpredictable weather.
But while the skies may struggle to make up their mind, one thing is certain: when it comes to things to do, April delivers.
The big event early in the month is Easter, of course, when schools are closed and families across the country come together to hunt for Easter eggs and (ideally) enjoy a bit of sunshine.
For more recent arrivals, it’s also a great moment to experience Germany at its most traditional – from seasonal markets to long‑standing and much-cherished traditions.
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April also means asparagus season (Spargelzeit). Known affectionately as “white gold“, the pale stalks inspire a level of enthusiasm in Germany that’s hard to miss. Any day now they’ll suddenly be everywhere from restaurant menus to weekly markets and roadside pop‑up stands proudly advertising the year’s first harvest.
READ ALSO: Spargelzeit – Six things to know about the German love affair with asparagus
So with Easter and seasonal foods both in full swing, here are some of the other unmissable events happening across Germany this April.
April 4th – 5th: Easter Cross Festival, Oberndorf am Neckar (Baden‑Württemberg)
The Easter Cross Festival takes place every Easter weekend in Oberndorf am Neckar and has become a firmly established date in Germany’s rock and metal calendar. The line‑up this year includes well‑known acts such as Rage and J.B.O.
Even if your German isn’t fluent, this is the kind of event where shared enthusiasm for loud guitars does most of the talking.
April 10th & May 15th (confirmed dates): Beautifica, Planetarium Wolfsburg
Beautifica is billed as 360‑degree audio-visual experience created by international renowned composer James Hood and presented at the Planetarium Wolfsburg.
Rather than following a storyline or narration, the show combines original music with animated visuals projected across the entire dome.
Lasting around 60 minutes, visitors are invited to sit back and let the sound and imagery unfold. Tickets are available from around €40.
April 11th – 12th: Cherry Blossom Festival – Gardens of the World, Berlin
Nature being what it is, you never quite know when trees are going to start blossoming. Berlin’s international garden park has its hopes pinned on the 11th and 12th this year, when they will host a Cherry Blossom Festival in the Japanese section of this international garden park.
The festival is designed for wandering rather than rushing, with themed activities and seasonal touches that complement the setting. Oh, and you can expect to see young people dressed up as their favourite Anime characters out around the garden around this time, taking photos in their costumes with the blossoms.
Standard gardens entry fees apply.
READ ALSO: Where to enjoy cherry blossom trees in Germany
April 25th – May 3rd: Tree Blossom Festival, Werder (Havel)
If you miss the cherry blossoms in Berlin, spring continues a little later just outside the capital.
When the gardens open on April 25th, the Baumblütenfest in Werder (Havel) enjoys its quieter, more traditional phase. This long‑running regional festival is centred on fruit tree blossoms and locally produced fruit wines, with orchard courtyards opening their gates to visitors.
The event gets busier from the 29th, with a combined fairground and Volksfest, but the early days are less about rides and crowds and more about strolling, tasting and socialising.
Cherry blossom along Dresden’s Elbufer at sunset. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Matthias Hiekel
April 15th – 22nd: Achtung Berlin Film Festival
The Achtung Berlin Film Festival focuses on films made in or closely connected to Berlin and Brandenburg and celebrates its 22nd edition this year. Screenings take place across independent cinemas throughout the city, giving the festival a distinctly local feel.
The programme spans feature films, documentaries, shorts and series. Many screenings offer subtitles, making Achtung Berlin a particularly accessible way to engage with contemporary German cinema – and explore how filmmakers connected to the city reflect everyday life beyond the usual tourist narrative.
READ ALSO: How to watch movies in your preferred language at German cinemas
April 17th – May 10th: Münchner Frühlingsfest – Theresienwiese, Munich
Often described as the “little sister” of Oktoberfest, the Münchner Frühlingsfest marks the start of Munich’s folk‑festival season and takes place on the Theresienwiese, the same grounds used for Oktoberfest.
The spring festival is smaller, more relaxed and treated by locals as a social event rather than a once‑a‑year occasion. Expect beer tents, fairground rides and classic Bavarian food, with free entry to the grounds and individual payment for rides, food and drinks.
April 18th – May 10th: Stuttgart Frühlingsfest – Cannstatter Wasen, Stuttgart
The Stuttgart Frühlingsfest is one of Germany’s largest spring folk festivals and the seasonal counterpart to the Cannstatter Volksfest in autumn.
Spread across the Cannstatter Wasen, it brings together beer tents, fairground attractions and market stalls over several weeks.
Compared with Munich’s festivals, Stuttgart’s spring event tends to attract fewer international visitors, making it a good place to experience Swabian food traditions and local festival culture.
After sunset, crowds of people stroll across the Cannstatter Wasen at thhe Stuttgart Spring Festival. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christoph Schmidt
April 22nd – 26th: International Women’s Film Festival Dortmund+Cologne
Germany’s International Women’s Film Festival Dortmund+Cologne is the country’s largest forum dedicated to films by women.
In 2026, the festival takes place in Cologne and presents international productions across a wide range of genres and formats.
With its strong international focus, many films are shown with subtitles and introductions.
April 24th – 25th: Freedom Sounds Festival – Die Kantine, Cologne
Cologne’s Freedom Sounds Festival celebrates ska, reggae and soul in a single indoor venue, Die Kantine. The festival’s programme reflects a strong international orientation, with artists and audiences drawn from across Europe and beyond.
Because it’s venue‑based rather than spread across a city, Freedom Sounds is easy to navigate and well suited to visitors who prefer a focused, music‑first festival experience.
The musical styles are globally familiar, making it a natural meeting point for an international crowd.
READ ALSO: German word of the Day – Walpurgisnacht
April 30th: Walpurgis Night – Harz Mountains (Thale / Hexentanzplatz)
Walpurgis Night is a traditional celebration marking the transition from winter to spring, rooted in folklore and mythology. In the Harz Mountains – especially in Thale – it’s staged as a large‑scale evening event centred on the Hexentanzplatz, the legendary “dancing place of the witches”.
The main event at the Hexentanzplatz is ticketed and features performances, costumes and fireworks, while additional free events take place throughout the town.
Set against the mountain landscape, the combination of folklore and theatrical staging makes Walpurgis Night one of Germany’s most visually distinctive spring celebrations – and an especially memorable experience for first‑time visitors.
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