Feste Musicali,6 - 9 April 2007, concerts at Easter
"MusicTriennale Cologne", 27 April - 20 May 2007 Both contemporary and timeless, the program presents the latest sounds in relation to their tradition. With over 80 concerts, exhibitions, films, projects and more at various venues, the MusicTriennale takes music into the city and guarantees an urbane festival feeling. MusikTriennale Köln
31st German Day of the Churches, 6 - 10 June 2007
ColognePride, Christopher Street Day, 6 - 8 July 2007 Festival for lesbians and gays with in- and outdoor parties, live-acts and large international parade. CSD-Cologne
"Kölner Lichter" (Cologne Lights), 14 July 2007 An experience of a special kind for Cologne and its visitors! Ships convoy, Bengal fire illumination, fairs on the banks of the Rhine and fireworks including a gigantic aerial fireworks finale. Kölner Lichter
11th Ford Cologne Marathon, 7 and 8 October 2007
Christmas markets, 23 November - 23 December 2007, six large Christmas markets in the city centre
Highlights Dresden
Highlights Düsseldorf
HIGHLIGHTS HAMBURG
Fairs
9 - 14 March 2007 INTERNORGA - International Trade Fair for the Hotel Industry, Gastronomy, Catering, Bakery and Confectionery Hamburg Trade Fair www.hamburg-messe.de
27 October - 4 November 2007 hanseboot International Hamburg Pleasue Boat Show with art maritime, Hamburg Trade Fair www.hamburg-messe.de
Festivals 1 - 15 July 2007 33nd Hamburg Ballet Festival – John Neumeier's ballet compagnie performs new and classic choreographies at the Hamburg State Opera www.hamburger-staatsoper.de
Festivities & Markets Hamburger DOM - Northern Germany's largest amusement fair at "Heiligengeistfeld" Spring Market: 23 March - 22 April 2007 Hummelfest: 27 July - 26 August 2007 Dommarkt: 9 November - 9 December 2007
11 - 13 May 2007 Hafengeburtstag 2007 – 818th Anniversary of the Port of Hamburg celebrated along the quays with lots of attractions on land, on water and in the air www.hafengeburtstag-hamburg.de
August 2007 Christopher Street Day – Gay and Lesbian parade in Hamburg www.csd-hamburg.de
Alstervergnuegen, 23 - 26 August 2007, Music, shows and food stalls around the inner Alster Lake, International Fireworks Festival www.alstervergnuegen-hamburg.de
Hamburg Christmas Markets, 27 November - 23 December 2007, The traditional Christmas Market in front of the grand Town Hall, around St. Peter's Church and at Gänsemarkt. www.hamburg-tourismus.de
Every Sunday from 5:00 am to 9:30 am (from 7:00 am in winter): Fish market - Hamburg's market with the longest tradition caters to night hawks and early riders
12 - 20 May 2007 Tennis Masters Hamburg - 101th International Tennis Championships of Germany Center Court am Rothenbaum www.amrothenbaum.de
Art & Culture Bucerius Kunst Forum 24 February - 28 May 2007 The New World. The Invention of American Painting www.buceriuskunstforum.de
HAMBURGER KUNSTHALLE 8 June - 16 September 2007 Sea pieces II - From Max Beckmann to Gerhard Richter. www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de
4 July 2007, Opening of the emigration museum "Ballinstadt - Port of Dreams"www.ballinstadt.de
HIGHLIGHTS HANNOVER
Marksmen's Funfair
From Friday, 29th June to Sunday, 8th July 2007
For the biggest "Schuetzenfest" in the world, come to Hannover! The marksmen (and women) celebrate together with over two million vistiors: ten days of good-natured celebrations to enliven summer in the city at the spectacular funfair: from flea circus through shooting competitions to the big wheel you'll find everything to make this an experience to remember- raucous showmen with their breathtaking novelties, nostalgic carousels, stalls and booths, hair-raising rides and much more. The highlights of the festvial is the colourful marksmen's parade on Sunday (1st July), when about 12,000 people march from the town hall to the fairground. Brass bands, horse-drawn drays and carnival floats and of course the marksmen and women themselves - quite simply, Europe's biggest procession!
International Fireworks Competition
From Saturday, 12th May to Saturday, 22nd September 2007
The Royal Herrenhausen Gardens once again play host to the International Firework Competition of the world's most creative pyrotechnicians, showing off their skills in this beautiful Baroque setting by accompanying pop and classical music with perfectly-timed explosions, rockets and astonishing displays of light and colour.
Each evening begins with a varied supporting programme of performing arts and music all over the garden, with children's theatre, walk acts, dance groups, bands and musical ensembles. One highlight of the series is the "Horse Fireworks", where spectators can admire riders in historical costume, wonderful dressage and a Classical-Baroque equestrain gala, culminating in a firework display precisely coordinated with the movements of the horses. http://www.feuerwerkswettbewerb-hannover.de/
Dates and nations 2007:
Sat, 12th May:
Russia
Sat, 26th May:
Italy
Sat, 25th August:
South Africa
Sat, 8th September:
England
Sat, 22nd September:
Portugal
Lake Maschsee - Festival . From Wednesday, 25th July to Sunday 12th August 2007 . Maschseefest is the biggest open-air festival in northern Germany. Since 1986 this enormous party around Hannover's city lake with its promenades, avenues and boulevards on the north shore has laid on an unforgetable good-time atmosphere. The fun starts with a stilt parade on the north shore at 6 on the evening of 25th July, and for the next three weeks the lakeside will be thronged with people of all ages out for a good time and indulging their summer mood. On the lawns behind the north west shore there' s a full fun and games programme for children, and on the stages all around the Maschsee music for every taste, while right through the festival weeks visitors can indulge their appetites in the inexhaustible gastronomic delights on offer. Romance is also a part of the special flair of Maschseefest, whether on an evening boat cruise or a hand-in hand stroll along the illuminated shore promenade. Fireworks displays on the opening evening and the last Saturday of the festival are always two special highlights. Get more information at http://www.hannover-tourism.de/