CULTURE CALENDAR

Hello September! We might be reaching the end of summer but that doesn’t mean the outdoor fun is over. From food and music festivals to the legendary Oktoberfest in Munich, this month promises to be packed with great events throughout.

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE

Lollapalooza Festival, Berlin. Photo: Stephan Flad

FESTIVAL OF GERMAN FILM, LUDWIGSHAFEN AM RHEIN (24 AUGUST – 11 SEPTEMBER)

This is one of Germany’s biggest film festivals and this year it returns for its 18th edition. Held on a lovely little island, it celebrates the absolute crème de la crème of German filmmaking. Guests can look forward to great storytelling, and many celebrities and new talent mingling with film buffs from across the globe. www.festival-des-deutschen-films.de

GENUSSMEILE, VIENNA WOODS (3 – 4 AND 10 – 11 SEPTEMBER)

This festival is also affectionately called the ‘longest bar’ as it measures a stunning ten kilometres. Along Vienna’s waterline hiking path between Mödling and Bad Vöslau over 90 vintners from the region offer a wonderful range of tasty treats. The German word ‘Genussmeile’ translates to ‘Mile of Indulgence’, which is very fitting for these two special weekends filled with delicious food. www.thermenregion-wienerwald.at/ genussmeile

INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE FESTIVAL, BERLIN (7 – 17 SEPTEMBER)

The exciting literature festival in Berlin presents contemporary artists from across the globe and is one of the most important literature festivals worldwide. New poetry and prose await visitors. Each text will be read out loud in its original language, with translations available. An absolute must for all literature fans from far and wide. www.literaturfestival.com

Vienna Design Week. Photo: Vienna Design Week

WAVES VIENNA, VIENNA (8 – 10 SEPTEMBER)

The club- and showcase festival is held around Vienna’s 9th district and it attracts over 15,000 music fans. True to their motto ‘East meets West’, the festival presents international as well as local alternative, electronic, rock and club acts. Lectures, panels and workshops encourage pan-European collaborations and draw attention to the importance of Europe. www.wavesvienna.com

OKTOBERFEST, MUNICH (17 SEPTEMBER – 3 OCTOBER)

Put your Lederhosen and Dirndl on because this year’s Oktoberfest is about to open its gates to international beer lovers in Munich. The city’s infamous and beloved ‘Wiesn’ becomes the backdrop for a true celebration of the quintessentially German pretzels and beer. ‘Prost’ to that! www.oktoberfest.de

REEPERBAHN FESTIVAL, HAMBURG (21 – 24 SEPTEMBER)

Hamburg’s infamous red-light district around St. Pauli is the proud home of Germany’s biggest club festival. This is where the global music industry meets and this year the festival features a large number of events spanning a great range of genres in locations around

VIENNA DESIGN WEEK, VIENNA (16 – 25 SEPTEMBER)

Austria´s largest curated design festival offers a fabulous platform for discussion around design. It takes place at various event venues across Vienna and promises to be a great happening for the world of design. www.viennadesignweek.at

Vienna Design Week. Photo: Vienna Design Week Festival des deutschen Films. Photo: Daniel Wetzel

Lollapalooza Festival, Berlin. Photo: Johannes Riggelsen

Hamburg’s Reeperbahn. The festival’s partner country is the USA this year. www.reeperbahnfestival.com/en

LOLLAPALOOZA FESTIVAL, BERLIN (24 – 25 SEPTEMBER)

Once again, Berlin hosts the extremely popular US-Festival to celebrate the end of the summer. This year’s fabulous line-up includes Die Fantastischen Vier, Kraftklub, Machine Gun Kelly and Seeed, among many others. This festival is known for being particularly family-friendly, as there is the ‘Kidzapalooza’ part, which is entirely dedicated to children. www.lollapaloozade.com

Genussmeile, Vienna. Photo: Paul Landl

Genussmeile, Vienna. Photo: Christian Dusek