Fall Festivals in Germany for Families

Nearly everyone has heard of Munich’s Oktoberfest, the world’s most famous festival celebrating beer. But most people don’t know this two-week-long block party is a great place for family travelers or that the celebration comprises just one of the many kid-friendly fall festivals in Germany.

Stuttgart, at the northern edge of the Black Forest, is home to the second-largest beer celebration in the world, Cannstatter Volksfest (Sept. 23–Oct. 9). As much carnival as a beer fest, it is filled with colorful rides for children, food stands, traditional music, a fairy tale carousel and entertainment for all ages.

Wednesday is Family Day, with discounts, clowns, face painting and kids’ activities. On many of the rides, parents can ride with their children free of charge. For a festive local drink for children, order apfelsaftschorle, an apple juice spritzer.

Deep in the hills of the Black Forest, the charming village of Oberrhied celebrates Alemanns’ Week (Sept. 28–Oct. 7) with exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional farming and rural life. Expect plenty of the famous Black Forest Cherry Cake among the food stalls, as well as farm animals, handicrafts and lots of traditional German folk costumes.

Berlin lights up its landmark buildings, monuments and squares during the Berlin Festival of Lights (Sept. 7–16), a real winner with young travelers. The city transforms into a fantasy land of shimmering colors and projected art, as familiar buildings take on new life. A giant fish may swim across a façade, columns might become fountains, giant butterflies might flutter from church windows and buildings may appear to spin around in more than 75 light illusions throughout the city.

Be sure to verify the festival dates on the festival’s own website or that of the local tourist office or the official Germany tourism site.