This year is shaping up to be a big one for Germany, with a number of special celebrations and milestones creating exciting opportunities for visitors and locals alike.
From the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall to the European Football Championship and a major celebration of artist Caspar David Friedrich, there are plenty of events worth adding to a Germany itinerary in 2024 — here are the highlights.
Summer of Soccer
One sport will reign absolutely supreme in Germany this summer, and that’s soccer. With the 2024 European Football Championship on the horizon, 10 German cities will host 51 matches bringing together 24 nations from June 14 to July 14.
Interested travelers can get in on the excitement in Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Hamburg, Berlin, Gelsenkirchen or Leipzig. Not only are game days full of team spirit and enthusiasm inside the stadiums, but all around the host cities — even clients who aren’t attending a match in person can enjoy the festive atmosphere at a football bar or other venue. “Fan zones” will also serve as free ways for the public to enjoy the celebrations. In Munich, for example, the Olympiapark Fan Zone will feature a large floating screen showing all 51 games live, as well as play host to live music, yoga, football activities, theatrical performances and more.
As an added visitor incentive, German host cities will put on major arts and cultural events for the public as an accompaniment to all the football fun.
The Fall of the Wall
This November will mark 35 years since the Berlin Wall fell on Nov. 9, 1989. To commemorate the milestone anniversary of the historic event, the city has official ceremonies planned for Nov. 9, 2024 (details are still to come), along with exhibitions, tours and activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Travelers will have new ways to learn about the Berlin Wall and its historical context this year.
Credit: 2024 German National Tourist Board/Dagmar SchwelleAmong the noteworthy additions to the city’s offerings is a special exhibit at the Humboldt Forum on the Palace of the Republic (the building that hosted the parliament of East Germany), which will run from May 2024 to February 2025. Starting in the spring, visitors to the Berlin Wall Memorial will also be able to download a new multilingual digital guide to enhance their experience.
A full list of tours, exhibitions and visitor opportunities centered around the Berlin Wall can be found on Visit Berlin’s website.
Immersed in Art
This year, Germany celebrates what would be the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich, one of Germany’s most famous painters and a significant artist of the Romantic era. His paintings — including the famous “Chalk Cliffs on Rugen” and “Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog” — are known for depictions of nature with human figures as silent observers.
Art aficionados have the chance to immerse themselves in Friedrich’s work this year as Germany celebrates his birthday with exhibitions, lectures, concerts, guided tours and painting courses in places that are closely associated with the artist’s life and work. Visitors can expect special offerings in Berlin, Dresden and Hamburg, as well as a lineup of events in his hometown of Greifswald, including (but certainly not limited to) the “grand opening of the anniversary,” featuring Christian Loffler in concert and a spectacular light show.
A full list of special 2024 offerings and events related to Friedrich can be found on the German National Tourist Board’s website.
