8 Unmissable Events in Germany in January 2025
8 Unmissable Events in Germany in January 2025
The festive glow of the Christmas season may soon fade, but January in Germany has promised to keep your spirits high with a lineup of cultural and leisure events not to be missed. From religious feasts to avant-garde music festivals, January 2025 will indeed have something for everyone. Below is a detailed guide to 8 unmissable events in Germany in January 2025.
1) January 6th: Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day
The New Year’s celebrations may be over, but January 6th is another important date on the German calendar—Dreikönigstag, or Three Kings’ Day. It is a religious feast day, also called Epiphany, which marks the end of the Christmas season proper. It is traditionally the last day to take down Christmas decorations, and most Christmas markets in Germany are closed on this date.
The day celebrates the visit of the Magi in Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the baby Jesus. Today, communities throughout Germany mark the day with special church services, carol singing, and baking of Königkuchen, also known as king cakes. January 6th is a public holiday for Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saxony-Anhalt; thus, it’s an ideal time to reflect on the holiday season or ease into the new year.
January 11th – February 2nd: Out of the Box Festival
The Out of the Box Festival in Munich will keep you engrossed with something you don’t quite expect. Running from January 11th to February 2nd, this year’s edition will focus on the theme “The Renaissance of Time” through experimental performances that reflect how time works with art.
Expect an eclectic mix of music, theatre, dance, and visual art that challenges boundaries and provokes thought. A lot of the festival’s events take place in Munich’s Werksviertel, but historic Bavarian locations such as Ebersberg, Passau, and Berchtesgaden also fall within the festival’s orbit. To keep up with their schedule, check out their official website.
January 14th: Jan Böhmermann and the Radio-Dance Orchestra Ehrenfeld (Cologne)
For fans of satire and live music, Jan Böhmermann and his Radio-Dance Orchestra Ehrenfeld promise a memorable evening in Cologne on January 14th. Known for his sharp wit and political satire, Böhmermann’s performance is a lively blend of poetry, music, and commentary on current affairs.
With tickets often selling out quickly, it’s wise to book early. Beyond Cologne, Böhmermann will perform in cities like Berlin, Stuttgart, and Hamburg. Don’t miss this unique mix of entertainment and thought-provoking humor.
January 17th – March 22nd: Silent Film Festival (Berlin)
Berlin hosts several film festivals at the beginning of the year, and one that stands out for cinema buffs is the Silent Film Festival (Stummfilmkonzerte). The festival runs from January 17th to March 22nd, celebrating the magic of early cinema accompanied by live music.
Held in the atmospheric Twelve Apostles Church in Schöneberg, the festival offers a programme of classics, such as The Cameraman and Nosferatu, with live scores by virtuoso composer Stephan v. Bothmer and other talented musicians. This is a unique mixture of visual and auditory art, guaranteed to capture the attention of audiences.
January 18th: Opening of European Capital of Culture 2025 (Chemnitz)
Year by year, the European Union nominates a city to hold the title of Capital of Culture, and for the 2025 term, this great recognition befalls Chemnitz. A focus around which it bases its vision for promotion under the theme “C THE UNSEEN”.
Opening ceremony on January 18 will introduce the year-long event that consists of 60 projects shown in City Hall and open stages in the centre of Chemnitz. The regional food festival also supplements the festivities to make it a not-to-be-forgotten day.
January 20th – 25th: Poetica World Literature Festival (Cologne)
Cologne hosts the Poetica World Literature Festival from January 20th to 25th, a celebration of words and global perspectives. Organized by the University of Cologne, the festival brings together poets, authors, and thinkers from around the world.
Highlights this year include a literature workshop on “imaginary gardens”, readings at the Japanese Cultural Institute, and discussions on the theme “Why do we come places where no one understands us?”. Performances in both English and German make this festival a literary feast for all.
January 24th – February 2nd: CTM Festival (Berlin)
Winter in Berlin comes alive with a dash of cutting-edge technology as the CTM Festival arrives. Now in its 26th edition, “Sustain” delves into the confluence of sound, performance, and societal issues, so here’s how CTM goes about this all these years.
Spread out at iconic venues like Berghain and Volksbühne, avant-garde performances and thought-provoking Discourse feature as part of the lineup at CTM for its audience of music lovers and art enthusiasts.
January 26 – February 2: Montgolfiade Hot-Air Balloon Festival in Tegernsee, Bavaria
In January concludes the fantastic Montgolfiade Hot-Air Balloon Festival, which takes place along the shores of Lake Tegernsee. During a wintery setting framed by the stunning Alps, colorful hot-air balloons into the sky by dozens of different balloons.
Visitors can have balloon rides, photography shoots, and winter festivals in markets. The highlight will be “Night Glow” when balloons illuminate the night into a fairy-tale like view.
Germany in January 2025 is a colorful fabric with cultural, artistic, and festive events. Whatever may be your desire—relishing nostalgia at the Silent Film Festival or smiling with Jan Böhmermann, basking in the views from Montgolfiade—that is sure to come about. Don’t let these cold blues get the best of you; let go, and enjoy Germany, here it is for this January!
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