Culture Calendar – July 2019
July kicks off with the legendary Berlin Fashion Week and continues to serve ad an event-packed month throughout. Plenty of open-air festivals, outdoor theatre performances as well as some stunning fireworks in Cologne invite locals and visitors alike, to celebrate life during these warm summer nights.
TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | MAIN PHOTO © DAVIDS
Berlin Fashion Week (1 – 6 July)
When the prestigious fashion week opens its doors again this July, Berlin becomes a massive catwalk. This is without a doubt the true hotspot for international designers, celebrities, retailers and representatives of the fashion industry and the press. Let’s see what fashion treasures the future holds.
Berlin Fashion Week 2019. Photo © Berlin Fashion Week
Classic Open Air at Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin (4 – 8 July)
The famous Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in Germany and the perfect stage for the Classic Open-Air Festival. The festival looks back on over 25 years and celebrates plenty of musical genres from opera to classical and pop on five warm summer nights in Berlin.
Left to right: Caliente! Photo © Marco Medina | Christopher Street Day Parade Berlin. Photo © Heinrich von Schimmer, www.heinrichvonschimmer.de
Caliente! Festival, Zurich (5 – 7 July)
Latin-America is at the heart of the Caliente! Festival in Zurich. During various days in July, this festival shows visitors how to enjoy life. With plenty of amazing food, great music and cultural events, this is Europe’s largest Latin Festival. Fancy a tropical cocktail?
Photo © Pixabay
Cologne Art Book Fair, Cologne (6 – 7 July)
This year’s Cologne Art Book Fair at Kölnischer Kuntsverein celebrates its fifth anniversary. Visitors can actively take part in discussions, talks, book presentations and readings. This art fair is slightly different to larger fairs of its kind, as it aims to promote less-presented authors, who nonetheless contribute significantly to the book scene.
Kölner Lichter. Photo © Denise Hackmann
Kölner Lichter (Cologne Lights), Cologne (13 July)
Say hello to the 19th edition of this popular free firework spectacle in the heart of Cologne. The fireworks illuminate the city’s skyline in sync with music, and it goes without saying that the festival attracts thousands of spectators each year. Cologne Lights is Germany’s biggest firework festival with music synchronisation and this year its motto is ‘Beyond borders! Offenbach & Friends’, to honour the 200th birthday of Jacques Offenbach, who was from Cologne.
Gurtenfestival. Photo © Andrin Fretz
Gurtenfestival, Bern (17 – 20 July)
This grand, four-day musical extravaganza is one of Switzerland’s greatest festivals with an impressive international line-up including Twenty One Pilots, Lauryn Hill, Marteria & Casper, as well as Rudimental, all performing live. The remote location of Gurten is only reachable via cable car or on foot, if you are ready for a proper hike. A festival with a very unique mountain vibe.
Gurtenfestival. Photo © Ferruccio Ria
Botanical Night at Botanical Garden, Berlin (19 – 20 July)
The Botanical Garden invites guests to embark on a truly magical night and to explore its stunning grounds during one weekend in July. Illuminated flower beds, spectacular light shows, mystical creatures and performances from over 150 artists make for two unforgettable and enchanted nights.
Salzburger Festspiele, Akademie für Alte Musik. Photo © Uwe Arens
Salzburg Festival (20 July – 31 August)
This year’s famous Salzburg Festival focuses on mythical tales from the past, which never cease to raise ever-relevant questions about human existence. A fine selection of over 200 performances, plays and concerts await guests. The opening premiere will be Mozart’s ‘Idomeneo’ with Russell Thomas playing the lead.
Photo © Pixabay
Ironman, Zurich (21 July)
This year’s edition will be the last chance to experience Ironman in Zurich. The route takes participants along picturesque lake Zurich and the countryside whilst delivering its promise to be a real challenge for all ironmen amongst us. Like always, it includes swimming, cycling and running – so it is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
Christopher Street Day Parade Berlin. Photo © Heinrich von Schimmer, www.heinrichvonschimmer.de
Wiener Cabaret Festival, Vienna (22 – 27 July)
This five-day festival invites guests to let go and have a good laugh in the unique setting of the town hall’s Arkadenhof. Each night, two different acts are presented in front of a large audience of around 1,200 guests. Sophisticated comedy in a grand location.
Summertime Norderney, Fritz Kalkbrenner. Photo © Fritz Kalkbrenner
Summertime, Norderney (24 – 28 July)
The Summertime Festival on the beautiful German island of Norderney has a fabulous line-up of five great acts this year and marks the 222nd anniversary of the seaside resort. Max Giesinger, Michael Patrick Kelly, Milow, UB40 feat. Ali & Astro and star DJ Fritz Kalkbrenner will perform – it’s bound to be one of the best programmes the island has seen so far.
Theatron Festival. Photo © Theatron Festival
Theatron Festival at Olympiapark, Munich (25 July – 18 August)
Right by the Olympic Lake, the free Theatron Festival has a very unique vibe. Over the course of a few weeks in summer, every evening from 7pm various concerts take place on the big stage. Since the 1970s, this musical summer event has established itself firmly in Munich and is popular with locals and tourists alike.
Gauklerfestival Feldkirch. Photo © Magdalena Türscher
Gauklerfestival, Feldkirch (26 – 27 July)
The town of Feldkirch finishes each July with a big street party. Magicians, musicians, acrobats and jugglers bring a lot of life and laughter to the Montfort city. Around 50 artists from 15 different countries showcase their talent and turn the town into the largest open-air stage in the Vorarlberg area.
www.feldkirch.travel/gauklerfestival
Christopher Street Day Parade Berlin. Photo © Heinrich von Schimmer, www.heinrichvonschimmer.de
Christopher Street Day Parade, Berlin (27 July)
At noon, the parade is going to start at Ku’Damm / Joachimsthaler Straße and thousands of people are expected to take part. Since its first run in 1979, the beautiful Berlin Pride has become the biggest of its kind in Germany’s capital and celebrates as well as advocates for the rights of LGBT+ people. This year’s motto is ‘STONEWALL 50 – EVERY RIOT STARTS WITH YOUR VOICE’.
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