Sure, the classic time of year for a holiday to Bavaria is late summer and early autumn: hiking in the Alps and swimming in crystal-clear lakes in August, enjoying warm summer evenings in Munich’s beer gardens, or hitting the Oktoberfest tents in late September are all absolute highlights that every German-o-phile should have experienced at least once! Then there’s winter, with snowy mountain peaks and world-renowned ski resorts such as Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
If you’ve done all of that, though, and are looking for some Bavarian fun that’s a little more off the beaten track, you might want to think about heading out in spring. Sure, the weather might not be so great – in bad years, Munich especially can stay wet and chilly well into April – but there are several events that make a trip well worthwhile for people interested in German and Bavarian culture.
Fasching – German Carnival
If you thought Carnival was limited to the beaches of Rio, you’re wrong! Situated just across the Alps from Venice, Munich has a long tradition of masked balls in the weeks running up to Lent and, like the rest of southern and western Germany, likes to have a big knees up in the days before Ash Wednesday. Expect parades through town, lots of fun costumes, and plenty of beer! And remember to check the dates, as Lent moves every year with Easter and can fall as early as mid-February and as late as mid-March. (This year, 2018, Pancake Day - the last day before Lent, is on 13th February; but next year, 2019, it's on 5th March!)
Interested? If you’ve booked your flights and are looking for ideas for a good Bavarian outfit, remember to keep it colourful. You don't necessarily have to wear lederhosen and dirndls: in fact, most locals get dressed up in fun costumes and some even consider it disrespectful to wear Bavarian clothing as "fancy dress". Then again, some Munich residents put on their lederhosen every time they go drinking - and expect there to be a lot of drinking... Whatever you do, add something unusual to your outfit!
Starkbierfest – Strong Beer Festival
The origins of Carnival are linked to Lent and religious laws about what could be eaten during periods of fasting: i.e. it was all about having one last good knees-up before having to give up meat and booze for the six weeks until Easter. Munich, however, has always had a pretty liberal attitude towards, well, lots of things, so here, Lent is also traditionally the time of the Strong Beer Festival, a three-week long celebration of high-proof brews with impressive-sounding names like Salvator and Triumphator. Apparently, church law never considered beer to be something from which people should abstain...
Like the sound of it? Head for any of the major beer halls (Hofbräuhaus, Löwenbräukeller, etc.) or to the legendary Paulaner am Nockherberg and join in the fun. Outfits should be traditional Bavarian and slightly on the formal side if you really want to blend in: leave the check shirt and bright colours for the Oktoberfest and opt for richer, darker tones; in terms of fabric, it's also about a more formal feel, so avoid linen or thin cotton and opt for something a little more substantial - and a little more festive. Waistcoats with a sheen and white collared shirts are best for the boys; for girls, the dirndl should be slightly longer and anything with gold metallic or deep burgundies and violets works very well.
Auer Dult/Frühlingsfest – spring-time funfairs
Missing the Oktoberfest badly? Join the club! Which is why Munich holds the Frühlingsfest – literally “spring festival” – funfair on the Theresienwiese at the half-way point between Oktoberfests. There’s also the springtime fair at Mariahilfsplatz known as the Auer Dult, a kind of mini-Wiesn with fairground rides and (somewhat smaller) beer tents. Well worth a visit if you need a quick injection of Bavarian art de vivre to make it through to September. Dress code? Whatever you like!