Seven events you can't miss in January 2020 in Germany

‘Great Realism, Great Abstraction’ art exhibit, January 3rd-February 16th, Frankfurt

Over 1,800, twentieth-century German drawings in the collection of the Städel Museum’s Department of Prints and Drawings will be on display starting Friday. Spanning styles of art from realism to abstraction, these are the works of German greats such as Max Beckmann and Gerhald Richer.

Taking place simultaneously is the impressive “Making Van Gogh” exhibition, which features more than 120 paintings and works on paper. 

Visitors to the Van Gogh exhibit at the Städel Museum in October 2019. Photo: DPA

Three Kings Day, January 6th, throughout Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt

Head to these three German states, where the most traditional Epiphany celebrations, or Dreikönigsfeste, take place over the public holiday. Carollers and Sternsinger (star singers) dressed up as the Three Kings go door to door carolling and often collecting money for charity. 

Homes and stables are also purified through the process of burning frankincense, and at night families prost to the New Year over a Bockbier. 

Celebration and reading for famous Weimar Republic writer Kurt Tucholsky, Berlin, January 10th 

Kurt Tucholsky, the famous German Jewish journalist and satirist of the Weimar Republic, would be turning 130 years old in January were he still alive.

To celebrate the occasion, a lecture, book reading and birthday party (of course with wine and cake on hand) will take place in the art installation space in the house where Tucholsky was actually born, in Berlin’s Moabit neighbourhood.

“All You Need is Love” Beatles Musical, January 14th, Niederhausen

2020 marks a particularly special year for Beatles fans: 60 years earlier, John, Paul, Ringo and George would give their very first concert in Liverpool. 

A Beatles musical biography, “All You Need is Love”, will honour the anniversary at Niederhausen’s Rhine-Main-Theatre. The four musicians of the Las Vegas band “Twist and Shout” are impersonating the men, travelling through time and their multifaceted careers.

But if you miss the occasion, there’s still a long line-up of tour dates throughout Germany in January and February.

13th British Shorts Film Festival, January 16th-22nd, Berlin

Over the course of seven days, 222 films at six various venues throughout the capital will feature current British and Irish films spanning comedy, drama, experimental films and music videos. 

Besides a great line-up - which includes talks with directors and concerts - there will also be a free film workshop which includes the so-called “48-hour film challenge.”

Newbie and novice filmmakers alike will have the opportunity to produce their own film in just two days. 

International Green Week, January 17th-26th, Berlin

Mario Oblak, a cheese sommelier from Green Week partner country Croatia, presents some of his specialties. Photo: DPA

Considered to be the world’s largest fair for food, agricultural and horticultural industries, this impressively diverse event includes all sorts of landscaping exhibitions, German beer and organic products for every palate, a livestock section, and an array of sustainability workshops.

While this year’s partner country is Croatia, the 1,800 exhibitors on hand will hail from all of the world, with a specific focus on central and eastern Europe. 

25th Annual Motorrad Messe, January 31st-February 2nd, Leipzig

This massive “Motorcycle Fair” is not just devoted its namesake, but also to all sorts of bikes, from classics to the newest brands. A series of classic cars will also be on display.

For a rush without the risk, a “Wheelie-Simulator” will also be on hand to test out your luck as a stunt driver.