January can be an unforgiving month in Germany, where the warmth and indulgence of Christmas is replaced by the seemingly endless trudge of winter.
If you're looking for a way to keep your spirits high, there's a fantastic array of cultural and leisure events happening this month, from experimental music festivals to live satire shows.
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Here are some of the dates to save in your calendar.
January 11th - February 2nd: Out of the Box Festival, Munich & other Bavarian locations
From the toasty atmosphere of the Münchner Feuerzangenbowle to a stunning light show at St. Markus' church, there's plenty to keep Munich residents entertained this January.
For those who are looking for something a little bit different, though, the eclectic Out of the Box Festival is not to be missed. Under the title, 'The Renaissance of Time', this year's edition aims to explore the interplay between art and time through a range of avant-garde and boundary-pushing performances.
Expect a packed roster of music, theatre, dance and visual art designed to be challenging and thought-provoking. Beyond the traditional venues in Munich's Werksviertel, this year's festival will also travel to a range of historic Bavarian locations: Ebersberg, Berchtesgaden, Schongau, Regensburg, Passau, Burghausen, Kaufbeuren and Lichtenberg.
For the most up to date details on the programme, visit the festival website.
January 14th, Jan Böhmermann and the Radio-Dance Orchestra Ehrenfeld, Cologne
When it comes to riling up people on both the left and the right of German politics, there's no-one quite as talented as Jan Böhmermann. At the start of 2025, the satirist and his band are set to leave the studio of the ZDF Magazin Royale and head out on tour across Germany, arriving in Cologne on January 14th.
This fast-paced concert is a mishmash of sharp political satire, biting poetry and live music delivered with Böhmermann's signature acerbic wit and charismatic style. Expect a wild romp through Germany's current news landscape, landing blows and laughs in equal measure.
Previous years have seen tickets sell out fast, so it's worth booking early for this one. Beyond Cologne, Böhmermann also has dates in Berlin, Cologne, Erfurt, Leipzig, Stuttgart and Hamburg, as well as other major German cities. Tickets for the Frankfurt show have already sold out.
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January 17th - March 22nd: Silent Film Festival, Berlin
Berlin has a packed roster of film festivals at the start of the year, from the world-famous Berlinale in February to the British short film festival at the end of January.
One event that garners a little less attention, however, is the nostalgic Stummfilmkonzerte (Silent Film Concerts), which runs for more than two months from mid-January to the end of March.
Taking place in the atmospheric setting of the Twelve Apostles Church in Schöneberg, the event is a mixture of early cinema and thrilling live music. Silent film fans can enjoy a roster that showcases the full genre, from the comedic classic The Cameraman to the bloodcurdling Nosferatu.
Virtuoso composer Stephan v. Bothmer will play the accompanying music on the church organ, alongside a rotating cast of other highly talented musicians.
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January 18th: Opening of European Capital of Culture 2025, Chemnitz
Each year the European Union selects a city to crown the annual Capital of Culture. This year, the honour has been bestowed on the Saxon city of Chemnitz and the 38 municipalities across the Ore Mountains, Central Saxony and the Zwickau region.
According to organisers, around 1,000 events will take place across Saxony throughout the year under the title "C THE UNSEEN". These will "show unseen sides of an East German city and region that are characterised by change, resilience and reinvention".
The opening event on January 18th offers a first glimpse of the programme, with 60 of the 160 Capital of Culture projects presenting their projects on three stages in the Chemnitz City Hall. In the afternoon, there will be open stages in the city centre and a food festival showcasing the diversity of the region's cuisine.
January 20th - 25th: Poetica World Literature Festival, Cologne
Taking place in vibrant Cologne, Poetica is a celebration of words, ideas, and global perspectives. Each year, renowned poets, authors, and literary thinkers from around the world gather in the city to share their insights through a series of readings, panel discussions, and inspiring workshops.
Organised by the University of Cologne and funded by the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry for Culture, the festival particularly focuses on poetry as a marginalised genre. All readings take place in their original language with performances by German actors, and events are moderated in both English and German.
This year, highlights include a literature workshop on the theme of 'imaginary gardens' led by Jan Wegner, a discussion and readings titled Japanese Cultural Institute titled, "Why do we come places where no one understands us?", and a range of poetic readings on the subject of landscape supported by the cast of Schauspiel Cologne on the final evening.
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January 24th - February 2nd: CTM Festival, Berlin
If you thought music festivals were only for summer, the legendary CTM festival in Berlin is here to change your mind. Celebrating its 26th edition, CTM - a festival focused around experimental music and art - continues to push the boundaries of contemporary sound and performance.
This year's festival will be hosted across several of Berlin's most iconic venues, including Berghain, silent green, radialsystem, and the Volksbühne at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz. Artists will showcase their most cutting-edge work under the theme "Sustain", with the Discourse programme of talks also offering plenty of food for thought.
January 26th - February 2nd: Montgolfiade Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Tegernsee, Bavaria
Set against the stunning winter backdrop of Lake Tegernsee, the Montgolfiade Hot-Air Balloon Festival is one of the highlights of the January calendar. In the midst of Bavaria's unspoilt natural beauty, dozens of colourful hot-air balloons rise up each day into the crisp and clear sky, creating a magetic spectacle.
As well as soaking up the scenery, visitors can book balloon rides with incredible views of the Alps, as well as taking part in photography sessions and perusing festive winter markets dotted around the lakeside.
If you can only make it to one part of the festival, be sure to head to the 'Night Glow' event, where illuminated balloons ascend to light up the night sky.
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