Grilling in public
When you do not have braai facilities at home or want to have more space while meeting your friends for a braai, you can use the grills/fireplaces at a
Summer stretches her limbs at last, and on 21 June, she truly arrives with the longest day of the year—the summer solstice. This golden milestone is honoured in many cultures, a celebration of sunlight at its glorious peak. In Berlin, the sun rises as early as 04:43 and doesn’t bid us goodnight until 21:33—nearly 17 hours of daylight to soak up every sunbeam.
These long, languid days are made for life outdoors: meandering through lush parks, cooling off in a nearby lake, or raising a glass with friends in a leafy beer garden as the sun lingers on the horizon.
As the mercury rises, so too does the scent of charcoal. Grill season kicks into high gear in Germany, with locals gathering for the beloved Grillfest—a casual affair of sizzling sausages, marinated vegetables, and even cheese over the coals. But don’t be fooled—a Grillfest is no South African braai 😉. It may lack the flair of boerewors and braaibroodjies, but it’s still full of gemütlichkeit and good company.
Time Zone
During Central European Time (CET) in winter, Germany is one hour behind South Africa. This time difference remains until the last Sunday in March when daylight saving time (Summertime) begins.
Season
Summer.
June in Germany ushers in the height of summer, when the days are long, warm, and full of life. Nature is in full bloom, outdoor cafés are buzzing, and locals flock to lakes, parks, and festivals to soak up the sunshine.
Weather
June in Germany marks the heart of summer, bringing warm temperatures and long, sunlit days. Average temperatures typically range from 15°C to 25°C, though warmer days can easily push above 30°C, especially in the south and west. Rain showers and thunderstorms may occasionally sweep through, offering a refreshing break from the heat.
Outdoors
Braai Season
Summer is finally here and it is time to invite friends to kuier around the braai. But before you light your charcoal, check out the rules and regulations that
It is also time to get your cozzies out as some public swimming facilities (Freibad) will be open.
Other options are to swim at a beach, a baggersee or a lake.
Hiking and riding your bicycle or mountain bike are also very popular activities. Great websites for trails are Outdooractive or Komoot. Both are available as apps.
Unique weather conditions:
Die Schafskälte – Between June 4th and June 20th (usually on the 11th of June), there is often a cold snap in Central Europe. The cool and humid air flowing in from the northwest causes the temperature to drop. When this happens, the weather changes significantly, which can lead to the first severe thunderstorms of the year and put a considerable damper on a good summer outlook.
Folk saying (Bauernregel) Die Siebenschläferregel –
“If Siebenschläfertag brings rain, expect seven more weeks of it.”
This old saying suggests that the weather around June 27th sets the tone for the rest of the summer — a rainy day then may mean a soggy season ahead.
Fun Activities
- Picnic in a Stadpark or Schlossgarten
- Go for a Bike ride along a river trail
- Take a dip in a local Badesee
- Shop at a local Farmer's Market
- Stroll and eat Gelato like a local
- Chill at a Biergarten under Chestnut trees
- Go Boating on a lake or canal
- Take a Summer hike in the countryside.
- Visit a Botanical garden
- Watch the sunse from a hilltop or rooftop
Public Holidays and Observations
|
Date
|
Holiday
|
Information
|
States
|
Type
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
01 June
|
Metrological start
of Summer
|
_
|
Observation
|
|
|
08.06.2025
|
Whitsunday
Pfingstmontag
|
Whitsunday refers to the seventh Sunday after Easter, also known as Pentecost, which is a Christian festival commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
|
All
|
Public
Holiday
|
|
19.06.2025
|
Corpus Christi
Fronleichnam
|
_
|
BW, BY, HE,
NW, RP, SL
|
Public
Holiday
|
|
21.06.2025
|
Astrological start of Summer.
|
The longest day in the year
|
All
|
Observation
|
|
24 June
|
John's Day
Johannistag
|
All
|
Observation
|
|
|
29 June
|
Peter und Paul
|
All
|
Observation
|
Festivals and events
- Elbjazz Festival in Hamburg
- Rock am Ring in Nürnburg
- Bach Festival in Leipzig
- Luther's Wedding Festival in Wittenberg. Middle age Festival
- Tollwood Summer Festival in Munich
- Traumzeit Music Festival - Duisburg
- Kieler Woche - Sailing
- Oberlindenhock street festival in Freiburg
- Mozart Festival in Würzburg
- Handel Festival in Halle
- Music Festival in Dresden
- Wine Festival in Würzburg
- Summer night concert in Austria
- Ulmer Zelt
- Bunter Sommer Neustadt
- Kiliani Volksfest in Würzburg
Annual South African Meetup – 21 June 2025
21/06/2025 @ 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm – The following were posted by Jade Bartholomew who is one of the organisers For more info visit the Event page on Facebook This event is not organised by the admin of this website, all the honours go to Jade and Tristan 🙂 It’s that time of year again!The biggest South African jol of the year! […]
5th Edition – SA in Belgium Braai day – 28 June 2025
28/06/2025 @ 2:00 pm – 11:45 pm – The following were posted by the organisers For more info visit the Event page on Facebook This event is not organised by the admin of this website This year will be the 5th edition of the SA in Belgium Braai Day. Make sure you keep the weekend of 28 June open, and join 1000+ other […]
Saffa Braai at Ostpark in Frankfurt
07/06/2025 @ 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm – It’s that time of year again – summer is upon us! 🌞 This year, we’re getting together at Grillplatz Ostpark in Frankfurt to enjoy some South African treats, braai, have a dop (or two… or more 😎), and dance to some South African tunes in the sun! Event Details: 📅 Date & Time: 07 June […]
🥳 Bring&Braai in Wiesloch
28/06/2025 @ 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm – 🥳 Bring&Braai in Wiesloch Venue: Mini-Golf-Anlage Parkstraße. Wiesloch. Date: 28 June Begin: 14h00 Bring only your meat, salads, picnic plates and other utensils. ❤ Drinks, chips, ice cream, etc. sold on the premises. (Please remember that we do not pay to use the venue, so we show our support and appreciation in this way.) ❤ […]
Summer Braai in Freiburg
12/07/2025 @ All Day – Information is available on their Facebook page and WhatsApp group Contact us at admin@southafricansingermany.de if you need the link to the WhatsApp group. We do not organise this event and only share it for information purposes. Please contact Jose or Celeste on the respective platforms for more information
South African Wine and Opera – Berlin
05/07/2025 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – The exceptionally talented mezzo-soprano and wine connoisseur Summer Carne will present premium South African wines, accompanied by an operatic repertoire that explains the bouquet. South African chef Etienne van der Nest and his team will ensure your palate is further indulged with exquisite appetisers. Please remember to make a reservation, as space is limited. Location […]
African Vocals Tour
09/06/2025 – 04/07/2025 @ 7:00 pm – The African Vocals – A Cappella Voices from Namibia Back by popular demand, The African Vocals, an a cappella group from the townships of Swakopmund, Namibia, will be touring Germany again in 2025. Their music is more than melody — it’s a powerful expression of their life stories, shaped by the harsh realities of township […]
Berries like Strawberries (Erdbeeren), Red currant berries (Johannisbeeren), Blueberries (Blaubeeren) and Cherries (Kirschen) are all in season.
Make your own Rote Grütze and serve it with Ice cream, Milchreis or pudding. You can find some more recipes here.
With the sun shining so bright and a gentle breeze blowing, it is the perfect weather to gather around with friends and family for a delightful braai.
It’s still Spargelsaison until 24 June, so there’s just enough time left to indulge in Germany’s beloved seasonal treat—white asparagus, or Spargel, often hailed as the country’s “white gold.” Whether you enjoy it with hollandaise, ham, or simply with butter and potatoes, this delicate vegetable is a true taste of early summer.
For more ideas and mouthwatering recipes, visit our Spargel page..
For the best ice cream experience in Germany, head to one of the many Italian-run Eisdielen—they’re true masters of gelato. A favourite flavour is Stracciatella – Creamy vanilla ice cream with crunchy bits of chocolate. Be sure to try Spaghetti Eis, a whimsical and delicious creation where vanilla ice cream is pressed into spaghetti-like strands, topped with strawberry sauce and white chocolate “Parmesan.” It’s a summer classic that’s as fun to eat as it is tasty—don’t leave Germany without trying it!
Kick back and soak up the sunshine with a refreshing cocktail in hand. Try an Aperol Spritz, a classic Italian favourite with a splash of orange zest and sparkling soda water, or the Hugo, a fragrant mix of elderflower, mint, and Prosecco. Both are the perfect drinks to elevate your summer relaxation. Also try a Radler, Weinschorle or a Kir Royal
Rhubarb comes into season in June and is a beloved ingredient in many traditional German desserts. Often paired with strawberries, it’s used in pies, cakes (like Rhabarberkuchen), and even jams. Its tart flavor balances out the sweetness of summer desserts perfectly, making it a go-to for both home bakers and pastry chefs.
Vocabulary
| German Barbecue | das Grillfest |
| a state or feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer. | die Gemütlichkeit |
| Man-made quarry filled with water | der Baggersee |
| Lake | der See |
| Ocean | das Meer |
| Beach | der Strand / der Badestrand |
| Blueberries | die Blaubeeren |
| Raspberries | die Himbeeren |
| Elderberries | die Holunderbeeren |
| Strawberries | die Erdbeeren |
Summer Holidays
The school summer holidays are during July and August. Schulferien has an up-to-date school calendar. Start planning your summer holidays well in advance. Below are some tips and information that might be helpful
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