May brings longer days, warmer weather, and nature in full bloom across Germany. Parks and gardens burst with color, making it a great time for outdoor adventures, from hiking scenic trails to enjoying open-air cafés and beer gardens. The month kicks off with May Day (Maifeiertag), a public holiday filled with festivities, and continues with spring fairs, music festivals, and the much-anticipated Spargelzeit (asparagus season).
With a mix of tradition, fresh flavours, and lively events, May is a wonderful time to experience Germany’s vibrant spring energy.
Central European Time (CET), Summertime – the same time as South Africa until the last Sunday of October, when Wintertime starts.
Spring.
It’s a time when nature is in full bloom, temperatures are mild, and the days become noticeably longer as summer approaches.
With pollen season in full swing, taking care of your allergies is important. You can stay up-to-date with the latest information using the Allergie website‘s Pollenkalender.
May in Germany brings mild and pleasant weather, with average temperatures ranging between 7.2 and 16.8 degrees Celsius. The days become noticeably longer, offering more hours of sunshine to enjoy the outdoors. Spring is in full swing, with warmer afternoons perfect for strolls through blooming parks, while cooler mornings and evenings still call for a light jacket.
May 1st – May Day (Tag der Arbeit) and Maypole Traditions
May begins with May Day (Tag der Arbeit) on the 1st of May, a public holiday in Germany. While trade unions organize marches and demonstrations in larger cities, many smaller towns celebrate with traditional Maypole (Maibaum) festivities. Villages come together to erect a beautifully decorated pole, often accompanied by locals wearing traditional Bavarian or regional attire. A fun and mischievous tradition in rural areas involves stealing the Maypole from neighbouring villages. To reclaim it, the town must pay a ransom—usually in beer, adding to the festive spirit. Once the Maypole is in place, the real celebration begins with music, dancing, and feasting.
The tradition of raising the Maypole dates back to the 16th century, and several customs are associated with this time. The night before, many people take part in “Tanz in den Mai” (Dance into May), an evening of parties and dancing to welcome the new month. Another old custom, the “Maisprung” (May Jump), sees the daring leap over bonfires at midnight, symbolizing renewal and good fortune.
Mother’s Day & Father’s Day in Germany
Like in South Africa, Mother’s Day (Muttertag) is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, a time when families express their appreciation with flowers, gifts, and special meals.
While Father’s Day (Vatertag) falls in June in South Africa, in Germany, it is celebrated on Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt), a public holiday that always falls on a Thursday. On this day, it is common for groups of men to go on day-long outings, often with handcarts (Bollerwagen) full of beer, enjoying the countryside, beer gardens, or barbecues with friends.
Swimming options Private swimming pools are not so popular in Germany, but there are good public swimming options available. Public swimming pools / Öffentliche Schimmbäder / Freibad Freiseitparks like Europapark Baggersee (Man-made lakes) Lakes The ocean / Nordsee or Ostsee Rules for swimming in Lakes Never dive/jump into a lake
With such beautiful weather, endless opportunities exist to indulge in fun outdoor activities. Whether you’re interested in hiking, biking, picnicking, or simply soaking up the radiant sunshine, the possibilities are endless.
Many of the public swimming facilities (Freibad) will open. Other swimming options are to swim in the ocean, a Baggersee, or a lake.
| Holiday | Date | Information | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Holidays | |||
| Tag der Arbeit / Worker’s Day | 01 May | Tag der Arbeit / Worker’s Day | All |
| Christi Himmelfahrt | 29.05.2025 | Christi Himmelfahrt / Ascension of Christ | All |
| Observations | |||
| Father’s Day | 29.05.2025 | All | |
| Mother’s Day | 11.05.2025 | Same as in South Africa | All |
| School Holidays and Terms | |||
| Pfingstferien | Various | Shool Holidays |
13/03/2025 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Monthly Topic Suggestions: March: Finding Community and Belonging Discuss how to connect with locals and build a support network in Germany. April: Exploring Germany Focus on travel tips and hidden gems, with members sharing their favourite destinations. May: Summer Fun in Germany Discuss festivals, outdoor activities, and traditions to look forward to. June: Managing Finances […]
06/03/2025 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Are you a South African freelancer navigating the challenges of working in Germany? Let’s explore the common challenges that freelancers face and effective strategies for overcoming them. Whether you’re struggling with finding clients, managing your time, or maintaining motivation, let this meeting be a place to brainstorm and share with people in a similar situation. […]
30/03/2025 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Since 1955, South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim has been performing concerts—and at 90 years old, there’s no end in sight! Get ready for goosebumps as the living legend of the South African music scene comes to Weimar for a concert you won’t soon forget. Foto: © Peter Rauch Website – https://abdullahibrahim.co.za/ Tickets can be bought […]
White asparagus (Spargel) is one of Germany’s most beloved seasonal delicacies, marking the arrival of spring. The official asparagus season starts towards the end of April and lasts until June 24th, known as St. John the Baptist Day (Johannistag). During this time, asparagus is featured on menus across the country, with traditional dishes pairing it with hollandaise sauce, buttered potatoes, and ham or schnitzel. Grown under soil to maintain its pale color and delicate flavor, white asparagus is celebrated with festivals, fresh market stalls, and even dedicated “Spargel menus” in restaurants. Its short but highly anticipated season makes it a true highlight of German spring cuisine.
May marks the beginning of strawberry season (Erdbeerzeit) in Germany, when locally grown strawberries start appearing at markets, farm stands, and supermarkets. Known for their sweetness and intense flavour, German strawberries are often smaller but packed with taste, thanks to the mild spring temperatures and long daylight hours that allow them to ripen slowly.
These juicy red berries are a favourite ingredient in Erdbeerkuchen (strawberry cake), served with fresh cream, or used to make homemade jams. Many farms also offer Erdbeerselbstpflücke (pick-your-own strawberry fields), where visitors can gather their own fresh berries straight from the plants.
Rhubarb has a tart flavour that becomes sweeter when cooked with sugar. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, and potassium.
Rhubarb is commonly used to make pies, crisps, jams, and sauces. It can also be stewed or roasted to bring out its natural sweetness.
Maibock is a traditional strong lager brewed specifically for spring, marking the transition from the darker, heavier winter beers to the lighter summer varieties. This golden to amber-colored beer has a smooth, malty sweetness with hints of caramel, bread, and a touch of spice. Despite its refreshing taste, Maibock has a higher alcohol content than typical lagers, usually ranging between 6–7.5% ABV.
Brewed in late winter and released in May, Maibock is a popular choice during spring festivals, beer gardens, and May celebrations. It pairs well with traditional German dishes like pretzels, sausages, roasted meats, and asparagus dishes.
Maibowle is a quintessential German springtime drink, often enjoyed during May Day festivities or as part of gatherings celebrating the arrival of warmer weather. This traditional May punch is made by combining white wine or sparkling wine with a touch of sweetness from sugar and the distinctive flavor of sweet woodruff (Waldmeister), a fragrant herb that grows in forests during spring.
The woodruff gives Maibowle its unique aroma—herbal, slightly sweet, and grassy—which blends beautifully with the wine, creating a refreshing and aromatic drink. Some variations of Maibowle include slices of fresh fruits, such as strawberries or citrus, and can be served chilled with ice for a cooling effect.
This crunchy, mild-flavored vegetable is part of the cabbage family and typically harvested in spring and early summer. In May, you’ll find fresh Kohlrabi at local markets, where it’s often sold with its leafy green tops still attached.
Kohlrabi can be enjoyed raw, sliced into salads or paired with dips, or cooked in soups and stews. It has a slightly sweet and peppery taste, similar to a mild radish, but with a crisp texture. It’s also popular in German dishes like Kohlrabisalat (Kohlrabi salad) or sautéed as a side dish. The versatility and fresh, light flavor of Kohlrabi make it a perfect addition to spring meals.
| Maypole | der Maibaum |
| 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 |
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