As the days stretch longer and the sun warms the soul, Germany awakens in full colour. Blossoming parks, buzzing beer gardens, and the scent of fresh Spargel (yes, it’s asparagus season!) fill the air.
May begins with Maifeiertag, a beloved public holiday brimming with tradition, and rolls into a season of spring fairs, open-air concerts, and festive markets.
It is the perfect time for outdoor adventures — from hiking scenic trails to lingering at sun-drenched cafés or enjoying a crisp drink in a beer garden.
With a mix of tradition, fresh flavours, and lively events, May is a wonderful time to soak up 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.
With such beautiful weather, the outdoors becomes your playground. Forest paths call for long walks, bike trails tempt you to go just a little further than planned, and every patch of green quietly suggests, “sit down, unpack something tasty, and stay awhile.” Parks and lakes transform into gathering places where laughter travels easily and time slows down just enough to notice it.
Public swimming facilities (Freibäder) begin opening their gates, and you’ll quickly see how seriously locals take their sunbathing spots. But the magic doesn’t stop at the pool. Germany offers a surprising variety of places to cool off — from peaceful lakes tucked between trees, to lively Baggerseen created from old quarries, and even the northern and Baltic Sea coasts for those craving a proper seaside breeze. Just brace yourself… the water may still remind you that spring isn’t quite summer yet.
Camping, swimming, grilling, wandering — it’s all part of the same rhythm. May doesn’t rush you. It simply opens the door and says, “Go on then… you’ve waited long enough.
Dive Into Summer: Swimming in Germany From peaceful forest lakes to lively public pools and sunny seaside beaches, Germany offers more ways to swim than you might expect. Whether you’re after a quiet dip, a family day out, or a full-on summer picnic by the water, here’s how to make
From Forests to Lakes: The Joy of Camping in Germany Camping in Germany is a beautifully organised, rule-driven experience — less wild bushveld, more well-kept nature with structure. Whether you’re pitching a tent, towing a caravan, or travelling by motorhome, Germany offers stunning landscapes, excellent facilities, and a culture that
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 public Grillplatz/grill area.These are usually in bigger parks or around lakes. Grilling in the forest is generally prohibited,
Summer has finally arrived in Germany — and with it, that unmistakable itch to light the fire, gather your people, and kuier around the braai.But before you strike the match, there are a few German rules and realities you need to know… because here, even a braai comes with regulations.
| Month | Event | Town | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14/05/2026 | Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) | View Event | |
| 25/05/2026 | Whit Monday | View Event |
Pack your cooler, bring your tjoppies, and come spend a proper summer afternoon with fellow South Africans in Germany 🌞 This much-loved annual Bring & Braai is back! After outgrowing the garden, we’re once again meeting at the beautiful Baggersee Happurg — and honestly, it doesn’t get better than this.
More info on the South Africans in Belgium FB page. If you’re interested in having a fleamarket stall on the day, please contact Gustav de Troch on FB Messenger. More details to follow in the coming months. There will be live music, Jumping Castles, flea market stalls, face painting, and
Hey Guys! We’re getting together for a lekker day out at the Biergarten – Zum alten Forsthaus Kalkofen, and jy weet, it’s going to be a proper South African jol! 🇿🇦🍻 Date: 6 June 2026 Location: Biergarten – Zum alten Forsthaus Kalkofen, Kalkofenweg 90, 64291 Darmstadt – Signs will be posted. Look
The biggest South African jol of the year is BACK — and you know it’s going to be lekker! Every year we take over 𝐑𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐳𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦 for a full day of braai smoke, good vibes, too many dops, loads of laughs, and all the home food we’ve been missing. Think
Howzit everyone! The time has come for the South African Braai Day in Frankfurt ❤️ 📅 04 July 2026 🕐 13:00 – 22:00 📍 Grillplatz Ostpark, Frankfurt 👉 Bring n Braai 👉 Order your Boerie to Eat on the day – Link to be added soon 👉 *SA Food Store
Tanner Wareham is a South African country and folk singer-songwriter known for his warm vocals, honest storytelling, and stripped-down acoustic sound. His music blends modern country with folk influences, creating songs that feel personal, relatable, and easy to connect with — whether you’re hearing them live for the first time
Get ready for three unforgettable days where South Africans from across Germany come together to celebrate, compete, and simply enjoy life. NamSA 2026 is all about good people, great energy, and that unmistakable feeling of home—no matter how far you’ve travelled. Expect a lively mix of sport, music, and laid-back
The African Picnic Open Air Festival is a vibrant celebration of African culture, bringing together music, food, art, and community in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Held at the beautiful Hospitalhof in Schwäbisch Hall, this multi-day festival offers live performances, DJ sets, workshops, and authentic African cuisine. From soulful Afro beats
Experience the diverse flavours of African cuisine at the AFFB SPRING MARKET – an exquisite celebration of African food, music & culture! Welcome to the AFRICAN FOOD FESTIVAL BERLIN – SPRING MARKET EDITION 🌿✨ This year is extra special as we celebrate 10 YEARS of African Food Festival Berlin — a decade of
We’re throwing open the doors for Sawabona Africa’s 5th birthday celebration, and we’d love nothing more than to fill the room with South Africans living in Munich who know exactly what makes our country so special. Come taste the wines, hear the stories, and spend an evening with people who
Join us for a relaxed South African-style Bring & Braai on 25 July in Freiburg. Bring your own meat to braai and a side dish or dessert to share—good food is best enjoyed together. Drinks will be available for purchase (please don’t bring your own). Expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere,
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.
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Maypole | der Maibaum |
| A state 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 |
| Barbecue / Grill | das Grillen |
| Public outdoor pool | das Freibad |
| Hiking | das Wandern |
| Spring | der Frühling |
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