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South Africans in Germany

October

October in Germany can still be mild and sunny, it is then referred to as a Goldener Oktober.
The leaves are turning yellow, red, orange and brown. It is the perfect time to take beautiful nature photos.
Traditionally there should be many harvest and wine festivals, but due to the Corona pandemic, most have been cancelled this year.
If you are interested in wine, take a drive on the German wine route, which is the oldest scenic drive in Germany. You can find more information here.
A boat ride along one of the large rivers, such as the Rhine or the Neckar, will reward you with spectacular autumn vineyard views.
It is also a good time to go hiking, just make sure you have the correct clothing and shoes.
If it is getting too cold outside to do sport, try some of the indoor sports, such as indoor soccer, quash, badminton (das Federballspiel), volleyball, handball or ice skating.

SeasonAutumn
TimeCentral European Time (CET), summer time, same as in South Africa.
From 30 October 03:00 am, it will be winter time and the clocks are turned back one hour.
Weather

The temperatures average between 5.9 °C and 13.2 °C.
It could be warmer or colder, depending on the location.
When the temperatures are mild and sunny, it is called a “Goldener Oktober“.
The average daily sunshine is 3.7 hours.

Plan your month

everything you need to know

Festivals

The most famous festival in Germany, the Oktoberfest in Munich, starts on 17 September. Another great beer fest to visit is the Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart from 23 September  Similar festivals will be celebrated all over Germany. You can search for Oktoberfest and your town to find the one closest to you.
Autumn is also the time for  wine festivals.
If you love Pumpkins, head out to Ludwigsburg for the biggest Pumpkin festival in the world. It will run from 26 August until 1 December 2022

Holidays

HolidayDateInformationStates
Public Holidays
Tag der Deutschen Einheit / German Unity Day03. OctoberGerman Unity DayAll
Reformation Day31 OctoberReformation DayBrandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg,
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,
Nierdersachsen, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt,
Schl-Holstein, Thüringen
Observations
ErntedankfestFirst Sunday in OctoberErntedankfestAll
Wintertime30.10.2022All
School Holidays and Terms
Autumn HolidaysShool Holidays 2022

Events listed on our website

Some foods and drinks to try

01.

Savoy Cabage

Savoy cabbage (der Wirsing) is one of the cabbages I like to use in my cooking. In most restaurants, you will now find Rahm-Wirsing as a side dish. Here are some of the recipes for you to try.

02.

Black Salsify

One of the lesser-known vegetables in season is the Black Salsify or scorzonera. In Germany, it is known as die Schwarzwurzel

03.

Pumpkins

You will see a variety of squashes and pumpkins in the shops and farmstalls.
Try a hearty pumpkin soup with pumpkin seed oil or Stuffed Hokkaido Pumpkin.

04.

Hirschgulasch

If you want to warm up, try some hearty food, such as deer goulash (das Hirschgulasch) with red cabbage,  Rouladen, Linseneintopf or Kartoffelsuppe.

05.

Beer

For the beer drinkers, it is time for Festbier or Marzën

Fruit and Veggies in Season

Vocabulary

Autumnder Herbst
Autumn leavesdie Herbstblätter
Savoy Cabbagedie Wirsing
Black Salsifydie Schwarzwurzel
Pumpkinder Kürbis
Pumpkin seed oilDas Kürbiskernöl
Applesdie Äpfel
Turnipsdie Steckrüben
Quincesdie Quitten
Elderberriesdie Holunderbeeren
Wintertime changeoverdie Winterzeitumstellung

Sources

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