Traditionally on the Sunday before Rosenmontag the Schoduvel takes place. Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) is the Shrove Monday before Ash Wednesday (usually in mid-February). It marks the beginning of Lent and is the highlight of the German Karneval (carnival). The Schoduvel is the largest carnival parade in Northern Germany and the fourth largest in Germany, behind those of the traditional carnival strongholds of Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Mainz. The term originates from Low Middle German, meaning "to shoo the devil". It was first documented in 1293, making it the oldest recorded carnival celebration in Germany. However, this tradition has not been a continuous one in Brunswick. Schoduvel celebrations include dressing up in costumes, dancing, heavy drinking, and the parade of Schoduvel floats. Usually candies are thrown into the costumed crowds lining the streets among cries of "Brunswick" to which the spectators respond "Helau". The procession starts at 12:30pm and ends around 5:00pm. Afterwards, the crowd continues drinking and celebration in bars along the procession route and in the bars of Magniviertel.
The Braunschweig Classix Festival is an annual classical music festival held in and in the area around Brunswick. The main concert season is from May to June and consists of more than 60 concerts and events and since 2004 concerts are presented throughout the year.
The Brunswick Schützenfest (German "marksmen's festival", a traditional festival featuring a target shooting competition) is celebrated with the Braunschweiger Masch each June. Over 70 rides and several beer tents attract a crowd from Brunswick and the surrounding area. Highlight are the fireworks on the last Friday. Usually, although taking place in June, it rains during the Masch. Legend has it that this festival is hexed, since the festival site used to be the old Jewish cemetery.
Traditionally over the Pentecost weekend, Brunswick's castle square turns medieval during the annual Medieval Market Fair.
The Nord LB Open is a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor red clay courts. It is currently part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger Tour. It is held annually at the Braunschweiger Tennis und Hockey Club in Brunswick.
The festival Kultur im Zelt takes place each August and September, featuring acts, readings, bands, and stand-up comedians in a circus tent in Bürgerpark. Tickets should be bought in advanced, as this festival is usually booked out pretty early.
On every first September weekend, the quaint neighborhood Magniviertel is host to the Magnifest. During this weekend, the whole area is closed is for car traffic and numerous food stands and band stages are erected throughout the Magniviertel. Artisans offer their products during the day, whereas bands play and people celebrate during the evening and nights. Drinking goes on until way past midnight.
The Braunschweig International Film Festival takes place in November. Arthouse and independent films are shown in cinemas all over town. Prizes, such as the Heinrich and the Europa are awarded to independent movies, actors, and directors.
Brunswick Christmas Market
The Braunschweiger Weihnachtsmarkt (Brunswick Christmas Market) opens its gates during the week before the first Sunday of Advent (usually late November), and closes the week after Christmas (end of December). It is one of the most picturesque in Germany and is voted the most beautiful in Northern Germany on a regular basis. Typical beverages served include Glühwein (a mulled wine), Feuerzangenbowle (literally translates as fire-tongs punch - a traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugar loaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine), Met (German mead), and Mummebier. Various specialties such as Braunkohl, Meterbratwurst (One-meter-long bratwurst), Heideschinken (baked ham in a rye bun), shashlik, baked camembert, etc. are also offered by numerous vendors on and around the castle square, along with with sweets such as sugar-coated almonds and apples, Schmalzgreben (yeast dough squares seethed in oil) and Brunswick specialty Prillecken. Market booths open around 10am and close at 9pm. Do not miss it, should you happen to be in the area in December.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Brunswick (Germany)
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Brunswick (Germany) - updated Apr 2024
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Brunswick (Germany) Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
