The 12th Science Night is taking place in Berlin and Potsdam on 2 June 2012. Visitors with a thirst for knowledge can experience an evening of exciting experiments, research results and expert talks in laboratories, archives, libraries and lecture theatres that are usually closed to the public. Numerous scientific institutions in Magdeburg will also be open for Science Night and will present their work to visitors in an understandable way.

The weekend of 1 and 2 June 2012 is all about culture, when Thuringia holds its annual Museums Night. Cultural institutions are open in Jena and Erfurt on Friday evening and in Weimar and the Weimarer Land region on Saturday evening, offering visitors the opportunity to experience art and culture quite literally in a different light.

Rock am Ring at the Nürburgring racing circuit in the Eifel region has been making festival history for nearly 30 years. This music event always features exclusive performances and is the most popular open-air event in Germany among fans. But the atmosphere is not only hotting up in the Eifel from 1 to 3 June 2012 – the same great line-up will also be performing at Rock im Park in Nuremberg. The festival programme this year includes Metallica, Linkin Park and Die Toten Hosen.

Maintier, taking place in Frankfurt from 1 to 3 June 2012, is a consumer fair for everything related to pets. Numerous exhibitors will be showcasing the latest trends, products and services for feeding and caring for animals, along with pet accessories and supplies. A variety of shows and themed forums complete the extensive programme.

Although the Rheingau wine region is primarily associated with riesling, the village of Assmannshausen is famous for its red wine. This is celebrated at the 'Assmannshausen in Red' festival (1 to 3 June 2012), when the road beside the Rhine is adorned with red illuminations. Festival-goers can sample local pinot noir wines along with a host of culinary specialities on the red theme. Other highlights are the Rheingau art market and the firework display set to music over the Rhine on Saturday.

The 33rd Vegesack Harbour Festival near Bremen is taking place from 1 to 3 June 2012. This harbour festival with maritime flair offers a wide range of entertainment and great food and drink. A whole host of artists and bands will be creating a fantastic atmosphere across four stages and are sure to make this a lively and fun event.

Carl Orff's compositions occupy a prominent place in 20th-century music and theatre and are known far beyond his native Bavaria. Since 1998, the annual Carl Orff Festival has attracted thousands of music and theatre fans to Andechs in Upper Bavaria, a town famous for its abbey. Carl Orff's wide-ranging works are being performed here until 29 July 2012.

The annual Handel Festival is a firm fixture in Halle's cultural calendar and a popular event with music lovers from all over the world. But the event from 31 May to 10 June 2012 also brings musicologists to this town in Saxony-Anhalt where Handel was born – and which is now a centre for research into Handel. The festival programme features numerous concerts and an opera by the composer.

Markus Lüpertz is a contemporary German artist who has achieved international acclaim. The Osthaus Museum in Hagen, south of Dortmund, is hosting an exhibition entitled 'Markus Lüpertz – The Painted Horizon' until 29 July 2012, which features a selection of paintings, drawings and sculptures from the last 30 years of the artist's career.

Young herring are the star attraction at the 23rd Matjes Festival from 1 to 3 June 2012 in the sea port of Emden, the largest town in East Friesland. The festival is founded on the 450-year history of Emden's herring fisheries and serves as a reminder of their economic importance. Historical boats and shanty choirs conjure up all the romance of seafaring, and on Saturday there will be a 10km 'herring run' through the town centre.