The Fairytale Festival at Europa-Park in Rust is sure to make children's eyes light up! From 26 May to 3 June 2012, the park's mascot Euro Mouse will be taking fairytale fans of all ages on a fantastic journey of discovery featuring themed activities for kids, story-telling and picture-book painting. Singer Annick Burger will be performing the best loved tales by the Brothers Grimm in German, English and French and you can even have a souvenir photo taken with the Seven Dwarves.

A festival and fair in the woods in Frankfurt might sound somewhat unconventional, but it has a long tradition in the city. The Frankfurt Forest Festival (Frankfurter Wäldchestag) has been celebrated by the locals for centuries as a way of showing their love for the city. And in 2012, people young and old will again be heading to Frankfurt's municipal forest between 26 and 29 May to keep this wonderful tradition alive.

The spectacular Dragon Boat Festival is being held for the seventh time in Frankfurt on 26 May 2012. Over 4,000 enthusiastic paddlers take part in this popular sporting event. Dragon boats and steerers are provided by the organisers and a varied programme of entertainment is laid on for the crowds, with 60 or so stalls appealing to all age groups.

The Night of Tales in the Spree Forest in Brandenburg offers a compelling insight into the history, customs, language and mythology of the Sorbian and Wendish communities. From 26 to 28 May 2012, visitors can enjoy a varied programme of cultural entertainment on Schlossberg hill in Burg in the Spree Forest, a town that is also renowned for its health and wellness facilities.

On 26 and 27 May 2012, the sand yachting elite will be delivering some awesome performances at the International Whitsun Regatta, reaching speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. The sandbank in the resort of St. Peter-Ording is not only one of the best sand yachting areas in the world but also serves as a great natural arena for spectators.

Until 28 May 2012, there is a treat in store for anyone walking through the Stetten vineyards near Kernen in the Württemberg wine region. At the Culinary Wine Walk wine festival in Kernen, vintners and restaurateurs will be serving fantastic food and fine wines to walkers at five gourmet stations in the vineyards.

From 25 to 26 May 2012, Hamburg docks will again become one big stage for the Elbjazz Festival. It offers visitors a superb programme of music with over 50 concerts at unusual venues. The spotlight is also on jazz on the North Sea island of Borkum, where the Borkumer Jazztage runs until 28 May. So if you enjoy jazz, or even just music at offbeat venues, be sure to head to Hamburg or Borkum this Whitsun weekend.

The Romantic Wine Nights in the wine region around Bingen are the ideal choice for an evening out with friends or with your loved one. Between 25 and 27 May 2012, local wines, delicious food and live music form a winning combination in the vineyards close to this town on the fringes of the UNESCO World Heritage Middle Rhine Valley. Breathtaking scenery, including views of the Rhine and its castles, provides the perfect backdrop for a special evening.

On 26 May 2012, more than 120 yachts will be going great guns in the waters between Kiel and Eckernförde. The 'Eel Regatta' (Aalregatta) offers something for all the family including short-distance races in Eckernförde bay on Sunday and accompanying entertainment on land until 28 May. Though known mainly for the regattas, this long-established event also has a reputation for being a fun, friendly occasion.

Between 25 and 28 May 2012, professional performers as well as all sorts of people in colourful parade costumes will be celebrating the Carnival of Cultures in the streets of Berlin. The highlight of the event is the street parade on Whit Sunday, which sees over 5,000 people from 70 countries brought together by music, dance and the arts. A children's carnival and a variety of parties provide entertainment for all the family.