Seit 1986 findet das alljährliche Summer Jam Musik-Festival, eine der größten Reggae Veranstaltungen in Europa, am Fühlinger See in Köln statt. Vom 05. bis 07. Juli 2013 treten eine Vielzahl von Künstlern aus der weltweiten Reggae- und Dancehallszene auf und bringen inzwischen jährlich bis zu 30.000 Reggae-Fans aus aller Welt mit sich.

„Free your mind“ lautet das Motto der diesjährigen Veranstaltung und dieser „freie Geist“ soll den Gästen als Grundeinstellung für ihr tägliches Leben übermittelt werden. Durch eine unabhängige Sichtweise sollen Vorurteile vermieden und antiquierte Denkweisen abgeschafft werden. Neben einem umfangreichen Programm erfolgt auch eine Übertragung im deutschen Fernsehen.

The annual Summer Jam music festival, one of the biggest reggae events in Europe, has taken place on the shores of Lake Fühling in Cologne since 1986. The 2013 edition of the event, on from 5 to 7 July, features a host of artists from the international reggae and dancehall scene and now attracts up to 30,000 festival-goers a year from all over the world.

'Free your mind' is the motto of this year's event and calls on to people to live their everyday lives as a 'free spirit'. The more people free their minds, the more it is possible to avoid prejudices and to do away with outdated modes of thinking. There is an extensive line-up of acts, and the event will be broadcast on German television.

The Saxony-Anhalt region has special cause to celebrate in 2013. From 7 May to 1 November, its Saale-Unstrut Wine Route will be celebrating its 20th birthday with 20 anniversary offers. Wine lovers making a trip to the area can enjoy guided tours of the vineyards as well as numerous other activities. It's a great opportunity to find out more about the region's wine.

The 60km route runs from Memleben Abbey to Bad Sulza in Thuringia through ancient terraced vineyards and past seasonal wine taverns and 'winegrowing islands'. Medieval castles, mystical sites and glorious river scenery are the hallmarks of the landscape along the way. The wine route is linked with the Romanesque Route and the Sky Paths archaeological route.

"This is where Germany starts to become Italy!" cried Emperor Joseph II of Austria as he travelled through the Bergstrasse region – for here, on the western fringes of the Odenwald forest, spring starts earlier than anywhere else in Germany. The Hessische Bergstrasse region is divided into two areas from the town of Gross-Umstadt on the northern edge of the Odenwald forest to the Starkenburg region with its three wine-growing areas of Auerbacher Rott, Bensheimer Wolfsmagen and Heppenheimer Schlossberg. A wonderful walking trail runs right through the heart of this vineyard region. With around 40 hectares of vineyards, the Hessische Bergstrasse is one of Germany's smallest wine regions. Because of the ideal growing conditions, however, it produces a great variety of mainly dry and medium dry wines.

From 28 June to 21 July 2013 the Bavarian town of Landshut will be bringing history to life as it celebrates the Landshut Wedding of 1475. During the three-week festival, around 2,400 participants don traditional medieval costumes to re-enact the marriage of George the Rich, the son of the duke of Landshut, and Hedwig, the daughter of the Polish king, which took place many centuries ago. This event takes place every four years and visitors of all ages are always captivated by its atmosphere and the faithful re-enactment of the marriage celebrations, which are set against an idyllic backdrop of historical houses and Gothic buildings.

Scandinavia is the destination for this year's musical journey of discovery at the parks and palaces of Potsdam. The music festival at Sanssouci Palace, on from 7 to 23 June, has a Nordic theme for 2013 and explores the musical and cultural relationships that have connected the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden with German-speaking territories through the centuries.

Discover a creative music and folk scene that has close associations with German volksmusik. The festival offers a varied programme of over 60 concerts, operas, guided tours, talks and open-air events in the magnificent cultural landscape of Potsdam.

On 5 and 6 July 2013 there is an opportunity to see the breathtaking spectacle 'Wagner_reloaded' at Leipzig Arena. Celebrating 200 years since the birth of Richard Wagner, this sensational crossover show features the rock band Apocalyptica and numerous acrobats and dancers. It promises to be a memorable evening and an event not to be missed!

While in Leipzig, fans of classical music might want to enjoy a concert by the eminent St. Thomas choir – once under the charge of Johann Sebastian Bach – which are given three times a week at the Church of St. Thomas. A guided tour focused on the peaceful revolution of 1989 also offers interesting insights into the city's colourful history.

Vom 28. Juni bis 21. Juli 2013 kann man im bayerischen Landshut Geschichte hautnah erleben, denn dann wird hier die sogenannte „Landshuter Hochzeit 1475“ zelebriert. In diesen drei Wochen schlüpfen ca. 2400 Mitwirkende in traditionelle mittelalterliche Kostüme und erinnern mit einer exakten Wiedergabe der Hochzeit zwischen dem Herzogssohn Georg dem Reichen und der Königstocher Hedwig aus Polen, an längst vergangene Zeiten. Alle vier Jahre wiederholt sich dieser Event und Jung & Alt sind jedes Mal wieder begeistert über die Atmosphäre und Realitätsnähe dieses Spektakels, welches vor dem Hintergrund der malerischen Bürgerhäuser und gotischen Bauten stattfindet.

On 24 May 2013 cultural institutions in Speyer are opening their doors at an unusual hour. From 7pm to 2am, the top cultural attractions in this historic town, such as the Technology Museum, and many smaller museums and galleries will be offering exciting activities and events throughout the night for visitors of all ages.

It is also well worth paying a visit to the imperial cathedral, which was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1981. The cathedral has towered over the rooftops of Speyer for more than a thousand years and has a 60-metre-high viewing platform that affords wonderful views of the town centre.

From 1 to 4 July 2013 the eyes of the fashion world will again be on the German capital for Berlin Fashion Week. Designers, buyers, media representatives and celebrities will be gathering in the city to get an overview of the latest trends.

Berlin Fashion Week encompasses a whole range of high-profile events such as the Bread & Butter fashion fair, 'Premium' and the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week . Even though some of the shows are only open to invited guests, Fashion Week is not just for industry insiders. The numerous events, exhibitions and parties that have sprung up around Fashion Week also give followers of fashion an insight into the fashion world.