What better place to experience a festive collection of cultures than in Germany's vibrant capital, Berlin? The Carnival of Cultures is an annual festival that features a colorful street parade, a 4-day street festival with street parties, food and culture from over 70 countries around the world. This year, it takes place from May 21 to May 24. The street parade is on Sunday, May 23rd.

 

Located in the diverse district of Kreuzberg, this festival receives well over a million visitors each year and is a great celebration of Berlin's open and embracing attitude towards the world. Expect to eat, drink and party with fellow visitors and the international exhibitors who proudly put their unique cultures on display. In the festival, Africa and Asia are particularly well represented.

 

Keeping in spirit with openness, there is no admission fee to enter this festival. The street parade is held on Sunday and is made up of a procession of cultures, costumes and floats, each more elaborately displayed than the next. The parade moves quite slowly so impatient visitors can walk against the grain and watch the parade in fast-forward.

 

The street festival gets absolutely packed with throngs of people in the evenings so try to visit around noon if you want to explore the festival and sample excellent food in a relatively calm atmosphere. Then come back at night for the parties, live music and authentic international cuisine.