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South Africans in Germany

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October

October in Germany often brings mild, sunny weather, known as a Goldener Oktober (Golden October). As the leaves change to vibrant shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown, it’s the perfect season to capture stunning nature photography. 
For wine enthusiasts, a drive along the German Wine Route offers a picturesque journey through the country’s oldest scenic wine road. Discover more about this iconic route on the Tripsavvy website.

Take a relaxing boat ride on one of Germany’s majestic rivers, such as the Rhine or the Neckar. The breathtaking views of autumn-kissed vineyards make for an unforgettable experience.
October is also a great time to enjoy hiking through Germany’s beautiful landscapes. Just ensure you’re equipped with suitable clothing and footwear for the crisp weather.

If the weather turns chilly, why not try indoor sports? Whether it’s indoor soccer, squash, badminton (das Federballspiel), volleyball, handball, or even ice skating, there are plenty of ways to stay active and have fun indoors.
Enjoy all that autumn in Germany has to offer!

 

SeasonAutumn
TimeCentral European Time (CET), summer time, same as in South Africa.
From 27 October 03:00 am, it will be winter time and the clocks are turned back one hour.
WeatherIn Germany, October typically sees temperatures ranging between 6°C and 13°C, although some days can be warmer or cooler depending on the region. Coastal and lowland areas tend to stay milder, while higher elevations might experience colder conditions. The average temperature for the month is around 9.6°C

 

The term “Goldener Oktober” refers to the sunny and mild autumn days often seen early in the month, when the vibrant autumn foliage makes for beautiful scenery. However, as the month progresses, cooler and frostier days become more common, especially in inland and higher-altitude areas

Sunshine during October averages around 3.7 to 4 hours per day, with the northern cities like Berlin typically seeing more overcast weather compared to southern regions like Munich.

Plan your month

everything you need to know

Festivals

The most famous festival in Germany, the Oktoberfest in Munich, will take place from 21 September to 6 October 2024. Another great beer fest to visit is the Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart from 27 September to 13 Oktober 2024.  Similar festivals will be celebrated all over Germany. You can search for Oktoberfest and your town to find the one closest to you.
Autumn is also the time for  wine festivals.
If you love Pumpkins, head out to Ludwigsburg for the biggest Pumpkin festival in the world. It will run from 23 August until 3 November 2024

Farmers across the region will start harvesting. This is celebrated with traditional harvest festivals or “Erntedankfest”, which is celebrated with church services and processions on the last Sunday of September or the first Sunday of October.

Holidays

HolidayDateInformationStates
Public Holidays
Tag der Deutschen Einheit / German Unity Day03. OctoberGerman Unity DayAll
Reformation Day31 OctoberReformation DayBrandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg,
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,
Nierdersachsen, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt,
Schl-Holstein, Thüringen
Observations
ErntedankfestFirst Sunday in OctoberErntedankfestAll
Wintertime27.10.2024All
School Holidays and Terms
Autumn HolidaysShool Holidays 2024

Events

Events listed on our website

Bok van Blerk & Riaan Benade 17.10

17/10/2024 @ 8:00 pm – 11:45 pm – Welcome, music lovers, to an evening dedicated to the unforgettable sounds of Riaan Benade and Bok van Blerk. From the vast plains of South Africa, these two extraordinary artists come together to enchant us with their unique voices and enchanting melodies. These artists enjoy world fame in their home country, so prepare yourself for an […]

SA Connections: Monthly Virtual Meetup for South Africans in Germany –  October Edition 

10/10/2024 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm –  Join us for this month’s virtual meet-up, where we’ll be switching things up a bit! 🌟 We’ll kick off with a short 15-minute talk on “Getting Through the Winter Months in Germany”, offering helpful tips on staying positive, keeping warm, and making the most of the colder season. 🧣❄️ Afterwards, we’ll have a 10-minute Q&A […]

Some foods and drinks to try

01.

Savoy Cabage

Savoy cabbage (der Wirsing) is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can add depth and flavour to a wide variety of dishes. 
In many restaurants, you will find Rahm-Wirsing as a side dish. Here are some of the recipes for you to try.

02.

Black Salsify

There are many hidden gems in the world of seasonal vegetables, and the Black Salsify, also known as scorzonera, is definitely one of them. Although not as well-known as some other vegetables, like broccoli or carrots, Black Salsify offers a unique flavor and texture that is sure to impress those who are willing to try it. In fact, it is so special that in Germany, it is known as “die Schwarzwurzel“. If you’re looking to expand your culinary horizons and try something new, Black Salsify is definitely worth considering. 

03.

Pumpkins

During the autumn season, the markets and farms are vibrant with an abundant variety of squashes and pumpkins waiting to be discovered and savored. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the many shapes and sizes of these delicious vegetables. Some of the popular types of squashes and pumpkins include butternut, acorn, spaghetti, kabocha, and sugar pumpkins.

More information about the varieties of squashes and pumpkins.
Try a hearty pumpkin soup with pumpkin seed oil or Stuffed Hokkaido Pumpkin.

04.

Hirschgulasch

Are you feeling cold? Do you want to warm up and feel cosy? Well, there’s nothing better than some delicious and hearty food to make you feel warm both inside and out. You should definitely try deer goulash (das Hirschgulasch), which is a savoury and rich stew made with tender pieces of deer meat and served with red cabbage.

05.

Beer

The breweries in Munich prepare a special Festbier for the Oktoberfest. Up until 1970 it used to be a Märzen bier but was replaced by a much lighter lager. 
The difference between Festbier and Märzen. 
More information about Marzën Bier

Fruit and Veggies in Season

Vocabulary

Autumnder Herbst
Autumn leavesdie Herbstblätter
Savoy Cabbagedie Wirsing
Black Salsifydie Schwarzwurzel
Pumpkinder Kürbis
Pumpkin seed oilDas Kürbiskernöl
Applesdie Äpfel
Turnipsdie Steckrüben
Quincesdie Quitten
Elderberriesdie Holunderbeeren
Wintertime changeoverdie Winterzeitumstellung

Sources

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