Hannover Entertainment

Hannover has an interesting and quite diverse nightlife scene. There are many bars that range from traditional pubs to very chic places. There are also discos catering to a variety of dance scenes and of course, there are the ‘biergartens’, beloved of the German culture, where you can have a relaxing beer in a pleasant garden-type setting. Hannover may not be one of the best-known party cities of Europe, but there is much happening in this very modern town.

Nightlife

Germany is famed for its beer gardens, and indeed many can be found in Hannover. However, the scope of the nightlife is not limited to these venues. Live music from around the world can be found at the right times of year and, as ever, the youth of Hannover enjoy the latest grooves in the discos. Wherever you are in the town, it is easy to find somewhere, within walking distance, to either relax or party. There is no need to worry about being a visitor, as the atmosphere is welcoming.

Around the Central Station, a music scene can be found that varies at different times of the year. June until July is particularly lively, but at other times, music to meet most tastes can easily be found. There is a particularly interesting jazz venue at the suburb of Linden, while Kropcke offers a variety of eateries for those looking for a relaxed evening.

Theatre and music

Hannover, like many European cities, offers a mix of classical and lighter entertainment. Operas, ballets and classical musical performances can be seen at the Opera House, although performances are in either Italian or German. Not far from here, it is possible to relax and enjoy a variety of performances involving  artistry, conjuring, comedy and plenty of music. Details of much of this can be found either at the hotels in the city or from the Hannover Tourist Information office.

Festivals

Throughout the year, Hannover has a number of cultural and other festivals going on. Highlights are:

• The Small Festival, where performers from around the world including clowns, acrobats and comedy performers entertain in the Great Garden. It culminates in a firework display at the end of each day.
• The International Firework Competition, which takes place between May and September each year, is a dramatic competition between groups from around the world involving setting off fireworks to background music.
• Oktoberfest, in the autumn, is a typical German traditional beer festival.
• Christmas Market, held in front of Central Station, in Kropcke, runs from the end of November to Christmas. The Finnish stands are of particularly good.
• One huge exhibition held annually is also well worth visiting. This is Cebit at the Expo area. It lasts for several days in March, and is the largest computer-related exhibition in the world.