Traditionally, Rhein in Flammen lights up the night sky on the first weekend in May. The shore programme in the Rheinaue in Bonn lasts three days and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year with music on three stages, fairground rides and food trucks. The supporting programme starts on Friday with three concerts entitled "Rock in May" and on Sunday there will be fairground rides as well as food and drinks at family-friendly prices, say the operators. On Saturday, the musical programme already starts at 2.40 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the musically synchronised high-altitude fireworks between 11.15 p.m. and 11.40 p.m.

Everything revolves around plants at the spring market, which will be set up on Münsterplatz. Many stands offer seeds, young plants and handicrafts. According to the Office for the Environment and Urban Greenery, the choice of vendors is based on a sustainable approach to nature and organic gardening. In addition to the stands, local and regional associations will provide information about offers in and for nature.

Opera stars from Europe's biggest stages will delight audiences at the Bonn Opera House on Saturday with a programme of popular arias by composers such as Puccini and Verdi as well as modern works. They will be accompanied by the Beethoven Orchestra. The Austrian dramaturge Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz will lead the charity event. This year, the proceeds from the German AIDS Foundation's fundraising gala will go in particular to the Nchiru Children's Village in Kenya. Tickets are available here.

"EU Update - Living and Learning in Europe": This year's motto for Europe Day is progress and friendship. Numerous local associations and organisations will provide information about their work, there will be a programme on a central stage and children can playfully explore European geography on a climbing wall. Prizes will be awarded for the best works on the topic of Europe left by visitors on the graffiti wall. At the same time, the exhibition "What is Europe to you" will celebrate its vernissage in the university's arcade courtyard. The photographs by artist Lisa Borgiani depict how multifaceted Europe and its people are.

On three evenings, big bands from six universities will compete against each other. The bands will present their repertoire, which ranges from jazz to pop-rock. There will be a dance floor for the audience in the back of the auditorium. The supporting programme for the events includes lectures and workshops for the musicians to further their musical education.

Should art be political? Seven artists want to use their art to actively participate in political processes and provoke social change. The title of the exhibition is based on the novel by Peter Weiss, which deals with the role of culture in the resistance against fascism. The vernissage on Saturday features an introduction as well as music and performance.

(Original text: Jasmin Kaub; Translation: Jean Lennox)