Heralded by a firework spectacular, the Maschsee Festival kicks off 20 days of fun in an event often billed as 'the longest party mile in northern Germany'. A couple of million people turn up to enjoy the great mix of comedy, music and theatre as well as the street parades, stilt walkers and clowns on the way down to the lake. All ages are catered for and local parks hold special events for children. Festivities extend to the lake itself, where boats enable festival-goers to move with ease between events. A second firework display, even bigger than the first, closes the show. First held in 1986, this is one of the biggest summer festivals in northern Germany.

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Various.