The Berlin Philharmonic, Munich's Bavarian State Opera and the Stuttgart Ballet are world-class companies. Classical and popular music are presented at Leipzig's Gewandhaus, Dresden's Opera House and the Alte Oper in Frankfurt. The annual Wagner Festival is held each summer in Bayreuth. Historic pageants, folklore events and food and wine festivals take place throughout the year.
Berlin is a mecca for Europe's new rock musicians.
Local wines abound and the Riesling is second to none. S hopping Shops are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturday until 4 p.m., and are closed on Sunday and holidays. Alsterarcade in Hamburg is a vast covered shopping area.