Boot Düsseldorf, third week Jan, the International Boat Show at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre is one of the biggest boat shows in the world (website: www.boot.de)
Karneval, seven weeks before Easter, one of the three biggest Carnival celebrations in Germany, with spectacular processions and parties all over town
Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally, Fri-Sun last weekend May, local and internationally renowned jazz (and blues) bands play all over the city with many free concerts in the Altstadt (website: www.duesseldorfer-jazzrally.de)
JapanTag (Japan Day), first Sat Jun, Düsseldorf has the highest number of Japanese residents (some 11,000) in Europe and their day of celebrations ends with a fantastic firework display on the Rhine - book a dinner cruise if possible (website: www.japantag-duesseldorf-nrw.de)
Kirmes (FunFair), late Jul, revelries on the Rhine meadows opposite the Altstadt last nine days with 350 attractions, rides and stalls pulling in over four million visitors
Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market), last week Nov to 23 Dec, around 300 stalls selling Christmas arts and crafts, tree decorations, cinnamon cakes, gingerbread, hot chocolate, mulled red wine and other Yuletide goodies fill four of the city squares and two whole streets