Mini-vacations and full-fledged getaways are the spice of life, but sadly, it’s just not feasible to travel afar every day of the year. Luckily, a number of venues not too far from many of the places U.S. forces in Germany call home reliably offer diverse and exciting programs of culture and entertainment. On weekends or during the week, it’s often worth your while to see what’s happening at some of the country’s leading event locations. Here’s a preview of some noteworthy events taking place over the summer season of 2023.

Kaiserslautern area

Less than an hour’s drive from Kaiserslautern is the SAP Arena in Mannheim, where upcoming events include a Night of the Jumps Freestyle-MX show (May 20) as well as concerts by Joe Bonamassa (May 5), Elton John (May 13), Scorpions (May 16) and Kiss (July 1). Online: saparena.de

Munich area

The vast Olympiapark Muenchen plays hosts to events, exhibitions, festivals and concerts throughout the year. Highlights of this summer’s program include the MASH festival of action sports featuring skateboarding, wakeboarding, BMX, street dance and more June 30-July 2; the Midsummer Night’s Dream open-air reggae music festival with fireworks and festival foods from around the world (July 15) and the Superbloom Festival of music, arts and experiences with Imagine Dragons and Jason Derulo among the artists in its lineup (Sept. 2-3). The “Disney 100: The Exhibition,” an interactive show of the props, costumes and memorabilia from the comics and films of Disney Studios, can be visited at the Small Olympic Hall through Sept. 3. Fans of ice hockey can watch the U.S. and German national men’s teams battle it out at the Olympic Ice Sport Center on May 9. Among the many performers in the upcoming concert lineup are Harry Styles (May 17-18), Roger Waters (May 25), Scorpions (June 5), Depeche Mode (June 20), Pink (July 5-6), Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band (July 23), The Weeknd (Aug. 4) and Lewis Capaldi (Sept. 12). Online: olympiapark.de

Nuremberg area

Since 2000, the city’s Luitpoldhain has served as the location for three remarkable open-air concerts given by the city’s two major orchestras. Inspired by similar concerts in New York City’s Central Park and Hyde Park in London, these free-entry events allow citizens from all walks of life to experience classical music. On July 30, the Philharmonic State Orchestra Nuremberg gives the Family Concert at 11 a.m., followed by the Klassik Open Air at 8 p.m. A second Klassic Open Air concert, this time given by the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, takes place on Aug. 5. Online: klassikopenair.nuernberg.de

Stuttgart area

The Porsche-Arena and Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle and surrounding area make up what’s referred to as Neckarpark. Among the upcoming events are performances by the Blue Man Group (May 17-21) and concerts by artists including the Scorpions (May 21), Cypress Hill (Aug. 15) and Lewis Capaldi (Sept. 13). Online: hallenduo.de

Some 10 miles north of Stuttgart, the Blooming Baroque gardens surrounding Ludwigsburg Castle play host to a number of events throughout the summer season to include the International Street Musicians Festival (May 26-28), Musical Fireworks (July 1) and Magic Lights (Aug. 19). An Atlantis-themed exhibition of sand art can be visited at the park June 24-Aug. 20. Online: blueba.de

Wiesbaden area

There’s often something happening in and around the green oasis in the city center known as the Kurpark. Upcoming events include the Concours D’Elegance, a showcase of meticulously maintained classic vehicles (May 21); a craft and artisan’s market that takes place in conjunction with the Theatrium Street Festival (June 8-10); the Ikano Bank City Marathon (June 24); a Night of Italian Opera (July 7); and an open-air performance by jazz legend DeeDee Bridgewater and Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra (Aug. 4).

The Schlachthof multipurpose indoor and outdoor event venue close to the city’s main train station hosts events including a Christopher Street Day demo and party (May 27) and a Latin-American Weekend (Aug. 18-20). Flea markets take place there on May 6-7, June 3, July 1, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2-3. Online: schlachthof-wiesbaden.de

Frankfurt’s Festhalle serves as a stop on the tours of many international artists including Arctic Monkeys (May 8), Roger Waters (May 28), Peter Gabriel (June 13) and Iron Maiden (July 29). Other shows on the docket include a Disney 100 concert (May 4), a One Vision of Queen featuring Marc Martel Queen tribute show (Sept. 30) and performances by the Blue Man Group (Oct. 13-15). Online: festhalle.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/de.html

The Deutsche Bank Park, the home stadium of the Frankfurt Eintracht soccer team, will host a number of events that include World Club Dome, a three-day electronic dance festival (May 9-11); the KPOP.FLEX K-Pop Mega Festival (June 17 and 18); the Monster Jam motor show (July 22); and a Ladies Run (July 29). Artists in concert this season will include Beyoncé (June 24); Depeche Mode (June 26 and July 1); Guns N’ Roses (July 3); Harry Styles (July 5 and 6) and The Weeknd (July 14). Online: deutschebankpark.de/veranstaltungen