• 07/21/2026

NürnbergMesse and Airport Nürnberg celebrate the German-Greek town twinning at the KAVALA FESTIVAL

• The KAVALA FESTIVAL at the end of July brings the cuisine and history of the northern Greek region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace to life
• NürnbergMesse Group subsidiary FORUM is organising the festival for the first time in Nuremberg’s Greek twin town
• Direct flights with Marabu Airlines have been connecting Nuremberg Airport and Kavála twice a week since this year
NürnbergMesse und Airport feiern deutsch-griechische Städtepartnerschaft auf dem KAVALA FESTIVAL
The KAVALA FESTIVAL is taking place for the first time in Nuremberg’s Greek twin town, organised by FORUM S.A., a subsidiary of NürnbergMesse.
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On 25 and 26 July 2026, the KAVALA FESTIVAL will take place for the first time in Nuremberg’s Greek twin town of Kavála, organised by FORUM S.A., a subsidiary of NürnbergMesse Group. Held in the heart of the old town, this festival celebrates local produce, culinary diversity and the history of the northern Greek region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. A delegation from the City of Nuremberg, Nuremberg Airport, the airline Marabu and the NürnbergMesse Group will be attending the festival. “The town twinning between Kavála and Nuremberg connects our two cities through culture, history and culinary delights. At the KAVALA FESTIVAL, this close bond is brought to life in a special way,” said Nuremberg’s Lord Mayor Marcus König. And Kavála’s Mayor, Theodoros Mouriadis, added: “The KAVALA FESTIVAL has a strong economic and artistic appeal. The expertise and professionalism of FORUM S.A., together with the commitment of the city administration, guarantee that it will be a festival full of enthusiasm, colour and unique delights!”

As the city’s biggest summer festival, the KAVALA FESTIVAL 2026 offers a varied two-day programme of culture, cuisine and entertainment. Visitors can look forward to regional specialities, local produce, street food and a selection of beers from leading Greek and local breweries. The programme is complemented by live concerts, a wide range of family and children’s activities, and numerous hands-on experiences, making the festival a special occasion for guests of all ages. The NürnbergMesse Group and FORUM will also be represented with a stand.

In addition to the festival’s opening ceremony, the delegation from Nuremberg – which includes, amongst others, City Councillor Werner Henning – can look forward to a varied programme: alongside a meeting at the town hall with Mayor Mouriadis and discussions with the Kavala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the itinerary also features a city tour including a visit to the Tobacco and Maritime Museum, as well as a traditional mud bath.

“Many of our FORUM trade fairs in Athens focus on the themes of cuisine, tourism and hospitality. We are therefore all the more delighted to be bringing this expertise to the KAVALA FESTIVAL in northern Greece for the first time, whilst at the same time contributing to the town twinning partnership,” says Peter Ottmann, CEO of the NürnbergMesse Group. 

Kavala City

"It is a great honor and pleasure for us to have conceived the idea and to organize KAVALA FESTIVAL 2026. This is an event that translates into a celebration for the local community and a tangible confirmation of the strong bonds of friendship that have connected Kavala with its twinned city of Nuremberg for 27 years. By showcasing the local traditions of both cities through a multitude of flavors and activities, we aim to create, in the heart of Kavala, an unforgettable experience for residents, visitors, and the institutional bodies of both cities alike," Thanos Panagoulias, Chairman of the Board & CEO of FORUM S.A..

Dr Michael Hupe, Managing Director of Nuremberg Airport, adds: “Air links bring people together – whether for business meetings and trade fairs, visits to family and friends, or holidays together – and in both directions. The direct flight between Nuremberg and Kavála makes exactly that possible and strengthens the close partnership between our two cities. The KAVALA FESTIVAL is a wonderful example of how connections between places can lead to genuine connections between people.”

The town twinning partnership between Nuremberg and Kavala has been in place since 1999.

About NürnbergMesse Group

The NürnbergMesse Group was entered in the commercial register on 5 April 1974 as Nürnberger Messe- und Ausstellungsgesellschaft mbH (NMA) and is now one of the 15 largest exhibition companies worldwide. The Group employs more than 1,200 people at 15 international locations in Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Brazil, China, India, and the USA. It also has a network of international representatives in more than 100 other countries. Its portfolio comprises around 120 on-site and online events focusing on five main areas: Retail & Consumer Goods, Building & Construction, Process Technology, Electronics & Security, and Social & Public. Overall, its events secure more than 12,000 jobs and generate billions of euros in purchasing power and tax revenue every year, making NürnbergMesse a major economic driver for the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region and Germany as a whole. As an employer and organiser of major events, NürnbergMesse takes its responsibilities for people and the environment seriously. Its business activities are aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the aim of achieving a CO2-neutral energy supply by 2028.

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