Berlin Events
Lange Nacht der Museen (Long Night of Museums)
A Night at the Museum isn’t just an average Ben Stiller film, it’s also an event in Berlin’s cultural calendar when the city’s museums stay open until the small hours of the morning. Officially called Long Night of Museums, there are several opportunities to wander around 80 of Berlin’s top attractions by night, but the dates vary so you’ll have to check the website.
Venue: Museums throughout the city
Website: http://www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de
Cost:
Various.
Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival)
Attracting visitors from all around the world every year, the Berlinale is one of the film industry’s most popular events. Over the course of 11 days, hundreds of genre-crossing films from Germany and abroad are screened to a diverse, international audience. The event also features a host of parties, workshops and panel discussions for the truly dedicated.
Date: 16 February 2023 - 26 February 2023Venue: Various venues.
Website: https://www.berlinale.de/de/home.html
Cost:
Various.
Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures)
The vibrant district of Kreuzberg is one of the most ethnically diverse in all of Berlin and the annual Carnival of Cultures provides an opportunity to celebrate this melting pot of cultures. Residents and visitors come together to enjoy live music, food and a parade. Often compared to the Notting Hill Carnival, this is a must if you happen to be in Berlin during the beginning of June.
Date: 26 May 2023 - 29 May 2023Venue: Kreuzberg.
Website: https://www.karneval.berlin/
Cost:
Free.
CSD (Berlin Pride Festival)
If you can take any positives from the repressive regimes that once prevailed in Berlin, it would be the way in which the city has now found comfort in liberalism. And the Berlin Pride Festival, which attracts over 700,000 revellers every year, is testament to that. Taking place every July, this event has become more than just an opportunity to march for the rights of gay and lesbian people; it has become a symbol for diversity. Expect a heady mixture of live music, flamboyant fancy dress and debauchery with undertones of political activism.
Date: 22 July 2023 - 22 July 2023Venue: From Kurfürstendamm to the Brandenburg Gate.
Website: https://csd-berlin.de/
Cost:
Free.
Berliner Festspiele
Berlin's foremost symphonic and chamber music festival, in which the city invites outstanding orchestras, ensembles and soloists to perform at the Berlin Philharmonie. Prestigious and filled with magnificent sounds, the festival maintains an unswerving focus on the orchestra and the full ensemble.
Date: 26 August 2023 - 18 September 2023Venue: Berliner Philharmonie.
Website: https://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/de/musikfest-berlin/start.html
Cost:
Various.
JazzFest Berlin
Berlin’s premier jazz festival attracts a heady mixture of artists from home and abroad, who perform over four glorious days in October or November. From traditional jazz bands to progressive ensembles, the packed programme of concerts takes place at the city’s eclectic live music venues.
Date: 02 November 2023 - 05 November 2023Venue: Various venues
Website: https://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/de/jazzfest-berlin/start.html
Cost:
Various.
Silvester in Berlin
Berlin throws one of the biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world, a lively shindig that takes place at the city’s iconic Brandenburg Gate. As the countdown to midnight begins there are live bands, DJs and some fantastic laser shows to entertain the million plus revellers until the epic fireworks display to mark the start of a new year. If there was something to rival Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, it would be Berlin’s Silvester.
Date: 31 December 2023 - 01 January 2024Venue: Brandenburg Gate
Cost:
Free.
