Specific Events Guide for Expats
Berlin has an endless calendar of sporting events, concerts, street parties, trade shows and festivals that celebrate everything and anything, providing cultural enjoyment for all. While some events are widely published, others requiring keeping your finger on the pulse and religiously reading the listing magazines such as Zitty and Tip.
Below is a list of major events that occur throughout the year. You can also consult the tourist office at http://www.visitberlin.de to find out more.
| Timing | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| January | ||
| International Grüne Woche | Mid Jan | http://www.gruenewoche.de This week long food, agriculture and gardening fair promotes the latest products, food trends and culinary delicacies from all over the world. |
| Transmediale | End Jan | http://www.transmediale.de One of the world’s largest events for the media and digital arts. Works on video, television, computer, animation, internet and other visual media and digital technologies. |
| Bread & Butter | Late Jan | http://www.breadandbutter.com A cutting edge fashion expo for independent designers and retailers. Certain events available to the public. |
| Lange Nacht der Museen | Late Jan | http://www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de This popular event draws huge crowds. Berlin’s major museums collaborate and stay open until the wee hours of the morning. Shuttle buses move visitors between the various sites so that they can make the most of it. |
| February | ||
| Berlinale | Mid Feb | http://www.berlinale.de Berlin’s infamous film festival draws many of the A-listers from the world of film. For two weeks, this star studded event of film screenings and parties takes over the city. Tickets sell out, so you need to book early. |
| March | ||
| ITB Berlin | Mid Mar | http://www.itb-berlin.de This is the world’s largest international travel expo. Open to the public on the weekend. |
| MaerzMusik | Late Mar | http://www.maerzmusik.de A contemporary music festival offering everything from orchestral symphonies to experimental sounds for over 3 weeks. |
| April | ||
| Festtage | http://www.staatsoper-berlin.org This high profile event is 10 days of gala concerts and operas with an emphasis on works by Wagner. | |
| May | ||
| May Day Riots | May 1 | An annual event since 1987. This is not one for the faint-hearted. Politically motivated anti-capitalism street parties with violent clashes between protesters and police are the norm. |
| June | ||
| Karneval der Kulturen |
Mid June | http://www.karneval-berlin.de Celebrating the city’s multiculturalism, this festival embraces parties, exotic cuisine and a colourful street parade. |
| Fête de la Musique | 21 June | http://www.lafetedelamusique.com (in German) Hundreds of free concerts are held during this international music festival. |
| Christopher Street Day |
Mid June | http://www.csd-berlin.de Berlin’s version of Mardi Gras. |
| July | ||
| Classic Open Air | Early July | http://www.classicopenair.de (in German) A brilliant series of outdoor concerts within the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt square. |
| August | ||
| ISTAF | Mid Aug | http://www.istaf.de This spectacular international track and field meet brings together top athletes. |
| September | ||
| Popkomm | http://www.popkomm.de This is Europe’s live music trade fair, conference and festival. Here you will find new bands and record labels. | |
| Berlin Marathon | Last Sun Sept | http://www.berlin-marathon.com With over 50,000 runners, this is one of Germany’s biggest street races. Since 1977, 9 world records have been set during this event. |
| You Berlin | End Sep | http://www.you.de (in German) Officially Europe’s largest youth fair covering fashion, sport, beauty and lifestyle. Throughout the fair there are live concerts, live TV recording and casting agents on the look out. |
| October | ||
| Art Forum Berlin | Start Oct | http://www.art-forum-berlin.com |
| Tag der Deutschen Einheit | 3 Oct | This national holiday celebrates German reunification. |
| November | ||
| Jazzfest Berlin | Start Nov | http://www.jazzfest-berlin.de Since 1964 this Jazz festival has been going strong. Performances throughout the city showcasing top rated performers. |
| Verzaubert | http://www.verzaubertfilmfest.com This festival showcases the best of homosexual cinema. | |
| Musikfest Berlin | End Nov | http://www.berlinerfestspiele.de World famous orchestras and soloist come together for two weeks to perform a series of concerts. |
| December | ||
| Christmas Markets | All Dec | http://www.visitberlin.de Throughout Berlin there are dozens of markets selling beautiful Christmas ornaments, toys, food, mulled wine and live entertainment. |
| Berliner Silvesterlauf | 31 Dec | The traditional New Years Eve Pancake run. |
| Silvester | 31 Dec | New Years Eve. Berliners love to embrace the festivities by tossing firecrackers and launching rockets throughout the city. At Brandenburger Tor thousands gather to watch the official fireworks display. |
