When the autumn sun bathes everything in golden light, set off on a special stroll through the city and meet up at ‘Wine in the City’ on Breitscheidplatz. As the evening cool sets in, it’s time once again for the fantastic events on Berlin’s stages and/or a special film festival. Enjoy the October weekend in Berlin!
Tip 1: Visit the First Night of the Manufactories
How are handmade sweets, unique design pieces or traditional foods actually made? During the First Long Night of the Artisans, Berlin’s workshops and studios are opening their doors! Look over the professionals’ shoulders, discover creative craftsmanship and enjoy exciting demonstrations and workshops. For example, at mimi ferments in Wedding, where Japanese specialities such as miso and soya sauce are produced with great patience and natural ingredients – some even mature for several years! Or at the BONBONmacherei in the Heckmannhöfe, where Berlin sweets are still cooked by hand over an open fire. An evening full of exciting discoveries! Entry is free for you, though some activities may incur a charge.
When: Saturday, 6 pm–10 pm
Where: Various locations in Berlin-Mitte
Tip 2: Experience political cabaret at the traditional theatre ‘Die Stachelschweine’
What happens when Germany’s future suddenly depends on the vote of a single man? In their new cabaret show “The Last Days of Germany”, “Die Stachelschweine” take a proper swipe at German politics! Following a chaotic federal election, a Berlin-based event chef becomes the most sought-after voter in the country. Friedrich Merz, Elon Musk and co. vie for his vote – and democracy becomes an absurd matter of negotiation. Look forward to biting satire, plenty of music and a wonderfully unsparing look at the political contradictions of our time!
When: Saturday, 4 pm and 8 pm
Where: Kabarett-Theater Die Stachelschweine, Europa-Center, Charlottenburg
Die Stachelschweine
Tip 3: Meet up at Wine in the City
You can combine your visit to the cabaret theatre “Die Stachelschweine” perfectly with the wine festival on the square in front of it: For the premiere of“Wine in the City”, Breitscheidplatz – situated between Kurfürstendamm, the Gedächtniskirche and City West – is transformed into a cosy wine market! Ten family-run wineries will be presenting their fine wines – from the Moselle and the Palatinate all the way to Baden-Württemberg. Taste your way through different grape varieties, chat to the winemakers and enjoy delicious snacks such as crispy tarte flambée or hearty snack platters. Perfect for a delightful break whilst strolling through the city or a relaxed evening with friends! Entry is free, but wine and food are charged separately.
When: Friday from 2 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 12 noon
Where: Breitscheidplatz, Charlottenburg
Acclaimed artists, extraordinary works and unforgettable evenings in one of Berlin’s most remarkable settings. Experience music, literature and theatre in a truly unique atmosphere.
Tip 4: Get your groove on at the Berlin Burlesque Festival
Feather boas, sparkling costumes and plenty of seductive charm! At the 14th Berlin Burlesque Festival, the historic ballroom at Heimathafen Neukölln is transformed into a glamorous stage. Germany’s Burlesque Queen, Marlene von Steenvag, brings together international stars, exciting newcomers and Berlin’s favourite stage performers. The multi-award-winning‘The Sazerac Swingers’will provide the perfect swing music. Look forward to artistic performances, extravagant outfits, a good dose of humour and the presentation of the BBF Awards. An evening full of glamour and sparkling entertainment!
When: Friday, 9 pm–1 am (doors open from 8 pm)
Where: Heimathafen Neukölln, Karl-Marx-Straße 141, Neukölln
Tip 5: Visit the Ukrainian Film Festival Berlin
Exciting stories, unusual perspectives and a wealth of cinematic art from Ukraine! Under the theme ‘Emergency Spaces’, the 7th Ukrainian Film Festival Berlin is screening the latest feature films and documentaries, short films and special retrospectives. The focus is on places of refuge, solidarity and hope in uncertain times. Particularly exciting is the documentary‘The Illusion of a Quiet Night’, for which 40 filmmakers and hundreds of people captured a single night in Ukraine. Or the short film programme“Fear and Loathing in Ukraine”, which surprises with quirky horror animations from the 1990s. There will also be film talks, discussions and, on Saturday, even a festival party at the ACUD Club. A wonderful opportunity to discover the diverse world of Ukrainian cinema!
When: Friday to Sunday, various screening times
Where: Various Berlin cinemas, including ACUD Kino, Sputnik Kino and Kino im Planetarium
Tip 6: Discover 10 women’s perspectives on ‘Her Lens’
Ten female photographers, ten personal perspectives on a region in turmoil! The international photography exhibition “Her Lens: Resilience & Reflection”at the Anahita Sadighi Gallery showcases striking documentary photography by women from the Middle East and North Africa. Through their images, they tell stories of conflict and displacement, identity and memory, but also of hope, resilience and the small moments of everyday life. Following a year-long support programme featuring mentoring and exhibitions across the MENA region, the works are now on display together for the first time in Berlin. Curated by Anahita Sadighi, the exhibition offers new perspectives on the realities of life that are often overlooked in public discourse. A moving shift in perspective!
When: Friday 12 noon–7 pm and Saturday 11 am–4 pm
Where: Anahita Sadighi Gallery, Schlüterstraße 16, Charlottenburg
Her Lens
Tip 7: Enjoy the Festival of Lights once more
Last chance to experience Berlin’s magical lights: the city is aglow once more in the most beautiful colours! This weekend, the Festival of Lights enters its final phase, transforming the capital into a huge open-air gallery under the theme ‘Colours of Love’. Spectacular 3D projections, imaginative light installations and glowing works of art promise magical moments. Particularly worth seeing: at the Brandenburg Gate and the TV Tower, colourful images dance across the façades; in the Nikolaiviertel, the world of ‘Babylon Berlin’ comes to life; and at Potsdamer Platz, glowing butterflies flit amongst the trees. The Victory Column, Berlin Cathedral and the Olympic Stadium are also bathed in a special glow. Enjoy the final three evenings of this dazzling Berlin autumn highlight!
When: Friday to Sunday, 7 pm–11 pm
Where: Various squares, landmarks and attractions throughout Berlin
Tickets
Tip 8: Discover the sky above Berlin
Dive into a hidden world! For the third edition of ‘Himmel unter Berlin’ , international light and sound artists are transforming the mysterious catacombs of a former Berlin engine factory into a fascinating labyrinth of art. Behind winding corridors and dark cellar doors, eleven extraordinary installations await: experience AI clones being created live, machines performing their own concert, or a sparkling chamber of stars suddenly opening up before you! Amidst rough brick walls, light, sound and futuristic technology, a unique blend of art exhibition and mysterious underground adventure takes shape. What makes it special: the exact venue remains a secret for now and will only be revealed 48 hours before your visit!
When: Friday, 3 pm–10 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–10 pm
Where: Secret location in north-west Berlin
Tip 9: Experience Berlin humour – with heart and wit
Fancy an entertaining evening at the theatre away from the big stages? This weekend, the cosy Köpenick Municipal Theatre has a varied programme full of humour, music and Berlin charm in store for you ! On Friday, Dagmar Jaeger and Michael Nitzel will be poking fun at neighbourhood squabbles , big and small, in the musical cabaret ‘Gartenfest ’. On Saturday, Annika Stöver and Anett Buchinski, as the duo ‘Chili con Sahne’, will give your laugh muscles a proper workout with cheeky songs and situational comedy. And on Sunday, it’s time for a trip down memory lane: ‘Da fliegt der Hammer weg’ pays tribute to the unforgettable Berlin entertainer Helga Hahnemann with her finest stories and sketches. Three wonderful opportunities to discover the charming world of theatre in Köpenick!
When: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm, Sunday at 4 pm
Where: Köpenick Municipal Theatre, Wendenschloßstraße 103–105, Köpenick
Tip 10: Go for a walk – in Charlottenburg
Discover Charlottenburg through a different lens! Join experienced city guide Marianne Mielke on an exciting walking tour through the neighbourhood around Klausenerplatz for a little journey through time. Starting at the historic Villa Oppenheim, the tour takes you past old tenement blocks, former factories and historic sites, all the way to the Brotgarten on Seelingstraße, which has been there since 1978. Along the way, you’ll learn where the famous ‘Charlottenburger Pilsener’ was once brewed, why the neighbourhood used to be known as ‘Little Wedding’, and how committed local residents saved their neighbourhood from demolition in the 1970s. A wonderful blend of art, urban and everyday history! Booking is required at presse@kaethe-kollwitz.de
When: Sunday, 11.00 am
Where: Meeting point: Käthe Kollwitz Museum, ground-floor foyer, Spandauer Damm 10, Charlottenburg
Tip 11: Watch a new adaptation of Horváth’s classic *Youth Without God*
Just how much crisis can a classroom actually cope with? In the new play *Die Fische* at the Theater Strahl , the school becomes a mirror of a society in upheaval. Loosely based on Ödön von Horváth’s “Youth Without God” , it tells the story of a dedicated teacher who wants to instil democratic values, empathy and independent thinking in her pupils. Yet increasingly authoritarian tendencies, peer pressure and social tensions make coexistence ever more difficult. Caught between conformity and resistance, the question arises: how much courage does it take to stand by one’s convictions? A highly topical, intense theatrical experience that encourages reflection and discussion – not just for young people!
When: Friday, 11.00 am
Where: Theater Strahl am Ostkreuz, Marktstraße 11, Lichtenberg
The Fish
For even more event ideas, you can browse through our events calendar at any time.
