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 Events : Events
Great museums and daring bar scene aside, Berlin guarantees one thing to visitors: something’s always happening. The New Year begins with a bang at Brandenburger Tor, and dietary resolutions are put off until the end of the month, thanks to Grüne Woche, a ten-day celebration of international cuisine. Second only to Cannes, the Berlin Film Festival (also called Biennale) gives pulse to February. In March, Berlin busies itself with the Internationale Tourismus-Börse, a travel and tourism event that attracts more than 125,000 visitors. Then, there’s the Easter Festtage, when Staatsoper Unter den Linden erupts in a celebration of classical music and opera. In late May, the streets of Kreuzberg host the colorful der Karneval der Kulturen. Summertime is marked by alternative festivals and free outdoor musical performances. Late August and early September are given over to techies who convene for the Internationale Funkaustellung and its cutting-edge gadgets. November, meanwhile, mellows to the experimental and improv grooves of JazzFest. In December, Christmas markets usher in the holidays and wash the city in the spicy aromas of glühwein and gingerbread.
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June 15, 2008
Am Glockenturm, Berlin 14053 • +49-(0)-30-254-88-999
Am Glockenturm, Berlin 14053 • +49-(0)-30-254-88-999
Description: Every year the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra presents a special open-air performance in the Waldbühne – forest stage. Over 20,000 people show up with their candles to listen to one of the world's most renowned orchestras play in the summer night air. This is a very popular event, so make sure you book tickets. Please note that concerts will go ahead rain, hail or shine. S-BAHN: Pichelsberg
June 21, 2008
Various venues, Berlin 10435 • +49-(0)-30-417-15-289
Various venues, Berlin 10435 • +49-(0)-30-417-15-289
Description: Originally a French creation, the Fete de la Musique is a musical extravaganza which takes place every year on June 21. Everyone is invited to participate, and all the concerts are free. Every cafe, bar and music venue in Berlin has a mini-festival, featuring a line-up of local and international live acts and DJs. You'll hear everything from metal to singer-songwriters, from MCs to jazz-trios, from baroque to breakbeat. The fun starts early in the afternoon and continues well into the night.
June 28, 2008
Parade route and various venues, Berlin 10787 • +49-(0)-30-23-62-86-32
Parade route and various venues, Berlin 10787 • +49-(0)-30-23-62-86-32
Description: This is Berlin's annual pride march for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people. It's a political act against discrimination, but it's also one helluva street party with colourful floats, costumes and music. The festivities continue well on into the night in different gay and lesbian venues around Berlin. Check the website for the parade route.
August 1 - August 3, 2008
Karl Marx Allee, Berlin 10245 • +49-(0)-30-6576-3560
Karl Marx Allee, Berlin 10245 • +49-(0)-30-6576-3560
Description: Now in its second decade, the International Berlin Beer Festival is host to what is arguably the longest beer garden in the world. Taking up over 2 kilometres of the Karl Marx Allee, more than 240 breweries are represented, offering a mouth-watering 1750 types of beer. There's plenty of regional German cooking to be sampled as well. Upon arrival, pick up an official beer-tasting mug for €3.50 – apart from being an ideal souvenir, you'll be eligible for a discount at many beer stands when you try to fill it up. U-BAHN: Frankfurter Tor
August 29 - September 3, 2008
Messedamm 22 Messe Berlin Trade Fair Grounds, Berlin 14055 • +49-(0)-30-3069-6924
Messedamm 22 Messe Berlin Trade Fair Grounds, Berlin 14055 • +49-(0)-30-3069-6924
Description: Every year, hundreds of thousands of people attend this six-day, August event to view the latest in electronic technology. Countless people who work in the market display the newest TVs, innovations in photography and cameras, and mobile communication devices. A Euro-techie's heaven! S-BAHN: Witzleban; U-BAHN: Kaiserdamm
August 30, 2008
Museums all over town, Berlin • +49-(0)-30-2474-9888
Museums all over town, Berlin • +49-(0)-30-2474-9888
Description: Held in the winter and summer, these unique events see more than 100 museums and other cultural hubs stay open well past their normal bedtimes. Buses run throughout the "Long Night," shuttling visitors from gallery to gallery, museum to museum, until things finally close down at 2am. In addition to the regular array of exhibits (which are, of course, even more spectacular when viewed under the night sky), many institutions feature live performances, food and drink.
November 6 - November 9, 2008
Schaperstrasse 24 Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Berlin 10719 • +49-(0)-30-2548-90
Schaperstrasse 24 Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Berlin 10719 • +49-(0)-30-2548-90
Description: The invigorating atmosphere of Berlin in autumn sets the perfect scene for this musical event. Numerous jazz musicians and other well-known artists exhibit their talents at various concerts and presentations. The event takes place over a four-day period in November and attracts some of the most profound jazz enthusiasts from in and around the city. U-BAHN: Spichernstrasse
November 24 - December 26, 2008
Multiple markets in the city, Berlin
Multiple markets in the city, Berlin
Description: Germany's famous Christmas markets kick off at the end of November, and give each city a good dose of Christmas spirit – and Berlin is no exception. Sample some of the Glühwein (mulled wine), gingerbread, or stollen (traditional German Christmas cake). Wander through the stalls of hand-made Christmas decorations, toys and knitted scarves. Some of the bigger markets have fun-park rides and entertainment, like carol singers or jazz bands.
February 5 - February 15, 2009
Potsdamer Straße 5, Berlin 10785 • +49-(0)-30-2592-00
Potsdamer Straße 5, Berlin 10785 • +49-(0)-30-2592-00
Description: Running for over 50 years, this film festival is considered one of Europe's most important, second only to France's famous Cannes festival. More than 400 films are presented in various cinemas around the city. Many well-known directors, actors and actresses from around the globe make dazzling appearances at this popular event.
May 29 - June 1, 2009
Zossener and Blücherstrasse Blücherplatz, Berlin 10961 • +49-(0)-30-6097-7022
Zossener and Blücherstrasse Blücherplatz, Berlin 10961 • +49-(0)-30-6097-7022
Description: Held in the waning days of spring, this four-day festival celebrates Berlin's diversity and its justly earned status as a city with a flair for international culture. Indeed, the streets of Kreuzberg explode in a celebration of color, music, dance, art and food when representatives from more than 70 countries strut their stuff and showcase their homelands. Wild costumes, parades and street performers – it's little wonder that each Karneval has drawn more than half a million revelers since the event's 1996 debut. U-BAHN: Hermannplatz