The days are long, the evenings are balmy: Summer is open-air season in Berlin, perfect for simply drifting through the city and enjoying life. But Berlin wouldn't be Berlin if you weren't also surprised by art, culture and music. To make sure you're in the right place at the right time, we've put together our insider tips for the open-air season.
Tip 1: Be out and about for a summer weekend at 48 Stunden Neukölln
For 48 hours Neukölln is transformed into one big field of experimentation. During these two days, you can discover what Berlin's creative scene is up to in the streets, squares, courtyards, parks and, of course, in numerous indoor spaces free of charge. Established in 1999, 48 Stunden Neukölln is now one of the largest free art festivals in the city. Discover the neighbourhood and exciting locations and experience concerts, performances, exhibitions and, of course, the odd surprise.
When: 27 June 2025 from 7 pm to 29 June to 7 pm
. June until 7 pm
Where: various locations in Neukölln
Tip 2: Celebrate Berlin's diversity at Rave the Planet
"Our future is now" is the motto of this year's Rave the Planet. More than 200 floats and music trucks are expected again this year for this follow-up event to the legendary Love Parade, with a wide variety of genres of electronic dance music, including the legendary DJ Motte. The aim is to bring people together, regardless of nationality, religion, skin colour or social background, to peacefully stand up for our planet. Because "music sends a powerful signal for cohesion, diversity and a sustainable future - for our culture and the planet", according to the organisers.
Tip: If you love raves and enjoy dancing in the open air, then check out the Else Open-Air . Every summer weekend throughout the summer, local and international acts perform for you here, very close to Treptower Hafen
When: 12 July 2025, 2 pm to 10 pm
Where: Straße des 17. Juni
Tip 3: Celebrate the Fête de la Musique at the museum festival in the Nikolaiviertel
At the Fête de la Musique at the summer solstice, the whole of Berlin becomes an open-air stage. This year, the entire Nikolai Quarter will also be celebrating its 30th birthday on 21 June. Look forward to free museum tours, city walks, live concerts and lots of hands-on activities. Find out more about the legends and myths surrounding the historic neighbourhood and learn about the African roots of tango. A dance floor will be set up in front of the Nikolaikirche, which corresponds to the floor plan of the room from which enslaved people were shipped overseas. An exciting topic that will be explored in greater depth in the Nikolai Church with the exhibition "Decolonial - what remains?". But don't worry, there is still more than enough space to dance and party against a historical backdrop. A real summer highlight!
When: 21. June 2025, 2pm-10pm
Where: Am Köllnischen Park 5, Mitte
Tip 4: Let yourself drift at the airing-out festival
A creative mix of live music, dance performances, DJ sets and interactive activities awaits you at the free Durchlüften festival in the Schlüterhof of the Humboldt Forum. Over four long summer weekends, the beautiful courtyard will become an open stage for international artists and local newcomers. On twelve evenings, 24 live acts and 12 DJs will take you on a little trip around the world with their music. From the bustling streets of Mexico to the desert of Niger; dance to beats from Nairobi and let yourself be enchanted by the sounds of Tokyo until you finally immerse yourself in the pulse of Berlin's club culture. Enjoy the relaxed summer atmosphere on deckchairs under palm trees, get cool drinks and look forward to exciting conversations. The perfect setting to simply switch off and recharge your batteries
When: 17 July to 9 August 2025
Where: Humboldt Forum, Schlüterhof, Schloßplatz, Mitte
Tip 5: Shakespeare fans take note
Shakespeare in the open air will be performed for you this summer by the ensemble of Berlin's Globe Theatre and the Shakespeare Company Berlin, which has set up its stages on the grounds of the Insulaner outdoor pool. Experience classics such as Romeo and Juliet (new production, premiere on 13 June), Othello, Lear, Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing. In addition to Shakespeare, the programme at the Berlin Globe Theatre also includes The Urfaust and Word Art Evenings with the chamber play formats of the Kant Theatre Berlin. Among others, you can see "Letter to the Father" by Franz Kafka and George Orwell's "1984". And on Tuesday there will be live music with The Swingin' Hermlins and their swing from the 1930s.
Shakespeare Company
When: 13 June to 13 September 2025
Where: Insulaner, Musterdamm, Schöneberg
The Globe
When: 20 June to 13 September 2025
Where. September 2025
Where: Sömmeringstraße 15, Charlottenburg
Tip 6: Enjoy the summer at city and street festivals
In summer, the whole of Berlin takes to the streets. In all neighbourhoods, street festivals invite people to socialise or enjoy a cosy chat over a glass of wine. From the Lesbian-Gay City Festival around Nollendorfplatz to the Neighbourhood Festival at Schöneberg Town Hall to the Vegan Summer Festival on Alexanderplatz, the Kreuzberg Festival in Bergmannkiez and the Lichtenrad Wine and Vintner Festival at the idyllic village pond. In all of Berlin's neighbourhoods, festivals are celebrated as they fall throughout the summer
Here is a selection of city and street festivals
- 9.-11 May 2025 Karower Festtage
- 10./11 May 2025 Garten Lust & Kunst Genuss Frohnau
- 11./12. May 2025 Spring and Asparagus Festival Primavera
- 16. - 18 May 2025: Treptower Frühling
- 29. May - 1 June Spandauer Havelfest
- 1. June Environmental Festival at the Brandenburg Gate
- 13-15 June 2025 Köpenicker Sommer
- 20. - 22. June 2025 Tegeler Sommer
- 11. - 13. July 2025 Buckower Dorfangerfest
- 18. - 20. July 2025 Weißenseer Blumenfest
- 6/7. September 2025 Rudower Septembermeile
- 13./14 September 2025 Fest an der Panke
- 19. - 21. September 2025 Müggelheim Harvest Festival
- 26 - 28. September 2025 Schmiljan Street Festival
Tip: To Street theatre festival Berlin laughs! traditionally brings artists from all over the world to make the audience laugh and be amazed.
More street and folk festivals
Tip 7: Dance with fairies in the Britzer Garten
A real midsummer night's dream: at the Britzer Gartennacht in the Britzer Garten, countless lights transform the landscape into a truly magical world. Accompanied by the magical sounds of artists, you will wander through mysterious worlds. Everywhere you go, mythical creatures and fairies invite you to dance, listen and marvel. On numerous stages, they will whisk you away into their wondrous world, acrobatically, musically and, when it gets dark, also with radiant fire arts at the starry firnament.
When: 26 July 2025
Where: 26 July 2025 July 2025
Where: Britzer Garten
Tip 8: Cycle with #ArtistsOnWheels at the former Tegel Airport
Imagine: You're cycling along the deserted runway at Tegel Airport while a stage on a cargo bike is pulled in front of you - with live musicians on it, whose sounds you can hear through wireless headphones. The #ArtistsOnWheels by silent.move is exactly that: a mobile concert that combines movement, music and history. The route takes you over 8 km through the Tegeler Stadtheide, past historic sites, with planned photo stops and a mix of surprise acts.
Tip: Every second Wednesday of the month, the organisers also enchant a small, hidden garden in Neukölln's Rixdorf with a headphone concert. Find out more about #HiddenGarden here.
When: various Sundays in 2025
Where: meeting point at the Urban Tech Republic bus stop
Tip 9: Listen to Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in Grunewald
While the sun slowly sinks behind the trees of the Grunewald forest, the wondrous sounds of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake resound at Whitsun. Performed live in front of the fairy-tale backdrop of the hunting lodge, the classical open-air festival is a very special experience. Without any dancing, but as a concert performance, the emotional depth of the composition takes centre stage. Let yourself be enchanted and immerse yourself in the world of the Swan Princess. And maybe you'll even see her pass by the lake.
When: 7 to 9 June. June 2025, each evening
Where: Jagdschloss Grunewald, Hüttenweg 100, Zehlendorf
Tip 10: Be enchanted by choirs in Körnerpark
Every Sunday in May, Körnerpark in Neukölln is transformed into an open-air stage. In front of the gorgeous orangery and in the midst of manicured gardens, you can look forward to a diverse choral programme - from French chansons to world music and indie pop. The concert series "Immer wieder sonntags - Chöre im Körnerpark" offers you free musical matinées that are perfect for a relaxed start to your Sunday. Pack a picnic blanket and enjoy singing, nature and neighbourhood culture in a beautiful setting.
Tip: Another musical series is planned for September.
When: Sundays, 4 to 25 May. May 2025, 12:00 each day
Where: Körnerpark, Schierker Straße 8, Neukölln
Tip 11: Discover the Luftschloss - Berlin's open-air stage on Tempelhofer Feld
From May to September 2025, the Luftschloss Tempelhofer Feld will be the stage for a diverse open-air programme. The wooden amphitheatre with 350 seats presents theatre, concerts, improvisation, children's theatre, readings, festivals and more. One highlight is the concert series "Von Luft & Liedern" with artists such as Dota Kehr, Max Prosa and Felix Meyer. Fans of comedy and poetry slam will also get their money's worth.
Tip: 11 years of the Tempelhofer Feld referendum will be celebrated on 25 May. Admission is free.
For more information on Tempelhofer Feld as an open and natural space, listen to our Podcast Berlin Unboxed.
Luftschloss Tempelhofer Feld
When: May to September 2025, depending on the event
