Summer slump? No such thing! There's also a lot going on in the capital in August: The Rolling Stones are playing the final concert of their European tour, the Train of Love is passing through the city and the State Ballet is sailing through Berlin dancing on the Spree. Numerous summer festivals invite you to experience dance, theatre, music and culture - and to enjoy the balmy summer evenings late into the night. Find out what you shouldn't miss in Berlin in August in our monthly preview.
Tip 1: Long Night of the Museums
Look forward to a night full of art, culture and surprises. This year, around 750 live events, workshops and numerous special and express tours await you at the Long Night of Museums in Berlin. With just one ticket you have access to 75 museums in the city. Shuttle buses will take you directly from museum to museum.
When: 27 August
Where: 75 museums in the city
Tip 2: Pop culture
Three days of pure pop culture are on the programme: In addition to numerous concerts and DJ gigs, this time you can experience the world premiere of 15 commissioned works. The phenomenon of pop culture will also be the subject of talks, readings and films. The focus will be on the exciting interaction between social developments and artistic trends. How is today's world reflected in current pop culture? Which themes are taken up, which points of criticism are formulated in texts? The festival sees itself as a process in which you, the audience, also participate!
When: 25 to 27 August
Where: Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 3: Dance in August
Im Fokus des diesjährigen Tanzfestivals steht die schwedisch-italienische Choreographin Cristina Caprioli. Über 22 ihrer Arbeiten aus den vergangenen 20 Jahren werden unter dem Titel Once Over Time auf die Bühne gebracht. Insgesamt präsentiert das internationale Festival für zeitgenössischen Tanz 21 Produktionen mit rund 200 Künstler:innen aus 25 Ländern. Über drei Wochen verteilt wählt ihr zwischen 87 Vorstellungen.
Wann: 5. bis 27. August
Wo: im HAU Hebbel am Ufer und sechs weiteren Veranstaltungsorte in der Stadt
Tip 4: Highlights at the Cultural Summer Festival
You can also attend a performance for Dance in August as part of the free Cultural Summer Festival. The performance "Byström Källblad: City Horses" starts on Saturday, 6 August, at 2 pm in the Schlüterhof at the Humboldtforum and ends at HAU2.
- At the Freilichtbühne Weißensee, the Berlin ensemble Panikherz (Panic Heart), based on the book by Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre, will present a free open-air stage play.
- The show band Unplugged of the Friedrichstadt-Palast will play at the Malzfabrik Areal on 24 August from 6.30 pm.
- Under the title From Berlin with Love, the Staatsballett Berlin will dance on a boat on the Spree. Departure is on Friday, 26 August at 6 pm from the House of World Cultures.
- And the Deutsche Oper Berlin invites you to an open-air performance of Greek on 31 August on the parking deck in the inner courtyard.
When: 6 August, 2 pm
Where: Schlüterhof, Schloßplatz
More about the culture summer festival
Tip 5: Young Euro Classic
The Young Euro Classic Festival kicks off this year with a special concert by the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. Listen to exciting interpretations of classical compositions. But also some new works will be performed for the first time and will face the honorary jury. For two and a half weeks, young international orchestras will show what they can do in Berlin's Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt. And for the very young music fans, there are children's concerts and a workshop for dancing and playing along.
When: 5 to 21 August
Where: Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte
Tip 6: Potsdam Palace Night
During the Potsdam Palace Night, Sanssouci Park is transformed into a gigantic stage. Stroll through the grounds and be enchanted by music, acrobatics, readings and installations. As soon as it gets dark, the palaces and the illuminated park sparkle in a blaze of light.
When: 19 and 20 August
Where: Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam
Tip 7: Love train (Zug der Liebe)
Because life is often about the little things, about the beautiful moments and about being there for each other, this year's Train of Love focuses on charity in action. #wirmachensichtbar (#wemakeitvisible) is the motto of the procession, which starts at 1 pm at Mauerpark. Around 50 charitable organisations and associations are now actively involved. With lots of live music and good vibes, the colourful procession of love then moves through the city to Moritzplatz. Then it's off to the afterparty on 5 floors at Ritter Butzke.
When: 27 August, from 1 pm
Where: From Mauerpark to Moritzplatz
Tip 8: Fire Flowers and Classic Open Air
Well-known classics are on the programme at the open-air concert in the Britzer Garten. Be there when the Berlin Symphony Orchestra performs the most beautiful pieces by Mozart, Beethoven and Hayden, including the "Eroica" and the "Little Night Music". The highlight is the fireworks display at the end of the concert evening.
When: 20 August
Where: Britzer Garten, Festplatz am See, Sangerhauser Weg 1, Britz
Tip 9: Irish Festival and summer festivals
Ireland, the land of green pastures and hidden Leprechaun treasures: Let the Irish Festival at the ufaFabrik whisk you away to the land at the end of the rainbow with music, dance and fairytales. In addition to concerts and open sessions, you can also try your hand at various workshops for Irish dance and music.
Other festivals:
- The Spandau Havelfest from 12 to 14 August is perfect for a little family outing. On the festival mile you can expect trampolines, rides, lots of live music and delicious food.
- The LesBiSchwule Parkfest invites you to a picnic in the Volkspark Friedrichshain on 13 August.
- At the Jewish Museum's summer festival on 21 August, you can expect lots of hands-on activities, a colourful children's programme, short tours and delicious specialities.
- At the African Book Festival from 26 to 28 August, an exciting literary and musical programme mix will be offered on five stages.
When: 20/21 August
Where: ufaFabrik, Viktoriastraße 10 - 18, Tempelhof
Tip 10: Die Toten Hosen
Punk is not dead! And the Toten Hosen are certainly not dead. On 22 August the old punkers around their charismatic singer Campino will be playing at Tempelhof Airport. And if you still haven't had enough pogo dancing, the Ärzte will be heating things up on 26 August, also at Tempelhof Airport.
Further concerts:
- The Ukrainian singer/songwriter Monatik will be performing at Columbiahalle on 19 August.
- The techno marching band Meute will play on 25 August, also at Columbia Halle.
- Marteria plays the Waldbühne on 26 August, the Broilers on 5 and 6 August.
- Johannes Oerding will give a concert at the Zitadelle Spandau on 27 August.
- In our daily tips you can find dates for other concerts in August
When: 22 August
Where: Tempelhof Airport, Tempelhofer Damm 1 - 7, Tempelhof
Tip 11: Airing out (Durchlüften) - open-air concerts in the Schlüterhof
The Humboldt Forum invites you to a very special open-air summer festival from 28 July to 20 August. Surrounded by the backdrop of the SchIüterhof, the festival will take place on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Free admission to concerts, DJ performances and a colourful family programme.
When: from 28 July to 20 August, Thursdays to Saturdays
Where: Schlüterhof, Schloßplatz, Mitte
Check out our Event Calendar for more tips about what is going on in August in Berlin
