Besides the supposed lioness, there's a lot going on in the capital in August: The Long Night of Museums invites you to discover the acoustic side of exhibition culture with "Sounds of Berlin". The Train of Love is passing through the city and with the Music Festival, Tanz in den August and the Young Euro Classics, the concert halls offer a top-class programme. Numerous summer festivals invite you to experience dance, theatre, music and culture in the open air - 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
In keeping with this year's motto "Sounds of Berlin", there is also a lot to discover acoustically in many Berlin museums during this year's Long Night. At the Spy Museum you can listen to radio transmissions and decode messages. And at the PalaisPopulaire, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to a concert and a workshop where you can build instruments. The workshop of the Exilmuseum will be transformed into a dance bar, and DJs will be spinning at the Zeiss Planetarium. 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 the Museums in Berlin. With just one ticket you have access to 75 museums in the city. Shuttle buses that take you directly from museum to museum.
When: 26 August 6 pm to 27 August 2 am
Where: 75 museums in the city
Tip 2: Celebrate Pop culture at the Popkultur-Festival in Berlin
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: 30 August to 1 September
Where: Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 3: Dance in August merges opposites on stage
Street dance and traditional dances are the opposing building blocks of C A R C A Ç A by Marco da Silva Ferreira. Leave your conventional ideas of dance at home. With this German premiere to kick off the festival, this year's festival invites you to explore new paths. At the 35th Tanz in den August, borders will be crossed and new connections will be shown. It's about the search for identity and cultural roots - and about how opposites enrich dialogue.
When: 9 to 26 August
Where: at HAU Hebbel am Ufer and six other venues in the city
Tip 4: Enjoy the start of the concert season at Musikfest Berlin
One of the highlights of this year's Musikfest is the concert performance of Hector Berlioz's monumental opera "Les Troyens" conducted by John Eliot Gardiner. The programme, with which Berlin traditionally starts the new season, is once again extremely diverse in 2023. In 28 concerts you will hear works by over 45 composers: from Johann Sebastian Bach to Gustav Mahler and Sergei Rachmaninov to Unsuk Chi.
When: 26 August to 18 September
Where: Chamber Music Hall of the Philharmonie, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, Mitte and Gethsemanekirche, Stargarder Straße 77, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 5: Listen to young musicians from all over the world at Young Euro Classic Festival
This year, the Young Euro Classic Festival starts with a concert by the Asian Youth Orchestra. Listen to exciting interpretations of classical compositions. But also some new works will be performed for the first time and will face the jury in the framework of the European Composition Prize. 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: 2 to 27 August
Where: Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte
Tip 6: Feel like prince and princess at the Potsdam Castle Night
During the Potsdam Palace Night, Sanssouci Park is transformed into a gigantic stage. Stroll through the grounds and let yourself 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: 18 and 19 August
Where: Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam
Tip 7: Love Train - Show your love for the world of tomorrow
Because life is often about the little things, about the beautiful moments and about being there for each other, the Train of Love this year focuses on living charity. "More love for the world of tomorrow" 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 humour, the colourful procession of love then moves through the city. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oranienstraße (between Axel Springer and Alte Jakobstraße) will be cordoned off for the final rally and a joint street party. Afterwards there will be an afterparty on 5 floors at Ritter Butzke.
When: 26 August, from 1 pm
Where: Start at Mauerpark
Tip 8: Let yourself be enchanted by the Fire Flowers at the Klassik Open Air
Well-known classics are on the programme at the open-air concert in the Britzer Garten. Be there when the Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau plays the most beautiful pieces from Strauss to Dvořák to Lehár on the large stage by the lake. Let the world-famous waltzes, marches and polkas sweep you away and get you in the mood. Highlights of the programme are the soprano Iordanka Derilova and tenor Costa Latsos and, of course, the fireworks at the end of the concert evening.
When: 26 August from 7.30 pm
Where: Britzer Garten, Festplatz am See, Sangerhauser Weg 1, Britz
Fire Flowers and classical music open air
Tip 9: Immerse yourself in the world of African literature at the African Book Festival
For its 5th anniversary, the African Book Festival invites you to an exciting programme with lots of literature and music at the Alte Münze. Look forward to readings, discussions and concerts on three different stages and a large open air area. Browse the large book table and various market stalls with fashion, art and handicrafts. African food will be available at the food trucks. Among the 30 authors are both established writers and some up-and-coming talents, including Leila Aboulela, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, Laila Lalami and C.A. Davids.
When: 25 to 27 August
Where: Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 2, Mitte
Tip 10: Open-air cinema at the "Stasi Headquarters. Campus for Democracy
For four weeks this August, the courtyard of the Stasi headquarters in Lichtenberg will once again be transformed into an open-air cinema. In front of the historical backdrop of Stasi Minister Mielke's former office, you can see films about the GDR's past and state security, about repression, but also about revolutionary movements and the reappraisal of the files. Learn more about the topic and get involved in an exchange. The evening starts with short films or material from the Stasi archives. Afterwards, contemporary witnesses and filmmakers will answer your questions. Admission is free. Registration is not required.
When: 7 to 31 August
Where: Inner courtyard of the "Stasi Headquarters. Campus for Democracy", Ruschestrasse 103, Lichtenberg.
Campus Cinema: Movies at the Stasi Headquarters
Tip 11: Cheer on the athletes at the world championships and Olympic qualification in archery
For the second time, the world's best archers are coming to Berlin for the World Championships. At the same time, the archers can qualify for the Olympic Games at the archery competitions on the Maifeld at the Olympic Stadium. More than 533 athletes from 80 nations are expected. An exciting competition is guaranteed!
When: 31 July to 6 August
Where: Olympic Stadium, Maifeld, Olympischer Platz 3, Charlottenburg
World championship and olympic qualification in archery
Check out our Event Calendar for more tips about what is going on in August in Berlin
