Our recommendations for your weekend: At the numerous commemorative events for the end of the war 80 years ago on 8 May, you can immerse yourself in this major historical topic. Elsewhere, the Gallery Weekend throughout Berlin, unconventional music and a solar-powered boat trip on the Spree await you.
Tip 1: Discover contemporary art at Gallery Weekend Berlin
The Gallery Weekend Berlin is a festival in a class of its own for all art lovers. For the 21st time, Berlin's galleries are opening their doors to the interested public and providing insights into the current art scene at 59 locations. You can expect a whole weekend of studio visits, curatorial tours, special exhibitions for established artists and, of course, parties, events and discussions. In addition to the major addresses, it is also worth visiting smaller venues
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
Tip 2: Take a solar-powered trip across the Spree
No chugging engines, no exhaust fumes and still full speed ahead - the Solar Catamaran from the Stern+Kreis shipping company is one of the greenest ships in Berlin. At the weekend, you can get on board and explore the city from the water for two hours. On the tour towards the south-east, you will learn all about Berlin's past and present, for example about the Molecule Men, the Archenhold Observatory, the Island of Youth and, last but not least, the Plänterwald. Cast off with the power of the sun!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Jannowitzbrücke jetty, Rolandufer 4, Mitte
Tip 3: Get to know Yoko Ono's 50 years of work
Yoko Ono combines art and political commitment in her work - and has done so for more than 50 years. So it's high time to dedicate a major retrospective to this exceptional artist with Music of the Mind. At the Gropius Bau this weekend, you can trace the artistic development of the Japanese world star and view more than 200 works. And Yoko Ono wouldn't be Yoko Ono if she didn't challenge you with her works. So you can become part of the art yourself and express yourself interactively, politically and poetically.
When: Friday from 12pm to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 7pm
Where: Gropius Bau, Niederkirchnerstraße 7, Kreuzberg
Enjoy Mozart at Konzerthaus Berlin
Ligeti, Mozart and Dvořák's Eighth - intoxicating music at the Konzerthaus Berlin, performed by the Konzerthausorchester under the direction of Anja Bihlmaier. The Mozart soloist is the award-winning pianist Alexander Melnikov.
Tip 4: Support war-wounded children at Ballet for Life
Elegance, passion, solidarity - on Sunday, world-class dancer Iana Salenko will take you on a very special journey. Because the piece Ballet for Life is a sign of solidarity in times of war in Ukraine. For the third time, renowned companies and dancers are coming together to perform classical and modern masterpieces and raise funds for the UNBROKEN KIDS Rehabilitation Centre. It supports war-wounded children with medical and psychological help during this difficult time.
When: Sunday at 7pm
Where: Admiralspalast, Friedrichstraße 101, Mitte
Tip 5: Visit the theme week to mark 80 years since the end of the war
80 years have passed since the end of the Second World War in Europe and the liberation from National Socialism - reason for intense commemoration. You can expect more than 100 events to commemorate the end of the war. The events range from exhibitions, readings and theatre performances to guided tours of historical sites, film screenings, concerts and more. Highlights of the theme week include the premiere of the oratorio Liberation by Marc Sinan and the open-air exhibition ... peace at last?! on Pariser Platz.
Tip: Also read our special recommendations for an insightful encounter with that time in Berlin:
11 recommendations to commemorate
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations in Berlin
Theme week 80 years since the end of the war
Tip 6: Take a trip to the Biesdorf Blossom Festival
Tradition meets modernity in Biesdorf this weekend - that's the motto of the Biesdorf Blossom Festival, which you can celebrate in the idyllic castle park. The festival for the whole family offers a beautiful excursion into the countryside as well as the opportunity to explore the local market. Stroll through the artisan market and then fortify yourself with street food from the fusion kitchen. Afterwards, you can feast your eyes on the colourful floral splendour or dive headfirst into the programme of events.
When: Friday from 12 to 10 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm
Where: Schlosspark Biesdorf, Biesdorf
Tip 7: Marvel at the light artwork Skalar at Dark Matter
The Museum of Light and Media Art Dark Matter has become an integral part of Berlin's art landscape. And it is constantly reinventing itself, including in the new transformer hall on the Köpenicker Chaussee site. Here you can now marvel at the audiovisual artwork by Christoph Bauder and Kangding Ray. After seven years of touring the world, the Skalar is back in Berlin. A unique art experience is created from space, light and sound. Be sensually overwhelmed by breathtaking effects.
When: Friday from 12pm to 11pm, Saturday from 11am to 11pm and Sunday from 11am to 10pm
Where: Köpenicker Chaussee 46, Rummelsburg
Tip 8: Listen to unconventional pieces in the concert hall
Under the direction of conductor Anja Bihlmaier, you can listen to two unconventional pieces for their time at the Konzerthaus. The first is the Concert Românesc by György Ligeti. Due to some dissonances that were considered undesirable at the time, the piece was banned immediately after it was written and only performed again decades later. The Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov then plays Mozart's Piano Concerto in G major together with the Konzerthausorchester. Finally, you can enjoy Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 8.
When: Saturday at 8pm
Where: Konzerthaus Berlin, Gendarmenmarkt 2, Mitte
Tip 9: Experience the finissage of We felt a Star Dying
Last chance to experience the spectacular soundscape We felt a Star Dying by singer, composer and producer Laure Prouvost: On Sunday, the sound artist KUKII and her partner Howie Lee will be coming to Kraftwerk Berlin. They will be celebrating an interactive musical ceremony to close the exhibition. On this evening, you will have the last opportunity to enjoy the soundscape of traditional chants and quantum AI-generated melodies. It's all about fragility, indeterminacy, interconnectivity and the big questions of humanity.
When: Sunday at 20:30
Where: Kraftwerk Berlin, Köpenicker Straße 70, Mitte
Finissage We felt a star dying
Tip 10: Get to know Germany '99 by Christoph Schlingensief
Sinking Germany - at the Neue Nationalgalerie k you can immerse yourself in the eponymous work by Christoph Schlingensief this weekend. On the occasion of an invitation to New York in 1999, Schlingensief staged highly symbolic actions with which he drew attention to the dark chapters of German history, nationalism and themes such as identity. You can get to know Schlingensief's profound, political work through donations from the estate of the artist, author, filmmaker and director, who died in 2010.
When: Friday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Where: Neue Nationalgalerie, Potsdamer Straße 50, Tiergarten
Tip 11: Discover street art and Daoism at Bodies & Walls in C-Space
Two exciting art events await you at the C-Space in Weißensee: The artist Daniel Parasaudi is creating a large-scale mural in the C-Space courtyard. His mural explores the intersection of public space, identity and visual experiments. Afterwards, Tao Haiyue & Amy and her quiet experiments invite you to Yangsheng. This ancient practice of Daoism and traditional Chinese medicine is all about promoting health and longevity. With their live music performance, the artists create an experience for the senses that combines body, mind and sound.
When: Saturday from 4 to 7 pm
Where: C-Space Berlin, Langhansstraße 86, Weißensee
