The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning colour and Berlin is slowly but surely preparing for Autumn . At the weekend, you can fill up on light again. The Festival of Lights is just around the corner - and you can marvel at the colourful light installations on foot, on the lightseeing bus tour or even from the water. There are also last chances at Cecilienhof Palace, new favourite dishes at Berlin Food Week and a trip to ancient Egypt. So there's a full programme again this weekend. Have fun with our weekend tips!
Tip: At this year's Dokumentale, from 10 to 20 October. you can expect exciting films, VR experiences and even live performances and readings.
By the way: To keep up to date with what's going on in 2024, why not subscribe to our Weekend tip newsletter for Berlin.
Tip 1: Discover new favourite dishes at Berlin Food Week
Berlin Food Week is taking place for the tenth time this weekend. And for the tenth time, everything will once again revolve around enjoyment, delicious ingredients and the gastronomy scene in the capital. A special highlight is the House of Food at Bikini Berlin. Together with three start-ups, the Initiative Milch will be showcasing just how sustainable and versatile milk already is. It's all about protein-rich quark, fermented whey with umami flavour and delicious drinks for your well-being. Come along and be surprised at what is being cooked in the capital.
By the way: Until 16. October, you can get at the True Italian Pizza Week 2024 special pizza creations with an Aperol Spritz or a non-alcoholic Crodino Spritz for just 16 euros.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
Tip 2: Take the Lightseeing bus tour to the Festival of Lights
Finally, the days are getting shorter again and we can look forward to colourfully illuminated buildings all over the city. We are of course talking about the Festival of Lights and the impressive light installations. You can get the best and most comfortable view of this on a lightseeing bus tour. For 2.5 hours, the double-decker bus takes you from sight to sight with the roof open (in good weather only, of course). Expert guides tell entertaining stories along the way and, of course, photo stops are also included. So let's go on the lightseeing bus tour!
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 7 pm
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
Tickets for the lightseeing tour
Tip 3: Visit Cecilienhof Palace before the renovation
Last chance! If you want to visit the painterly Cecilienhof Palace again, now is the right time. The building, which was constructed in the English country house style between 1913 and 1917, will close on 1 November until 2027 due to renovation work as part of the master plan for the Prussian palaces and gardens. So it's best to take a few (for now) last impressions of the palace, which blends harmoniously into the northern part of the New Garden thanks to its architecture.
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Where: Im Neuen Garten 11, Potsdam
The Playce - Your experience at Potsdamer Platz
The Playce at Potsdamer Platz is an adventure destination for young and old - right in the heart of Berlin. With Gamestate, The Upside Down and co., your visit will be a real adventure.
Tip 4: Travel to ancient Egypt at "Tutenchamum - the immersive exhibition experience"
The finding of the intact tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamum by Howard Carter in 1922 triggered a wave of enthusiasm. And even over 100 years later, the myth of the child king remains unbroken. "Tutenchamum - the immersive exhibition experience" takes you back to ancient Egypt and brings the magnificent pyramids and temples back to life. Wander through the Valley of the Kings, explore Howard Carter's expedition camp and discover Tutankhamun's treasures.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: khroma | new media art centre, Revaler Straße 99, Friedrichshain
Tip 5: Be enchanted by the Deutsches Symphonieorchester
Robin Ticciati and the Deutsches Symphonieorchester have long made a name for themselves with their performances of the works of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. This weekend, his Symphony No. 7 is on the programme. And not only this one. Cellist Gautier Capuҫon will also enchant you with a performance of Edward Elgar's Violoncello Concerto from 1919.
When: Sunday at 8pm
Where: Philharmonie Berlin, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, Tiergarten
Tip 6: Get some new reading material at Barrio | Bairro Berlín
This weekend, a first is waiting for you. The Barrio | Bairro Berlín festival is taking place for the first time and is bringing the entire world of contemporary Latin American literature to the capital. You can expect readings, panel discussions, performances, workshops and literary walks at various cultural locations in the city. More than enough opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich literature and collect new reading material for the cold days.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various cultural venues in Berlin
Tip 7: Turn night into day at Family Night Berlin
Our next tip is not a premiere, but always something new. At the Family Night, Berlin shows young and old what it has to offer after dark. Concerts, family discos, treasure hunts, adventures in nature, museum tours and many other events are guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of little night owls. Over 200 extraordinary places are taking part, and entry is even free for the most part. We would particularly recommend a visit to the Deutsche Oper. Workshops for different age groups await you here from 5pm to 11.30pm. In addition, the season opens on Sunday with the premiere of the first children's opera about Nils Holgersson's wondrous adventures.
When: Saturday
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 8: Get the weekend off to a lively start with Are you syncopated?
If you want to shake a leg at the weekend, "Are you syncopated?" is the place for you. The festival is dedicated to early jazz and swing and operates at the intersection of dance and music festival. The line-up includes renowned international bands such as the Syncopated Sisters, the Nick Rossi Swing Six from San Francisco and the Rufus Temple Orchestra. The best conditions for escaping the cold autumn weather and travelling back to the early 20th century for a few hours of music.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations in Berlin
Tip 9: Relax on a one-hour boat tour in the evening
When the sun goes down in the evening, Berlin has a very special glow. The last light shimmers on the facades of the buildings, the first night owls are already out and about on the streets and you can enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Spree. Sounds good? Then you shouldn't miss the boat tours organised by the Winkler shipping company. Because this weekend, it's not just the setting sun that's shining, but also the Festival of Lights. More romance and lightseeing is not possible.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 17:15 and 18:30
Where: Reederei Winkler, Friedrichstraße station (Am Tränenpalast), Reichstagufer 18, Mitte
Tip 10: Listen to the sounds of the flora on a plant music walk
Watch the grass grow elsewhere. Here it's all about singing plants! And in the truest sense of the word. Because with the help of electrodes on the leaves, artist and plant ambassador Cassis B. Staudt elicits wondrous sounds from them. Through photosynthesis, touch or the addition of water, the sounds change and thus serve as raw material for individual compositions. If you would like to find out more about the sonic interplay between humans and plants, you should not miss the plant music walks.
When: Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1.30pm and 4pm
Where: Oberschöneweide cemetery, extended Rathenaustraße 131a, Schöneweide
Tip 11: Fight for equality at Female Future Force Day
There is still a long way to go before we can talk about real equality. Women are still worse off in many areas of life - the gender pay gap is just one example of many. The Female Future Force Day at the bcc is all about bridging the various gaps. Together with inspiring speakers, you can draw attention to problems and develop solutions right away. Because equality is manual labour and it's easier to fight together than alone!
When: Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: bcc Berlin Congress Center, Alexanderstraße 11, Mitte
