The summer months in Berlin are packed to the brim with open-air festivals, dance nights, summer fairs, sporting events and huge street parades. It’s hard to choose what to do this weekend too – but we’re here to help! Here are the events we’ve put together for you:
Tip 1: Lollapalooza 2026
Top international acts, art, food and family entertainment make Lollapalooza one of Berlin’s biggest music festivals. With Lorde, Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull, several international superstars will be taking to the stage in 2026. You can also look forward to art installations, street food, the ‘Grüner Kiez’ and plenty of hands-on activities in the Olympiapark.
When: Saturday, 11 am – 1 am; Sunday, 11 am – midnight
Where: Olympic Stadium & Olympic Park, Berlin
Tip 2: “Hold on a moment.” The Young Bauhaus Festival
What does a good break look like? The“Moment Mal”festival at the Temporary Bauhaus Archive explores this question. The opening highlights include choral performances by the Pausenensemble and Jassa, as well as the installation “Young Bauhaus Monument”. Alongside these, workshops, film screenings and artists invite visitors to rethink the theme of “the break” – with free admission.
When: Friday, 5 pm – 9 pm; Saturday, 2 pm – midnight; Sunday, 1 pm – 4 pm
Where: Temporary Bauhaus Archive, Knesebeckstraße 1, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Lesbian and Gay City Festival
Europe’s biggest queer city festival is celebrating diversity around Nollendorfplatz for the 32nd time. This year’s theme:‘Equal Rights for Unequal People – Worldwide’. The highlight is the political talk show“Das wilde Sofa”featuring prominent guests from the worlds of politics and culture. You can also look forward to live music, street food and six themed zones. Entry is free.
When: Saturday, 11.00–24.00; Sunday, 11.00–22.00
Where: Around Nollendorfplatz, Schöneberg
Tip 4: ‘Ring frei für die IBA’ exhibition
With the launch exhibition “Ring frei für die IBA”(Let the IBA begin), Berlin is getting an early start on preparations and dialogue for the major International Building Exhibition 2034–37. The exhibition at the Alte Feuerwache at Tempelhof Airport is a highlight: it brings Berlin’s history of international building exhibitions to life and showcases visionary ideas for the climate-resilient city of tomorrow.
When: Friday–Sunday, 11 am–7 pm
Where: Alte Feuerwache in the THF TOWER, Tempelhofer Damm 45, Tempelhof
Tip 5: A boat trip along the Spree to Müggelsee
Out of the city and into the countryside… or rather, out onto the water: this boat trip, lasting around three hours, takes you from Treptower Park via the old town of Köpenick to the Großer Müggelsee. The highlight is, of course, the crossing of Berlin’s largest lake, with views of the Müggelturm and the wooded shores – all enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere from the water.
When: Friday to Sunday at 11 am & 3 pm
Where: Treptow Harbour, jetty at Puschkinallee 15, 12435 Berlin
Tip 6: Sports Day at Hoppegarten
Sports Race Day combines top-class horse racing with a major family and sports festival. Alongside eight thrilling horse races, sports clubs from Berlin and Brandenburg will be showcasing their activities with hands-on events and autograph sessions. The highlight is the traditional Fürstenberg Race, in which the horses start right in front of the grandstands – a spectacular moment for all visitors.
When: Sunday, 11.15 am
Where: Hoppegarten Racecourse, Goetheallee 1, Hoppegarten
Tip 7: Forecast Festival
Forecast is a platform that has been dedicated since 2015 to supporting, mentoring and promoting pioneering creative practices by bold artists. At the festival this weekend, you ’ll see new artistic ideas take shape: six prominent mentors, their 18 international nominees, Forecast alumni and Berliners are working together on this in the cool premises of the Radialsystem. What makes it special is that unfinished work is also deliberately showcased.
When: Friday, 7 pm–11 pm; Saturday, 3 pm (children’s workshop) and 5 pm–11 pm; Sunday from 2 pm
Where: Radialsystem, Holzmarktstraße 33, Friedrichshain
Tip 8: Shakespeare’s *The Comedy of Errors*
The Shakespeare Company Berlin is staging William Shakespeare’s famous and whirlwind comedy of mistaken identity at the Theater am Insulaner. The highlight is the two sets of identical twins, whose farcical mix-ups provide slapstick, wordplay and plenty of situational comedy – an entertaining summer’s evening under the open sky.
When: Friday & Saturday, 8 pm
Where: Theater am Insulaner, Munsterdamm 80, Steglitz
The Comedy of Errors
Tip 9: THF Tower – Rooftop Terrace & Exhibition
The THF Tower on Tempelhofer Feld invites you to take a journey through Berlin’s history and treats you to an extraordinary view: head up to the wood-panelled roof terrace high above the former Tempelhof Airport – with panoramic views over Tempelhofer Feld and the city. The ticket also includes admission to the exhibition‘Lufthansa. Berlin-Tempelhof 1926–1945’, which sheds light on the fascinating history of the airport and aviation.
When: Thursday & Friday, 10 am – 5 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm
Where: THF Tower, Tempelhofer Damm 45, Tempelhof
Tip 10: THE DARK ROOMS: VEINS
Over three weekends, a secret cinema complex in Berlin is transformed into an immersive world of light and sound. The highlights are ten international installations set within hidden tunnels, projection rooms and dark chambers. The venue remains a secret until 48 hours before your visit – making a tour of the former cinema complex a truly special experience.
When: Friday, 3 pm–11 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–11 pm
Where: Secret venue in Berlin (address revealed 48 hours before your visit)
Tip 11: Arts and Crafts Market at Potsdamer Platz
This Saturday’s Art and Creative Market is part of Creative Summer at Potsdamer Platz and is the perfect place to browse and discover new things. The highlight is around 20 curated stalls where Berlin-based artists and designers are showcasing art prints, jewellery, accessories and handmade products. Do take the opportunity to have a chat with the artists at the stalls. Entry is free.
When: Saturday, 12 noon – 8 pm
Where: Alte Potsdamer Straße, Potsdamer Platz, Mitte
Art and Creative Market
Here you’ll find even more great tips for events in Berlin – whatever the weather.
