Whether it's rain, snow or winter sun, February 2026 will give the city a fresh new look with its colourful programme of events. The 76th Berlinale will be hitting Berlin's cinemas with Wim Wenders as jury president, Valentine's Day will bring us some romantic highlights, and Fashion Week will showcase the hottest fashion trends on the catwalks.
Tip 1: Get ready for the 76th Berlinale
For cinema fans from all over the world, February in Berlin is best known as Berlinale month. From 12 to 22 February, an international audience will flock to the city's cinemas for the 76th time. Embedded in a colourful supporting programme, more than 200 feature films and documentaries will flicker across the screens during the eleven days of the Berlinale 2026. There will be many premieres , especially during the first few days of the festival, so it's best to get your tickets early. And for fans of alternative cinema, there's a special highlight this year again: at Berlinale Goes Kiez , you can experience selected films the festival in Berlin art-house cinemas.
When: 12 to 22 February
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 2: Spend Valentine's Day in Berlin
The city shows its most romantic side on 14 February. Start the day with a leisurely breakfast in one of Berlin's many brunch spots, take a romantic stroll through the zoo or Charlottenburg Palace Park, and end the day with a candlelit dinner. But Berlin also has a colourful range of activities to offer beyond the classic dating activities. Classical music, creative craft dates or stargazing together in the planetarium – the possibilities in Berlin are endless!
When: 14 February
Where: Locations throughout Berlin
Tip 3: Get closer at the Ode to Joy
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is also getting in on the Berlin romance: on Valentine's Day, Berlin violinist Iskandar Widjaja will present his concert evening Ode to Joy – Melodies for Valentine's. The heart-warming music programme ranges from Vivaldi and Beethoven to modern love songs by Queen and Whitney Houston. The soloist will be accompanied by piano and string quartet – and will also perform some of his own works. With a glass of Prosecco in the foyer of the Philharmonie, you can end the evening after the concert just as romantically as it began!
When: 14 February at 8 p.m.
Where: Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, Herbert-Von-Karajan-Straße 1, Tiergarten
PALAZZO combines breathtaking acrobatics, heartfelt comedy and exciting live music with a delicious four-course menu. Experience culinary delights & joyful moments in the unique atmosphere of our nostalgic spiegeltent. Only until March 2026.
Tip 4: Descend into the Hohenzollern crypt beneath Berlin Cathedral
The Hohenzollern Crypt in Berlin Cathedral is one of the most important royal burial sites in Europe. The crypt houses more than ninety, in some cases extremely magnificent, sarcophagi of Prussian rulers, including the huge sarcophagus of the "Great Elector" from the Baroque period, weighing many tonnes and made entirely of Silesian marble. Following extensive renovation and redesign in recent years, Berlin Cathedral invites you all to an open day on 28 February: one day before the grand reopening, you will have free access to the newly restored crypt.
When: 28 February 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Berlin Cathedral, Am Lustgarten, Mitte
Tip 5: Celebrate Berlin Fashion Week
Established Berlin fashion labels present their designs side by side with alternative young designers – Berlin Fashion Week is known for this colourful mix. Until 2 February, the fashion world has the city firmly in its grip and provides its audience with numerous exciting events. Take a seat and enjoy fashion shows at alternative locations throughout Berlin, celebrate at glittering after-show parties or take part in one of the side events. Particularly exciting: the think tanks on important topics such as sustainable fashion or the many art performances that you will find in the official Fashion Week programme.
When: From 20 January to 2 February
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 6: Be enchanted at the CINEMA OF DREAMS
Colourful lights, rousing sounds, spectacular acrobatics – and all on ice skates. Holiday On Ice is back in Berlin and will be causing a sensation from 20 February with its new show CINEMA OF DREAMS . This production is about courage, friendship and big dreams. Thirty-seven international figure skaters glide across the ice and enchant you with fabulous costumes and impressive physical artistry. The story of this next Holiday on Ice chapter is inspired by various famous Hollywood blockbusters – the perfect ice spectacle to accompany the Berlinale!
When: From 20 February
Where: Tempodrom, Möckernstraße 10, Kreuzberg
Tip 7: Visit Gebaute Gemeinschaft (Built Community) at the James Simon Gallery
In February, the special exhibition Gebaute Gemeinschaft (Built Community ) opens at the James Simon Gallery, taking a look at the history of human settlement. Long before Stonehenge was built, former hunter-gatherer cultures in what is now Turkey created monumental structures. In Göbeklitepe , archaeologists are still amazed by the symbolism of the larger-than-life statues, and in other places, too, the architecture and sculptures remain a mystery to this day. You can expect fascinating insights into the period of upheaval in human history 12,000 years ago.
When: From 6 February, Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: James Simon Gallery, Bodestraße 1-3, Mitte
Tip 8: Caress the bumblebees with Max Raabe & Palast Orchester
Max Raabe and his Palast Orchester return to the Admiralspalast with their programme Hummeln streicheln (Stroking the Bumblebees). With tailcoats, slicked-back hair and clever wordplay, they combine the sound of dance orchestras of yesteryear with modern lyrics and a humorous twinkle in their eyes. The music group has been filling Berlin's concert halls with this recipe since the 1980s. As one of the last great entertainment venues from the 1920s, the Admiralspalast offers the perfect stage again this February. Look forward to nostalgia, humour and music that tells stories of both yesterday and today.
When: From 10 to 22 February
Where: Admiralspalast, Friedrichstraße 101, Mitte
Tip 9: See Mexico through Graciela Iturbide's eyes
On 7 February, C/O Berlin will launch the retrospective Eyes To Fly With about one of Mexico's most important photographers. Now 83 years old, Graciela Iturbide has spent her life documenting the culture and people of her country. Her pictures tell the stories of those people who are often overlooked in our world today. For example, she documents the Zapotec communities, where women often hold positions of power. Iturbide also went on an intimate search for clues in Frida Kahlo's former home. Look forward to the photographs of a unique artist!
When: From 7 February, daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: C/O Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 22-24, Charlottenburg
Tip 10: Experience 26 spoken word artists at Wortsport at GRIPS
Wortsport 26 is bringing a festival of contemporary spoken word art to the GRIPS Theatre for the first time in February. From 20 to 22 February, spoken word, poetry slam, rap, storytelling and performative language formats will take to the stage. The programme combines live performances with workshops and discussion formats, bringing together established artists with a new generation of language creators. Special attention is given to fifteen young talents of the new generation: all of them were born after 2000 and demonstrate how diverse and political language can be used today.
When: 20 to 22 February
Where: GRIPS Theatre: GRIPS Podewil, Klosterstraße 68, Mitte
Tip 11: Devote yourself to the beginning of music
What does it actually mean to start a project? And how do you begin making music? These questions will be addressed in February at the Vom Anfangen festival at the Konzerthaus Berlin. Together with the city's independent scene, the festival spans a range from baroque to pop and illuminates new beginnings in music from a variety of perspectives. On 14 February, you can attend the opening concert in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus . The programme includes major works such as Mahler's 4th Symphony as well as contemporary pieces by German-Iranian composer Cymin Samawatie.
When: From 14 February
Where: Konzerthaus Berlin, Gendarmenmarkt 2, Mitte
You can find more tips for February and the rest of the year in the event calendar.
