No more hibernation: in January, the new year is as varied as we are used to in Berlin. Exciting exhibitions are starting in the museums, the circus arts and horse shows in the arenas will be hot, and world-class sport will be on offer: For the first time in its history, the NBA is organising a match in Berlin. And for those who like it even faster, there's the six-day race.
Tip 1: Let yourself be surprised at the International Green Week
In January, the International Green Week returns to the exhibition centre to celebrate its centenary. Since 1926, this traditional agricultural trade fair has brought together expertise from the fields of agriculture, horticulture, cuisine and sustainability in Berlin. Over the ten days of the exhibition, you can view stands from 1,400 exhibitors and find out about exciting new topics, from species-appropriate animal husbandry to sustainable agriculture. You can also look forward to delicious treats straight from the producers on the culinary world tour or in the German speciality landscape. January 2026 will be green!
When: From 16 to 25 January from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Where: Berlin ExpoCenter City, Messedamm 22, Westend
Tip 2: Cheer on the NBA in the Uber Arena
The time has come in mid-January: for the first time in the history of basketball, a regular game of the US professional league NBA will take place in Berlin. And it's not just the venue that connects this unique sporting event with the city. Before their rise in US basketball, brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner played for the ALBA-Berlin club. Now they are fighting for victory with the Orlando Magic against the Memphis Grizzlies from Tennessee. Whatever the outcome of this match, it is guaranteed to make Berlin sporting history.
When: On 15 January at 8 pm
Where: Uber Arena, Uber-Platz 1, Friedrichshain
Tip 3: Float in music heaven with the Czech Symphony Orchestra
At the Konzerthaus Berlin, you can experience two monumental works of music history in one evening. Under the direction of Martin Pešík, the Czech Symphony Orchestra Prague and the Coro di Praga will first bring Carl Orff's choral work Carmina Burana to the stage. This will be followed by Beethoven's 9th Symphony - a masterpiece that will catapult you into the New Year.
When: On 2 and 3 January at 8 pm each night
Where: Konzerthaus Berlin, Am Gendarmenmarkt 2, Mitte
Carmina Burana & Beethoven's Ninth
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: Marvel at modern circus art with PLAY at the Chameleon Theatre
The new year begins with contemporary circus at the Chameleon Theatre. The third edition of PLAY invites you to a four-week series of guest performances and shows you how political, poetic and surprising modern circus art can be. Nine international companies present performances of dance and acrobatics - completely without words and yet in direct dialogue with the audience. Talks and encounters after the performances complete the programme. You can expect a poetic journey of discovery that will conjure up plenty of inspiration in wintry Berlin.
When: From 22 January at various times
Where: Chameleon Theatre in the Hackesche Höfe, Rosenthaler Straße 40-41, Mitte
Tip 5: Experience the Gemäldegalerie from a fashion perspective
At the end of January, the Gemäldegalerie will be hosting an exhibition that couldn't be better suited to Berlin: Gallery Looks shows the latest fashion trends alongside the Old Masters: between masterpieces of art history , photos and videos of current fashion trends draw attention to fashion parallels and thus show the continuities of style. You can expect stagings by well-known designers and atmospheric shoots created especially in the museum halls. Look forward to a successful dialogue between art history and the present.
When: From 30 January daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed on Mondays)
Where: Picture Gallery, Johanna and Eduard Arnhold Platz, Tiergarten
Tip 6: Join in the excitement at the Sixdays Weekend
Only the Berlin Velodrom is this fast-paced: here you can say goodbye to the first month of the year on 30 and 31 January with the Original Sixdays Weekend 2026 . The international elite of track cycling will race across the steepest track in Berlin. Olympic champions, world champions and newcomers will compete in thrilling duels for two evenings. There will also be DJ sounds, light shows and real Berlin classics such as currywurst and cold beer. A cult event with history and speed!
When: On 30 and 31 January from 6 pm
Where: Velodrom, Paul-Heyse-Straße 26, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 7: Celebrate the 30th birthday of Tanztage Berlin
Tanztage Berlin is celebrating its 30th anniversary : From 8 to 24 January, this year's edition of the international dance festival will bring modern choreographies and performances to the stage. Ten works, including seven premieres, will showcase the vitality and courage of Berlin's up-and-coming dance talent. Thematically, this year's focus is on independent artistic work. Workshops, talks and discussion formats complement the programme and offer you exciting insights into the reality of life for independent artists.
When: From 8 to 24 January
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 8: Experience horse-powered entertainment at CAVALLUNA
At CAVALLUNA, the biggest stars have four legs and kick up a storm in the ring of the Uber Arena. Europe's biggest horse show is coming to Berlin on 17 and 18 January with its new production Tor zur Anderswelt . The lavishly staged show combines a fairytale fantasy story about the seer Meerin with high-calibre horsemanship, dance and music. More than 50 horses - including Lusitanos, Friesians and miniature ponies - take to the stage and excel in disciplines such as liberty dressage and trick riding. A magical spectacle for horse fans of all ages.
When: On 17 and 18 January at 2 pm
Where: Uber Arena, Uber-Platz 1, Friedrichshain
Tickets
Tip 9: Get to know the art form of paper cutting
If you've ever used scissors to make Christmas paper stars, you're already pretty familiar with the art technique of paper cutting. You can gain deeper insights from 23 January at the Kupferstichkabinett in the exhibition Scissors Style Paper . In posters, illustrations, typographies, digital and moving image works, students of the Lette Verein respond to the historical silhouettes of artist Johanna Beckmann and explore the contemporary design potential of this technique. Clear forms, strong contrasts and lots of imagination meet modern graphic ideas.
When: From 23 January, Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Where: Kupferstichkabinett, Johanna and Eduard Arnhold Platz, Tiergarten
Tip 10: Visit the Gothic Culture Festival in the former silent film cinema
Where silent films once flickered, an exciting space for fans of dark contemporary culture will be created on 16 and 17 January. Dark Days Berlin will transform the historic Delphitheatre into a meeting place for gothic culture. For two days, you can celebrate this special scene with electronic experiments, poetry, readings and music. After a black humour reading, Neopera and Motel Transylvania will provide you with impressive live moments on Friday. Saturday continues with an electronic choir experience and experimental performances. Dark Days offers a meeting place for all those looking forward to a dark January.
When: On 16 January from 17:30 and on 17 January from 14:00
Where: Theatre im Delphi, Gustav-Adolf-Straße 2, Weißensee
Tip 11: Dedicate yourselves to digital art at Transmediale 2026
Transmediale is one of the world's most important festivals at the interface of art and digital culture. This year, it will once again bring together unique perspectives on the digital age from 29 January. Under the title By the Mango Belt & Tamarind Road, you can visit exhibitions, performances, films and talks that illuminate digital systems from a global perspective. The programme analyses globalisation as a network of interconnected technologies, power relations and rhythms.
When: From 29 January
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Transmediale 2026
You can find even more tips for January and the year 2026 in the calendar of events. also take a look at the annual highlights in Berlin 2026/2027.
