July is here - and with it, time for open air-events, festivals, long nights and summer holiday offers. Listen to classical music under the stars at Gendarmenmarkt, celebrate at Christopher Street Day and catch exclusive Pokémons at the kick-off of the Pokémon Go Festival world tour. As part of the Cultural Summer Festival, many, many organisers in the city invite you to celebrate outdoors from mid-June to September - from the Frog Concert of the Floating University to the Classic Open Air on Bebelplatz: The summer month in Berlin are packed this time and will lure you outdoors with numerous events. Let us surprise you.
Tip: At the festival Tresor 31: Techno, Berlin und die große Freiheit you will not only dive into the history of the Berlin techno scene, but also celebrate and experience the musical development over the past three decades in numerous club nights and concerts. It all starts on July 8 at the Kraftwerk!
Tip 1: Christopher Street Day
"Against hate, war and discrimination" is the motto of this year's Christopher Street Day (CSD). The meeting point is at 11.30 a.m., the demo will set off from 12 p.m. towards Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate, past Potsdamer Platz, Bülowstraße, Nollendorfplatz and Lützowplatz to the Victory Column, and via Straße des 17. Juni on to the Brandenburg Gate for pedestrians. The end point for vehicles is Yitzhak-Rabin-Straße.
Tip: Around the CSD, the Berlin Rainbow Fund and others also invite you to set a sign for diversity and celebrate diversity. For example, at the Lesbian and Gay City Festival on 16 and 17 July or at the CSD on the Spree on 21 July.
When: 23 July from 11.30 a.m., the parade starts at 12 p.m.
Where: Start zone Leipziger Straße | Axel-Springer-Straße, end Straße des 17. Juni | Brandenburger Tor
Tip 2: Premium Group & The Ground
The Premium Group celebrates the reunion of the fashion industry with new formats. For three days, a colourful programme full of fashion, lifestyle, culture and lots of music awaits you at the fairgrounds. In addition to the Trade Show itself, this time a lively festival format will attract visitors with The Ground. Discover new, innovative brands, discuss the future of the fashion industry, shop at the vintage market and wear your new outfits at the parties and DJ sets on site!
When: 7 to 9 July
Where: Messe Berlin, Main North Entrance, Hammarskjöldplatz, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Long Night of the Sciences
Until midnight you can experience exciting experiments and listen to interesting lectures at the Long Night of Science. Take a look behind the scenes at Berlin's most renowned science institutions, research institutes, universities and the Futurium and awaken the scientist in you!
When: 2 July
Where: Various locations in Berlin
Tip 4: Kreuzberg Festival (formerly Bergmanstraßenfest)
Two stages, one on Mehringdamm, one on Katzbachstraße, lots of traders and presumably even more guests: that's what you can expect at the Kreuzberg Festival, which can finally take place again this year. Numerous other festivals are also celebrating their big comeback this year, such as:
- Afro Beats on 9 and 10 July at the Hoppegarten racecourse.
- Pure & Crafted Festival on 1 July in the IFA Summer Garden at Messedamm 22)
- Kenako Africa Festival from 1 to 11 July
- Komische Oper Festival from 1 to 10 July
- Berliner Volksfestsommer from 17 June to 31 July
- Tegel Harbour Festival from 14 to 17 July
- There's sure to be just the right festival for you!
When: 1 to 3 July
Where: Kreuzbergstraße between Katzbachstraße and Mehringdamm
Tip 5: Berlin laughs!
After a two-year break from Corona, Alexanderplatz will once again be transformed into an open-air stage for 16 days in July. Traditionally, artists from all over the world come to the street theatre festival Berlin lacht! and make the audience laugh and marvel. Look forward to acrobatics, music, acting, magic, clowning, pantomime, puppet shows and fireworks. Food trucks, a beer garden and community clean up events complete the programme.
When: 16 to 31 July
Where: Alexanderplatz, Mitte
Tip 6: Botanical night
On Botanical Night, the Botanical Garden in Steglitz is transformed into a magical world of lights. Walk along enchanted paths through eight natural worlds and meet fairies and fantastic creatures from the animal and insect world, experience magical moments with lots of music and drum rolls.
Tip: The Britzer Garten also invites you to a garden night (Gartennacht) on 30 July.
When: 15 and 16 July
Where: Botanical Garden
Tip 7: Pokémon GO!-Festival & Berlin Brettspiel Con
Pokémon fans will get their money's worth at the big festival in the Britzer Garten. Autograph sessions, exclusive habitats, over 70 Pokémons, giveaways and much more await you at the kick-off of the world tour for the Pokémon GO festival in Berlin! Discover the Britzer Garten through the eyes of a Pokémon trainer, catch new, exclusive pocket monsters and take part in special swaps and battles against other trainers in the on-site arenas.
When: 1 to 3 July
Where: Britzer Garten
Tip: If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, you can try out the latest games at the Brettspiel Con from 15 to 17 June at Station Berlin.
Tip 8: UdK tour
If you want to see what Berlin's young creative talents are working on, then drop by the Open Day at the University of the Arts. For three days at the end of the academic year, the workshops, studios and rehearsal rooms of the faculties are open. You can take a tour and see the latest works and, of course, talk directly to the young artists.
When: 23 and 24 July
Where: Hardenbergstraße 33, Charlottenburg and other locations
Tip 9: Podfest Berlin
There's a lot to listen to at Podfest Berlin. Be there when your favourite podcast is recorded live on site, take part in workshops and learn everything about this exciting medium. Exchange ideas with other podcast fans and, of course, with real Berlin podcasters.
When: 16 and 17 July
Where: Noisy Rooms @ House of Music, Revaler Straße, Friedrichshain
Tip 10: Classic Open Air at Gendarmenmarkt
Music will be heard on five evenings at Gendarmenmarkt this summer. On the opening evening with a grand fireworks finale, you'll hear classical, pop and evergreens. On Friday, opera hits from Verdi to Bizet will continue, and the classical highlights on Saturday will be staged with light and fire. On Sunday Howard Carpendale will sing and on Monday there will be swing. It's best to secure your tickets quickly!
When: 7 to 11 July
Where: Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte
Tip 11: Tips for sports fans
No matter whether you like running, skating or cycling. Berlin has something to offer all athletes in July. You can be at your best at these races.
At VeloCity - The Power of Berlin, participants will pedal hard. Distances of up to 90 kilometres will be covered across the city.
When: 2 and 3 July
Where: Start and finish on the Straße des 17. Juni between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate.
The Obstacle City Run challenges the running teams with some very special obstacles. You can't be squeamish or even afraid of water here!
When: 9 July
Where: Olympic Park
For the adidas Runners City Night, all runners and inline skaters are invited to celebrate their sport on a five or ten kilometre course at Berlin's fastest night.
When: 30 July
Where: Kurfürstendamm, finish line City West
You can find even more tips for events in July in our events calendar.
