As well as many public holidays such as Ascension Day and Pentecost, the lovely month of May has some of the best events of the whole year in store for you. After a lively celebration to welcome in May, you can discover art at Gallery Weekend, be enchanted by the Berlin Theatertreffen, and look forward to other festivals such as the Carnival of Cultures or re:publica.
Tip 1: Experience Berlin’s diversity at the Carnival of Cultures
The Carnival of Cultures promises a weekend full of colour, music and exuberant joie de vivre. Around Blücherplatz, the street festival buzzes with international street food stalls, live stages and performances.
The highlight is the grand parade on 24 May along Frankfurter Allee and Karl-Marx-Allee, where thousands of performers, dancers and musicians celebrate Berlin’s cultural diversity. Clubs and international organisations are also taking part. Look forward to elaborate costumes and rhythms from all over the world – from Brazilian samba groups to African drum ensembles. At the Carnival of Cultures, you’ll experience all of Berlin’s diversity over the Whitsun weekend !
When: 22 to 25 May 2026
Parade on 24 May along Frankfurter Allee / Karl-Marx-Allee, Friedrichshain
Where: Festival at Blücherplatz, Kreuzberg
Tip 2: Discover “Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism” at the Alte Nationalgalerie
Sunlight dances across the canvases, grass and trees seem to sway gently in the summer breeze. If you’re looking for an inspiring art experience in May, don’t miss the exhibition“Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism” at the Alte Nationalgalerie. Here you can immerse yourself in the fascinating story of the art dealer Paul Cassirer, who left a lasting mark on Berlin’s art scene. With impressive passion and a keen sense for avant-garde movements, Cassirer brought French Impressionism to Germany and made artists such as Monet, Renoir and van Gogh accessible to a wider audience for the first time.
Through more than 100 outstanding works, the exhibition demonstrates just how profound Cassirer’s influence was. Works by Max Liebermann, Lovis Corinth and Edvard Munch offer exciting insights into a period of artistic upheaval.
Tip: If you’re interested in art and high culture, International Museum Day on 17 May 2026 is the perfect opportunity to explore many of Berlin’s museums with free or reduced admission.
When: 22 May to 27 September
Where: Alte Nationalgalerie, Bodestraße 1, Mitte
Tip 3: Gallery Weekend – Discover international art in the galleries
Thousands of people flock to Berlin for Gallery Weekend year after year. No wonder: you don’t normally get this close to the artists. This time, 57 galleries and exhibition spaces are opening their doors to show you what’s currently happening in the art world. In addition to the exhibitions, some galleries are offering an exciting programme.
Look forward to openings, music, artist talks, live performances and interventions. In keeping with the warmer evenings, all participating galleries are open until late, so you can stroll relaxed from gallery to gallery through the city and let yourself be inspired. It’s best to make a little plan beforehand and think about which studio visits or curated tours you definitely shouldn’t miss.
In our Berlin Unboxed podcast episode ‘Berlin in May’, we give you a few great tips. Why not have a listen right now!
paper positions Berlin
Art enthusiasts can also look forward to paper positions Berlin, taking place at the former Tempelhof Airport. Marvel at the diversity that paper as a material offers – from classic paper techniques such as paper cuts and drawings to experimental new approaches that barely reveal paper as their foundation.
When: 1–3 May (Gallery Weekend), 30 April–3 May (paper positions)
Where: Various locations across Berlin
Celebrate our spectacular May fire, opening from 4 p.m. in the backjard of the Kulturbrauerei and enjoy the sounds of life musik close to our fireplace. Complete the night, clubbing in a viariety of clubs with 9 different floors at the area of Kulturbrauerei starting at 10p.m.
Tip 4: State Opera for All – Enjoy grand opera under the open sky
Pack a blanket and a tasty picnic and listen to the Staatskapelle, conducted by General Music Director Christian Thielemann, in the open air on Bebelplatz. The “State Opera for All” is a very special cultural highlight in Berlin every year and officially heralds the start of the open-air season.
This year’s programme kicks off on Saturday at 6 pm with a live broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco. On Sunday from 11.30 am, you can hear the State Opera Children’s Orchestra and the Youth Choir of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. From 1 pm, the Staatskapelle Berlin will perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 and the Overture to Egmont. Admission is free and it gets very busy, so it’s worth arriving early to secure a spot.
Tip: The concert with Christian Thielemann will be streamed live on staatsoper-berlin.de and broadcast on rbb television on the evening of 22 June at 10 pm.
When: 23 and 24 May 2026
Where: Bebelplatz, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Mitte
Tip 5: Enjoy great performing arts at the Berlin Theatertreffen 2026
For theatre fans, the Berlin Theatertreffen is a must-attend event. Every May, ten productions from German-speaking countries are invited to Berlin to be performed, reviewed, discussed and placed in the context of the times. Just how popular the festival is can be seen from the number of entries: 600 productions apply each year, but only ten make it to Berlin.
Alongside the performances, a varied supporting programmeawaits you, featuring talks, readings and panel discussions. During the ‘Nachtgespräche’ (night-time talks), those involved in the ten selected productions will offer insights into their work and discuss social and artistic issues with you.
Another tip for theatre lovers: Luftschloss, the Atze Musiktheater’s open-air summer stage on Tempelhofer Feld, kicks off its season on 14 May 2026. As well as theatre, the programme also features concerts and dance events.
When: 1 to 17 May 2026, 30 May to 6 June 2026 (Youth Theatre Festival)
Where: Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Schaperstraße 24, Charlottenburg
Tip 6: re:publica 2026 – Discussing the digital society of tomorrow
Never gonna give you up: That’s the theme of this year’s re:publica 2026. Because in times when algorithms influence our opinions and war and crises dominate everyday life, nothing is more important than being there for one another. At this festival for digital society, countless experts from business, politics and society will discuss how we can achieve this together.
You can join in live and take part in the discussions at the numerous panels, talks and events. Just as popular is the supporting programme, where you can learn about current topics in digitalisation through installations, art performances, stands and exhibitions. Alongside the programme, there are plenty of interactive formats, workshops and, of course, networking opportunities.
When: 18 to 20 May
Where: Station Berlin, Luckenwalder Straße 4–6, Kreuzberg
Tip 7: Discover creative innovations at Berlin Design Week
A whole week dedicated to design – at Berlin Design Week 2026, the industry’s creative minds come together to showcase what design can achieve. And you’ll be right in the thick of it. Across the various exhibitions, studios and pop-up spaces, you can explore materials, technologies and trends , and learn first-hand what makes for good design through personal conversations. Particularly exciting: many formats invite you to get involved.
For fans of digital design and animation, we have a special tip: the Pictoplasma Festival from 7 to 10 May at Silent Green focuses on film and character design.
When: 28 to 31 May
Where: Various locations across Berlin
Tip 8: Celebrate the royal vegetable at the Asparagus Festival in the Akazienkiez
The Akazienkiez in Schöneberg is worth a visit all year round. But in May, it’s doubly worth it. That’s when the traditional Primavera Asparagus Festival is celebrated here. Every year, this popular street festival draws thousands of people to the market stalls and attractions. 130 market stalls line Akazienstraße, tempting visitors with regional specialities, fresh asparagus and other fresh produce straight from the farm.
Music lovers are invited to the Apostel-Paulus-Kirche for a varied programme of music. During the festival weekend, many of the local shops are also open on Sundays. Children are, of course, welcome and can enjoy face painting or joint craft activities with the Bärlin Biker Crew .
When: 9 and 10 May 2026
Where: Akazienstraße and Belziger Straße, Schöneberg
Tip 9: Berlin for sports fans – from Formula E to the DFB Cup Final
At the Formula E race, you’ll experience next-generation motorsport. On the site of the former Tempelhof Airport, electric racing cars will battle it out in spectacular duels. A unique experience for fans of motorsport, technology and speed. Alongside the races, there’s a supporting programme featuring entertainment, street food and insights into the future of mobility.
Football fans can experience the annual highlight of the football season at the DFB Cup Final on 23 May at the Olympic Stadium.
When: 2 & 3 May
Where: Tempelhof Airport
Tip 10: Discover an entire continent at Berlin’s European Weeks
May is all about Europe. This month, Berlin is hosting countless events on Europe and the European Union, including book launches at the Rotes Rathaus, quiz nights at the Kulturbrauerei and, of course, the spectacular illumination of the Brandenburg Gate. Come along, join in the discussion and get to know other countries. Naturally, you can also chat with politicians and discuss together what makes Europe special. A varied programme awaits you, particularly around Europe Day on 9 May.
When: 30 April to 31 May
Where: Various locations across Berlin
Tip 11: Dance the night away into May
The night of 30 April to 1 May ranks among the top special nights. And rightly so. Winter is finally well and truly over (even at night) and we can celebrate and dance outdoors again. In Berlin, of course. The capital’s clubs and party venues invite you to hit the dance floor and celebrate May in style. But it’s not just party-goers who get their money’s worth on Walpurgis Night. Even if you’d rather take it a bit easier, Berlin has something to offer you.
- Concert and May Day Dance with Terra Brasilis & Guests in the theatre hall of the Ufa-Fabrik
- A Wide Open Walpurgis Night
- May Day Dance at Ballhaus Weding
- May Day celebrations in Hellersdorf, 30 April to 3 May at Alice-Salomon-Platz
- Witches on Walpurgis Night in Berlin
Where: Various events across Berlin
When: The night of 30 April to 1 May
And of course, 1 May itself is celebrated all over the city:
You can find even more events in May in the daily tips section of our events calendar.
