The days are getting shorter and the nights longer. Autumn is just round the corner. And, fortunately, this year it has once again brought with it plenty of festivals, premieres and exhibitions. To help you enjoy this season to the full, whatever the weather, we’ve put together our top 11 events for autumn 2026.
Tip 1: The Festival of Lights lights up Berlin
As it gets dark earlier again, Berlin begins to glow. Just like every autumn, this year’s Festival of Lights will once more bathe the city in colourful light. Under the theme ‘Colours of Love’, you’ll experience spectacular light art and video installations that make Berlin’s most famous landmarks glow. Make the most of the balmy October evenings with a stroll through the city, enjoy the magic of the projections and let yourself be enchanted by the music, light and atmosphere.
A real highlight is this year’s Festival of Lights IN CONCERT at Berlin Cathedral. Among others, DJs such as Westbam, Anja Schneider and Chris Bekker will be providing the soundtrack to the dazzling projections.
You can discover the most beautiful light displays in complete comfort on numerous tours and boat trips.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026
Where: various locations throughout Berlin
Tip 2: Celebrate freedom at Berlin Freedom Week
Celebrate freedom, shape democracy, envision the future: During Berlin Freedom Week from 7 to 14 November 2026, Berlin will once again become a stage for bold ideas, passionate voices and global visions. You can look forward to workshops, cultural events and interactive sessions – all taking place in venues that tell their own stories. Whether you’re interested in human rights, political change or social cohesion: this week is for everyone who wants to make a difference. Be inspired – and get involved yourself!
An absolute highlight of the week is the Berlin Freedom Conference on 10 November 2025. This is where thought leaders from politics, business, education, the media, culture and civil society come together to share ideas, build networks and actively help shape the global shift towards greater democracy.
When: 7 to 14 November 2026, depending on the event
Where: Various locations in Berlin
Tip 3: Abstraction as a form of resistance? The other side of German art in the 1930s
With the exhibition ‘Abstraction as Resistance? The Other German Art of the 1930s’, the Neue Nationalgalerie is exploring a dark chapter in German history this autumn. In autumn 2026, the Neue Nationalgalerie will be focusing on abstract art during the Nazi era.
Conceived by Florian Illies in collaboration with curator Maike Steinkamp, the exhibition focuses on those artists who continued to develop their non-representational art despite repression and pioneered new forms of expression. Works by Willi Baumeister, Hannah Höch, Alexej von Jawlensky and other artists highlight just how diverse the art of those years was – and how these works shaped subsequent generations.
When: 30 October 2026 to 31 January 2027
Where: Neue Nationalgalerie, Potsdamer Straße 50, Tiergarten
In conversation with SPIEGEL journalist and moderator Markus Feldenkirchen, former German President Joachim Gauck discusses trust, solidarity and a democracy capable of defending itself. Join us for an evening exploring politics and personal stories.
Tip 4: Visit Food Week
Good food is as much a part of autumn as the wind is to flying kites. At Berlin Food Week, chefs, restaurateurs, food entrepreneurs, producers and brands from across Berlin showcase their finest recipes. As well as the enjoyment of the food itself, the event also focuses on the provenance and quality of the ingredients, as well as resource-efficient and healthy eating. A highlight is the “House of Food” at Bikini Berlin. Here you can chat, enjoy delicious food and, of course, prepare a treat or two yourself – and even try something new. Bon appétit!
When: 5 to 11 October 2026
Where: various locations across Berlin
Tip 5: Listen to exciting interpretations at the Jazz Festival
At the Jazzfest Berlin, you’ll discover the latest trends in international jazz. Founded in 1964 as the Berliner Jazztage, the festival is one ofEurope’s most traditional jazz festivals and today provides a stage primarily for contemporary and avant-garde jazz.
In 2026, musicians from different generations and scenes will come together. Highlights include the Anthony Braxton Septet with a world premiere, the Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, ganavya and the Otomo Yoshihide New Jazz Quintet. The Globe Unity Orchestra will also be performing ‘Apokalyptische Nabelschau’.
The numerous premieres are particularly exciting : Camila Nebbia and her Large Ensemble, as well as Christian Lillinger’s *Open Form For Society II* and *Twin Talk*, will present world premieres. Alexander Hawkins’ *Willow Music* and Wendy Eisenberg will celebrate European premieres. Matthias Muche’s BONECRUSHER: Densities promises to be extraordinary, bringing together twelve trombones and percussion.
Extra tip: As early as 9 October, you can get in the mood for musicians from seven German states and a varied evening of jazz at ‘Jazz in den Ministergärten ’.
When: 29 October to 1 November 2026
Where: Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Schaperstraße 24, Wilmersdorf, and other venues
Tip 6: Explore the future at Berlin Science Week 2026
For ten days, Berlin will become a meeting place for anyone keen to find out how research is changing our everyday lives and our future. With hundreds of events, most of which are free of charge , Berlin Science Week invites visitors to take part in discussions, experiments, workshops and exhibitions.
In 2026, the festival’s themeis ‘In Touch’. The focus is on the personal side of science: how does research affect our lives? Who are the people behind new discoveries? And how can scientific ideas change the way we live together? The programme takes you to research institutes, museums, cultural venues and even Berlin’s libraries.
A particular highlight is the new festival centre at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt. From 6 to 8 November, you can experience science from a wide variety of perspectives at more than 100 events there. The city-wide programme also covers topics ranging from AI and society to space travel and health, as well as art, politics and climate research. So: stay curious and discover science where you might not expect it!
When: 1 to 10 November 2026, depending on the event
Where: Haus der Kulturen der Welt, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Tiergarten, as well as numerous other venues across Berlin
Tip 7: Discover the world of Genghis Khan at the James Simon Gallery
In the 13th century, the Mongols ruled an empire of immense proportions. But who was the man who laid the foundations for this global power – and what was life like for the people beyond conquests and military campaigns? To mark the 800th anniversary of Genghis Khan’s death, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History is dedicating a major special exhibition to the legendary ruler.
Archaeological treasures from Mongolia and international loans offer you insights into the so-called Mongol Century. Many of the exhibits are on display outside Mongolia for the first time and open up new perspectives on an era that has far more to tell than just the story of a great conqueror.
When: 21 October 2026 to 18 April 2027
Where: James-Simon-Galerie, Bodestraße, Mitte
From 18 September to 24 October 2026, Berlin celebrates Oktoberfest in the Festzelt der Hauptstadt at Spandau Citadel. Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm with DJ Hauffi and from 6 pm live band Gaudi Buam. Seats include a meal and a drink.
Tip 8: Get involved in Club Culture Day
Berlin’s clubs aren’t just places to dance and party: they have always been spaces for creative ideas, encounters and social interaction. It is precisely this commitment that Club Culture Day celebrates; in 2026, for the seventh time, it will combine a cultural award for Berlin clubs and collectives with a city-wide festival week. Under the motto “STAY CORE”, this year’s event centres on the question of what constitutes the core of Berlin’s club culture.
Award-winning clubs and collectives invite you to join them with their very own events – from raves and concerts to performances and exhibitions, right through to panels and workshops. In total, an independent panel of experts will honour 32 clubs and collectives in the categories of Space & Aesthetics, Programme and Community. Discover just how diverse, creative and community-driven Berlin’s club culture is beyond the dancefloor.
When: 3 to 11 October 2026
Where: various clubs and venues across Berlin
Tip 9: Take a look behind the scenes at Berlin’s workshops during the Long Night
What actually goes on in the workshops, studios and backyards of Berlin-Mitte? At the first Long Night of the Manufactories , you can take a peek behind the scenes. In Mitte, Wedding, Moabit, Tiergarten, Gesundbrunnen and the Hansaviertel, selected workshops are opening their doors to show you what’s being created there. On a range of tours, you’ll discover local production in the fields of food and drink, fashion and jewellery, art and design, and craftsmanship. Through guided tours, workshops, tastings and live demonstrations, you can look over the creators’ shoulders and experience how ideas are turned into genuine Berlin originals.
When: 17 October, 4 pm–midnight
Where: various workshops in Mitte, Wedding, Moabit, Tiergarten, Gesundbrunnen and the Hansaviertel
Tip 10: Listen more closely during Contemporary Music Month
What does Berlin sound like beyond the usual classical concert programmes? During Contemporary Music Month, you can find out for the whole of October. In 2026, this decentralised festival will be celebrating its tenth edition, bringing together around 100 concerts, performances, sound installations and discussion eventsat a wide variety of venues across the city. The programme ranges from new music and improvisation to sound art, musical theatre and opera. To kick off the anniversary celebrations, 15 Berlin ensembles will come together at the new ENSEMBLEFEST Berlin from 2 to 4 October. Perfect for anyone curious about new sounds and musical experiments.
When: 2 to 31 October 2026, depending on the event
Where: various venues across Berlin
Tip 11: Experience contemporary Jewish culture at the Jewish Culture Days
The 39th Jewish Cultural Days Berlin bring the diversity of Jewish culture to life across the city. In 2026, the festival’s themeis ‘ZADIKIM – Time for the Righteous’. This draws on the Jewish concept of the 36 hidden righteous, whose humanity and sense of responsibility keep the world in balance. It is an idea that brings questions of social cohesion and moral courage into the present day.
The programme also takes up this idea: look forward to the opening concert featuring the Israeli singer Marina Maximilian, the mentalist Lior Suchard, theatre, films, readings and city walks. Of particular interest is the ‘SUPER HERO’ exhibition, which draws parallels between Jewish comic book creators and their superheroes and real-life ‘Righteous Among the Nations’.
When: 12 to 22 November 2026, depending on the event
Where: various venues in Berlin, including the New Synagogue on Oranienburger Straße and the synagogue on Rykestraße, Mitte
