The days are getting shorter and the nights longer. Autumn is just around the corner. And this year, fortunately, it has brought with it many festivals, premieres and exhibitions. So that you can enjoy this time of year to the full, whatever the weather, we show you our top 11 events in autumn.
Tip 1: 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall - uphold freedom!
35 years ago, the Berlin Wall came down on 9 November 1989. Crowds of people streamed over the border, climbed the wall, danced, celebrated and hugged each other. The images from Berlin went around the world and made history. To mark the 35th anniversary of this moving event, you can relive the Peaceful Revolution in the GDR with historical posters that will be set up along the former route of the Wall. In between, you will find 1000 posters and statements that illustrate what was fought for back then and what people are still demonstrating for today: Freedom, democracy and human rights.
When: 9 November. November
Where: anywhere in Berlin
Tip 2: Festival of Lights lets Berlin shine
When it gets dark earlier again, Berlin begins to glow. Like every autumn, the Festival of Lights once again bathes the city in colourful light. The 20th Festival of Lights is all about freedom. Under the motto "Celebrating Freedom", the colourful projections tell the story of how multifaceted life in Berlin is - and how beautiful it is to live diversity. This time you will find numerous light installations around Bebelplatz and Potsdamer Platz in particular. You can easily discover the most beautiful light spectacles on numerous tours and boat trips.
When: 4. to 13 October, 7 - 11 pm
Where: Anywhere in Berlin
Tip 3: Be a guest at Food Week
Good food belongs to autumn like the wind to kite flying. For the tenth time, chefs, restaurateurs, food entrepreneurs, manufacturers and brands throughout Berlin will be presenting their best recipes. In addition to the enjoyment itself, it is also about the origin and quality of the ingredients, as well as resource-conserving and healthy nutrition. One highlight is the "House of Food" at Bikini Berlin. Here you can exchange ideas, eat delicious food and, of course, prepare a tasty treat or two yourself - and try something new.
As part of the French Affair, wine shops and wine bars in Berlin's neighbourhoods invite you to an aperitif and serve Côtes du Rhône wines with specially created French snacks at the end of the day.
Tip: This year, True Italian Pizza Week is being held from 10 to 16 October. to 16 October in selected pizzerias throughout the city.
When: 7. to 13 October
Where: various venues
OktoberFest - Festzelt der Hauptstadt
Erlebt echtes Wiesn-Feeling mitten in Berlin: zünftige Musik, frisch gezapftes Bier, bayerische Schmankerl & beste Stimmung im Festzelt. Das Oktoberfest Spandau – feiern wie in München! Jetzt Tickets sichern!
Tip 4: Listen to exciting interpretations at Jazzfest
Founded in 1964, Jazzfest Berlin is one of the oldest and most renowned festivals in Europe. And 60 years of Jazzfest Berlin are not just 60 years of music history, but also 60 years of contemporary history. Researchers have analysed the Jazzfest, the musicians, makers and myths with regard to socio-political developments from various perspectives, including gender and race. The results of the Research Lab will be shared in the supporting programme of this year's festival edition. As part of the Jazzfest Community Lab Moabit you are also invited to celebrate 60 years of Jazzfest together with the participating Moabit organisers and musicians in free and public specials, encounters and impro labs in various meeting places such as neighbourhood shops, cafés and theatres.
Tip: The Jazz Fest Community Lab invites you to free workshops, concerts, film screenings and discussions every day. The programme ranges from ImproLabs for children and young people to dance events for senior citizens.
When: 31 October to 3 November
Where: various venues in Berlin
Tip 5: Get smart at Berlin Science Week
Start the autumn smart at Berlin Science Week. More than 300 events will bring you closer to scientific topics, research results, visions and new discoveries. The Art & Science Forum in collaboration with Holzmarkt 25 will also explore formats at the interface of science and artistic practice. Look forward to an interactive programme ranging from panel discussions, science slams, workshops and exhibitions to virtual reality experiences, films and music installations. Get smart and be inspired!
When: 1 to 10 November
Where: various locations throughout Berlin
Tip 6: Join in and listen to the radio play nights
You can simply relax and listen to the radio play festival from 18 to 27 October. to 27 October. In addition to radio play evenings, you can also look forward to many exciting events centred around listening and storytelling, including many workshops and radio play walks. So, headphones on, out into nature and into the story. By the way: On 24 October, the radio play celebrates its 100th birthday!
When: 18 to 27 October
Where: Various locations in Berlin
Tip 7: Get involved in Club Culture Day
Berlin's clubs are not just for dancing and partying, they have also always provided niches for creative ideas. Berlin's clubs are nightly havens for anyone who needs an inspirational break from their everyday life and simply wants to immerse themselves in a different world. The artistic and community-building commitment of Berlin's clubs and collectives will be honoured on Club Culture Day. Be there when the clubs invite you to a very individual programme as part of a city-wide festival - based on this year's motto "Beyond tomorrow. Remaining hopeful in chaos".
When: 3 to 10 October. October
Where: anywhere in the city
Tip 8: Be enchanted at the fairytale days
The long, dark Berlin autumn evenings are perfect for a fairytale hour. That's why numerous libraries, bookshops, schools, concert halls and theatres, public administrations and embassies invite you to be enchanted by the fairy tale days. This year is all about the mystical concept of the World Tree, around which numerous legends are entwined. Most of the events during the Fairy Tale Days are free of charge.
When: 7 to 24 November
Where: various venues in Berlin
Tip 9: Curtain up for the documentaries & many film festivals
Escape the grey autumn in the cinema auditorium. With numerous film festivals, Berlin's cinemas will whisk you away to distant lands and colourful worlds. Highlights include the Ukrainian Film Festival, the Film Fest Frauenwelten, the KuKi .17 or the short film festival interfilm.
For the first time, the Dokumentale will also be taking place in Berlin, which deals with socio-critical topics in films as well as internationally award-winning media projects, VR experiences and readings.
Tip: Visit until 31 October. Visit the Deutsche Kinemathek until 31 October before it closes for a few months due to the move to the E-Werk.
When: 10 to 20 October
Where: various locations in Berlin
Tip 10: Spooky fun & bats for Halloween
From scary Halloween parties in the Kulturbrauerei or the "Abandoned Factory" at Greifswalder Straße 23 a to bat tours in the Zitadelle Spandau to family-friendly Halloween shopping, in the Wilmersdorfer Straße pedestrian zone, for example, the offers on Halloween range. Between 19 October and 2 November, there is a witch's house, carousels and a giant slide. And of course there's "trick or treating" for the little scary fans. And the grown-ups can meet up at Club Birgit for Halloween Bambule.
When: 31 October (and a few days around). October (and a few days around)
Where: anywhere in Berlin
Tip 11: Last chance - Frans Hals in the Gemäldegalerie
Alongside Rembrandt and Vermeer, Frans Hals is one of the most important Dutch painters of the 17th century. century. He created groundbreaking works, especially as a portrait painter. On the one hand, he succeeded like no other in capturing the moment in vivid scenes; on the other, he was also the first artist in Holland to portray social outsiders as well as upper-class citizens. The special exhibition Frans Hals - Master of the Moment can be seen at the Berlin Gemäldegalerie until 3 November.
When: until 3 November. November
Where: Gemäldegalerie
