The new openings in November don't give the grey Berlin winter a chance. New winter and Christmas markets create a party atmosphere. The X-Mas Market at YAAM beckons with Caribbean rhythms and Jamaican punch and invites you to skate on two large ice rinks directly on the Spree. Warm up with vegan curry, try new London style cinnamon buns, go clubbing in the Zitadelle Spandau or escape the November grey in the exciting new NOX exhibitions - on three floors in the Kranzlereck.
And... psst ... we'll also give you the password for the new exhibition by the makers of "Himmel unter Berlin". Get your ticket for The Dark Rooms Vertical!
Tip 1: New Christmas markets bring a party atmosphere to the grey winter
- This Advent season brings you several new winter and Christmas markets, such as the Schlossplatz winter market at the Humboldt Forum, with arts and crafts and beautiful, festive light installations.
- The Queere Winterwunderland kicks off the season with a big opening party on 15 November. Ukrainian DJ LADY $UKA will be playing at the Gestrandet Club on Jannowitzbrücke from 4.30 pm. Look forward to art installations and creative items from queer makers. Mulled wine, street food and creative drinks will of course also be available, and the somewhat different.
- Christmas market at YAAM - YAAM on ICE - will heat up the grey Berlin winter with Caribbean rhythms and Jamaican punch. For the first time, the large open space of the Young African Market directly on the Spree will be transformed into a Christmas event area with ice skating rinks, live music, street food and 30 pretty stalls.
All Christmas markets in Berlin
Tip 2: Get a ticket for the new "Himmel unter Berlin" exhibition "The Darkrooms vertical!
This time you will climb 12 storeys high above Berlin, wander through trees of lightning and immerse yourself in many more light and sound installations that have been specially created for the rooms in this monument to Berlin's industrial architecture. The 17-day exhibition "The Dark Rooms Vertical" is the last opportunity to explore this impressive building before it is closed for several years for renovation work. With the password - visitberlindarkrooms - you have the opportunity to secure a time slot before the official ticket sale (from 11 November).
When: 18 January to 4 February 2024 / tickets from 9 November
Where: secret location, you will be informed 24 hours before your time slot
Tipp 3: Taucht ein in die Welt von Nonhuman Excellence
Welcome to the future. In NOX (Nonhuman Excellence), the imaginary world of Lawrence Lek, the world is populated by intelligent systems. Self-driving cars take centre stage, but they prefer to enjoy the pleasure of driving instead of paying attention to safety. A psychological programme is designed to remedy the situation. You explore various immersive and multimedia scenarios and simulations over three floors. And at the end, a video game empowers you to train the unconventional cars yourself. A psychological mind game and exhibition, curated by LAS Art Foundation, that explores the role of AI in society.
When: until 14 January
Where: Kranzler Eck, Kurfürstendamm 21-24, Wilmersdorf
Tip 4: Newly opened Tiny Stories on Kudamm
Painted declarations of love to Berlin can be found in this newly opened art and interior shop right on Ku'damm. The owner is Dutch painter Tiny de Vries, who previously only sold her work online. In her new store, which is part of the Pop Ku'damm Creative Village, you will find Berlin art cards as well as home accessories and Christmas gifts. There will also be fortnightly art workshops and live performances.
When: Monday to Saturday 12 - 7 pm (except public holidays)
Where: Kurfürstendamm 229, Wilmersdorf
More Shopping on Kurfürstendamm
Tip 5: Enjoy vegan Asian cuisine at the newly opened Vegansia
The newly opened Vegansia in Wilmersdorf serves delicious Asian cuisine. And, as the name suggests, all the dishes are vegan. The menu offers a large selection of salads and starters, such as edamame, vegan shushi, papaya salad or tempura tofu, as well as interesting vegan creations such as vegan shrimps with a tempura coating and a vegan strawberry mayo sauce or sweet potato noodles served as a salad. For the main courses, you can choose between various curries, teriyaki, pho and noodle soups or bowls.
When: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Saturday/Sunday 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: Pariser Straße 42, Wilmersdorf
More vegetarian & vegane Restaurants
Tip 6: Enjoy London style cinnamon buns at the newly opened House of Buns
London and cinnamon buns are two terms that we wouldn't necessarily combine. The newly opened House of Buns is changing that: the "London Style Buns" are large and fluffy and come with various sweet fillings such as strawberry, pistachio or Kinder Bueno. Savoury fillings will also soon be on the menu. And of course you are invited to request your own flavour variations.
When: Tuesday to Sunday 11 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Where: Danziger Straße 3, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 7: New Zita club and bar open in the Zitadelle Spandau
A new club has opened within the historic walls of the Zitadelle Spandau - replacing the Zitadellen-Wirtschaft. Despite the time-honoured vaults of the Renaissance fortress, which give the Zita Club its very own charm, the club nights themselves are contemporary. During the renovation, care was taken to reuse existing elements and furnishings. The music ranges from classics to rock, metal, urban and afro fusion. The concept is to be expanded in 2024. An open-air club is being discussed, for example.
When: Friday and Saturday from 10 pm
Where: Am Juliusturm 64, Spandau
Tip 8: Adidas opens pop-up store with neighbourhood culture and a new look
Adidas is breaking new ground with its new 105 square metre shop in Prenzlauer Berg. The focus here is not on its own brand: sustainability and the local youth and neighbourhood culture are to be given a stage. The idea is for local partners to showcase their clothes here in future. The first partners are the clothing hire company Pool and second-hand fashion from Westend Vintage. There will also be events and DJs, of course, as well as all kinds of shoes with three stripes.
When: Tuesday to Friday 1pm - 8pm, Saturday 12pm - 8pm
Where: Stargader Straße 174, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 9: Heimwerk brings schnitzel and Bavarian specialities to Berlin
Schnitzel, chicken, pretzels, cheese spaetzle and Kaiserschmarrn: Heimwerk has been bringing Munich flair to the capital with Bavarian delicacies since the beginning of November. Highlights of the modern interior, which uses lots of wood and brass, are the sustainable moss wall, a beer barrel installation and, of course, an Augustiner regulars' table. The beer is of course from Bavaria, but all the ingredients for the freshly prepared dishes come from the region. Another new feature is that you don't have to wait for the bill at Heimwerk, but can pay cashless directly at the table using Tapy Payment.
When: Monday to Thursday 11.30 a.m. - midnight, Friday/Saturday 11.30 a.m. - 1 a.m., Sunday 11.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: Neue Promenade 6, centre
Tip 10: The Victoria Bar has reopened
After a fire last December, the Victoria Bar on Potsdamer Straße had to close. Now it's back - and looks almost more beautiful than before: the long bar, the selected art objects and the skilful mix of elegance and dim lighting are perfect for a long November night. The best thing is of course the cocktails, classic and mixed with great care. The bartenders will also introduce you to the fine art of mixing and the history of different alcoholic beverages at the School of Drunkenness.
When: Sunday to Thursday 6pm - 3am, Friday & Saturday 6pm - 4am
Where: Potsdamer Straße 102, Mitte
Tip 11: New concept for the Oh! Calcutta Bar
When their favourite pub in the front building was due to close, three friends quickly took over their favourite bar. Now the space is a little more open and brighter, the walls more golden, the bar longer. And from 15 November, the Oh! Calcutta Bar will officially reopen with a new concept and regular opening hours. There will be concerts, karaoke and, of course, the turntables can still be played.
When: Tuesday to Saturday from 6 pm
Where: Koloniestraße 9, Wedding
