Berlin is constantly reinventing itself, and there’s plenty to discover in the coming weeks too. Look forward to new festivals, surprising cultural venues and special city experiences, ranging from Berlin’s industrial history and UNESCO World Heritage sites to drag and female music culture, as well as cinema, cuisine and cosy cult figures. We’ll show you which new openings, premieres and new Berlin highlights you shouldn’t miss in September.
Tip 1: Aquarium Berlin: Dive into the newly modernized underwater world
Following three years of modernisation, the historic Berlin Aquarium has been given a fresh new look. Spread across three floors, you’ll encounter around 20,000 animals representing some 1,000 species: from blacktip reef sharks and crocodiles to amphibians and insects. Particularly fascinating is the jellyfish collection, featuring 25 species, whilst the historic crocodile hall serves as a reminder of the aquarium’s history spanning more than 100 years. A rediscovered Berlin classic for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in other worlds.
When: Fully open again from 18 August 2026, daily 9 am - 6 pm, last admission 5 pm
Where: Budapester Straße 32, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: Pop into Rogacki again
A true Berlin institution is back: Rogacki is reopening its doors. This long-established delicatessen in Charlottenburg has been one of City West’s most special destinations for decades – known above all for its fish, meat, sausages and delicacies. After the break, you can now browse the displays once more and stock up on Berlin classics and specialities.
Our tip: Allow yourself a bit of time and combine your shopping trip with a culinary detour on the spot. Pop in and rediscover Rogacki!
When: Reopening in September; opening hours vary depending on the day of the week
Where: Wilmersdorfer Straße 145/46, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: Discover Berlin’s new UNESCO World Heritage Site
Berlin’s World Heritage Site has expanded: the Zehlendorf Forest Estate, also known as the Uncle Tom Estate, is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Berlin Modernist Housing Estates”. A great opportunity to take a stroll through this leafy neighbourhood with its distinctive, colourful rows of houses.
The estate was designed from the late 1920s onwards by Bruno Taut, Hugo Häring and Otto Rudolf Salvisberg, amongst others. Its modern architecture embodies new ideas for affordable and liveable housing at a time of severe housing shortages. Get off at Onkel Toms Hütte and discover the new World Heritage Site on a stroll – or join an architectural tour!
When: open to explore at any time
Where: Zehlendorf Forest Estate (Uncle Tom’s Estate), around the Onkel Toms Hütte underground station, Steglitz-Zehlendorf
Tip 4: The Berlin Industrial Culture Festival invites you to join guided tours
A debut for Berlin’s industrial treasures: at the first-ever Berlin Industrial Culture Festival, more than 30 venues are opening their doors. Over four weekends, you can rediscover old factory halls, workshops and unique infrastructure buildings through guided tours, cycle tours, workshops and cultural events.
The programme now features over 130 events across numerous districts – including exclusive glimpses into places that aren’t usually easily accessible. It’s the perfect way to explore Berlin off the beaten track. Pick your favourites and discover the capital’s industrial side!
Tip: Don’t miss the new Schöneweide Walk of Fame, which takes you on a journey of around one kilometre along Wilhelminenhofstraße, passing 20 stops featuring historical photographs of the impressive industrial monuments. The opening ceremony will take place on 12 September at 2 pm.
When: 12 September to 4 October 2026, depending on the event
Where: more than 30 venues across various Berlin districts
Berlin Industrial Heritage Festival
Tip 5: Visit a special tree in the Tiergarten
On a walk through the Tiergarten, you’ll come across various memorial sites dedicated to the victims of Nazi tyranny. Another memorial has recently been added to these: near the Goldfischteich, a five-metre-high bronze tree commemorates the Jehovah’s Witnesses who were persecuted and murdered under National Socialism. Its rugged surface makes it a striking symbol of remembrance.
The location has been chosen deliberately, as the Tiergarten itself was also a site of persecution. Take your time, pause for a moment and discover this new memorial site.
When: accessible at any time
Where: Großer Tiergarten, near the Goldfischteich/Ahornsteig, Mitte
Our tip: Join a guided tour of the memorial landscape in the Tiergarten
Tip 6: Still in August – celebrate drag art at the new Berlin Drag Festival
Clear the stage for a new festival debut: at the first Berlin Drag Festival, the Festsaal Kreuzberg will be transformed into a hub for drag, queer culture and community for a whole day . Look forward to international stars such as Pandora Nox, winner of Drag Race Germany, and Soa de Muse from Drag Race France and Global All Stars, as well as Berlin-based drag artists.
There’ll also be workshops, ‘Meet the Cast’ sessions and a Queer Creators Village featuring LGBTQIA+ artists and small businesses. Come along and celebrate the diversity of drag art!
When: 23 August 2026, 12 noon – 9 pm
Where: Festsaal Kreuzberg, Am Flutgraben 2, Kreuzberg
In vibrant studio complexes, neighborhood galleries, or hidden art oases – on this night, Lichtenberg’s creative scene shines brighter than ever. About 50 places invite you to experience art, culture, and exchange. Enjoy art where it’s made.
Tip 7: K-Beauty’s first German store is moving into the Mall of Berlin
From Seoul to Berlin: Yeppo & Soonsoo is opening its first store in Germany, bringing Korean beauty trends to Leipziger Platz. Spanning 150 square metres, the flagship store brings together more than 150 Korean brands – from skincare and make-up to hair and body care. Alongside classics, the shelves are stocked with the latest beauty innovations and viral finds, complemented by personalised advice.
When: Opening on 14 August 2026; Mon–Sat 10am–8pm
Where: Mall of Berlin, Leipziger Platz 12, 1st floor, Mitte
Tip 8: Still in August – Celebrate the power of women in music at the ELLE & L’s Festival
A new festival destination for Berlin: the ELLE & L’s Festival is set to make its debut at the end of August, bringing together hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeats, Amapiano, drum ’n’ bass, Latin and pop over two days. Three stages will showcase exclusively female artists – from newcomers to established acts.
The line-up includes Qendresa, TxC, Gaidaa, JARA, Coco & Breezy and YASMIN UMRAY, amongst others. Food stalls and female-founded brands will also make the festival site a great place to meet up. Discover new sounds and celebrate two days of female music culture!
When: 29 & 30 August 2026, depending on the event
Where: Columbiahalle & Columbia Theatre, Columbiadamm 13–21, Tempelhof
Tip 9: Catch the film premiere of ETERNITY
If you love exceptional arthouse cinema and performance art, you shouldn’t miss the premiere of ETERNITY. The new film by award-winning director Susanne Regina Meures brings the radical visual language of choreographer and performance artist Florentina Holzinger to the big screen for the first time. Between apocalyptic visions, hedonism and the question of our responsibility for a dying planet, a visually stunning cinematic experience unfolds.
After the screening, Florentina Holzinger, the director and the cast will be in attendance. A rare opportunity for a direct exchange. Secure your tickets and experience one of the most exciting premieres of the month.
Tip: Florentina Holzinger is also part of the new management team at Berlin’s Volksbühne. You can find out more about the programme for the upcoming theatre season in our Berlin Unboxed podcast episode with Artistic Director Matthias Lilienthal.
When: 13 September, 11.00 am
Where: Kino International, Karl-Marx-Allee 33, Mitte
Tip 10: Immerse yourself in the world of Jellycat at KaDeWe
A cuddly new addition to KaDeWe: with the Jellycat In-Store Experience, the iconic British brand is getting a special exhibition space in Berlin’s City West. Amongst the imaginative soft toys, you can discover your favourites and look forward to a real highlight for fans and collectors.
To mark the launch, there’s even set to be an exclusive Jellycat toy for Germany. Pop over to Wittenbergplatz and see which charming Jellycat characters are waiting for you!
When: from 17 August 2026, Monday to Saturday, 10 am–8 pm
Where: KaDeWe, Tauentzienstraße 21–24, Schöneberg
Tip 11: Have a browse at the Materialmarkt at its new location
Turning offcuts into resources: Kunst-Stoffe’s construction and creative market is moving to a new home in October. After stints at the Haus der Materialisierung and OTTO, the Materialmarkt is relocating to Kunst-Stoffe’s main premises in Pankow.
Here you can discover second-hand and surplus materials that are far too good to throw away: ideal for creative projects, repairs and new ideas. If you’d still like to visit the market at Alexanderplatz, you have until the end of September to do so . Pop in and give old materials a new lease of life!
When: Relocation in October 2026; at OTTO until 30 September, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 3–7 pm
Where: from October at Kunst-Stoffe’s main premises, Berliner Straße 17, Pankow
Here you’ll find last month’s new openings.
