Summer, sun, open air! This summer in Berlin will be something very special. Experience art, culture and music outdoors in the open air. Festivals, concerts, exhibitions, sports and dance. Just as you like it! You can find our top 11 tips here.
Tip 1: Opening of the Special Olympics World Games Berlin
The Special Olympics World Games in Berlin will be opened with a great show on June 17. In addition to the entry of the delegations, well-known artists are expected at the opening ceremony, as well as the torchbearers of the Olympic Flame of Hope. Until June 25, you can cheer on the athletes at many different sports venues and locations in Berlin. From the Olympic Park to the Wannsee, the individual competitions will be held.
- Since the Special Olympics are all about inclusion and sharing the fun of sports, there will also be non-competitive events.
- In addition, you can look forward to a large, cultural accompanying program. The Special Olympics will be held in Germany for the first time ever in 2023.
When: June 17, 8 - 10:30 p.m.
Where: Olympic Stadium, Friedrich-Friesen-Allee, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: State Opera for All
Traditionally, the Staatskapelle plays a large open-air concert every summer on Bebelplatz. Admission is free and the crowds are correspondingly large. Anyone who wants to get a seat should therefore plan to be at Bebelplatz before the concert begins. However, the music can still be enjoyed a little further away. The conductor is Zubin Metha. The program will be announced later.
When: July 9, 1 p.m.
Where: Bebelplatz, Mitte
Tip 3: CSD and Lesbian-Gay City Festival - support the queer community
"Be their voice - and ours! ...for more empathy and solidarity!" Under this motto, Beriln's queer community parades through Berlin this year for Christopher Street Day. This year's CSD will again be framed by numerous other events, such as the Lesbian-Gay City Festival on July 16 and 17 or the CSD on the Spree. Also look forward to a colorful and diverse Pride Month in Berlin.
When: July 22
Where: the route will be announced
Tip 4: Listen to music for free and outside at the Fête de la Musique
Every year at the beginning of summer, music is made everywhere in Berlin. At the Fête de la Musique you will find exciting young bands and musical projects of all genres in many places and corners: sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, sometimes classical, sometimes rock, sometimes typical Berlin, sometimes world music.
When: June 21
Where: everywhere in the city
Tip 5: Enjoy two days of festival fun at Lollapalooza
Imagine Dragons, Mumford & Sons, David Guetta: The line-up of this year's Lollapalooza shines with several big names. And there is more great news: Because the big music festival on Berlin's Olympic grounds is the first festival in Germany to be certified for holistic sustainability management. For you, that means even more FLINTA acts, more vegan and plant-based food, and a bigger green neighborhood. Of course there's also the Funfair, Fashionpalooza and the Family Area of Kidzapalooza again. Look forward to colorful festival days at the Olympiagelände.
When: September 9 & 10
Where: Olympiagelände, Olympic Square 3, Westend
Tip 6: Waldbühne - experience big stars and atmospheric concerts
From the season-ending concert of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (June 24) to the greatest Diney hits with pianist Langl Lang to hits, and many big stars like Herbert Grönemeyer (tickets are still available for the additional concert), The Who, Peter Fox and finally Rainald Grebe: the Waldbühne offers you a top-class program this summer. Also the flashlight concert will take place again. The best way to find out more is to check our calendar of events.
Tip: You can also expect a great open air program at the Parkbühne Wuhlheide and at the Zitadelle Spandau.
When: until September
Where: Waldbühne Berlin Glockenturmstraße 1, in the Olympiapark
More Open Air Concerts
Tip 7: Celebrate Berlin's diversity at the Carnival of Cultures
Berlin's Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) is one of the largest street festivals in Germany. For four days, the diversity of Berlin is celebrated. More than 5,000 people in colorful costumes and traditional costumes parade through the streets and present in sometimes imaginative choreographies all the different cultures that live side by side in the capital. In addition to the big parade, you can also look forward to stalls with culinary delicacies and handicrafts from all over the world at the Carnival of Cultures. Berlin bands will be performing on various stages, and DJs and DJanes will also be providing a dancing atmosphere.
When: May 26-29
Where: Hermannstraße, Neukölln
Tip 8: Medieval Fantasy Spectaculum
Junker and Maiden flock here. In mid-June, the Hoppegarten racecourse on the outskirts of Berlin will host the Medieval Fantasy Spectaculum. Discover medieval craftsmanship and be entertained by market criers, acrobats and musicians around the large concert stage. As well as the main stage, you'll find jugglers and jokers, hearty food and strong brews all over the site. Even a dinosaur is said to drop by.
When: 10 and 11 June
Where: Hoppegarten racecourse, Goetheallee 1, Brandenburg
Tip 9: Britzer Gartennacht - let yourself be enchanted
Immerse yourself in an enchanting world: On Britzer Gartennacht you will encounter magical creatures and fantasy figures on the grounds. The fairy-tale journey of discovery is accompanied by illuminations and light shows and brought to life with artistry and music. On many other summer nights, the music of the numerous concerts on the big stage will waft through the garden.
When: August 12, 6 p.m. - midnight
Where: Britzer Garten, Buckower Damm 168, Britz
Tip 10: Major sporting events in Berlin
In addition to the Special Olympic World Games, there are of course numerous other major sporting events taking place in Berlin this year. From the DFB Cup final on June 3 to world-class tennis at the bett1 open in June to the big Berlin Marathon on September 24, fans of all sports will get their money's worth in Berlin this year.
DFB Cup Final
When: June 3
Where: Olympic Stadium Berlin, Olympischer Platz 3, Berlin
bett1 open
When: June 17 - 25
Where: Lawn Tennis Tournament Club "Rot-Weiß" e.V.(Steffi-Graf-Stadion), Gottfried-von-Cramm-Weg 47-55, Wilmersdorf
Berlin Marathon
When: September 24
Where: Start: Straße des 17. Juni, Mitte
Tip 11: Pyro Games - see the sky light up over Berlin
A true spectacle of light and fire awaits you at the Pyro Games. Three teams will literally light up the sky above Berlin in the championship of fireworks art. By the way, the audience will decide who will create the best effects and the most creative show. In addition to breathtaking firework shows, a colorful evening program with live music, performances, acrobatics, stilt walkers, laser shows and much more awaits you.
When: September 30
Where: Museum Park Rüdersdorf
You can find more tips and event information in our event-calendar.
