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, cinema, exhibitions, theatre and dance. As you like it! You can find our top 11 tips here.
Tip 1: Experience great music at the Waldbühne concert
This year's Waldbühnenkonzert promises a concert of a special kind. The West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Barenboim will perform together with the world-famous pianist Lang Lang . You can expect a musical evening full of contrasts and emotions - with Mendelssohn's sparkling Piano Concerto No. 1 and Beethoven's monumental "Eroica". The unique vision of the orchestra, in which musicians from Israel, Palestine and Arab countries make music together, is also exciting - a strong sign of dialogue and understanding.
Tip: It's worth coming early: The gates open two hours before the start - ideal for a relaxed picnic in the open air.
When: Sunday, 10 August
Where: Glockenturmstraße 1, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: Listen to music in the sculpture garden of the Nationalgalerie
A summer insider tip for anyone who wants to experience art and music in a unique atmosphere: From 27 to 30 August 2025, the sculpture garden of the Neue Nationalgalerie will once again be transformed into a stage for the "Sound in the Garden" format - a fascinating dialogue between visual art, sound spaces and young music. Inspired by the current exhibitions, the festival offers extraordinary live concerts on three consecutive evenings, starting after the museum closes and offering a completely new listening experience thanks to an immersive 360-degree sound installation.
The highlight will be the Long Night of Museums on 30 August, when Fujiko Nakaya 's fog sculpture will combine with specially composed works every hour from 11 a.m. - a poetic fusion of ephemeral sculpture and contemporary music that will last until the early hours of the morning.
When: 27 & 29 August 6 pm; Thursday, 28 August 8 pm (after the end of the exhibition)
Where: Potsdamer Straße 50, Tiergarten
Tip 3: Meet up for a sundowner at the Kolonnaden Bar
It's one of the most beautiful places in Berlin. The historic Kolonnadenhof in front of the Alte Nationalgalerie on the southern bank of the Spree forms the backdrop for this year's edition of the Kolonnaden Bar. Under the motto "Here we are", you are invited to stroll between the columns and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. An exciting cultural programme and music with changing bands, DJs and collectives from the city await you from Wednesday to Sunday. Enjoy cool drinks and stimulating conversations.
When: Wednesday & Thursday 2 - 10 pm, Friday to Sunday 12 - 10 pm
Where: Bodestraße 1-3, Mitte
Tip 4: Experience big stars at the Citadel Music Festival
Fountaines D.C., The Smashing Pumpkins, Queens of the Stone Age, Trailerpark, Off Days: the Citadel Spandau open-air concert series offers you a top-class programme this summer. Listen to your favourite stars against the backdrop of this time-honoured fortress. For a trip to Spandau, take a stroll through the old town before the concert - and the Zita Club in the vaults of the citadel invites you to an after-show party from 10 pm.
Tip: A great open-air programme also awaits you at the Parkbühne Wuhlheide.
When: until the end of August
Where: Am Juliusturm 64, Spandau
More concerts
Tip 5: Enjoy a varied programme in the open air at Luftschloss
Right at the entrance opposite the Tempelhof S-Bahn station, the wooden amphitheatre attracts young and old with a varied stage programme. From cultural performances for the little ones to stand-up comedy for the whole family and a flamenco night for lovers: There's something for everyone at the Luftschloss on Tempelhofer Feld. The open-air stage was built by around 100 young people from Berlin schools and sixth form centres and offers space for around 400 visitors. Right next to the Luftschloss, a cosy beer garden invites you to celebrate the warm season!
When: May to September
Where: Tempelhofer Feld, south-west entrance, 12101 Berlin
Tip 6: Zug der Liebe celebrates its 10th anniversary
Dance along when the whole of Berlin turns into an urban dancefloor at the Zug der Liebe - and sets an example for more social commitment, compassion and charity with beats and bass. Follow your favourite music truck and enjoy the exuberant atmosphere. Under the motto "Basses connect", many social organisations and initiatives will be making their concerns audible - loud, danceable and accompanied by a shared desire for more solidarity, diversity and social cohesion.
When: 30 August, from 1 pm
Parade starts at 2.30 pm at Bernauer Straße 48, Prenzlauer Berg
Finish: 9 pm Oranienstraße/Lobeckstraße, Kreuzberg
Tip 7: Look forward to cabaret & cabaret at NikolaiZauber
At the NikolaiZauber festival, the entire neighbourhood is transformed into a stage for jugglers, magicians, clowns, walking acts and live music. Look forward to a free spectacle for the whole family with historical games, face painting, airbrush tattoos and hands-on activities such as stilt walking and wooden ring throwing - especially around the Knoblauchhaus and the Nikolaikirche, both of which offer free admission and special programmes.
Tip: Free guided tours of the Nikolai neighbourhood start at 2 pm each day.
When: 30 & 31 August 2025, 11 am - 6 pm
Where: Nikolai Quarter, Rathausstraße 21, Mitte
Tip 8: Celebrate at Queens & Flowers in the Botanical Garden
For the third time, the queer summer highlight "Queens & Flowers" invites you to the big open-air drag festival in the Botanical Garden. look forward to a varied programme for young and old, drag queen reading hours, botanical discovery tours through the greenhouses and exciting events. Highlights include two big drag shows with acts such as the Berlin Allstars and the stars from "Drag Race Germany". There will be interactive activities for children and families - including workshops, reading sessions and relaxed beats with DJ Ixa and other local artists. On the culinary side, several food trucks and the cult bar "Hafen" will provide summery, tangy cocktails and street food directly under tropical blossoms.
When: 23 August, 3 - 11 pm
Where: Königin-Luise-Straße 68, Steglitz
Tip 9: Run along to these sporting events in Berlin
The big Berlin Marathon attracts thousands of visitors to the city every year. Be there when the runners race through the city on 21 September - the Berlin Marathon is one of the fastest races in the world due to its low incline. In fact, Berlin's summer is full of running events this year: from the Müggelsee Half Marathon to the Obstacle City Run Berlin on 27 September to the Berlinathon, where you can discover Berlin's culture while running.
Tip 10: Pyronale - 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 skies over Berlin at the fireworks championship . You, the audience, will decide who puts on the best effects and the most creative show. In addition to breathtaking firework shows on the Maifeld against the backdrop of the Berlin Olympic Stadium, you can also expect a colourful evening programme with live music, performances, acrobatics, stilt walkers, laser shows and much more.
When: 5 & 6 September 2025, from 8.30 pm
Where: Olympischer Platz 3, Charlottenburg
Tip 11: Dance into the night at "Berlin Beats"
In summer, the second round of the popular DJ series "Berlin Beats" starts at Hamburger Bahnhof. You can dance the summer away to electronic music from various DJs in the museum's garden . Among others, Sarah Farina, Ogazón, Scandalo and Nick Höppner will be on the turntables. Admission to the events is free.
Tips: More free open air events
When: 7 June - 28 August, 7 - 10 p.m
Where: Hamburger Bahnhof - Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, Invalidenstraße 50/51, 10557 Berlin
You can find more tips and event information in our event calendar.
