New year, new you? If your New Year’s resolution is to see more of the wonderful city of Berlin, we’re here to give you a helping hand! Whether you’re keen to take in the well-trodden catwalks of Berlin Fashion Week or go a little more off the beaten track on a guided tour of Tempelhof Airport, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Not to mention, of course, faszinating shows like Japanese drumming, child-friendly theatre and eco-friendly trade fairs – in Germany’s capital, you’re spoilt for choice!
Tip 1: Strut your stuff at Berlin Fashion Week
Think Berlin Fashion Week is all about impossible glamorous models sashaying down the runway in the latest designs? Think again! Sure, there’s no shortage of catwalks here – but the fashion industry has come a long way over the past few decades. With ‘The Berlin Metaverse’, a future-looking space for NFTs and digital fashion, and ‘Diverse it! A Trialogue in Fashion’, where established designers pair up with young creatives, to name just two, Berlin Fashion Week has events for bona fide fashionistas and style newbies alike.
When: events held at various times
Where: events hosted at various venues across Berlin
Tip 2: Get in harmony with nature during International Green Week (Grüne Woche)
We all know that working in harmony with the planet is crucial – but sometimes inspiration is hard to come by. That’s exactly where International Green Week comes in. At the world’s biggest trade fair for food, agriculture and gardening, there’s truly something for everyone: from performances by regional musicians, live cooking shows and no fewer than a hundred exhibitors, through to a special programme tailored to the fair’s younger visitors. There’s even a hall dedicated to street food, in case the sheer scale of what’s on offer leaves you needing to refuel!
When: open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday to Sunday 20–29 January (late closing at 8 p.m. on Friday 27 January)
Where: Messe Berlin, Charlottenburg
Tip 3: See behind the scenes of Tempelhof on a Hidden Places guided tour
Built in the 1920s, Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport ceased operations in 2008 – but it remains alive with history. This German-language tour reveals the tale of its colourful past, from its use as a bunker through to its significance during the Nazi era. Over the course of the two hours, you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with history and explore places where others aren’t allowed to tread.
When: starts at 11 a.m., every day of the week except Tuesdays
Where: meet at Tempelhof Airport, Tempelhof
Button: Get your ticket
Tip 4: Fall in love with performing arts at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele
Artists and musicians have spent centuries – if not millennia – trying to unpick the mysteries of the human condition. Now, two new premieres are coming to the Haus der Berliner Festspiele to shine fresh light on this eternal question. In ‘LOVETRAIN2020’, choreographer Emanuel Gat celebrates life, movement and the body to the sound of hits by Tears for Fears, while ‘Rhapsody in Yellow’ offers a lecture-performance (in English with German subtitles) involving two pianos and a commentary on Sino-American diplomacy. Both unique events – yet both testament to the universality of the human experience.
When: LOVETRAIN 2020: Saturday 21 January, 75-minute performances at 7.30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Rhapsody in Yellow: Friday and Saturday 27–28 January, 75-minute performances at 7.30 p.m.
Where: Haus Berliner Festspiele, Charlottenburg
Tip 5: Immerse yourself in 20th-century art at the Neue Nationalgalerie
Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie is home to thousands of works by renowned 20th-century artists like Salvador Dali and Francis Bacon. Now, they’ve been joined by a very special addition: Monica Bonvicini. As part of the ‘I do you’ exhibition, she reshapes the space of the museum as we know it, with mirrored platforms and towering walls that partially obscure the existing architecture, not to mention an array of sound pieces and light installations. With all that to see, there’s no sense in wasting time queuing to get in – so our time-slot tickets are, well, just the ticket!
When: Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (late closing at 8 p.m. on Thursdays)
Where: Neue Nationalgalerie, Mitte
Tip 6: Take a leaf out of the Aztecs’ book at MANUSCRIPTA AMERICANA
Did you know that, along with their key role in the history of chocolate and their ingenuity in constructing temples, the Aztecs also had a rich literary tradition? At MANUSCRIPTA AMERICANA, texts from the Alexander von Humboldt collection provide unflinching evidence of the exploitation that the Aztecs suffered at the hands of the Spanish colonisers – and the resistance that they showed towards them. The oldest text on display is 500 years old, but many of its underlying concerns are just as relevant in the modern age: it’s a truly thought-provoking exhibition.
When: open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (late closing at 8 p.m. on Thursdays); exhibition runs until 26 February
Where: Stabi Kulturwerk, Mitte
Tip 7: See the best of British at the British Shorts Film Festival
Lights, camera, action! There’s nothing quite like an evening at the movies – and now the British Shorts Film Festival is here to show that short films pack just as much of a punch as their lengthier cousins! With a rich and varied programme covering everything from horror to documentaries, the screenings represent the very best of British filmmaking. If you’re new to shorts, these bite-size cinematic treats are the perfect introduction to the style – and if you’re a long-time connoisseur, there’s a whopping 150 films to keep you satisfied.
When: showings at various times, the Festival runs from Thursday 19 to Wednesday 25 January
Where: multiple cinemas across Berlin
Tip 8: Pick up eco-friendly tips & tricks at Veggienale & FairGoods
The eco-conscious team at Veggienale have been touring Germany since 2015, so it’s fair to say that they (and their exhibitors) know a thing or two about going green! With 100 different producers showcasing wares from spices custom-made for vegan meat substitutes through to manufacturers of natural lipstick, there’s sure to be the odd innovation that takes you by surprise. If that’s not enough, there’s also an in-depth supporting programme offering lectures, cooking demonstrations and various other events. Got the green bug? The VisitBerlin blog has plenty more inspiration for you – such as the best vegan restaurants in the city.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 21–22 January
Where: Loewe Saal, Moabit
Tip 9: Feel the beat at Yamato – The Drummers of Japan
Taiko-do: a way of living, with adherents eating together, practicing together and even going to bed at the same time – and the reason why Japan’s Taiko drummers are so perfectly in sync with one another. Their flawless two-hour performance (including interval) has to be seen to be believed, with the magical connection between the musicians and their instruments nothing short of spellbinding. To date, they’ve performed in front of more than 8 million people worldwide: here’s your chance to be one of them!
When: 7.30 p.m. on Thursday 19 January; 7.30 p.m. on Friday 20 January; 2.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on Saturday 21 January; 1.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 22 January
Where: Admiralspalast, Mitte
Tip 10: Explore the animal kingdom from A to Z at Berlin Zoo
Berlin Zoo is one for the record books: not only the oldest still existing zoo in the world, it also houses more species than any other, too. Divided into handy sections, like the ‘World of Birds’, home to our feathered friends, or the ‘Hans in Luck’ petting zoo, it’s perfect for young and old alike. You’ll need a day ticket just to get around everything – but rest assured, there’s a plethora of restaurants and cafes to keep you energised for adventure. After all, with everything from aardvarks to zebras calling the site home, there’s a true animal alphabet to discover!
When: open every day from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (last entry at 3.30 p.m.)
Where: Berlin Zoo, Tiergarten
Tip 11: Attend a birthday party with a twist at GRIPS Theater
Party bags, birthday cake and pass-the-parcel… children’s birthday parties are all fun and games – until things don’t quite go to plan! That’s exactly the set-up in Zum Glück viel Geburtstag. This German-language play suitable for ages 6 and up follows what happens when little Niko’s party preparations are interrupted by his young neighbour. It’s an entertaining watch for any child counting down the days until their next birthday and for any adult tasked with throwing a party for them!
When: 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday 21–22 January
Where: GRIPS Theater, Mitte
You can find more tips for events in our events calendar.
