Start the new year as you mean to go on with an action-packed weekend of Berlin art and culture. From classical concerts and cutting-edge theatre all the way to movie marathons – the city of Berlin is delivering a huge range of outstanding entertainment this January. Check out our top 11 tips for the best of Berlin’s events and experiences this weekend and get stuck into everything 2022 has to offer.
Tip 1: View Anselm Kiefer's pictures
The new gallery Bastian in Dahlem has opened with the exhibition Anselm Kiefer: Le Dormeur du Val. Until 20 January, you have the chance to see the exhibition and the new gallery, which is designed like a pavilion in the park. Kiefer's paintings refer to 19th century and modern poems, including Arthur Rimbaud's poem "The Sleeper in the Valley". Afterwards, you can take a walk through the wintry Grunewald.
When: until 20 January
Where: Gallery Bastian, Taylorstraße 1, Zehlendorf
More about Anselm Kiefer "Le dormeur du val"
Tip 2: Listen to Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta at the Philharmonie
Experience the fairy-tale magic of Tchaikovsky’s last opera at Berlin’s Philharmonie concert house, accompanied by the 'Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra itself. Follow the story of the blind princess Iolanta as she finds love and has her sight restored. This oft-overlooked gem is brought to life by conductor Kirill Petrenko, with Sonya Yoncheva in the title role.
When: 12, 14 and 15 January
Where: Philharmonie Berlin, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, Tiergarten
Tip 3: Enjoy movie magic under a starry sky at the Zeiss-Großplanetarium
Get ready for an evening of epic proportions: Zeiss-Großplanetarium has combined popular tracks from film and television with spectacular views of the cosmos, in a performance that is truly out of this world. Sit back, relax, and let Cosmic Movie Melodies take you on a journey through time, space and the world’s best soundtracks.
When: 15 January–16 March
Where: Zeiss-Großplanetarium, Prenzlauer Allee 80, Prenzlauer Berg
More about Cosmic Movie Melodies
Tip 4: Admire groundbreaking modern art at the Berlinische Galerie
This is the final weekend of the Berlinische Galerie’s Ferdinand Hodler exhibition, showcasing the works of the influential turn-of-the-century painter and his contemporaries. Hodler had strong ties to Berlin, exhibiting there every year from 1898 to 1914. The Swiss artist is renowned for his distinctive style and played a key role in the Symbolism movement of the time. The exhibition closes on 17 January – so don’t miss your last chance to explore this uniquely curated collection.
When: Ends 17 January
Where: Berlinische Galerie, Alte Jakobstraße 124–128, Kreuzberg
More about Ferdinand Hodler und die Berliner Moderne
Tip 5: Attend an all-night sci-fi movie marathon at the Babylon cinema
Fourteen movies, 24 hours: this Friday, the cult Babylon cinema at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz is hosting the fourth edition of its mammoth sci-fi ‘sleepover’. From 1960s classics all the way to the latest releases, this one-of-a-kind programme has everything the true sci-fi aficionado could desire. Kicking off with a double bill of Alien and Aliens, the show starts at 5 pm on Friday, 14 January and ends at 5 pm the following day. Guests are invited to bring their own pillows, blankets and sleeping bags. For the committed who make it through to the morning, breakfast is provided!
When: 14–15 January
Where: Babylon, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße, Mitte
More about the Science Fiction Film marathon
Tip 6: Get to know the classic music of Berlin
Have you heard about Berlin Unboxed, our new podcast? In the third episode, we introduce you to the classical music scene in Berlin, which is just as diverse and cosmopolitan as Berlin. In this episode you'll meet Frederik Hanssen, who reports on classical music as an editor in the feature section of the Tagesspiegel. And Maja Avramovic, who has been playing in the Philharmonic's first violin section since 1994, takes you behind the scenes at the Philharmonie.
More about Berlin Unboxed (in German only)
Tip 7: Pass 2021 under review with Anny Hartmann
2021 was quite a year – from a global pandemic to a high-speed vaccine roll-out and rollercoaster politics, it’s hard to believe it all happened in the space of 12 months. The inimitable Anny Hartmann takes a merciless – and hilarious – look back over the year just gone, with a comedy show that is both side-splittingly funny and painfully on-point. Schwamm drüber? is only showing in Berlin for one night – so don’t miss out.
When: Saturday, 15 January
Where: Die Wühlmäuse, Pommernallee 2–4, Charlottenburg
Tip 8: Put your feet up in one of Berlin’s cosiest spots
Whether you fancy a snug cuppa at a local café or an indulgent spa day, we’ve got 11 top spots to warm up and hunker down. There’s no better way to shake off the winter chill than a visit to the sauna at the glorious Vabali spa in Moabit, or a float in a heated pool at tranxx in Schöneberg. Alternatively, a steaming bowl of traditional Vietnamese pho from Ryong on Torstraße or a coffee at the scenic Café am Neuen See will warm you from the inside out. Check out our 11 tips for places in Berlin to warm up.
11 tips for places to warm up in Berlin
Tip 9: Encounter an immersive installation with DOOM at the Sophiensaele
DOOM by Layton Lachman and Samuel Hertz is as heavy as it gets: this three-hour installation performance takes the form of a drone/doom-metal concert, taking viewers on a voyage through a host of stylised subcultures. The incredible sound, lighting and costumes will transport you to another world, creating an ultimately immersive experience that reflects on destruction, loss and mourning. Not to be missed by lovers of experimental performance.
When: 15 and 16 January
Where: Sophiensaele (Festsaal), Sophienstraße 18, Mitte
Tip 10: Go on a musical journey with Hildegard Knef
Experience the legendary Berlin singer Hildegard Knef as you’ve never seen her before in this captivating show by Friedelise Stutte. In A Life in Chansons, Stutte performs the songs of Knef – including hits such as Für mich soll’s rote Rosen regnen and Berlin, Dein Gesicht hat Sommersprossen – in the beautiful surrounds of the Konzerthaus. A poignant, nostalgic reflection on a beloved musical icon.
When: Sunday, 16 January
Where: Konzerthaus Berlin, Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte
Tickets for Ein Leben in Chansons
Tip 11: Take a tour of Germany’s largest public library – from the comfort of your sofa
With over 3 million digital and printed media, the Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin is the largest public library in Germany. The library has moved its tours online, so you can find your way around this treasure trove of culture and literature from the safety and comfort of your own home.
You can find out about the library’s history or architecture on tours tailored to your specific interests – simply submit a request via the website. Tours must be booked in advance and can be accessed from any internet-enabled device.
When: Upon enquiry
Where: Online
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