The new year has taken off and after a quiet first weekend in January we are looking forward to a varied weekend full of exciting events in Berlin. Dance, cinema, exhibitions, concerts and sports, everything is waiting for you. We have put together 11 events for you. Have fun!
Tip 1: AOK Traditionsmasters
Three Berlin football clubs are represented at the eleventh edition of the traditional master: Union Berlin, Hertha BSC and Tennis Borussia. And once again, this year's indoor football tournament will be a meeting place for the legends of German football: world champions, top scorers and footballer of the year. Look forward to exciting games with numerous football legends.
When: 11 - 12 January
Where: Max-Schmeling Halle, Am Falkplatz 1, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 2: Tanztage Berlin
Numerous exciting new productions await you at this year's Tanztage in the Sophiensaele. The structures of our contemporary society will be questioned and sometimes illuminated from unusual perspectives. Be curious about fresh, queer-feminist and post-colonial interpretations. Traditionally, the Dance Days are also a platform for young choreographers.
When: 8 - 18 January 2020
Where: Sophiensaele, Sophienstr. 18, Mitte
More information about Tanztage
Tip 3: Walking through walls
Use the last opportunity this weekend to visit the Gropius Bau with its installation "Durch Mauern gehen" (Walking through walls). At the time of the Berlin Wall, the building was located directly on the border. In this exhibition, the building deals with the physical and psychological consequences of living together in divided societies.
When: until 12 January
Where: Gropius Bau, Niederkirchnerstraße 7, Mitte
Tip 4: Fantasy Filmfest White Nights
Film fans are looking forward to the 5th edition of the winter genre festival: the Fantasy Filmfest White Nights. On one weekend you can enjoy ten selected genre pearls with films from all over the world. Films that stand for fantasy, innovation and scurrility. Among them is "Jojo Rabbit", the new film by Taika Waititi.
When: 11 - 12 January
Where: Cinema in the Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg
More information about Fantasy Filmfest White Nights
Tip 5: Igor Levit
For the first time, the hip star pianist Igor Levit, who is currently storming the classical charts with his Beethoven piano sonatas, will play in the Pierre Boulez Hall. For his debut, he has put together a wide-ranging programme ranging from baroque music to contemporary compositions, from Busoni to Frederic Rzewski.
When: 11 January
Where: Pierre Boulez Hall, Französische Straße 33 D, Mitte
Tip 6: Chinese New Year at the Europa Center
2020 is the year of the rat in the Chinese calendar. The rat is considered to be smart, clever and vital. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Chinese New Year tradition can experience numerous dance and music performances by Chinese cultural groups from Berlin at the Europa Center this weekend: From music, dance and acrobatics to traditional martial arts, there is everything.
When: 10-11 January at 6 pm
Where: Europe Center, Tauentzienstraße, Charlottenburg
More information about the Chinese New Year
Tip 7: In the labyrinth of books
Until the end of the month, the Friedrichstadt-Palast is again inviting the youngest spectators to take them on an exciting journey through an enchanting world. This year the focus is on books that will help you visit Robin Hood in the dark forest, discover Robinson Crusoe on the desert island and land in the Paris of the Three Musketeers. Over 100 children and young people will be on stage to take off with you on an exciting fantasy journey on the world's largest theatre stage.
Recommended minimum age: 5 years
When: by 31 January
Where: Friedrichstadt-Palast, Friedrichstraße 107, Mitte
Tip 8: Top Secret! The 30 best Spy movies
James Bond, Jason Bourne and George Smiley meet Agent K, Ethan Hunt and Red Joan: At the festival Top Secret! the best spies with their most exciting films gather in the cinema Babylon. The selection of films ranges from Fritz Lang's silent movie "Spies" to current productions. This weekend, by the way, James Bond and Jason Bourne are in action.
When: still until 21 January
Where: Babylon Berlin, Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 30, Mitte
More information about Top Secret!
Tip 9: Party at FEZ
The party for the whole family with lots of music, dancing, workshops, romping, theatre and the orbitall space centre. Children's songwriters, bands and rappers rock with you on the show stage. You can party in the mini disco, Bollywood dance and karaoke, let off steam at the big pillow fight and be creative in the join-in circus. fezMachen! Party - welcome the New Year.
When: 11 and 12 January, 18 and 19 January
Where: FEZ, road to FEZ 2, Köpenick
Tip 10: Kirill Petrenko and Daniel Barenboim
To mark the Beethoven Year, the Berliner Philharmoniker will perform the triumphant Piano Concerto No. 3 together with Daniel Barenboim at the piano. Here the baroque dialogue between orchestra and piano is transformed into a musical demonstration of power, in which the pianist presents the main theme forte and in unison after several attempts. For this purpose conductor Kirill Petrenko has chosen the Asrael Symphony by composer Josef Suk, named after the angel of death in Islamic and Jewish mythology.
When: 9 - 11 January, 8 pm (Introduction at 7.15 pm)
Where: Philharmonie, Herbert-von-Karajan-Strasse 1, Tiergarten
Tip 11: CAVALLUNA – Legend of the desert
Horsemanship at the highest level, fantastic stage designs and rousing music will take you on a journey. The popular horse show returns to the Mercedes-Benz Arena with a new production and transforms it into a magical desert land with horsemanship, acrobatics and dance.
When: 11 - 12 January
Where: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Mercedes Platz 1, Friedrichshain
For even more event tips, you can always click through our tips for every day in Berlin's biggest event calendar.
