Opening of the 16th Family Night / ‘Wild & Stark’ Theatre Festival

At the grand opening celebration, families gathered around the historic walls of Spandau Citadel can look forward to a varied theatre festival featuring theatre, dance theatre, modern circus, street performers, magic and numerous hands-on activities.

There will also be face painting, fairy-tale walks, torchlight tours and, as the highlight, a spectacular fire show. Various catering options will be available to keep everyone well fed and watered.

Performers and acts include Bubbles Powder, Cirque Artikuss, Die Improvisionäre, Fenix Theater, Flying Flames, Funky Monkeys, magician Jan Gerken, storytellers Sabine Kolbe and Christine Lander, Lilian Mosquera, Daniel Wagner/Theater Zitadelle and Zirkusmaria.

Further artists and activities round off the programme.

• Admission is free.

About Family Night 2026

The theme of this year’s Family Night is ‘Family: Where the future takes shape and democracy begins’. Family is a place where children have their first experiences of community, different perspectives and finding solutions together. Family Night creates spaces where exactly that becomes possible in a playful way: discovering, marvelling, trying things out, making decisions and spending time together.

Alongside the theatre festival at Spandau Citadel, over 180 further events will take place in Berlin and the surrounding area on 10 October.

Families can explore museums and libraries at night, go climbing, dance, enjoy theatre, stargaze, discover animals or set off on campfire and torchlight guided tours. The programme ranges from culture and education to sport and nature, right through to creative and unusual family experiences.