As the days grow darker outside, Berlin’s major theatres and museums shine all the brighter. Berlin Freedom Week offers you fresh perspectives on freedom and democracy, whilst the Christmas Garden is already inviting you to get into the festive spirit. Enjoy the November weekend in Berlin!
Tip 1: Discuss freedom at Berlin Freedom Week
What does freedom feel like, and what does it mean today? Berlin Freedom Week is entering its final stage and invites you once again to enjoy fascinating encounters, extraordinary guided tours and moving stories ! On Friday, at the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, you can meet eyewitness Christian König, who will talk about his resistance to the SED dictatorship and his imprisonment by the Stasi. At the DDR Museum, historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk will present the diaries of singer-songwriter Wolf Biermann. Saturday promises to be particularly exciting at Berliner Unterwelten: here, you’ll follow in the footsteps of secret escape tunnels, accompanied by eyewitness Joachim Neumann, who was himself involved in building them. And for those who prefer a more artistic approach, the ‘Freedom of Movement’ festival at CABUWAZI Tempelhof offers the chance to see how young people use circus arts to tell stories of escape, arrival and freedom of movement. A varied programme that brings Berlin’s history to life and inspires reflection!
When: Friday, 5 pm (conversation with an eyewitness), 6 pm (reading); Saturday, 10 am (Unterwelten), 4 pm–10.30 pm (circus festival)
Where: Various venues, including the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, the GDR Museum, Berliner Unterwelten and CABUWAZI Tempelhof
Tip 2: Dance at the Hip Hop Ball
A tailcoat, an evening gown and a pair of cool trainers to go with them! At the second HipHop Ball Berlin , the historic Rotes Rathaus is transformed into an extraordinary ballroom where classic elegance meets urban street culture. Around 100 artists will ensure an unforgettable evening with rap, DJ sets, dance, graffiti and spectacular performances . Particularly exciting: the Flying Steps Academy will open the programme with an urban waltz, accompanied by violinist Kitti Karina Farkas. You can also look forward to a graffiti exhibition by the artist Olivier Kéros, performances by young hip-hop talents from Hamburg and Paris, and a special midnight show. And of course, you’re welcome to join in the dancing too! A glamorous celebration full of rhythm, creativity and surprising encounters – with an unusual dress code: formal ball attire is compulsory, but leave your high heels at home, as trainers are strictly required!
When: Saturday, doors open from 7.30 pm, programme starts at 8.30 pm
Where: Rotes Rathaus, Rathausstraße 15, Mitte
Tip 3: Celebrate the Jewish Cultural Days together
Under the motto‘ZADIKIM – Time for the Righteous’, the 39th Jewish Culture Days invite you to discover the diversity of Jewish culture and contemporary life. For eleven days, Berlin will become a stage for music, literature, film, theatre and exciting encounters. This weekend, on Friday, you can join Jess Earle on a city walk to trace the history of Jewish life and the November pogroms of 1923. On Sunday, a particularly varied programme awaits you: In “In the Beginning Was Schmonzes”, author Alexander Estis , together with the Trio Scho, combines linguistic wit and satire with klezmer and Eastern European sounds. Comic fans can learn from Julian Voloj how Jewish immigrant children helped shape the American comic industry and made characters like Superman possible. In addition, the Israeli Orto-da Theatre brings‘Stones’to the stage – an impressive blend of physical theatre, music and lighting. And literature fans can look forward to a reading by Julia Franck. A festival full of stories, new perspectives and cultural discoveries!
When: Friday and Sunday, start times vary by event; the festival also takes place on Saturday
Where: Various venues in Berlin, including the Centrum Judaicum, Oranienburger Straße 28–30, Mitte, and the Gemeindehaus, Fasanenstraße 79–80, Charlottenburg
Tip 4: Get to know two sisters and plenty of drama
Two sisters, a hairdressing salon and plenty of drama! It’s not just hair that’s flying here – sparks are flying too! At the Theater des Westens, the new Berlin musical ‘Salon ROSIE’ celebrates the big emotions, the little nastiness and the indestructible power of family. Master hairdresser Rosi Fröhlich, played by Steffi Irmen, is left standing amidst the ruins of her life’s work: her beloved salon is having to close. Just when you’d least expect it, her twin sister Gabi turns up – once a celebrated GDR pop star, now all but forgotten. And straight away, two life stories, old jealousies and plenty of unspoken truths collide! Kathi Damerow, as Gabi, stirs things up even further, whilst the two sisters come to terms with their past through singing, arguing and laughing, accompanied by big hits and new songs by Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer. By turns hilarious and touching, and always with a good dose of Berlin charm! Incidentally, the musical tells the backstory to the hit production ‘Wir sind am Leben’. Anyone fancying a full day of musicals on Sunday can also catch that show afterwards.
When: Friday, 7.30 pm, and Sunday, 2.30 pm
Where: Stage Theater des Westens, Kantstraße 12, 10623 Berlin-Charlottenburg
Tip 5: Join in the celebrations for the Hamburger Bahnhof’s anniversary
Happy Birthday, Hamburger Bahnhof! To mark its 30th anniversary, the National Gallery of Contemporary Art is hosting a very special art marathon: the museum’s doors will remain open continuously for over 30 hours – and admission is free! Look forward to night-time guided tours of the exhibitions, fascinating artist talks and a vinyl listening night featuring records from the museum’s collection. In the historic hall, performances by Lina Lapelytė’s ensemble will create special moments, whilst films by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Anne Imhof and Wim Wenders will turn the night into a cinematic experience. Anyone wishing to get creative themselves can join in at the Rieckhallen’s open studio or discover ever-new aspects of the museum on the‘Endless Tour’. Particularly original: in the Education Lounge, you’re even allowed to sleep in the museum, and on Sunday morning there’s a guided tour in your pyjamas! You can also discover‘Sophie Calle. Is It Better?’, a newly opened exhibition by the French conceptual artist. An extraordinary birthday celebration for art fans, night owls and anyone who wants to experience museums in a completely different way!
When: Saturday from 11.00 am continuously until Sunday, 6.00 pm
Where: Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, Invalidenstraße 50–51, Moabit
30 hours at Hamburger Bahnhof 1 30 hours at Hamburger Bahnhof 2
Tip 6: Take your family to the Fairy Tale Days
Once upon a time … right in the heart of Berlin! At the 37th Berlin Fairy Tale Days, the capital is transformed into a vast fairy-tale land full of mysterious sounds, fantastic stories and magical encounters. Under the theme‘The Magic Flute and the Star Harp – Music in Fairy Tales and Stories’, this year’s event centres on the special power of music. And there’s plenty to discover this weekend: on Friday, ‘Märchen in Zoar’ will be telling musical stories under the title‘The Singing Tree & Dancing Sounds’, whilst on Saturday the theme there is‘When Fairy Tales Become Music’. Also on Saturday, delicate harp melodies will accompany thestorytelling event ‘Das Spinnrad summt’ in Wilmersdorf. On Sunday, things will get particularly cosy at theoriental fairy-tale breakfast with Birgitt Claus, featuring live music on the saz and delicacies straight out of One Thousand and One Nights. Or you can let yourself be whisked away to another world at the Ökowerk Berlin with Celtic legends, enchanting melodies and mysterious creatures. A wonderful festival for dreamers of all ages, fairy-tale fans and anyone who loves to be enchanted!
When: Friday, from 7 pm; Saturday, 4 pm and 5 pm; Sunday, 11 am and 12–3 pm
Where: Various locations in Berlin, including EFG Zoar, a storytelling venue in Wilmersdorf, the Bedouin tent (Takustraße 38–40, Dahlem) and Ökowerk Berlin (Teufelsseechaussee 22, Grunewald)
Fairy Tale Days
Tip 7: Go on a boat trip
Cast off and experience Berlin from a whole new perspective! On the one-hour historical city tour with Stern und Kreisschiffahrt, you’ll glide leisurely along the River Spree and discover some of the capital’s most beautiful sights from the water. Passing the imposing Reichstag building, the tour takes you right through the government district, past the House of World Cultures and on to the Luther Bridge. Along the way, you’ll be treated to fantastic views of Bellevue Palace, the main railway station and the Victory Column. Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island and the historic Nikolaiviertel are also among the tour’s highlights. A multilingual audio guide provides fascinating background information whilst you simply enjoy the views. And best of all: a seat is guaranteed! A wonderful opportunity to explore Berlin in a relaxed way, even on a chilly November day – whether with the family, as a couple or with visitors from out of town.
When: Friday to Sunday, at the bookable departure times; journey duration approx. 1 hour
Where: Various jetties in Berlin-Mitte, including Friedrichstraße (Am Weidendamm 1), Alte Börse/Hackescher Markt (Burgstraße 27) and Hauptbahnhof/Moltkebrücke
Tickets
Tip 8: Experience modern music at Bauhaus Music 2026
Can you hear colours and see music? Under the motto‘Sound as colour, colour as sound’, the ‘Bauhaus Music 2026’ festival is all about the fascinating connection between music, art and perception. For two days, the historic St Elisabeth’s Church will become a stage for extraordinary concerts spanning classical, avant-garde and jazz. On Friday, the German Chamber Orchestra Berlin, conducted by Karl-Heinz Steffens, and the soprano Dorothea Röschmann will open the festival with works by Lyonel Feininger, Richard Wagner, Stefan Wolpe and Arnold Schoenberg. On Saturday, at‘Klangfarben’, you can immerse yourselves in dazzling musical worlds with pianist Yu Kosuge, experience Olivier Messiaen’s impressive ‘Quatuor pour la fin du temps’, or round off the evening with a jazzy performance by Duke Ellington and the Bauhaus Music Big Band. The free workshops at the Temporary Bauhaus Archive are also particularly exciting: at “Kandinsky Synths”, colours become audible through homemade mini-synthesisers, whilst “Linke Hand Gelb!” experiments with movement and body awareness.
When: Friday, introduction at 6 pm, concert at 7 pm; Saturday, workshops 11 am–4 pm, concerts at 5 pm, 6.30 pm and 8 pm
Where: St Elisabeth’s Church, Invalidenstraße 3, Mitte; workshops at the Temporary Bauhaus Archive, Knesebeckstraße 1, Charlottenburg
Tipp 9: Seht die One-Woman-Show "Ich bin Bulgare?!"
Wo gehören wir eigentlich hin? Und was bedeutet Heimat, wenn man zwischen verschiedenen Ländern, Sprachen und Kulturen aufwächst? In ihrer rasanten One-Woman-Show „ICH BIN BULGARE?!“ nimmt euch die Schauspielerin Vidina Popov mit auf eine ebenso witzige wie berührende Suche nach Identität und Zugehörigkeit. Dafür verwebt sie persönliche Begegnungen, Interviews und dokumentarische Geschichten zu einem wilden Mix aus Theater, Stand-up und Musik. Da geht es um die Frage, ob eine Romni in Wien zum Superstar werden kann, warum manche Menschen erst in der Ferne ihren Stolz auf die alte Heimat entdecken und was die berühmten „Wurzeln“ eigentlich noch für die zweite oder dritte Generation bedeuten. Mit bissigem Humor nimmt Popov dabei so manches Klischee auseinander – und mit Live-Musik von Mark Badur und einer ordentlichen Portion Balkan-Soul kommt auch der Rhythmus nicht zu kurz. Ein kurzweiliger Theaterabend, der zum Lachen bringt, zum Nachdenken anregt und zeigt, wie vielschichtig Heimat sein kann. Hoppa!
Wann: Freitag, 19 Uhr, Einlass ab 18:50 Uhr, Dauer ca. 60 Minuten
Wo: Heimathafen Neukölln – Studio, Karl-Marx-Straße 141, Neukölln
Tip 10: Portrait photography – experience unexpected encounters
What does a face reveal about a person? And how did people want to present themselves 500 years ago – compared to today? At the Gemäldegalerie, the major special exhibition‘Portraits! Surprising Encounters from Botticelli to Lempicka’invites you on a fascinating journey through art history. Around 80 masterpieces spanning five centuries engage in dialogue here through unusual pairings. For example, Sandro Botticelli’s famous portrait of Giuliano de’ Medici is juxtaposed with an elegant 20th-century portrait by Tamara de Lempicka. Hans Holbein’s portrait of the merchant Georg Gisze, Sofonisba Anguissola’s portrait of her mother, and works by Rembrandt, Dürer and Anna Dorothea Therbusch also tell stories of power, beauty, family and self-presentation. Particularly fascinating: the exhibition traces a connection right up to the present day and asks what historical portraits actually have in common with selfies and social media. An inspiring museum visit that is guaranteed to make you look more closely!
When: Friday to Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
Where: Gemäldegalerie, Matthäikirchplatz 4–6, Kulturforum, Tiergarten
Tip 11: Have a look at "The Opposite of Now"
To mark its 25th anniversary, the Jewish Museum Berlin invites you on a fascinating journey through art, hope and visions of the future with the exhibition“The Opposite of Now”. Twelve international artists explore the question of what a different, more liveable society might look like: In her video works, the Israeli artist Yael Bartana creates unusual visions of the future, whilst the renowned choreographer William Forsythe challenges our familiar patterns of movement with “Backwards”. Dor Zlekha Levy’s interactive sound installation ‘Esperoj’ allows you to immerse yourselves in a variety of voices and stories, whilst Alona Rodeh creates a mysterious spatial landscape using plants, light, mist and music. Particularly exciting is the AI-powered application‘M.O.O.N. – My Opposite of Now’, which allows you to develop your own vision of a better present and take it home with you in the form of a text. There is also a dedicated discovery trail for families, featuring stories and interactive stations.
When: Friday and Sunday, 10 am–6 pm, last admission 5 pm; closed on Saturdays
Where: Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstraße 9–14, Kreuzberg
Our special recommendation for you: Christmas Garden Berlin
From 18 November, the Botanical Garden will once again be transformed into a fairy-tale wonderland! To mark its tenth anniversary, Christmas Garden Berlin is turning the winter garden landscape into a sparkling sea of lights. Along a circular route stretching some two kilometres, you’ll find more than 30 imaginative light installations, illuminated trees and atmospheric soundscapes. Highlights include the colourful rainbow tree, the Sparkling Firmament and the immersive light show ‘Through the Sea of Lights’. A cosy Christmas village with culinary treats and a children’s carousel also invites you to linger. Perfect for getting into the spirit of the Advent season already! Book your ticket now!
When: From Wednesday 18 November, daily from 4.20 pm, until 9 pm or 10 pm depending on the day of the week
Where: Berlin Botanical Garden, Königin-Luise-Straße 6–8, Dahlem
For even more event ideas, you can browse through our events calendar at any time.
