While Berlin's winter takes overoutside , the city's cultural venues are almost overflowing with programme highlights. This abundance of cultural highlights comes at just the right time, because how else could you bridge the gap between now and Christmas? From film festivals and ballet to jazz, football and pre-Christmas walks, everything is on offer this weekend!
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Tip 1: Get in the mood for the festive season at Christmas in the Tierpark
Although Berlin's Christmas markets don't open their doors until Monday, you can already enjoy the festive atmosphere at Tierpark this weekend. At Christmas in the Tierpark, the trees, enclosures and extensive walkways of the Tierpark will be at their most Christmassy.
The zoo is open until 10 pm for this magical event. Colourful fairy lights and installations provide a romantic backdrop well into the evening hours. Set off into a fairytale wonderland where people and animals get in the mood for Christmas together!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 16:40 to 22:00
Where: Tierpark Berlin, Am Tierpark 125, Friedrichsfelde
Tip 2: The rejazz-festival shows the diversity of jazz music
Since 2020, the rejazz-festival has enriched the Berlin music scene with another musical jewel. The alternative jazz festival is dedicated to the diversity of jazz in its programme and offers a stage primarily to female musicians.
From Thursday to Saturday, you can enjoy an international line-up this weekend. Artists such as Holly Schlott, Julia Kadel, Sanne Huijbregts and Birgitta Flick will be presenting a wide variety of jazz styles at Jazzclub Schlot. Classic jazz, folk-inspired sounds and experimental music ensembles make every evening an artistic highlight.
When: Friday and Saturday from 8pm; concert starts at 8.30pm
Where: Jazzclub Schlot, Invalidenstraße 117 in the Edisonhöfe, Mitte
Tip 3: Listen to moving eyewitness accounts at Tatort Mittelmeer
Shocking figures: In the last ten years, over 30,000 people have lost their lives while fleeing across the central Mediterranean. Nevertheless, human rights organisations and those affected complain that European governments are not doing enough to adequately tackle the problem.
At the Deutsches Theater Berlin, you can take a closer look at Tatort Mittelmeer on Sunday. This staged reading of eyewitness accounts will give a voice to those people who are often ignored in the politically heated discourse surrounding refugee movements. The evening will be accompanied by music from the Palestinian-Syrian pianist Aeham Ahmad.
When: Sunday at 8 pm
Where: Deutsches Theater Berlin, Schumannstraße 13A, Mitte
Tip 4: Enjoy winter cinema at Berlin's film festivals
Two outstanding film festivals invite you to the city's cinemas at the start of winter: get your tickets for the anniversary editions of Black International Cinema Berlin and the French Film Week. Both events are considered an absolute must among cineastes and will spoil you with cinematic highlights away from the Hollywood mainstream in numerous Berlin cinemas.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 5: Celebrate the FRIDA & FRIDA Young Show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast
The Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is regarded as a prime example of strength and creativity. Her life was anything but easy. Even as a child, she had to overcome illness and a serious accident. But instead of despairing, Frida found refuge in her imagination: in her sickbed, she created an imaginary best friend who accompanied her through her days. This friend also bears the name Frida.
This touching story is at the centre of the new FRIDA & FRIDA Young show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast. Here, over 100 young talents from 20 nations, together with South American artists, present the colourful, life-affirming spirit of Mexico - and transform the Berlin winter into a colourful celebration of hope and imagination.
When: Friday at 4pm, Sunday at 11.30am and 3pm
Where: Friedrichstadt-Palast, Friedrichstraße 107, Mitte
Tip 6: Experience high-calibre ballet at SAABA / Minus 16
Ballet fans and experts agree on one thing: Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin has revolutionised ballet. This is not only thanks to his captivating choreographies, but also to his specially developed Gaga movement approach. This encourages dancers to explore an immediate, personal and intimate approach to music.
You can experience the result of this experimental dance art for yourself on Saturday. His company, the Batsheva Dance Company, will be performing the pieces SAABA and Minus 16 at the Deutsche Oper. Spirited choreography, outstanding acrobatics and the musical compositions of Ori Lichtik will expand your idea of what ballet can be!
When: Friday and Saturday at 19:30
Where: Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bismarckstraße 35, Charlottenburg
Tip 7: Visit Liars and Traces in the Sophiensælen
We continue dancing through the programme: Two performances that could hardly be more topical come together this weekend at the Sophiensaele. In the performance Traces by the Berlin collective Walashé, dance becomes a medium for memory, encounters and identity. Afro-diasporic styles such as krump, house and popping tell of the traces that people leave behind in their dealings with each other and with themselves.
And the second piece this weekend also touches on the really big themes: Between performance, drag and installation, Liars addresses the discourse around patriarchal violence and social media. Special mention: On Sunday afternoon, Traces will also be presented as a Schrumpf! Performance for children and their companions!
When: Friday and Saturday at 7 pm (Traces) and 9 pm (Liars), and Sunday at 3 pm (Schrumpf! family performance of Traces)
Where: Sophiensæle, Sophienstraße 18, Mitte
Tip 8: Get to know the art of Sveta Ben at the PANDAwomen Festival
Creative exchange on political topics is the central concern of the PANDA platforma in the Kulturbrauerei. For seven consecutive Fridays, this year's PANDAWomen Festival is dedicated to a specific country, represented by an artist with roots in that country. This weekend, the focus is on Belarusian artist Sveta Ben. On her big evening, the interdisciplinary artist brings together the voices of various creatives from her home country. Look forward to a film screening, an exhibition, a performative reading and lots of music!
When: Friday from 6 pm
Where: Panda Platforma in the Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstraße 97, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 9: Celebrate the anniversary of the city partnership between Berlin and Windhoek
The city partnership between Berlin and Windhoek is characterised by a culture of remembrance and historical reappraisal as well as future-oriented cooperation. This special connection is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend. To mark this anniversary, Kulturprojekte Berlin, in cooperation with the Governing Mayor, has put together a varied programme for Berliners interested in history.
You can expect colonial-historical city tours through the African Quarter in Wedding, exhibitions and readings on Berlin's colonial past, German-Namibian concert evenings and many other exciting events.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Town twinning Berlin & Windhoek
Tip 10: Take a look at the trials and tribulations of love at Closer
At the ACUD Theatre, you can look forward to a play that has been a global success since the late 1990s. Closer follows four people over four years as they navigate the ups and downs of their relationships and ultimately have to ask themselves the question: does relentless truth really create more closeness?
The play by English director and screenwriter Patrick Marber brings the drama of human existence to the stage in an intimate and provocative way and reminds its audience that nothing stays the same. Relationships come, go, break up and change - and always leave their mark. You can expect an evening of theatre that is guaranteed to get under your skin.
When: Friday and Saturday at 8 pm
Where: ACUD Theatre, Veteranenstraße 21, Mitte
Tip 11: Go on a Hertha BSC tour at the Olympiastadion Berlin
Want to stand where the professionals normally fight for victory? This is exactly the experience you get on the Hertha BSC tour at the Olympiastadion Berlin. For 90 minutes, you'll experience the pure Hertha feeling: from entering the legendary Ostkurve to walking through the players' tunnel and taking a look inside the dressing room.
Then it's on to the club grounds, where you can explore the U23 training pitches. The tour ends at Hanns-Braun-Straße - and with a bit of luck, you might even get a glimpse of the professionals' training sessions . A must for all those who have Hertha-BSC in their hearts - and want to experience the stadium of their idols up close.
When: Saturday and Sunday at 12pm and 2pm
Where: Olympiastadion Berlin, Olympischer Platz 3, Westend
Here you can find even more great tips for activities & things to do in Berlin - whatever the weather.
