On this middle weekend in May, Berlin once again presents itself from its very best side - by showing all its sides at once. From art and design, music and theatre to flea markets and excursion boats, there really is everything on offer on the three best days of the week. Except one reason to stay on the sofa...
Tip 1: Get to know a changing discipline at Berlin Design Week
Berlin Design Week is back again this year with many exciting events that focus on more than just the latest furniture trends. Under the Motto Common Sense, Berlin Design Week sees its task this year as finding creative solutions for current challenges. What new features should an allotment gazebo have in times of climate change? How are global design trends and gender equality linked? And how can furniture design take an important step towards a circular economy? A design philosophy that not only visually responds to the needs of the times deals with such questions. Look forward to informative talks, exhibitions and, of course, plenty of eye candy.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 2: Listen to the rousing rhythms of the XJAZZ! Festival
Not only the eyes, but also the ears get their money's worth this weekend: the XJAZZ! Festival is playing big time! The extraordinary music festival was created in the heart of Kreuzberg and bears the unmistakable signature of Berlin. Musicians from all over the world come together for this special occasion in the bars and concert halls of the neighbourhood. The XJAZZ! Festival also remains locally rooted. The Kreuzberg jazz scene makes up around 75 per cent of the line-up. The creative mix of jazz, electro music, pop and neoclassical attracts around 12,000 visitors every year and creates an experimental space for improvisation and collaboration. In addition to rousing concerts in traditional Berlin cultural venues, you can also take part in a workshop or two and hone your own jazz skills - a must for lovers of alternative music!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 3: Put your taste buds to the test at the Berlin Chilli Fest
The Berlin Chili Fest brings the hottest fruit in the world to Treptow for three days in all its shapes and colours. The spring edition of the popular festival is also all about hot, hotter, hottest and serves you the red chilli pepper as a hot sauce, in cocktails or as a balcony plant. So that the daring connoisseurs among you don't burn their tongues, there's plenty of craft beer to go with it. But simply watching is also an option - and there are plenty of opportunities for this at the Chilli Fest. For example, the Clifton Chilli Club's chilli eating competition on Sunday afternoon or the attempt by multiple Guinness World Record holder Mike Jack Eats Heat to set a new chilli eating record immediately afterwards. A guaranteed entertaining weekend with cabaret, live music and lots of spicy highlights!
When: Friday from 6 to 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 10 pm
Where: Berliner Berg Brauerei, Treptower Straße 39, Treptow
The award-winning Deutschlandmuseum
A multi award-winning immersive museum experience for the whole family: embark on an interactive journey through 2000 years of German history. Immerse yourself in the past and enjoy a multi-sensory adventure.
Tip 4: Celebrate the great spring fever with Romeo & Juliet
Finally! The heartbreaking audience favourite Romeo & Juliet - Love is Everything returns to the stage of the Stage Theater des Westens. Berlin musical heroes Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer have transformed Shakespeare's love tragedy into a musical hit-fest that has already melted the hearts of Berliners in 2023. This weekend, you can look forward to the long-awaited comeback and experience the spectacle, which has been nominated a total of seven times for the German Musical Theatre Award, live. The mix of modern pop songs and classic arias complements the original Shakespeare dialogues with the special magic of the musical tradition. Look forward to this soulful, fantastically staged stage show!
When: Saturday at 3pm and 7.30pm, Sunday at 2.30pm and 7pm
Where: Stage Theater des Westens, Kantstraße 12, Charlottenburg
Tip 5: Cruise along the Spree for two hours with a sun hat and a drink
Berlin is so very different from the old water jewels of Venice, Bruges or Amsterdam, but even in Berlin, water unfolds its charm everywhere in the city. Just like the lakes in the west and east, the Spree is a real gift, especially in spring! So if you don't want to experience Berlin's largest waterway from the banks for a change, but want to go on a wonderfully decelerated sightseeing tour, we have just the thing for you. Make yourself comfortable for two hours on one of the Spree boats and enjoy the highlights of the city from the water - as the Spree fortunately flows past many of them. On board, the experienced crew will provide you with cocktails, snacks and anecdotes. Culture without any legwork!
When: At various departure times
Where: Friedrichstraße landing stage (Reichstagufer), Reichstagufer 19, Mitte
Tip 6: Explore silence in the Schaubühne
The future is always a space of uncertainty for young people, as well as a space full of wishes and hopes. But especially in times of climate crisis, inflation, political radicalisation and war, this future seems increasingly bleak. So how can young people manage to maintain a positive outlook despite the mood of crisis? At the Schaubühne, theatre educator Mai-An Nguyen is tackling this major topic with her latest theatre project Stille together with children and young adults aged 16 to 21. This weekend, you have the opportunity to be there live when the young collective formulates questions and demands for the older generations to finally be heard in an overwhelming world.
When: Friday at 8pm and Sunday at 7.30pm
Where: Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz, Kurfürstendamm 153, Wilmersdorf
Tip 7: Stroll through spring in Charlottenburg Palace Gardens
The enchanted, expansive gardens of Charlottenburg Palace have been a city beauty since its foundation in 1695. The cosmopolitan Electress Sophie Charlotte was instrumental in its creation. She used this green jewel to attract Europe's high society to Berlin. Today you can walk in the footsteps of this extraordinary woman through 300 years of garden art and enjoy spring. Your path will take you past the Mausoleum of Queen Luise, the New Pavilion, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, and the Schmuckgarten, which lives up to its name. With all these royal sights, it's worth planning enough time for your trip to Charlottenburg. After all, a thorough exploration of this enchanting summer residence can take a whole day - and the palace is also worth a look from the inside!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 9pm
Where: Charlottenburg Palace, Spandauer Damm 10-22, Charlottenburg
Tip 8: Hunt for cultural bargains at the state museums' special sale
This weekend, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin are once again selling discounted publications, single and second-hand copies, merchandising items as well as posters, postcards and art prints at their special book sale. Bookworms and art lovers can expect a true paradise here, as the sales tables literally disappear under the many colourful covers. The editions available here are reduced by up to 50, 70 and even 80 per cent and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. But make sure you have enough cash for your spring stroll, as card payment is not possible at this special event organised by the Kulturforum.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm
Where: Kulturforum - lower foyer, Johanna and Eduard Arnhold Platz, Tiergarten
Tip 9: Take a stroll around Tuchollaplatz
Berlin is known for its unique range of vintage clothing, second-hand shops and flea markets. But once word gets around about a hotspot, it's easy to forget about a leisurely stroll. It's just as well that second-hand Berlin is bigger than Kreuzberg, Neukölln and the like: a little away from the central shopping hustle and bustle, the new flea market on Tuchollaplatz in the district of Rummelsburg is a neighbourhood insider tip. With a colourful mix of second-hand and vintage items, children's toys, books, art and handicrafts, it has long been a highlight of the Lichtenberg event landscape and gives you a real Sunday stroll feeling - with coffee and cake if you wish.
When Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Tuchollaplatz, Rummelsburg
Tip 10: Dedicate yourself to contemporary art in Consider Listening
In a 1950s industrial estate called FAHRGEMEINSCHAFT, around 35 artists, musicians and dancers have found a home alongside a picture frame production company, a car repair shop and several recording studios. Among them is the Haubrok Foundation, which has been committed to promoting contemporary art since 2008 and launched the consider listening event series at the beginning of April. With varied event formats, the group of artists attracts enthusiastic guests to Lichtenberg every week - including this Sunday. You can expect a summery Sunday in a creative atmosphere and plenty of culture at exhibitions, readings, talks and concerts.
When: Sunday from 2 pm
Where: FAHRBEREITSCHAFT, Herzbergstraße 40-43, Lichtenberg
Tip 11: Listen to the Piano-Schulze boogie band in Room 16
The Berlin pianist Thomas Piano-Schulze not only has music in his name, but above all in his fingers. Together with drummer Dirk Höseler and guitarist Jürgen Dello, the singer and piano virtuoso performs as the Piano-Schulze-Boogieband and has been enchanting audiences with virtuoso jazz since the 1980s. This weekend you can experience the trio at Zimmer 16 in Pankow and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of improvisation with a skilful mix of Chicago jazz, boogie-woogie and the New Orleans sound of the 60s. Because that's what the three of them do best: Using their musical flair to open up a space in which communication takes place solely via their instruments.
When: Friday at 8pm
Where: Room 16, Florastraße 16, Pankow
Extra tip: Queer Action Week 2025 in Lichtenberg
Be inspired by Lichtenberg's colourful diversity! From 12 to 18 May 2025, the district will become a place of encounters, history and the future with the third Queer Action Week. In cooperation with local initiatives, cultural facilities and institutions, you can expect a week full of exciting workshops, theatre plays, readings, film screenings and exhibitions - all dedicated to queer topics and perspectives.
When: 12 to 18 May
Where: various locations in Berlin-Lichtenberg (e.g. B. Rathaus Lichtenberg, Anton Saefkow Library, Theatre an der Parkaue, Café Maggie, Tierpark Berlin)
