Late summer offers plenty of good reasons to explore Berlin this weekend. At the IFA, you can try out the latest tech, whilst the first group matches of the Women’s Basketball World Cup are about to get underway. In the evenings, art studios are opening their doors, bars are embracing the Roaring Twenties, and aboard the Hemingway you can glide almost silently through the government district.
Tip: September is Democracy Month, with countless events taking place across Berlin.
Tip 1: Discover the technology of tomorrow at the IFA
Robotics, AI, smart homes and even flying cars: at IFA, you’ll find more than 1,900 brands and can experience the latest innovations first-hand. The various show areas are particularly exciting – from computing and gaming to mobility and audio.
Sign up for a guided tour of the IFA and visit the IFA Summer Garden, where street food and an entertaining programme featuring top-class stars such as Ikkimel await you. It’s the perfect place to take a breather between halls.
When: Friday, 12 noon–6 pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
Where: Messe Berlin, Messedamm 22, Charlottenburg
Tip 2: Cheer on the teams at the Women’s Basketball World Cup
The group stage of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kicks off this Friday. Germany face Spain in their opening match, followed by Japan on Saturday. On Sunday, the fixtures include Belgium v Puerto Rico and Italy v the USA. With the slogan “We own the Game”, the sporting event sees itself as a catalyst for new social perspectives: for the empowerment of women, for equality and for diversity in action.
The venues will be the Berlin Arena and the Max-Schmeling-Halle. Come and cheer on the world’s top 16 women’s basketball teams, celebrate female empowerment and enjoy some thrilling matches.
Tip: A temporary basketball court and social space has been set up on Kantstraße at Breitscheidplatz in Charlottenburg; since 16 August, you’ve been able to play basketball here for free and enjoy an entertaining programme.
When and where: check the FIBA website.
FIBA Women’s Basketball
Tip 3: Explore the present day at the International Literature Festival
More than 90 authors from all over the world are bringing contemporary literature and social debates to Berlin at the International Literature Festival . The theme is “You are born with your face turned everywhere”; the patron of the 26th edition is the Algerian-French writer Boualem Sansal.
You won’t just be seeing international literary stars. The ilb also promotes young authors from all over the world and dedicates a separate festival programme to them. Around 150 events and workshops await you from 7 to 16 September.
Tip: Join us on a literary stroll through Berlinin our Berlin Unboxed podcast episode featuring Matthias Nawrat, winner of the 2026 Berlin Literature Prize, and Simone Schröder, director of the ilb’s evening programme .
When: 3–16 September
Where: various locations in Berlin
Tip 4: Immerse yourself in 1990s Berlin with “WIR SIND AM LEBEN”
Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer tell a story of family, freedom and a Berlin in the midst of change. Nina and Mario arrive in the capital in 1990, encountering squats, techno, new love and the grim reality of AIDS. Steffi Irmen plays their mother, Rosie.
Experience a story about family, freedom and the spirit of life in Berlin in the early 1990s.
When: Friday and Saturday at 7.30 pm, Saturday at 3 pm, Sunday at 2.30 pm and 7 pm
Where: Theater des Westens, Kantstraße 12, Charlottenburg
Tip 5: Explore Lichtenberg during the Long Night of Images
On Friday, 47 venues will open their studios, workshops and exhibition spaces for the Long Night of Images. You can set off on your own or join a guided tour. The tours are led by guides who will take you through the wide range of activities on offer and tell you about the venues and the people involved. A fascinating contrast: painting and photography sit alongside hidden sound installations and creative workshops.
Admission is free.
When: Friday, 6 pm to midnight
Where: 47 venues in Lichtenberg
Tip 6: Discover Berlin’s religions under the theme of compassion
Another Long Night this weekend takes you on a journey through Berlin’s religious diversity: during the Long Night of Religions , around 30 congregations and communities are opening their doors. Alevi, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim and pagan communities are taking part, as are the Baha’i, Candomblé and the Sikh gurdwara. Under the theme of ‘Compassion’, they invite you to engage in conversation and get to know different faith traditions.
The 15th Long Night of Religions is entirely dedicated to compassion.
When: Saturday
Where: numerous venues in Berlin and Teltow
Long Night of Religions
Tip: You can find even more ‘Long Nights’ events in Berlin here.
Tip 7: Turn Schönhauser Allee into a catwalk
Between the underground viaduct and the shopping street, Schönhauser Allee is set to take centre stage this Saturday: At ‘Kiez & Couture – From Asphalt to Avant-garde’, the urban space itself becomes a catwalk. Local labels and shops will showcase their fashion alongside established brands, bringing fashion to the very heart of where everyday Berlin life and neighbourhood culture intersect.
It’s the setting that makes it so special: instead of a closed-off fashion show, you’ll experience the looks right in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg. Afterwards, look forward to a lively evening with a DJ, an after-show party and late-night shopping around the Schönhauser Allee Arcaden.
When: Saturday 5 September, 12 noon–9 pm; fashion shows 12 noon–7 pm, after-show party 7–9 pm
Where: Under the Magistratsschirm in front of the Schönhauser Allee Arcaden, Schönhauser Allee 80, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 8: Explore the legend of Tempelhof Airport
Behind the monumental façade of the former airport lie places you wouldn’t normally be able to enter in everyday life. The two-hour guided tour takes you through the grounds and puts Tempelhof’s eventful history into context. Groups consist of between eight and a maximum of 30 participants.
When: several tours a day
Where: CHECK-IN Visitor Centre, Tempelhof Airport, Platz der Luftbrücke 5, C2, Tempelhof
Tip 9: Glide into the Berlin evening on the Hemingway
Wood panelling meets electric motor: the Hemingway, which is over 115 years old, has been cruising the River Spree on a fully electric power source since 2025. For 90 minutes, the Reichstag, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral and the Nikolaiviertel glide past – without any sightseeing commentary, but with curated music and a glass of Crémant.
When: daily at 6 pm
Where: Paul-Löbe-Haus / Reichstag jetty, Otto-von-Bismarck-Allee 2, on the River Spree
Tickets
Tip 10: Mix your way through Berlin Cocktail Week
Berlin Cocktail Week kicks off on Friday with its ‘Golden Twenties Edition’. More than 30 selected bars are creating their own drinks inspired by the Golden Twenties. As well as these special cocktails, you can take part in exclusive tasting events, sample creative signature drinks and attend exciting workshops on spirits, flavours and preparation techniques.
By the way: all promotional cocktails cost a flat rate of 9 euros.
When: from Friday until 13 September
Where: various bars in Berlin
Tip: You can find even more Berlin Weeks here.
Tip 11: Browse through the decades at the Berlin Vintage & Heritage Market
From 1920s to 1990s fashion, via vinyl and shellac, right through to decorative items, the selection at the Berlin Vintage & Heritage Market in the historic Ballhaus Berlin is vast. DJs spin tracks on original records, whilst you can also explore the courtyard. Admission costs three euros.
When: Sunday 6 September, 11 am–5 pm
Where: Ballhaus Berlin, Chausseestraße 102, Mitte
