This weekend, Berlin is celebrating the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. While numerous institutions are celebrating Berlin Freedom Weekto mark the occasion , other events are inviting you to get in the mood for the festive season. The Berlin Fairytale Days, Bazaar Berlin and tea ceremonies at silent green Kulturquartier await you.
Win a weekend in Berlin
Take part in our raffle now and win a pre-Christmas weekend in Berlin with accommodation in a top hotel.
Tip 1: Celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall and Berlin Freedom Week
The fall of the Berlin Wall on the night of 9 to 10 November 1989 marked the beginning of a new chapter - in the history of the city as well as in the history of Europe. The photos from back then are still world-famous today: hundreds climb onto the Wall at the Brandenburg Gate and embrace each other in jubilation.
This weekend, the city is celebrating the 36th anniversary of this once-in-a-century event with the festivities surrounding the fall of the Wall and Berlin Freedom Week. In many places, you can take part in exhibitions, guided tours and round-table discussions that deal with the historical legacy of reunification. The highlight of Freedom Week is the Freedom Conference, where leading figures from politics and culture come together to discuss the future of democracy.
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
Tip 2: Experience American football at the Berlin Olympic Stadium
For the very first time, an official league game of the US National Football League (NFL) will take place in Berlin's Olympic Stadium. The impressive arena, known for football, athletics and major music concerts, is thus adding a spectacular sporting highlight to its repertoire. When the Indianapolis Colts meet theAtlanta Falcons, the pitch will become the stage for a completely new chapter in the stadium's history.
Football fans will be travelling from all over Europe and beyond to witness this debut. And it's not just in the stadium that the action will be high: at Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate, a specially organised fan mile with public viewing, meet-and-greet and hands-on sporting activities will invite people to celebrate.
When: Sunday at 15:30
Where: Olympiastadion Berlin, Olympischer Platz 3, Westend
Tip 3: Holidays in Franco's Spain at the Museum of European Cultures
While the dictatorship in Germany ended with the end of the war in 1945, the Franco regime in Spain survived until the mid-1970s. But how did tourists experience Spanish fascism? Beach tourism served the regime both as a means of propaganda and as an important source of income. From the perspective of the Spanish, however, a dark shadow hovered over this carefully staged holiday idyll.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Franco's death, the Museum of European Cultures (MEK) opened the exhibition"Vamos a la playa. Holidays under Franco" was opened. The works of eight selected artists tell you a very personal story about beach fun and sunshine under fascism.
When: Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Museum of European Cultures, Arnimallee 25, Dahlem
Tip 4: Stroll around the world at Bazaar Berlin
For those of you who prefer to buy your Christmas presents sooner rather than later, Bazaar Berlin is the place to be. This international sales fair has been coming to the capital for 60 years and offers artistic designs, fair trade items and many other treasures in five themed worlds.
The World Market presents cultural treasures from over 60 countries, while the Natural Living world spoils you with sustainable eco-products and wellness ideas. Art & Style impresses with extraordinary design pieces. The programme also includes a cultural programme of dance and music. A good reason for a winter trip to the Berlin Exhibition Centre!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m
Where: Messe Berlin, Jafféstraße, Westend
Tip 5: Discover Berlin's city secrets around the Gendarmenmarkt
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the halls of Tempelhof Airport or Berlin's old bunkers harbour one or two gruesome stories. But what secrets lie behind the city's gleaming facades? You can find out on the Secret Tours Berlin tour around the Gendarmenmarkt.
Dive deep into the hidden stories for two hours , hear from interesting personalities and experience the architectural highlights around one of Berlin's most beautiful squares from a new perspective. With a maximum of 15 participants, the atmosphere remains personal while your guides take you off the beaten track on a historical journey of discovery.
When: Friday at 14:30, Saturday and Sunday at 11:30
Where: Gendarmenmarkt opposite the building at Französische Straße 44, Mitte
Tip 6: Meet cheesemakers at Cheese Berlin
A meal without cheese is like a day without sunshine - at least that's the French saying. This Sunday at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg, you can meet people who would probably agree with this sentiment. At this year's edition of Cheese Berlin, cheese makers, experts and gourmets from all over the world will come together for a unique cheese festival.
Cheese will be presented, explained, sold and, above all, tasted according to every trick in the book. For the particularly inquisitive among you, we recommend taking part in the informative Cheese Sunday programme: an exhibition, talks and discussions on production, animal welfare and sustainability!
When: Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg
Tip 7: Dedicate yourselves to a future full of compassion with the Nova Festival exhibition
Since 7 October 2025, two years after the Hamas massacre at the Nova music festival, the Nova exhibition has been on display at Tempelhof Airport. Since then, the exhibition space has provided a permanent setting to give a voice to the survivors of the attack and to commemorate the civilian victims of war and terror in Gaza and Israel. The reports and additional information are skilfully integrated into a setting consisting of festival backdrops and real objects from the site of the incident.
The exhibition offers space for remembrance and reflection and sets a moving example of global solidarity. The focus is on music 's ability to promote empathy, cohesion and emotional healing. It allows for reflection and calm, gives space to mourning and yet awakens hope for a better world.
When: Friday from 11am to 6pm and Saturday from 11am to 8pm
Where: Tempelhof Airport, Platz der Luftbrücke 2, Tempelhof
Tip 8: The Berlin Fairytale Days with Snow White, Mother Hulda and Co.
Just in time for the cosiest time of the year, the Berlin Fairytale Days will transform the city into a magical realm of fantasy this weekend. The motto of the 36th edition of the festival is "The Swan Woman - Fairy Tales and Stories about Obstacles and True Strength". From Friday to Sunday alone, a whopping 44 events await you at various locations throughout the city. The puppet theatre in Puschkinallee, the Galli Theatre, the Rudolf Steiner House and numerous libraries are all taking part.
The kick-off and unofficial highlight of the Fairytale Days is also scheduled for the weekend: the Long Night of Storytelling in the Black Barn at Späth'sche Baumschulen. On Friday evening, young and old sit together around a crackling fire and listen to stories from different corners of the world.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various locations throughout Berlin
Tip 9: Enjoy the flavours of the world at the Berlin Tea Festival
The otherwise cool concrete halls of the silent green Kulturquartier in Wedding will be steaming from numerous cups and kettles this weekend. This year's Berlin Tea Festival will once again bring together producers from all over the world to celebrate international tea culture for two days.
Get to know the latest varieties and trends from Japan, Georgia, China and Vietnam. With traditional ceremonies, creative workshops and numerous tastings, you can immerse yourself in the diverse world of tea on site. And the enjoyment continues at home: all visitors receive a specially designed bowl that turns the aromatic tastings into a personalised experience.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm
Where: silent green Kulturquartier - Betonhalle, Gerichtstraße 35, Wedding
Tip 10: Immerse yourself in the world of short film at INTERFILM 41
This weekend, the legendary Berlin short film festival INTERFILM celebrates its 41st edition and presents a varied programme of cinematic highlights from all over the world. The programme includes various competition formats for documentaries, environmental films, feature films, German films and the festive award ceremonies in the respective categories.
Those who like things a little more experimental are in particularly good hands at eject_XXVIII . This section celebrates short films that are outside the norm and give the festival its particularly creative flavour. A diverse cinema programme awaits you in various venues throughout Berlin.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 11: Explore the identity legacy of colonialism with Djibril Sall
The queer Senegalese performer, choreographer and author Djibril S all transforms the Sophiensæle stage space into a poetic sea of memory and transformation. In his solo performance DJAM LEELII, a Necroromantic, he links personal migration histories with the colonial past on the Atlantic. Body, sound and light become methods for exploring questions of blackness, belonging and loss.
Sall understands the ocean as a place of violence, but also of healing - as a symbol of becoming after destruction. With his powerful presence, he creates a sensual, deeply moving ritual about the possibility of transforming pain into connection. An evening that gets under your skin.
When: Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 6pm
Where: Sophiensæle, Sophienstraße 18, Mitte
