From 7 to 14 November 2026, the capital will be transformed into a stage for diversity, democracy and human rights to mark the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. During Berlin Freedom Week, you can join your family, friends or school class in thinking, having your say and actively shaping the city.
Look forward to over 100 exciting workshops, hands-on activities, guided tours, exhibitions, readings and discussions. We have put together 11 highlights for you that are particularly exciting for children, young people and families. Immerse yourself in a week full of inspiration, dialogue and shared experiences!
Tip 1: Reflect on freedom with the artist Nadia Budde
In the art world, women have long been overlooked, and their works have received significantly less attention than those of men. This was partly because women often faced barriers to accessing art academies and exhibitions. And even today, works by women are exhibited and purchased less frequently.
But why is this the case, and how can we change it? The exhibition “Kunstknall – Women’s Power in Art” explores precisely these questions. On display are ceramics, photographs, paintings, videos and textile installations. You can also let off steam on the climbing frame and get creative at the workbench.
In keeping with Freedom Week, artist Nadia Budde invites visitors, through her module “Freedom for All”, to view the exhibition from a new perspective and reflect on their own ideas of freedom. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the right to a free life are also explored.
Good to know: The museum is primarily aimed at children aged between 2 and 12.
When: 7th, 8th and 14th November from 10 am to 6 pm; 11th to 13th November from 2 pm to 6 pm
Where: MACHmit! Museum for Children, Senefelderstraße 5/6, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 2: Discover Taiwan’s street food culture at Markthalle Neun
Fancy some new culinary experiences for the whole family? Street Food Thursday at Markthalle Neun is all about Taiwan’s diverse street food scene. For 13 years, the event has been bringing different food cultures together and sharing the stories behind them.
Taiwanese cuisine blends various cultural influences and embodies diversity, community and freedom. There are plenty of treats in store for you: from stuffed gua baos and crispy fried chicken to sweet mochi waffles, matcha tea and bubble tea. It’s a great chance to try something new together and discover a new culinary culture.
Good to know: Please bear in mind that Street Food Thursday can get very busy and lively, especially during peak times.
When: Thursday 12 November from 5 pm to 10 pm
Where: Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg
Tip 3: German history on the big screen – explored and discussed with
Fancy experiencing German history up close through exciting films? The BAB School Cinema is offering two film screenings for different age groups.
‘The Spies Among Us’ is aimed at young people from Year 10 onwards. The documentary follows Dr Peter Keup as he searches for answers about his family history and shows how the Stasi operated in the GDR. After the film, the pupils can join a discussion with him and BAB historian Dr Andrea Bahr.
‘Sputnik’ will be shown for children in Years 4 to 6. Young Rieke wants to bring her uncle back from West Berlin and, to do so, hatches an unusual plan with her friends. This children’s film tells the story of the division of Germany and the fall of the Berlin Wall in an entertaining way. Afterwards, director Markus Dietrich and Dr Andrea Bahr will answer questions from the young audience.
Good to know: Binding registration, stating the number of people, year group and school, is required by email to info@bernhardt-bildung.de, as places are limited.
When: “The Spies Among Us” on 12 November and “Sputnik” on 13 November at 10.00 am (running time approx. 150 mins)
Where: Cinema Paris, Kurfürstendamm 211, City West
"The Spies Among Us" "Sputnik"
Tip 4: Take a trip back to 1980s Berlin
What was everyday life like in divided Berlin? At the asisi Panorama DIE MAUER, you and the whole family can immerse yourselves in West Berlin in the 1980s. The panorama by artist Yadegar Asisi depicts everyday life along the Wall: children playing, border guards and people who lived right on the border.
During the guided tour, you’ll learn more about life in divided Berlin. Historical photos, films and sketches show how the panorama was created and what people experienced back then. Afterwards, you can explore the panorama at your own pace and discuss it with your family.
Good to know: The guided tour is particularly suitable for families with older children and teenagers.
When: from 7 to 14 November from 2 pm; English-language tours on 8, 10 and 12 November
Where: asisi Panorama Berlin, Friedrichstraße 205, Kreuzberg
Tip 5: Go exploring together along the Berlin Wall
What was it like when a wall divided Berlin into two parts and families were suddenly no longer free to choose where they lived? On this family tour for children aged between eight and twelve, organised as part of Berlin Freedom Week, you’ll set off in search of traces along Bernauer Straße and discover the history of the Berlin Wall.
Through historical photographs, preserved sections of the Wall and personal accounts from eyewitnesses, you’ll learn why the Wall was built, how it changed people’s everyday lives and how it eventually came to fall . The tour also explores the lasting impact of the division of Germany to this day and the memories that remain within your own families. An exciting journey into Berlin’s history.
When: Saturday 14 November from 1 pm to 2.30 pm
Where: Berlin Wall Memorial (Visitor Centre), Bernauer Straße 119, Gesundbrunnen
Tip 6: Discover Berlin’s secret escape routes to freedom
When the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, many people were suddenly separated from their families and the lives they had known. Some tried to reach West Berlin through tunnels they had dug themselves. As part of Berlin Freedom Week, Berliner Unterwelten e. V. invites you to learn about the history of these escape attempts on Bernauer Strasse.
The guided tour tells the stories of courageous escape helpers, successful escapes and failed attempts. The stories of Tunnels 29 and 57 illustrate the risks those involved took. A particular highlight is a visit to an original escape tunnel from 1970–71, nine metres below ground.
Important information: The tour is aimed at adults and is recommended for young people from Year 10 onwards. Children under the age of seven may not take part. Sturdy, closed-toe footwear and warm clothing are essential, as the temperature underground is around 10 °C . The tour is not wheelchair-accessible and involves numerous, sometimes steep, flights of stairs. There are no seating areas or visitor toilets. The tour is available in German, English, Italian, Spanish, French and Dutch.
When: 7 to 14 November (exact times for each language can be found in the online shop)
Where: Berliner Unterwelten e.V, Brunnenstraße 141, Mitte
Online shop
Tip 7: Explore the history of the Berlin Wall by bike
What was Berlin like at the time of the division , and how did people manage to escape to the West? This approximately 3.5-hour cycle tour along the Berlin Wall takes you to historic sites where people risked a great deal for their freedom .
Passing Bernauer Straße, the Tränenpalast and the former Bornholmer Straße border crossing, you’ll learn more about both successful and failed escape attempts. Original sections of the Wall, old watchtowers and personal stories bring the division of Germany to life and invite you to join us on a journey of discovery.
Good to know: Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the cycle tour. And here’s a little tip: use the code berlinfreedomweek to get a 10% discount.
When: German-language tour from 7 to 14 November, 10.00–13.30; English-language tour from 8 to 15 November, 10.30–14.00
Where: Berlin on Bike at the Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstraße 97, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 8: Stand up for freedom and political participation
The Deutschlandmuseum spans 2,000 years of history – from the Germanic tribes through the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment to the Cold War and finally to modern-day Germany. How have democracy and political participation developed in Germany? To mark Berlin Freedom Week, special guided tours invite you to explore this very question in depth.
You’ll learn how democracy has changed over the course of history, what threats have repeatedly challenged it , and what significance it holds for the way we live together today. It becomes clear that democracy cannot be taken for granted and that, particularly in light of the current situation, it is all the more important to stand up for freedom and political participation.
What makes the Deutschlandmuseum special is that, during the guided tour, you can immerse yourselves in the different eras through richly detailed thematic worlds, allowing you to experience history in a whole new way.
Good to know: Some themed worlds may be distressing for some visitors due to flickering lights, loud noises and dark rooms. For this reason, a minimum age of 6 years is recommended for children accompanied by their family.
When: Sunday 8 November at 2.45 pm in German and at 5.15 pm in English; Friday 13 November at 2.45 pm in German and at 5.15 pm in English
Where: Deutschlandmuseum, Leipziger Platz 7, Mitte
Tip 9: Listen carefully to moving life stories
Freedom can mean something different to everyone. At the Polyrama, the Museum of Life Stories, you can discover which personal experiences and challenges have shaped people’s lives. As part of Berlin Freedom Week, the guided tours will focus in particular on the theme of freedom.
Through audio recordings and personal mementoes, you’ll gain insights into the different life stories and learn how people cope with exclusion, find their own path and stand up for self-determination.
Good to know: The stories encourage you to engage in conversation with one another and reflect on what freedom means to you personally.
When: 8, 11 and 14 November, from 3 pm to 6 pm each day
Where: Polyrama – Museum of Life Stories, Stuttgarter Platz 2, Charlottenburg
Tip 10: Create your own podcast and explore the digital world
How is a podcast created, and what influence do algorithms and artificial intelligence have on the content recommended to us online? At an event organised by the Children’s University at the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Wildau, children learn how podcasts are created and how algorithms and artificial intelligence shape our everyday digital lives.
The guests are Minel (12) and Jan (17), who co-produce the science podcast ‘Brandwissen ’. They’ll show you how an idea turns into a finished episode – from recording to editing.
Afterwards, you’ll work with Professor Lydia Göse to create a live podcast episode. The focus will be on how you can help shape the digital world freely and independently .
Good to know: The event will be hosted by Dr Simone Leinkauf and is suitable for all children in Years 2 to 6. Parents and teachers are welcome, though they will be able to follow the event live from an adjoining room.
When: Saturday 7 November from 10 am to 11 am
Where: Audimax at TH Wildau, Lecture Theatre Centre, Hall 17, Hochschulring 1, Wildau
Find out more
Tip 11: Send a message of freedom and courage with creative messages
How can we offer encouragement to people who are imprisoned in Russia because of their political views? As part of Berlin Freedom Week, Reforum Space Berlin invites you to write letters to them and thus show your solidarity. After all, sometimes a short message can make a big difference.
Paper, envelopes and addresses will be provided, and support is available for any questions regarding secure correspondence. Adults without children are welcome to join at any time during the event.
A separate programme is running in parallel for children aged 6 to 12. Whilst the adults are writing letters, the children will learn about the stories of young prisoners through play and creative activities. Afterwards, they will work with an artist to create a portrait featuring many of their own messages.
Good to know: The children’s programme is led by theatre director Maria Yasinover and takes place in Russian and German.
The introduction to letter-writing is offered in German, Russian and English, but you can write in any language.
The event is supported by Demokrati-Ja, Feminist Anti-War Resistance Berlin and the Memorial Society.
When: Friday 13 November, children’s programme from 6.30 pm to 8 pm, letter-writing from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm
Where: Reforum Space Berlin, Wiener Straße 31, Kreuzberg
