Long night of the families 2026

Under the theme ‘Family: Where the future takes shape and democracy begins’, the 16th Family Night invites children and their families to discover, try things out, be amazed, engage in conversation with one another and enjoy a very special family experience.

Between 5 pm and midnight, there will once again be a colourful programme of unusual and creative events across all districts of Berlin, most of which are free or very low-cost.

Over 150 events in Berlin and the surrounding area for young and old

Acrobatics, picture-book cinema, experiments, nature explorations, campfires, night-time golf, theatre and much more – together, children and their families can explore new things, enjoy exciting experiences and try out the unknown in the evening and at night.

Exploring the Berlin Wall by torchlight, searching for clues at the Citadel at night, enjoying a magical evening at the circus or solving tricky puzzles together on a family treasure hunt: Family Night is brimming with unusual possibilities. At the Puppet Theatre Museum, the theme is ‘Bringing light into the darkness together’, At the Theater an der Parkaue, the focus is on reflecting on conflict, whilst at the French Cathedral the theme is ‘Reaching new heights for democracy’. Those who enjoy getting creative can design their own election poster at the Tempelhof Youth Art School. The programme also includes a long night of theatre, an escape room challenge, midnight climbing, and a torchlight tour of the museum or Tempelhof Airport.

Many of the activities take up this year’s theme in very different ways: ‘Family: Where the future is shaped and democracy begins’. After all, democracy begins in the everyday lives of families – where people talk to one another, listen, tolerate differing opinions, make decisions together and take responsibility. Family Night invites you to experience precisely that in a playful and collaborative way.

Grand opening at Spandau Citadel

This year’s 16th Family Night will be officially opened at Spandau Citadel with the family theatre festival ‘Wild und Stark’. Then it’s time to clear the ring for an evening full of theatre, dance theatre, modern circus, street performances and magic. Fairytale walks, torchlight tours, hands-on activities, face painting and a grand fire show promise adventure and surprises.

Whether it’s adventure, culture, creativity, sport or chatting together round the campfire: families can put together their very own night-time programme from the wide range of activities on offer.

Family Night is aimed at families with children aged between 2 and 14 and, once a year, offers the chance to turn night into day together and discover new places and perspectives.

At a time when social cohesion and democratic values are particularly crucial, Family Night demonstrates how community can be experienced and how we can shape the future together.

Family Night is funded by the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family Affairs and the Berlin State Foundation for Youth and Family (jfsb), and receives organisational support from Sportjugend Berlin and the Berlin Advisory Council on Family Affairs. It is organised by JugendKulturService gGmbH.

The full programme for Family Night on 10 October 2026 and all further information can be found HERE

Long Nights in Berlin | visitBerlin.de