The Berlinale begins on 12 February – but how can you get tickets? What else do you need to know? Which cinemas are participating? We have compiled all the important information about the festival for you.
When does the Berlinale take place?
The film festival takes place from 12 to 22 February 2026. On Saturday, 21 February, the International Jury will present the Golden and Silver Bears at a festive gala. The TEDDY AWARD for the best queer contribution will be presented the day before.
By the way: the TEDDY AWARD is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, so it's sure to be a particularly lavish party.
When can you buy tickets for the Berlinale?
As every year, the most pressing question is: how do I get tickets?
Advance sales start on Monday, 9 February 2026 at 10 a.m. You can always book tickets at three days in advance (e.g. on Monday for Thursday) from 10 a.m. onwards.
Exceptions are the Berlinale Publikumstag (Audience Day) on 22 February and the screenings at the Uber Eats Music Hall, for which you can buy tickets from 9 February. Tickets for the Berlinale Goes Kiez screening at Plötzensee Prison cannot be ordered online, but can be purchased by telephone from 9 February on +49 30 259 20-259.
Incidentally, admission to all films – except those in the Generation section – is restricted to those aged 18 and over.
New this year: Cine25 – the ticket shop for people between the ages of 18 and 25! For just £6 per ticket, you can watch selected films from all sections and get a great overview of the festival. You can find out which films are included on 3 February when the full programme is published.
Where can you buy tickets?
Advance sales at Potsdamer Platz – and thus the legendary Berlinale queues – are no longer available.
Tickets are available online on the festival website. They are sold through the ticket provider Eventim, so it's best to create an account there in advance. For some films, you'll need to be quick, as they are in high demand. You can buy a maximum of two tickets per person per screening, except for Generation, where it is also possible to buy five tickets. It's also worth checking the online shop again shortly before the event starts, as tickets sometimes go on sale at short notice.
And if the Wi-Fi is poor or you prefer to buy directly, you can also get tickets at the Berlin Tourist Information offices – along with a few tips about Berlin.
Berlinale goes Kiez
The heart of the festival is Potsdamer Platz, where the competition films are shown at the Berlinale Palast. This is where the stars walk the red carpet and present their latest works. There are also numerous other venues throughout the city. This means that you should factor in travel times when planning your programme.
And, of course, Berlinale goes Kiez is back again this year with selected films in Berlin's neighbourhood cinemas. This year's participants include:
- BALI Kino in Zehlendorf
- Yorck Kino in Kreuzberg
- Casablanca Cinema in Adlershof
- SİNEMA TRANSTOPIA in Wedding
- Xenon Cinema in Schöneberg
Enjoy the cinema.
