Whitsun in Berlin
Holidays in May
In early June, Berlin celebrates Whitsun with open-air street parties, festivals and funfairs. On Whitsun Sunday and Whitsun Monday, 24 and 25 May 2026, and of course throughout the weekend, the capital offers visitors a wide range of events for young and old alike – whether it’s a funfair, a market or a carnival, there’s something for everyone. Here we present the best Whitsun tips for your short break in Berlin.
The highlight: celebrating the Carnival of Cultures
The Carnival of Cultures celebrates the diversity of Berlin’s communities and ways of life. For four days, from 22 to 25 May 2026, the street festival at Blücherplatz invites you to enjoy delicious street food from all over the world. On Whit Sunday, the colourful parade winds its way through Friedrichshain, with Berlin’s communities showcasing just how vibrant and diverse the city is.
The Children’s Carnival kicks off on Saturday under the motto: “Viva el Axotlotl – forever young!”. The procession starts at 12 noon with a rally at Mariannenplatz.
Listen to concert highlights over the Whitsun weekend
Enjoy outstanding concerts across a range of genres this long Whitsun weekend:
- State Opera for All at Bebelplatz on 23 and 24 May 2026.
- Meret Becker and Dietmar Loeffler perform – BARBARA NACHTBLAU – Chanson for an Absent One at the Bar jeder Vernunft from 21 to 24 May 2026.
- Chamber music matinee by the Konzerthaus Orchestra at the Konzerthaus Berlin on 24 May.
- Carillon music for the Creation Week “What a Wonderful World!” at the Parochialkirche on 24 May
- DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER & HELEN SUNG in the Pierre Boulez Saal
- Organ Matinee on Whit Monday in the Great Hall of the Konzerthaus Berlin on 24 May
- BRASS BAND BERLIN “Fun with Brass” on 25 May at the Schlosspark Theatre
Experience unforgettable variety shows, performances and musicals
- An evening full of music, elegance and artistic delights – an adventure that sounds of freedom, tastes of the sea and dances to pure swing at the Wintergarten Varieté with AHOI – The Acrobatic Swing Show
- The Friedrichstadt-Palast presents a grand show of great emotions: Blinded by Delight.
- Cirque Du Soleil ALIZÉ offers a fantastic journey into the invisible at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz
- At the Theater des Westens, the story of family, freedom and the spirit of life in early 90s Berlin has been thrilling audiences since 18 March with *Wir sind am Leben – Das Berlin Musical*.
More musicals and shows in Berlin
Celebrate Whitsun with festivals and markets
Festivals and markets are an integral part of Whitsun. Just go with the flow and enjoy yourself.
- The traditional Steglitzer Wochen take place from 22 May to 7 June, and the colourful fairground rides are in full swing at Bäkepark.
- Celebrate the 10th anniversary with the Fanfare Gertrude brass band over three days
- Throughout the weekend, Preußenallee is transformed into a lively food and drink street with the Westend Wine and Winegrowers’ Festival.
- With more than 500 stalls, the giant flea market at the Karlshorst trotting track awaits you from 23 May.
- Visit the traditional ceramics flea market at the Ceramics Museum on both public holidays from 11 am to 5 pm.
- Every year on Whit Sunday, numerous churches in Berlin open their doors and invite guests to the Long Night of Open Churches . Churches welcome visitors for conversations, concerts and readings by candlelight. Refreshments are also available at many venues.
Spectacular experiences for children and families
And another long weekend in May where families can spend time together in Berlin. The capital offers exciting activities for the whole family – whether you have toddlers, schoolchildren or teenagers. Attractions, theatres, cafés, museums, events, guided tours – Berlin has all this on offer especially for children.
- 30th Children’s Carnival of Cultures on 23 May 2026 at Mariannenplatz, Berlin.
- Peter and the Wolf at the Komische Oper Berlin
- On 25 May, the German Museum of Technology will be a great day-out for the whole family: children can grind grain, take part in an energy quiz and explore historic windmills up close. Free guided tours and hands-on activities demonstrate in a fun way how wind has been used to generate energy, both in the past and today.
Discover parks, gardens and palaces in Berlin
At Whitsun, the whole of Berlin is ablaze with colourful blooms. Visit the Botanical Garden, the Britzer Garten or the Gardens of the World. The palace gardens in and around Berlin also offer a particularly splendid Whitsun outing.
Make the most of our sanssouci+ day ticket for your trips to nearby Potsdam:
Explore museums and attractions in Berlin
Many attractions and museums in Berlin, including the world-famous Museum Island and the TV Tower, look forward to welcoming you. Make the most of the long Whitsun weekend for a trip to a museum or an exciting exhibition – there’s something for everyone in Berlin!
Chill out at Berlin’s open-air cinemas
The first open-air cinemas have already opened. The open-air cinemas are showing the latest blockbusters, films in their original language with subtitles, and old classics. Enjoy films under the Berlin night sky.
Go exploring with boat trips and cruises on the Spree
From the sun deck of a Spree ferry, Berlin can be explored in a particularly relaxed way from the water. Choose between sightseeing tours, swimming trips or exploration tours out to Wannsee and as far as Potsdam.
