Berlin highlights of the year

January

Berlin New Year's Run — January 1, 2026, traditional run at the Brandenburg Gate.

VS KULTUR New Year's Concert 2026 — January 5, 2026, 3:00 p.m. at the Konzerthaus Berlin (Grand Hall) — arias and duets from opera, operetta, and film music.

Ultraschall Berlin (festival for new music) — January 14–18, 2026.

Days of Dance Berlin (dance festival) — January 8–24, 2026.

International Green Week Berlin — January 16–25, 2026, trade fair for food and agriculture.

SixDay Berlin (cycling event) — January 30–31, 2026.

February

Berlinale (International Film Festival) — February 12–22, 2026.

Fruit Logistica — February 4–6, 2026, international fruit and vegetable trade fair.

NIGHT of the JUMPs — February 7, 2026, freestyle motocross & show at the Uber Arena.

One Billion Rising — February 14, 2026: Dance movement against violence against women.

Avantgarde: Max Liebermann & German Impressionism — begins February 2026 at Hamburger Bahnhof.

Berlin Independent Film Festival — February 16–23, 2026, independent cinema.

Transmediale — date not yet finalized, theme: art, culture & technology.

March

MaerzMusik — March 20–29, 2026, festival for contemporary music.

European Month of Photography — date still to be confirmed, major photography exhibition in Berlin. 

Forecast Festival — March 20–21, 2026, international mentoring and performance program. 

Klavierfest Weißensee — March 20–22, 2026, theme: Bach

European Arts & Crafts Days — March 27–29, 2026, crafts, design, studios open. 

Berlin 2026 Venture Capital World Summit — March 26, 2026.

Theater highlight: FESTTAGE of the Staatsoper — March 28–April 6, 2026.

6th Symphony Concert – Journey Through the Ages – March 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m. at the Brandenburgisches Theater (Großes Haus) – Classical concert.

April

Club Genie und Wahnsinn (show with Sebastian Krämer) — April 5, 2026, at the Zebrano Theater.

S25 Berlin — April 19, 2026: big city run.

This is THE GREATEST SHOW! — The greatest musical hits of all time — April 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m. at the Tempodrom (Berlin) — Musical show with hits & show elements.

Simon & Jan – The Best — April 23/24, 2026, concert at the BKA Theater Berlin.

May

Gallery Weekend Berlin — May 1–3, 2026, one of the most important events for contemporary art in Germany

Wir sind am Leben – Das Berlin Musical (We Are Alive – The Berlin Musical) – May 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m. at the Theater des Westens – German-language musical about the spirit of Berlin in the early 1990s.

International Museum Day – May 17, 2026. Standard event.

Women's Run Berlin – May 16, 2026: major women's running event.

Berlin Theater Meeting — May 1–17, 2026, theater highlight in the German-speaking world.

International Museum Day – May 17, 2026.

Start der großen Kunstausstellung: Cassirer & Der Durchbruch des Impressionismus – 22. Mai bis 27. September 2026

June

Long Night of Science – June 6, 2026: Hands-on science. 

Berlin Bike Rally – June 7, 2026: large bicycle demonstration. 

Symphony Concert VIII – June 8, 2026, 7:00 p.m. at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (end of the 25/26 season) – concert by the Staatskapelle Berlin.

ILA Berlin Air Show – June 10–14, 2026: Aerospace trade fair. 

The Ten Tenors – Time of your Life Tour 2026 – June 14, 2026, 7 p.m. at the Admiralspalast Berlin – Concert with the vocal group The Ten Tenors.

Fête de la Musique Berlin – June 21, 2026: Free music festival throughout the city. 

Kreuzberg Festival – June 26–28, 2026: Street & music festival in the neighborhood. 

48 Hours Neukölln – Date still to be confirmed: Art & culture festival. 

Jazzwoche Berlin – Date still to be confirmed: Festival with ~30 concerts.

July

WeAreDevelopers World Congress – July 8–10, 2026, in Berlin: Tech & Developer Congress. 

Whole Festival – July 17–20, 2026: Music festival. 

18th CTIF Competitions – July 19–26, 2026: Firefighter World Championships in Berlin. 

Berlin Pride/CSD – traditionally held on the last weekend in July (e.g., July 25). 

Wir sind am Leben – Das Berlin Musical – July 26, 2026, 2:30 p.m. at the Theater des Westens.

Summer open-air concerts & festival weeks begin (including “Staatsoper für alle” and others).

August

Federal Government Open House – typically held in August.

HIGH Festival 2026 - August 21–23, 2026. 
Outdoor festival with exhibitions, music, lifestyle, and live acts—urban character in the Berlin summer.
Why it's interesting: A combination of music, culture, and lifestyle in an unusual setting—ideal for a new experience.

Long Night of Museums - August 29, 2026

September

Berlin Music Festival – August 28 to September 23, 2026.

IFA Berlin – September 4–8, 2026: International trade fair for consumer electronics.

Berlin Art Week – September 9–13, 2026: Art weeks with galleries and fair.

Positions Berlin Art Fair – September 10–13, 2026.

BMW Berlin Marathon – September 27, 2026.

2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup – September 4–13, 2026 in Berlin.

Open Heritage Day (Berlin) – September 13, 2026: Heritage Day with lots of activities.

October

Berlin Food Week – Early October (date not yet announced)
Culinary festival with events in numerous restaurants and locations across the city, where chefs and producers present new food trends, menus, and culinary concepts.

German Unity Day – October 3, 2026
National public holiday in Germany with events, cultural programs, and activities throughout the city.

Festival of Lights – October 9 – October 18, 2026
International light art festival featuring spectacular projections on Berlin landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, and Berlin Cathedral.

Müggelsee Half Marathon – October 18, 2026
Scenic run in the southeast of Berlin with distances of 21.1 km, 10 km, and 5 km around Lake Müggelsee.

Tag der Clubkultur – Date not yet announced
A day celebrating Berlin’s club culture with events, concerts, and special programs in many clubs and cultural venues.

Jazzfest Berlin – October 29 – November 1, 2026
International jazz festival featuring concerts by renowned artists from the global jazz scene.

November

Berlin Science Week – November 1 – November 10, 2026
International science festival featuring talks, workshops, and exhibitions at various locations across the city, where researchers and institutions present current developments in science and technology.

Bazaar Berlin – November 4 – November 8, 2026
International sales fair for handicrafts, design, textiles, and products from various regions around the world.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 7 pm

Christmas Garden – Mid-November 2026 to early January 2027
Illuminated walking route in the Botanical Garden with elaborate light installations and musical accompaniment.

Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz – Late November – Late December (date not yet announced)
Large Christmas market in the heart of the city with around 50 stalls, rides, and a festive atmosphere around the TV Tower.

Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace – Late November – Late December (date not yet announced)
Romantic Christmas market set against the historic backdrop of Charlottenburg Palace with handicrafts, festive lights, and traditional specialties.

December

Christmas Garden – Mid-November 2026 to early January 2027
Illuminated walking route in the Botanical Garden with elaborate light installations and musical accompaniment.

Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz – Late November – Late December (date not yet announced)
Large Christmas market in the heart of the city with around 50 stalls, rides, and a festive atmosphere around the TV Tower.

Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace – Late November – Late December (date not yet announced)
Romantic Christmas market set against the historic backdrop of Charlottenburg Palace with handicrafts, festive lights, and traditional specialties.

New Year’s Eve Party at the Brandenburg Gate – December 31, 2026
The famous New Year’s Eve celebration at the Brandenburg Gate features live music, shows, and a spectacular fireworks display to welcome the new year.