Berlin: Festivals and Events

Berlin's calendar is loaded with annual fairs, festivals, concerts and parties; the following are some of them:

Berlin Festival Weeks

This month-long celebration in September features concerts, exhibits, plays and other cultural events related to a particular subject (jazz, film, theatre, dance, etc.)

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are held from late November to 21 December at several locations around Berlin, including Breitscheidplatz open daily from 10 am to 9 or 10 pm; Alexanderplatz, open daily from 1 to 10 pm and the Marktplatz in Spandau, open daily from 9 am to 7pm.

Christopher Street Day

The biggest annual gay event in the city takes place in late June with a parade from Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg to the eastern end of Unter den Linden.
Link: Christopher Street Day

Festtage at the Staatsoper

This annual series of gala concerts and operas under the auspices of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, brings renowned conductors, soloists and orchestras to Berlin for 10 days in late March/early April.

International Film Festival

The Internationale Filmfestspiele, the world's second-largest film festival (after Cannes), is held over 12 days in February.
Link: Film Festival

JazzFest Berlin

This four-day jazz festival at various venues around the city takes place in early November.

Karnival der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures)

Berlins international summer carnival, the Carnival of Cultures, a top event on Berlins cultural agenda. In 2001, 1.2 million visitors came to see the Carnival Parade and the four-day Street Festival.
Link: Karnival der Kulturen

Love Parade

Berlin's top annual techno event held in mid - July attracts 1.5 million people. The parade is followed by nonstop partying in clubs and the streets.
Link: Love Parade

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