The summer holidays are in full swing, but you’d be mad to leave town now with so much fun stuff going on. From the Long Night of Museums to a four-day club festival, there’s something for everyone.
August 4
Lakeside Film Festival
Lakeside Film Festival takes place in a former GDR holiday camp which gets converted into a festival venue, consisting of four large outdoor cinema stages, showing everything from documentaries to psychedelic horros. Alongside that there’s a program of live music and DJs, film quizzes and podcast recordings. Don’t forget your swimming stuff!
- Klingemühle 4, Chossewitz, Brandenburg, August 4-6, details.
British Shorts
Another treat for film buffs, but this one’s for those who would prefer not to schlepp out to Brandenburg. The British Shorts summer edition presents three short film programs over three days at different indoor and outdoor venues across town. The program will cover everything from experimental films, to animation and drama – and all screenings are in English.
- Various locations, August 4-6, details.
August 5
Submerged at Fitzroy
Fitzroy is treating us to an extra special 20 hours of playtime, with three Berlin collectives – Equarium, Nachtboutique and Rosa Brisante – coming together for a day and a night full of sparkling beats and good cheer. There will be an outdoor as well as indoor floor, and with some very special bookings it’s going to be a cracker of a party.
- Fitzroy, Holzmarktstr. 15, Friedrichshain, August 4 (14:00) – 5 (09:00), details.
Afrobeats Festival
After their hugely popular debut event last summer, Afrobeats Festival returns this year for a programme of music, performances, panel talks, art exhibitions, African and Caribbean food, and more! The headliner this year is Nigerian superstar ASAKE, and the two-day festival will host an incredible international line up.
- Zitadelle Spandau, August 5-6, details.
August 9
Tanz im August
The annual dance festival is always an incredible event. For two and a half weeks the most talented performers from around the world descend on Berlin to showcase new and exciting work. We can’t recommend it highly enough.
- Various locations, August 9-26, details.
Blindfolded Sculpting Workshop
Dive into a unique sensory experience with a blindfolded sculpting workshop with art therapist Thuli Wolf. The concept behind the blindfolding is to help participants let go of their inner critic, and to experience the clay through touch alone. You may not walk away with a great work of art, but it’s a playful way to practice some mindfulness and awaken your own creativity.
- INES, Falckensteinstr. 46, Wrangelkiez, August 9 (18:30-21:00), details.
August 10
A L’Arme! Festival
This year is the eleventh edition of Berlin’s most important festival for avant-garde jazz, experimental music and art. A L’Arme has a kaleidoscopic program, including numerous world premiers of new compositions. Expect the unexpected!
- Radialsystem, Holzmarktstr. 33, Friedrichshain, August 10-12, details.
August 12
LGBT Park Festival
The LGBT Park Festival has been held in Volkspark Friedrichshain every August since 1998. The main focus of the festival is community engagement and overcoming prejudice. Instead of speeches, there are numerous information booths (run by local LGBTQIA* organisations) that seek to engage people in conversation.
- Volkspark Friedrichshain, August 12, 15:00-22:00, details.
August 15
Boygenius at Verti Music Hall
It’s time to embrace your inner witch! Indie Rock legends Boygenius (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus) are coming to Berlin. Get in there fast if you want a ticket as it’s sure to sell out fast.
- Verti Music Hall, Friedrichshain, August 15, doors at 18:30, details.
August 17
RSO: Wall to Wall Club Festival
RSO presents a techno extravaganza this month – 40 artists, 10 crews, 5 days, 1 club. Their in-house club festival was such a success last year that it’s returning for its second iteration, uniting some of Berlin’s hottest local crews including Planet Pleasure, Fyema, GEGEN, Selected and more.
- RSO, Schnellerstr. 137, Schöneweide, August 17-21, details.
August 18
Potsdam Palace Nights
For two days the Sanssouci Palace and Park are transformed into an enormous performance and installation space. Wander the gardens and you’ll come across the weird and wonderful around every corner, from music to circus performances. The historic buildings come alive at night with vibrant light installations.
- Sanssouci Palace, Maulbeerallee, Potsdam, August 18-19, details.
Underworld: Mycelium
Alexander Cameltoe, one of Berlin’s most celebrated Drag Kings, hosts a night of eclectic cabaret celebrating resilience, creativity and proliferation as inspired by fungi. The performance will feature artists from Brooklyn and Berlin, and invites you to “enter the queer mycelium”. We’re in!
- CK Ballhaus Berlin, Chausseestr. 102, Mitte, August 18-19 (20:00-23:00), details.
Done Properly at Lark
A night of joyful house and disco curated by Done Properly at Lark. It will include some old and some brand new faces behind the decks, serving up funky beats for your Friday night.
- Lark, Holzmarkstr. 15-18, Friedrichshain, August 18 (23:00-06:00), details.
Kiss the Moment
silent green presents the first solo exhibition of Dagie Brundert, a filmmaker who embraces the analogue in the age of digitalisation. The exhibit will present a mixture of her Super 8 film work alongside pinhole camera photographs.
- silent green Kulturquartier, Gerichtstr. 35, Wedding, August 18-27, details.
August 19
African Food Festival
If you missed it in June then never fear, the African Food Festival has its second iteration this month, serving up not just great food but also booths covering everything from fashion and design to beauty products.
- Jules B-Part, Gleisdreieck Park, Kreuzberg, August 19-20, (12:00-22:00), details.
August 21
Smut Slam
One of our favourite monthly events is the Smut Slam – Berlin’s only community dirty storytelling open mic. You never know quite what you’re going to get when it comes to the stories, but we can guarantee a good laugh every time.
- Villa Kuriosum, Scheffelstr. 21, Friedrichshain, August 21 (18:00-21:30), details.
August 24
Chromeo at Lido
You’ll probably know their hit track ‘Night by Night’ and if that absolute bop wasn’t enough to whet your appetite then we frankly don’t know what to say. This intimate show at Lido will be an absolute treat of catchy hooks and 80s synth sounds.
- Lido, Cuvrystr. 7, Wrangelkiez, August 24 (doors at 19:00), details.
August 25
African Book Festival
Now in its fifth edition, the African Book Festival once again brings together the most renowned writers and artists from Africa for readings, panel discussions, book launches and concerts. As if that wasn’t enough, there will also be a festival book shop, food trucks and market stalls offering fashion and art.
- Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 2, Mitte, August 25-27, details.
August 26
Fireworks and music at Britzer Garden
The Anhaltische Philharmonic presents a colourful program with works from Strauss to Dvorak. The stage is located right next to the lake in Britzer Garden, and the concert is rounded off with a spectacular firework display.
- Britzer Garten, Sangerhauser Weg 1, Britz, August 26 (doors at 19:00), details.
Long Night of Museums
One of the cultural highlights of the summer, during the Long Night of Museums the city’s museums are open from 6pm to 2am, offering over 700 events in more than 70 museums with just one ticket. It will include special exhibitions, installations, tours, readings with actors, shows, workshops, music, and food – phew!
- Various locations, August 26 (18:00-02:00), details.
Zug der Liebe
The Zug der Liebe demonstration aims to support and make visible people who have made charity and social work their everyday life, and their platform seeks to help these people reach a new pool of donors and volunteers. Come out and support the everyday heroes who work to make the world a better place.
- Mauerpark, Gleimstr. 55, Prenzlauer Berg, August 26 (13:00), details.
August 29
Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Columbiahalle
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs need no introduction. The indie rock legends are hitting up Berlin’s Columbiahalle for what is sure to be a sell-out gig this month. A great nostalgia trip for kids of the 2000s.
- Columbiahalle, Columbiadamm 13-21, August 29 (doors at 20:00), details.
August 30
Pop-Kultur Festival
At Pop-Kultur festival this year up-and-coming artists from Berlin will perform alongside internationally acclaimed performers. The festival aims to take a critical look at the current state of the music scene, in order to imagine a better future. The program is always brilliantly eclectic and consistently fantastic.
- Kulturbrauerei Berlin, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, August 30 – September 1, details.
August 31
House of Lunacy
Curated by the legendary Billie Rae, House of Lunacy’s summer finale will be a celebration of all things summer – think elaborate floral costumes to prance about in with your fellow mystical creatures. Costumes are essential to come and get lost in this live art, performance and installation evening.
- Renate, Alt Stralau 70, Friedrichshain, August 31 (21:00-12:00), details.