It’s official: Summer has finally come to Berlin! Before the next historic heatwave sweeps Europe and we all feel too hot and sluggish to even leave the house, it’s time to go out, soak up some much-needed sunshine, and enjoy summer in the city.
Here’s what exciting events Berlin has in store this June.
June 1
Finale Festival
Director Ulrich Khuon is retiring from Deutsches Theater after 14 years. As a celebratory sendoff, the theatre is offering visitors one last chance to see some 30 shows from his tenure, including some of his favourites, like 4.48 Psychosis and The Welkin.
- Deutsches Theater, through July 1, details.
Children’s Day at Strandbad Wendenschloss
Take your kids out for some summer fun in the sun this International Children’s Day! Strandbad Wendenschloss offers free entry to kids under 12 and has plenty of fun attractions in store.
- Strandbad Wendenschloss starts 10:00, details.
June 2
Sonic Pluriverse Festival
As part of the Congorama event series, the HKW embarks on a musical journey to three places that have ‘Congo’ in their name. Expect Congolese Rumba on Friday, West-African music on Saturday and Congolese derivatives from the Caribbean and the US South on Sunday.
- Sonic Pluriverse Festival at HKW, through Jun 4.
Q3Ambientfest
Both established artists and up-and-comers alike share a stage at the Q3Ambientfest music festival for a lineup of acts that are as diverse in genre as they are in origin.
- Waschhaus Potsdam through June 4, doors 19:30, details.
Figure It Out
For its 30th birthday, the Schaubude is putting on a festival showcasing the latest and greatest in object and figure theatre. Join the party for a programme packed with exciting and experimental performances.
- Schaubude through June 11, details.
Garden Dreams for Berlin and Brandenburg
Need to flex your green thumb? Stop by the Garden Fair at Rennbahn Hoppegarten to get some inspiration for your garden and see what a range of green companies have in store, from seeds and saplings to outdoor furniture and decorations.
- Rennbahn Hoppegarten through June 4, details.
June 3
Alice Springs. Retrospective
In honour of June Newton’s 100th birthday, the Museum for Photography is dedicating its entire first floor to showcasing over 200 of her photos. Working under the alias Alice Spring, the photographer is known for portraits that evoke both empathy and curiosity in the viewer, capturing not only the subjects’ visual appearances, but also their personalities.
- Museum fur Fotografie through November 19, details.
June 4
Umweltfestival 2023
The Grüne Liga is organising the annual climate festival again this year, this time with an emphasis on advocating for reforms of the mobility sector. Learn about the threats to the environment and what to do about them, enjoy colourful stage performances, and browse stalls of sustainable products and foods.
- Brandenburger Tor starts 11:00, details.
Berlin Triathlon
Swim, cycle, and sprint to victory at the Berlin Triathlon in Treptower Park! Not only can you participate regardless of gender, but with the inclusion of a special children’s triathlon route, anyone can join regardless of age, as well. And if getting a gold medal at the end of the race isn’t enough to motivate you, there will also be hot shower stations and massage services to look forward to on the other side of the finish line!
- Berlin Triathlon Bulgarische Str. – Treptower Park, starts 9:00, details.
June 5
IST IST at Berghain
With their reputation for legendary live shows, the Manchester-based post-punk band IST IST will be right at home at the infamous Kantine am Berghain. Join for an uncompromisingly intense performance at the world’s craziest club – if you think you can handle it.
- Kantine am Berghain doors 19:00, starts 20:00, details.
Alvvays at Astra Kulturhaus
Still celebrating the success of their long-awaited 2022 album Blue Rev, Canadian group Alvvays will be rocking Astra Kulturhaus with their uplifting and intricate indie-pop jams this June. Get ready for a setlist full of rich harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics!
- Astra Kulturhaus doors 19:00, starts 20:00, details.
June 7
Open Museum Studio in the Microscopy Centre
From feathers to fossils, the Museum für Naturkunde is offering an up-close experience for anyone interested in studying nature. Get your hands on some fascinating specimens from the museum’s collection, see what they look like under a microscope, and train your eye by drawing them.
- Museum für Naturkunde starts 12:30, details.
June 8
Archival Assembly #2
With the theme “Accidental Archivism – Shaping Cinema’s Futures with Remnants of the Past,” this year’s Archival Assembly will feature both past and contemporary films, transnational archival projects, and a special exhibition curated by Ala Younis and Maha Maamoun.
- Kino Arsenal through June 15, details.
June 9
Poesiefestival
It’s almost time for the 24th edition of the Haus für Poesie’s annual poetry festival! Read along with the limited edition anthology as poets take the stage to read and sing their original work in a panorama of contemporary poetry.
- Akademie der Künste through June 16, details.
Claptone – Gärten der Welt Arena
Kick off the summer with an open air concert in a one-of-a-kind venue. Gärten der Welt will be welcoming the enigmatic electro duo (or trio, depending on who you ask) Claptone to the arena this June. With their iconic golden plague-doctor mask, their performance is sure to cure what ails you!
- Gärten der Welt Arena doors 18:00, details.
June 10
Pankow Art Festival
In addition to being home to beautiful gardens, the Schönhausen Palace in Pankow is also where over 60 different artists display their paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more every June. But they’re not just for show – visitors will be able to purchase their pieces, too. And there are plenty of stage performances and hands-on activities to look forward to, as well!
- Schönhausen Palace Pankow through June 11, details.
Hoffest im Haus Schwarzenberg
In a back courtyard on Rosenthaler Strasse, Haus Schwarzenberg provides an open space where underground artists and musicians can put down roots and party. Now, after three long years, this historic stronghold of Berlin counterculture is re-opening its doors for a much-needed celebration of all things alternative. Step into the Berlin underground for a festival including open air art exhibitions and live industrial-dada-noise-punk acts that’ll revitalise your inner revolutionary.
- Haus Schwarzenberg Rosenthaler Str. 39, starts 14:00, details.
Die Zauberflöte at Planetarium am Insulaner
Experience excerpts from one of Mozart’s most famous operas against a backdrop of a starry night sky. Accompanying pictures and exciting effects will immerse you both in the beauty of the music and the mystique of the cosmos.
- Planetarium am Insulaner starts 20:00, details.
Stiftung Naturschutz Berlin: Long Day of Urban Nature
Since 2007, Stiftung Naturschutz Berlin has been bringing the city’s rich flora and fauna into focus with their annual “Long Day of Urban Nature”. With hundreds of events to choose from, visitors can learn about what lies beyond Berlin’s hustle and bustle, from the species you can see right outside your doorstep to the vast nature reserves that are usually closed to the public.
- Long Day of Urban Nature various locations, through June 11, details.
June 11
Sheep at Schloss Charlottenburg
Meet the dedicated team keeping the lawns outside Schloss Charlottenburg looking good – just be sure to mind their horns. On a family tour with gardener Andrea Badouin and shepherd Björn Hagge, you can find out about the flock’s meticulous grazing patterns, feed them, and even learn how to shear their wool!
- Schloss Charlottenburg tours available through September 3, details.
Jewish Museum: Brunch Fromet Mendelssohn
Ready to taste enlightenment? On three Sundays in June, the Jewish Museum’s Cafe Lina is offering a special brunch that will transport you right into the Berlin salons where Fromet Mendelssohn discussed culture and politics with other intellectuals of the Enlightenment. Combine your meal with a tour of her life and the historical period she lived in.
- Jewish Museum June 11, 18, and 25, details.
June 13
Jewish Film Festival
Germany’s largest Jewish film festival is back, spanning six days of screenings in and around Berlin, including everything from arthouse films to blockbusters. An exploration of Jewish past, present, and future, the festival stands against antisemitism through both solemn remembrance of the Shoah and vibrant celebration of Jewish culture.
- Jewish Film Festival Berlin Brandenburg various locations, through June 18, details.
June 14
Greentech Festival
Berlin’s Greentech Festival welcomes hundreds of visitors, exhibitors, and speakers from around the world to Tegel Airport to discuss sustainable tech solutions for a better future. With panel discussions about hot-button issues like sustainable energy and infrastructure and exhibitions showcasing the latest green tech innovations, the festival provides a global platform for exchanging ideas and learning how to achieve lasting change.
- Tegel Airport through June 16, details.
Spandau Citadel Music Festival: The War on Drugs
American band The War on Drugs will be rocking the stage this summer as part of the Spandau Citadel’s highly anticipated annual music festival. Bridging the gap between indie and mainstream music, critics have praised the group as one of the best American rock bands of the past decade. Come find out why!
- Spandau Citadel starts 18:15, details.
June 15
XPOSED Queer Film Festival
XPOSED has been an unapologetic celebration of queer cinema for more than 15 years, and it’s back this summer in all its glory. Expect screenings of more than 50 feature-length and short films centering around all things queer.
- XPOSED various locations, through June 18, details.
June 16
Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart: Open House
In celebration of the launch of their new collection and the permanent preservation of the site, Hamburger Bahnhof will be welcoming visitors for a three-day open-house. The programme will feature live music, artist talks, and interactive activities, in addition to the expected museum exhibitions. And best of all, admission is free.
- Hamburger Bahnhof starts 10:00, through June 18, details.
Köpenick Summer Festival
Ring in the season at the Köpenick Summer Festival! Artists and craftspeople will be presenting their work at a panorama of market stalls while musicians and other performers take the stage. The highlight of the festival is Saturday’s parade through the Köpenick old town, followed by fireworks to end the evening with a bang.
- Köpenick Palace Island through June 18, details.
Vegan Summer Festival
Berlin’s plant-based festival is here to show off just how vibrant a vegan lifestyle can be, with over 100 market booths offering clothes, cosmetics, foods, and drinks. But that’s not all: Visitors can also expect live performances from concerts to cooking shows and beyond!
- Alexanderplatz through June 18, details.
Berlin Museum of Medical History at the Charité: “The Brain in Science and Art” opening
Ever wondered what’s going on inside your head? Following an epic three years of renovation work, this fascinating museum will reopen with a special exhibition on The Brain in Science and Art.
- The Berlin Museum of Medical History at the Charité details TBD.
June 17
2023 Special Olympics World Games
Berlin has the honour of hosting the world’s largest inclusive sports event this year: The Special Olympics World Games, where thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world will compete in 26 different sports.
- Special Olympics World Games various locations, through June 25, details.
Exterminate All The Brutes: ARTE Film Night
Featuring four one-hour sections of Raoul Peck’s documentary film Exterminate the Brutes over the course of one evening, ARTE film night represents a critical and crucial exploration of European colonialism. Contextualised by keynote speakers, the event traces 600 years of history, from the colonisation of the Americas to the Holocaust.
- Humboldt Forum starts 18:30, details.
Long Night of the Sciences
On June 17, around 60 scientific institutions across Berlin and Potsdam will be participating in the annual ‘Long Night of the Sciences,’ extending their opening hours and offering visitors the chance to participate in experiments, lab tours, exciting shows, and engaging lectures centred around all things scientific.
- Long Night of the Sciences various locations in Berlin and Potsdam, starts 17:00, details.
Berlin Book Festival
In the same square where the Nazis burned books 90 years ago, people are gathering to celebrate literary diversity as part of the Berlin Book Festival. Visitors can listen to readings from the victimised authors’ remaining texts as well as dive into the colourful contemporary world of literature through author talks and book market stalls in this one of a kind open air event.
- Bebelplatz through June 18, details.
June 20
The Who at Waldbühne
After seven long years, legendary classic rock band The Who will be touring Europe this summer – and making a stop at Berlin’s Waldbühne. With support from the Babelsberg Film-Orchestra, they’ll be performing the hits as well as songs from their 2019 album WHO.
- Waldbühne Berlin doors 16:30, starts 18:30, details.
June 21
Fête de la Musique
This global music festival turns entire cities into concert venues, and Berlin is no exception. With over 100 indoor and open-air venues featuring acts from every possible genre, you can expect one hell of a party.
- Fête de la Musique various locations, details.
June 23
48h Neukölln
For two days, Berlin’s largest independent art festival will be taking over Neukölln for its 25th edition. A forum for projects of all artistic disciplines, this year’s theme ‘Play(ground)’ encourages creatives and visitors alike to get in touch with their inner child.
- 48h Neukölln through June 25, details.
Cemetery Night
What better way to show respect for the dead than with a party? The Georgen-Parochial Cemetery in Prenzlauer Berg will be hosting an evening celebration that’s to die for this summer, complete with music, theatre performances, readings, and more.
- Georgen-Parochial Cemetery starts 20:00, details.
June 24
Marzahn Pride
Marzahn’s Russian-speaking queer community is organising the 4th edition of Marzahn Pride this year, showing solidarity with those in their home countries who don’t have the option of protesting for their rights. In addition to the customary parade, the organisers will also be throwing a street party in Victor-Klemperer-Platz.
- Marzahn Pride starts 14:00 at Raoul-Wallenberg-Str., details.
Day of Architecture Berlin
Held annually across Germany in the last weekend in June, the Day of Architecture provides an opportunity for visitors to look behind the facades of city architecture through tours, presentations, and exhibitions from numerous architectural firms. Learn about everything from interior design to urban planning!
- Day of Architecture various locations from 14:00-18:00, through June 25, details.
June 25
Jewish Museum: Jazz in the Garden
One of Israel’s leading chamber music ensembles, the Tel Aviv Wind Quintet, will be performing a programme from Bach to Gershwin in the garden of the Jewish Museum this summer. With support from guest performer Naaman Wagner on the piano, visitors are in for a great jam sesh.
- Jewish Museum starts 11:00, details.
June 29
Judit Reigl: Centers of Dominance
100 years after the birth of late Hungarian-born French artist of the French Art Informel movement Judit Reigl, the Neue Nationalgalerie will be presenting her first ever solo exhibition in Germany. Displaying 16 paintings from Reigl’s oeuvre, the exhibition showcases her creative development throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
- Neue Nationalgalerie through August 10, details.
June 30
Schneider ™ Release Show
With support from Crys Cole and DJ-duo Jazzcats, Schneider ™ will be celebrating the release of his latest album Ereignishorizont with a special show at ausland. Expect an incredible performance of experimental polyrhythms that push the boundaries of genre.
- ausland doors 20:00, starts 21:00, details.