Wednesday 25 April 2018

Weekend Events for the Whole Family in Berlin, April 27- 29th and further into May Day!

May Day

Berlin celebrates May Day and it seems that from one year to another, the origins of this holiday are now gone: the Berliners are just looking for a good excuse to dance. 

The focal of the organised parties and fests is in the eastern parts of Kreuzberg (SO 36) , where the city organises street parties to block unwanted violent riots by squatters and other anti-establishment social actors. 

In MaiGörli , there will be several stages with entertainment and other stands around the Goerlitzer Park. The entrance to the park itself will be guarded so that people will not bring in all kinds of verbotene stuff, e.g. bikes and grills (for a full list of what is allowed and what is not, see here

MaiGörli , May Day, from noontime, free admission (PDF map of entrances
The "traditional" May Day event is MyFest, taking place around Mariannenplatz and the nearby streets (Oranienstr., Kotti etc) with many stages and stands. 

May Day in Goerli

The trade unions will have their main festival in the Brandenburg Gate, with a party for the whole family. 

Red balloons in the May Day festival in Brandenburg Gate


Another May Day party will take place on Tuesday in the UFA Fabrik Tempelhof. 

Not really May Day related, but there is going to be a small fest, with Medieval overtones, near Rathaus Lichtenberg , all four weekend days. Another street party on all four days is in Gropiusstadt in Neukoelln 

Walpurgisnacht

The night before MayDay is Walpurgisnacht, the night of the witches. Historically, bonfires are part of the day; and in recent Berlin history, it was a great excuse to start the May Day riots on the night before. Nothing mixes so well than alcohol and fire. 

As in the case of the May Day, one of the preventive courses taken by Berliners who like to party and dislike riots was to take over the main places where riots have started. 

The Peaceful Walpurgisnacht initiative in Prenzlauer Berg makes sure that the Walpurgisnacht in the Mauerpark is a peaceful, family friendly event. Starting at ca. 4 pm in Mauerpark 



Another party will take place at the Kulturbrauerei, and will include a big bonfire in the middle of the Brauerei . Bonfire from 6 pm, party from 10 pm 


Gamefest

There is a big gaming conference all week long in Berlin, and at the weekend there's a special treat - the Gamefest, a combination of an exhibition, a fair and a convention for gaming lovers that includes cosplay, gaming (duh!), freebies and much more. 

Gamefest, Fri + Sat , SÄÄLCHEN BERLIN (part of Holzmarkt 25 compound) , admission: 10 reg; 7 cons; 5 with cosplay. 






ILA

Not only gamers have a feast at the weekend, also plane lovers congregate in BER for the ILA, Berlin's Aeronautics Fair . There are also children activities. 

ILA, admission fees apply (and not very cheap either) 







Furthermore... 

  • Reading in Bebelplatz! A cool annual event at this weekend, in which Bebelplatz turns into a huge reading space. On Sunday, it is "family day" 



  • Until May 21st: May Funfair in Hasenheide



  • Museums and Casltes
    • Every Saturday: workshops for children (from 2:30 onwards) at the Museum of Technology
    • Guided tour for families at the Natural History Museum, Sun from 11:00 
    • Ceramics festival in the Königs Wusterhausen Castle, Sat + Sun 
    • All four days: fairy tales in Dueppel
    • Sat + Sun + Tue (no Mon): A small funfair in Domaene Dahlem 

    • Every Saturday , 12:00, the "Mighty Wurlitzer" in the Musical Instruments Museum


  • Sport
    • FC Union are doing a "Girls Day" on Tuesday, Bruno-Bürgel-Weg 55 12439 Berlin 

  • Food and Markets: 
    • Flea markets and a street food market in the Kulturbrauerei 
    • The Nowkoelln Flowmarkt on Sunday in Maybachufer 
    • The biteclub is back! Sunday from 11:00 in Arena/Treptow 


Brandenburg



  • The Werder Bloom Festival is worth a visit from Berlin. Until May 6th





  • In Oranienburg, on Sunday: the Orangefest, in the Castle. 


Jewish Holidays: Lag BaOmer

Lag BaOmer, the bonfire fest, is this week (May 2-3) . Most of the events will be next week (on May 6th to be exact), and I will advertise on next entry (on Wednesday evening). However, there are a few events next week: 

  • On the 3rd: big bonfire at Chabad West, Muenstersche Srtr 6 


About Me



I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. 


About the Blog

I try to upload it regularly and aim for publishing on Wednesday evening, If you want me to include something (or think that I have forgotten), contact me; if you want to follow and plan to weekend, visit the blog on Wednesday nights or Thursday mornings... And finally, if you want to support me and the blog, you can do it in three ways: ordering tours in Berlin from me; Paypaling me or just removing the adblock and clicking one of the ads. 

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Weekend Events for the Whole Family in Berlin, April 20- 22nd

Bomb Disposal in the Central Train Station

No, not a fun public event, but an important one to know of: on Friday, April 20th, the whole area around the Hauptbahnhof would be cleared (including no train / bus transport) due to the discovery of a WW2 bomb in the area. Transport on the day is going to be messy. 



Furthermore... 


  • Sport: The Airfield Run in the Tempelhofer Feld on Sunday (late registration from 9:30) features fun runs for adults, youth and for children


  • Camping company Camp4 organises an event on Saturday in Orankesee in Hohenschönhausen: it will include a bonfire, a cardboard boat competition, a bouldering wall and much more - just come, Sat. from 11:00, free admission



Family Activities in the Camp Oranke


  • Museums and Casltes
    • Every Saturday: workshops for children (from 2:30 onwards) at the Museum of Technology
    • Guided tour for families at the Natural History Museum, Sun from 11:00 

  • Music: 
    • Every Saturday , 12:00, the "Mighty Wurlitzer" in the Musical Instruments Museum
    • Saturday is "Record Store Day" in Berlin, with record stores opening with special concerts and events. We're talking vinyl...













    • Food and Markets: 
      • Designer stuff in the Flowmarkt im Prinzessinnengarten on Sunday, from 10:00
      •  A children market full of music and Afrocaribbean food in Yaam, Sunday from 2 pm 

      • Bread market in Markthalle IX on Sunday
      • Flea markets and a street food market in the Kulturbrauerei 






    Jewish Traditions




    Later in the week...








    About Me



    I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. 


    About the Blog

    I try to upload it regularly and aim for publishing on Wednesday evening, If you want me to include something (or think that I have forgotten), contact me; if you want to follow and plan to weekend, visit the blog on Wednesday nights or Thursday mornings... And finally, if you want to support me and the blog, you can do it in three ways: ordering tours in Berlin from me; Paypaling me or just removing the adblock and clicking one of the ads. 

    Wednesday 11 April 2018

    Weekend Events for the Whole Family in Berlin, April 13- 15th



    Cherry Blossom Festival 

    The Gardens of the World in Marzahn have reopened and now feature parts of last year's International Gardening Exhibition. Now there is also an entrance from the Kienberg U5 Station, which makes it much easier to get there. 

    The Cherry Blossom Festival ( Kirschblütenfest ) celebrates the blossom in the Chinese, Japanese and Korean gardens. Obviously, fans of those cultures will especially enjoy (those who come in Cosplay pay reduced admission), but the beautiful gardens with their new and old attractions certainly speak volumes. 

    Sunday, April 15th, 12:00 - 5:00 
    Gardens of the World 



    Cherry Blossom Girl (source: the organisers)



    VELOBerlin Bike Festival

    This biking festival features testing opportunities, new products, bike races, shows, group rides and a stage program with experts. 

    Sat/Sun in Tempelhofer Feld and in the former airport halls
    Admission fees apply - chlidren under 14 with an adult enter for free








    Furthermore... 



    • Last week to visit the Britzer Baumblüte funfair. It will continue till April 15th and will feature rides, food stalls and the regular funfair setting. Free admission, the rides are for a fee. In the Parchimer/Fulhamer Allee intersection (near the U7 Parchimer Allee). 



    • And also: Spring Fair in the Zentraler Festplatz in Kurt Schumacher Damm, with many rides, stands, etc. Until April 22nd 










    • Museums and Casltes
      • Every Saturday: workshops for children (from 2:30 onwards) at the Museum of Technology
      • Guided tour for families at the Natural History Museum, Sun from 11:00 

    • Music: 
      • Every Saturday , 12:00, the "Mighty Wurlitzer" in the Musical Instruments Museum


    Snow White and the 77 Dwarfs



    • Food and Markets: 
      • An Italian spring market in Markthalle IX, on Friday and Saturday; and on Sunday you will find the Breakfast Market there... 
      • Flea markets and a street food market in the Kulturbrauerei 






    Jewish Traditions

    Hashomer Hatzair will meet for a picnic on Sunday afternoon. Registration and details: dikla@hashomer.de 




    Later in the week...








    About Me



    I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. 


    About the Blog

    I try to upload it regularly and aim for publishing on Wednesday evening, If you want me to include something (or think that I have forgotten), contact me; if you want to follow and plan to weekend, visit the blog on Wednesday nights or Thursday mornings... And finally, if you want to support me and the blog, you can do it in three ways: ordering tours in Berlin from me; Paypaling me or just removing the adblock and clicking one of the ads. 

    Wednesday 4 April 2018

    Weekend Events for the Whole Family in Berlin, April 6- 8th



    Easter Leftover

    Several Easter themed street fairs and funfairs continue throughout this weekend. 


    • The Easter Fair in Alexanderplatz continues until April 8th, with a few small rides, stalls and a bit of musical entertainment


    • Another fair will take place until Saturday in Breitscheidplatz (Europe Centre) 


    • In Britz, the Britzer Baumblüte funfair opens on March 28th. It will continue till April 15th and will feature rides, food stalls and the regular funfair setting. Free admission, the rides are for a fee. In the Parchimer/Fulhamer Allee intersection (near the U7 Parchimer Allee). 




    Herzgrün, Music Festival in Sony Centre

    The Herzgrün is a free music festival, throughout the weekend, at the Sony Centre. While most "tickets" have been already reserved, it is possible to come to the place and hope for a free space - from my experience, you have a chance. There is also a "family concert" . 



    Berlin's Half Marathon

    The first major race of the season will take place on Sunday, with just over 36,000 people from 112 different countries taking place (including wheelchair racers and skaters). Some are "serious" runners, many are doing it just for fun, and you're obviously welcome to watch. The course starts and ends in Karl-Marx-Allee, near Kino International: 


    Obviously, there will be changes to public transport and private car transportation on this day - follow up if you have to get somewhere. 

    On Saturday, there will be a Bambini Run, both for runners (11:00) and skaters (2pm); for children up to age 13. This will be on Tempelhofer Feld, and the registration is available as part of the Berlin Vital fair taking place in the former Airport Terminal 






    Furthermore... 

    • Spring Fair in the Zentraler Festplatz in Kurt Schumacher Damm, with many rides, stands, etc. Until April 22nd 




    • Museums and Casltes
      • Every Saturday: workshops for children (from 2:30 onwards) at the Museum of Technology
      • Guided tour for families at the Natural History Museum, Sun from 11:00 

    • Music: 
      • Every Saturday , 12:00, the "Mighty Wurlitzer" in the Musical Instruments Museum


    • Food and Markets: 
      • The Flowmarkt in Prinzessinnengärten will be back on Sunday (from 10:00) after its winter break

      • The Botanical Garden will hold their "Staudenmarkt" on Saturday and Sunday, featuring mostly (but not only) gardening products, seeds, etc.
      • Sunday afternoon will see the Sage designer market, including all kinds of activities, at Sage Beach, Köpenicker Str. 18, from 3pm (admission fees go to charity) 
      • And on the opposite bank of the Spree, another market/party, at Yaam, from 2pm 
      • Flea markets and a street food market in the Kulturbrauerei 








    Jewish Traditions

    There will be Mimouna celebrations this week, e.g. at Chabad Alexanderplatz, on Saturday night (see image); or in Fraenkelufer 










    Later in the week...








    About Me



    I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. 


    About the Blog

    I try to upload it regularly and aim for publishing on Wednesday evening, If you want me to include something (or think that I have forgotten), contact me; if you want to follow and plan to weekend, visit the blog on Wednesday nights or Thursday mornings... And finally, if you want to support me and the blog, you can do it in three ways: ordering tours in Berlin from me; Paypaling me or just removing the adblock and clicking one of the ads.