Weekend Events for the Whole Family in Berlin, May 10-13

Ascension (or: Father's Day) and Mother's Day 

We have a long weekend again! On Thursday Germany celebrates Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt in German); Friday is a day-off in schools and many other institutions. Christi HImmlefahrt is regionally known, especially in the former GDR, as Herrentag and whereas Herren used to mean the Lord, now it means Herren, as in gentlemen (or whatever you call a bunch of young lads doing picnics with a lot of booze) ; and also Father's Day. Mothers are not far behind, May 13th is Mother's Day in Germany. 

There are many parties at this long weekend. Just note that "Father's Day" is also a ruse for some men to drink endlessly. 

Street Parties: Many of these 

• A small funfair in Gartenstadt Staaken in the far end of Spandau, Wed. through Sunday, free admission (rides for a fee) 

• A small funfair also on Wilmersdorfer Str in Charlottenburg, until Sunday 

• A large feast celebrating 720 years of the Berlin Old Port, near Fischerinsel in Mitte , Thu - Sun 

• Biesdorf flower festival, from Thu through Sun 

• A Viking Festival in Kiessee, near S-Mühlenbeck-Mönchmühle (in the C Zone) , Fri through Sun (programme in PDF, admission fees apply)

• Sat/Sun: Asparagus Festival in Akazienstr in Schoeneberg! 

• Also on Sat/Sun, a street party on Bölschestraße in Friedrichshagen 

• The Neuköllner Maientage is a large fair in Hasenheide (Columbiadamm 160), with rides as well. Every Saturday there are fireworks. It will run till May 21st 

Furthermore... 

• A demonstration on Saturday, 2 pm in Brandenburg Gate, for more budget for Kitas, Horts and other family services (details) 

• Sport: The Velothon bike race will take place on Sunday. Try to avoid using a car in the city centre on Sunday and check if your favourite tram/bus are operating (though U and S Bahn are operating). On Saturday, there will be a children race, on Strasse-der-17-Juni 

• Museums and Casltes
• Sunday is International Museum Day with many events in museums around the city, many of which are opening for free

• Every Saturday: workshops for children (from 2:30 onwards) at the Museum of Technology

• Design your own exhibition (DE) in the Maerkisches Museum, Sat, 2 pm 

• Guided tour for families at the Natural History Museum, Sun from 11:00 

• Renaissance Festival in the Düppel Museum Thu through Sunday 

Knights in Düppel

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

• Jazz for children, played by children, in Circus Schatzinsel, May-Ayim-Ufer 4 in Kreuzberg, Saturday at 4pm 

• Food and Markets: 

• BiteClub on Friday, from 5 pm in the Arena

• A large upcycling and designer market in Potsdamer Platz, all four days. 

• Sunday: Flowmarkt in Maybachufer ,

• Flea markets and a street food market in the Kulturbrauerei 

Jewish Traditions: Shavu'ot

The feast of Shavu'ot is on May 19th-20th but there are already activities this week. 

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. 

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