Events for the NYE-Weekend

 At the time of writing, it is not clear how New Year's Eve will be celebrated and how much public entertainment restrictions have been placed (restaurants, bars, but also just kindergartens and schools after the holidays). Can tell that I have already received messages from various relevant bodies indicating that preparations are being made for the closure of public institutions such as schools and meeting places for children and youth. At a similar time last year, I increased the amount of posts pertaining to online activities, and I hope I can do the same this year as well.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve celebrations are usually characterized by mass parties on the streets, plus the use of fireworks and explosives everywhere (sold in stores). This year it is not allowed to sell explosives, but it is allowed to use them (or at least, there is no ban on use) if you already have one at home (say, if you are the chav neighbours who travelled to Poland and brought tons of them, or the cheeky ones who bought it illegally somewhere in the back of a dodgy Späti). A great holiday for the hand surgery departments in Berlin (which is why you should avoid it, of course).

• And beyond black humour: If you have animals that are not deaf and frightened by noise, try to provide a place of refuge for them and / or at least have a sedative at the vet.

• If you have small children (and / or disabilities) who have difficulty with surprising noises, as well - try to take care of the solution well in advance.

• The traditional New Year's Eve fun runs are unfortunately cancelled. You can of course run alone ...

• Reminder: On January 1 the stores are closed (except for "emergency" stores) and also on December 31 they will close at noon, prepare accordingly

And still... 

• The central event in the Brandenburg Gate will be actually set without an audience, and broadcasted on television (ZDF, from 8:15 PM)

• The Sprungraum in Templehof offers a New Year's Eve party on trampolines for children, at 31 in the afternoon (details)

• But if you are a fan of concerts or theater, there is quite a bit on offer, including for example a special concert of the Berlin Symphony with the Roncalli Circus

• The market at Gendarmenmarkt will hold a final event on New Year's Eve, for a special fee (details)

More Events at the Weekend

• This is already a Berlin tradition: the first Sundays of the month are free Sundays at many museums in the city, including events for the whole family. Also, on this Sunday, several dozen museums will be open for free. It is recommended (but in most places not mandatory) to try to reserve a window time in advance

• Last chance to enjoy the Christmas "remnants" including spectacular street lighting (in KuDamm, Potsdamer Platz, Gendarmenmarkt, etc.) but also a few Christmas markets that are still open after the holiday: 

• The market near the Memorial Church, Weihnachtsmarkt an der Gedächtniskirche (in Breitscheidplatz) - until Sunday. On New Year's Eve, December 31, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; On New Year's Day, January 1, 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM

• The market near the "Red City Hall", Weihnachtszeit am Roten Rathaus, until Sunday. Closed on New Year's Eve (Friday, December 31); Open Saturday / Sunday 11:00 - 21:00

• Potsdamer Platz, the Winterwelt market is also open until January 2

• The Christmas Gardens at Tierpark and the Botanical Gardens are open until January 16 and 9 (respectively), which means - you can still make it!

• And if bright gardens are nice and beautiful, but the prices of "Christmas gardens" a burns a little, the Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände offer beautiful holiday lighting on the park (of course more modest than the light shows of "Christmas gardens"), at a cost of Euro Single entry (until January 3, details)

• This weekend is also your last opportunity to see the Roncalli Christmas Circus in the Tempodrom. Shows on Saturday and Sunday (not on NYE night...) 

• On Sunday the "New Year's Festival Tempelhof" takes place in the car park of Ikea Tempelhof. Including magic show, live music, fire show, and much more ... from 11:00 to 21:00

In the first week of the year

• On Tuesday, a (small?) Demonstration takes place at the Brandenburg Gate against the Uighur genocide in China and in protest of the hosting of the Winter Olympics in the country 

Thanks for supporting the blog! 

  

Events in Berlin auf Deutsch 

אירועי סוף השבוע בברלין - בעברית

Events at the Christmas Weekend (24th-26th) and beyond

 Ho, ho, ho! 

First, if this is your first Christmas in Berlin (or if you're a tourist here), keep in mind: these are very different days from regular Berlin days.

• Christmas Eve is on December 24th. on this day:
• Stores close at noon or are not open

• Restaurants are usually closed or offer special holiday meals. In the evening, it will be very difficult to find a restaurant spontaneously. What is often open? Asian food (Chinese / Vietnamese / etc.) If you have no choice but to eat outside (because you are a tourist, because the fridge is empty, etc.), try to reserve a place in advance or prepare yourself for an intense search for a meal

• Most museums are closed

• Public transportation works

• Christmas is celebrated on Saturday, December 25th and Sunday, December 26th. On these days :
• The shops are closed

• Some of the restaurants (mostly family-run) remain closed, but many are open

• Many (but not all) museums and palaces are open

• Few Christmas markets will be open, even though the holiday has already "entered"

• Yes, public transportation works.

So, Interesting things happening on December 24th

• Christmas Markets : The ones in the shopping centres (for example, Borsighallen in Tegel) will be usually open till 2 pm. ; Potsdamer Platz and Breitscheidplatz are also open until 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Most of the others are closed already or will be closed on the 24th; but the Christmas Gardens (both versions - Tierpark and Botanische Garten) will be open on the 25th-26th; so will Gendarmenmarkt. The Christmas market on Alice-Salomon-Platz is still open on December 26th (and until December 30th).

• Move your body: 
• Lankwitz ice rink, Christmas Eve 12-16; 1st christmas day 12-21, 2nd christmas holiday 12-18); The Neukölln ice rink (closed on Christmas Eve; 25 + 26 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. / 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.), and Erika Heß (closed on Christmas Eve; 25 + 26 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. / 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.); the ice rink at the lido Grünau is closed on the 24th, but is open on 25 + 26, with even an ice disco on December 25th.

• Several swimming pools are open on Christmas Eve or on the holiday. You can find a full list here (PDF); The "T.U.R.M" indoor water park in Oranienburg is open on Christmas Eve (and Christmas days); In Potsdam, "blu" is only open in the sports area, the waterslides only on 26.

• Amusement: Karl Strawberry Village is open all three holidays, on Fridays, some of the attractions will be open until 18:00 (!), Most only until 14:00 (Saturdays / Sundays - holidays - open as usual all day but not addictive In the "store" they have there).

• Both Berlin Zoos are open on Christmas Eve and at Christmas. 

• Stage: 

• The Roncalli Christmas Circus, in the Tempodrom, also (but not only) on Christmas Eve.

• Also on December 24, enjoy the "Nutcracker" ballet at the Theatre am Potsdamer Platz (details / tickets)

• The THF Cinema offers a Christmas film marathon throughout the weekend, including on Christmas Eve. This includes the classic "Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel", "It's a Wonderful Life" (in OV, that means, in English), "Love, Actually" and of course, Bruce Willis saving Christmas in Nakatomi Plaza. 

(More) Christmas  

• Music: If you happen to take a walk in the Tiergarten area on Saturday or Sunday around 2pm, you can enjoy a bell concert from the bell tower of the "House of World Cultures" (John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10), outdoors and for free

And more...

• Artist Adi Liraz will perform and guide at the Humboldt Forum on Winter and Light Holidays on Saturday (details)

• Looking for Corona suitable activity for kids in the Christmas holidays? SiVa-Kids are offering an online Scratch programming day-camp (details) 

Thanks for supporting the blog! 

  

Events in Berlin auf Deutsch 

אירועי סוף השבוע בברלין - בעברית

Events in Berlin, December 17th-19th and till the 23rd

If you feel ready for the Fourth Advent...

This weekend is the "Fourth Advent," meaning the fourth (and final) weekend before Christmas. On the 23rd, the Christmas holiday begins in the schools (and probably in most nursery schools as well) and Christmas Eve is a day later. For those who are here for the first time at Christmas, essential information at the end of the current post.

But in the meantime, despite the Corona, we're trying to celebrate in Berlin. As usual, a map of the Christmas markets is attached (key: red for markets that are open every day, even on weekdays, for example in the days between December 20 and 23, when you may be at home; green for those that are open on specific days - click on it to know, when they are open).

Some recommendations:

• The Orankelichter at the Orankesee lido (Hohenschönhausen), on 17-19. December

• Street party and Advent market also on Preußenallee in Westand on Saturday and Sunday (details)

• As every weekend, this weekend there is an Advent "market" at FEZ, where children can find art corners, sessions and more. Saturday / Sunday in FEZ (address: Str. Zum FEZ 2, 12459 Berlin), there's (modest) admission 

• Also - the Advent edition of the Weddingmarkt on Leopoldplatz, on Sunday

More Christmas Events: 

• Sunday is going to be an "Open Shop Sunday" in many places. 

• Special Christmas train rides with the BVG, on Saturday and Sunday

• Why is Santa Claus actually wearing red / white clothes? Anyone who has participated in my Christmas Market Tours in previous years knows, in part because of the spread of this image by Coca-Cola. The beverage company conducts a special Christmas campaign every year, and in Germany, among other places, "Coca-Cola trucks" pass between the big cities. This year, in Berlin, on Tuesday, December 21st, in the afternoon. A time window for arriving at the event must be arranged on the website

• On Wednesday, December 22, you can have a little laugh (in English) at the stand-up "A Very TWO JEWS Christmas!" In Z BAR in Wedding

If you feel like joining the circus...

• The "Berlin Circus Festival" takes place, starting Friday, on the Tempelhofer Feld. The event focuses on contemporary circus and will continue throughout the holidays and into the new year.

• Also, the famous Roncalli Weihnachtscircus Berlin is now (till January 2nd) in town, with its very special programme in the Tempodrom. 

Thanks for supporting the blog! 

  

Events in Berlin auf Deutsch 

אירועי סוף השבוע בברלין - בעברית

Events in Berlin, December 10th-12thb

Third Advent: Christmas Markets etc. 

In the third weekend before Christmas you can attend a variety of events. Small Reminder: There is a map of Christmas markets, with regular markets open every day (if you have free time on a weekday afternoon, in red) and with those that are only open on certain dates (in green).

Some recommended markets beyond the "regular" offering (I also recommend reviewing the special ideas of the previous weeks):

• "Culture" market on the shores of the Orankesee in Hohenschönhausen, Saturday / Sunday

• An "Italian" Christmas market in the Napoleon Komplex in Friedrichshain, Sat + Sun 

• The Naughty Kinky Winter Market is of course an adult-only market, in the Alte Münze in the Mitte district. Saturday + Sunday

• Those who like their Christmas presents a bit spicier can also get the literal thing in the Berlin Chili Fest's Spicy Christmas Market, in Kookaburra, Schönhauser Allee 184, Prenzlauer Berg , Sun from 1 pm 

But there are events that are not markets: 

• On Saturday, the annual "Berlin Christmas Bike Tour" will take place: bikers are riding around the city, in Christmas attire, for charity. The ride will start (Sat, 12:00) near Rathaus Lankwitz (Hanna-Renate-Laurien-Platz), through Steglitz, and all the way to the institutions that are being supported by the charity. If your kids love bikes - this is the opportunity to see a coll bike parade 

• The Rumpelstil children's music band performs at the “Gardens of the World” on Saturday afternoon, with the Taschenlampenweihnachtskonzert (i.e., Christmas Lantern Concert); Tickets can be purchased here

Thanks for supporting the blog! 

  

Events in Berlin auf Deutsch 

אירועי סוף השבוע בברלין - בעברית

Events in Berlin, for the 2nd Advent and the last days of Hanukkah, December 3rd-5th

 Christmas markets for the 2nd Advent

The map of the Christmas markets has been updated. Partly, for good reasons (interesting markets discovered), but also because at least one market was cancelled. The red hearts represent markets that are open every day. The green ones, for markets that are only open on certain dates.

As always, there are recommendations for this weekend:

• Parents of younger children should check out the FEZ in one the four Advent weekends, with their special Advent Fez programme
• Also in this area: baking cookies, on Sundays in Haus Natur und Umwelt in Wuhlheide

• Because of the "situation", many of the most stable Christmas and Advent offers are in shopping centres. It might sound a bit disappointing and cynical to visit a shopping centre, but there are some cool things. On Sunday Nikolaus (Santa) will visit the Das Schloss shopping centre in Steglitz. And, if you haven't been there, the one on Tempelhofer Hafen provides stunning views (for a shopping centre...) and offers special activities for kids on Saturday. 

• Instead of buying a Christmas tree, you can borrow it, e.g. from "Napoleon Komplex", Modersohnstraße 35-45, 10245 Berlin. At the weekend there is mulled wine, art and much more ...

• And now, something completely different: a sex-positive market in the Alte Münze with the title "Merry Clitsmas Market 2021", Sat + Sun

• A nice market in Silent Green in Wedding on both weekend days, with designer articles, food, music, kids programme etc. (info)

Hanukkah

The 6th to 8th candles will be lit this weekend, and there are also events on the occasion of the festival:

• Sixth candle on Friday:
• Folkadu play Hanukkah music in the Bavul Art and Culture Cafe at Annenstr 13 (Info)

• A somewhat wilder Hanukkah activity (and definitely not suitable for children) awaits you at Oyoun, Lucy-Lameck-Straße 32,, BerliN starting at 8 pm: The satirical / drag cabaret "Jews Jews Jews"

• Seventh candle on Saturday: 
• Menora lightning near the Rotes Rathaus in Alexanderplatz, 7:30pm 

• Eighth candle on December 5th, 

• The Shtetl Khanuke Markt, as part of the Shtetl Berlin Festival, will provide for food, music and more on Sunday between 4 and 8 pm. Admiussion is free, but you have to register in advance to get the address 

• The Hashomer Hatzair Hanukkah Party, at 4 pm 

• Folkadu Concert in Fraenkelufer with candle lightning at 5 pm 

Wait, there's more!

Hard to believe, but there is more. 

• Sunday is a free Museum Sunday and with many activities for young and old.

• A pop-up gallery this weekend at the place that was the court of Charlottenburg  (info and tickets)

• Children concerts in the Philharmonie, Sat + Sun (tickets)

Thanks for supporting the blog! 

  

Events in Berlin auf Deutsch 

אירועי סוף השבוע בברלין - בעברית

Events in Berlin, November 26th-28th, including Hanukkah in Berlin

 Christmas Markets

The Christmas markets are open, and enjoy them for a while, given the changes in the regulations. I've prepared a map for you with all Christmas Markets, including ones in faraway, exotic places. However, always try to double-check if there is no last-minute cancellation or change in policies. 

For this weekend, the recommendations may be : 

• For those who must have as many rides as possible: Definitely the one near the Ikea in Lichtenberg, Winterzauber. Open daily 

• For those who want something respectable to bring their in-laws to: Gendarmenmarkt is the most suited place in this city

• And only at this weekend: 
• Escape to the middle of the forest in Grunau, for the Hanff`s Ruh  Advent market

• Go to see a different market, the Qweer Market, in the Alte Münze, in Mitte (Sat + Sun) 

• The "Sustainable Market" in the Schönhauen Palace in Pankow (SPSG)

• All Advent weekends, but no weekdays, at Subaemarkt in Schöneweide 

• Also on all Advent weekends: arts market in Mexikoplatz , in Karl-August-Platz  in Charlottenburg, 

Chanukkah

The first candle of Chanukka will be on Sunday, November 28th, and there are already a couple of activities: 

• Sunday, 4 pm : 
• the huge (10 meters high) Chabad Menorah in the Brandenburg Gate will be lit ; 

• Guy Dimenstein of the YouTube channel "The Good Ones" will light the first candle and spread love and Sufganyot at 5 pm in Alexanderplatz

• A Chanukkah party in Marie Antoinette (details) 

• Also on Sunday, a Chanukkah concert with Matan Goldstein and Doron Furman (details)

• Further Menorahs in the city, for example in the Fraenkelufer Synagogue (Sunday at 5:30, other days 6 pm); in Bayrischer Platz in Schöneberg; and near the Köpenicker Stadtkirche in the Altstadt and on the Marktplatz in Adlershof. They will be lit every day at 5 pm

• On Monday, November 29th, there is a "car parade" for Chanukkah, leaving the Chabad Centre on Muenstersche Str 6 at 6 pm

• Tuesday (3rd Candle): candle lightning in Rathaus Schöneberg, at 5 pm (info)

•  Wednesday (4th candle): 
• The German Israeli forum will light in Brandenburg Gate with the title "Antisemitism is not an opinion, but a crime"

• Sharon Jaegermann will show us how to make Sufganyot in a Zusammen workshop (registration)

• The "Shtetl Berlin" Festival for Yiddish Culture will start on Thursday with a Hanukkah concert in the Jewish Museum (info) 

• Also on Thursday: "Comic Concert" with Itai Dvorin, in the Fraenkelufer (info)
• And another concert + candle lightning, in the Pestalozzistr Synagogue 

Thanks for supporting the blog! 

  

Events in Berlin auf Deutsch 

אירועי סוף השבוע בברלין - בעברית

Events for the Weekend of November 19th-21st, and throughout the week (Thanksgiving!)

Before the event information, some clarifications about the Covid regulations (as of the moment I'm writing), for those who still need it. Currently, there's a G2 policy in places like most of the Christmas markets, restaurants, bars, clubs etc. This means: 

• Entry only for the vaccinated and recovering (2G) with relevant certificates

• Unvaccinated / not recovering, can enter if:
• They have a medical certificate that they are not allowed to get vaccinated, or: 
• They are children under the age of 6, or : 
• They people under the age of 18, who come with an up-to-date negative test

Supermarkets, shops, public transport and other essentials - are open to the public. Of course, a mask is needed.

Thanksgiving

Just before the Advent, the US celebrates Thanksgiving, and this year, it's on November 25th (the coming Thursday). 

• This coming Saturday (November 20th), supporters of the Democratic Party in Berlin will hold a Thanksgiving race to collect donations for their activities. You can also just come and cheer. Saturday, Tempelhofer Feld, 11:00 (details)

• Festive meals are available at Hard Rock Cafe (You can also order to take), If you prefer it vegan, there's also a place offering a festive vegan menu.  

Advancing towards the Advent

This Sunday is officially a mourning day (so flea markets will be closed), but there are many activities nevertheless. 

The Advent will officially start on November 28th (and before that weekend, actually, the traditional markets are closed), but in Berlin, we already have numerous markets open for business : 

• The Berlin Botanical Gardens are opening this weekend their "Christmas Gardens", with truly magical atmosphere and light decorations all over the place. The admission is pretty pricey; every afternoon, till January 9th 

• There is a similar events opening this weekend in the Tierpark - "Weihnachten im Tierpark", featuring lights, a skating rink and much more. Again, admission is pretty expensive. Every afternoon, till January 9th 

• For something a bit less expensive, you can visit Karl's in Elstal, featuring the "Schrottis Winterdorf", a trendy "upcycling" themed winter park. Open every day and literally for free. 

• The Historic Market has also started this week, linked to the same people who operate Renaissance Fairs, and if you like the genre, pack your girdles and codpieces and head your trusted steeds (Tram M10, trains to Warschauer Straße) to the RAW-Gelände. Every afternoon, till Dec 22nd

• The Japanese Christmas Market in the Festsaal Kreuzberg promises a mixture of Japanese culture, food and design with special Christmas stuff. Sunday, 12:00 till 8 pm 

• Also in Kreuzberg: The Finnish Cultural Centre is running a small Christmas market at the centre in Kreuzberg (Schleiermacherstraße 24a 10961 Berlin) , on Sat/Sun between 10 am and 6 pm 

• The people behind the light art exhibition, "Dark Matter" offer a Christmas light experience in Rummelsburg, Winterlights in Rummelsburg. Admission is for EUR 5, you get to see "200 luminous Christmas trees with 80.000 LEDs transform the darkness into a dancing glow of lights. The trees, arranged according to size, are combined with atmospheric music to create an overall audio-visual experience that repeats every half hour throughout the evening" 

• There is also a small (one-time) "winter" market in Schöneberg, on Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Str. 10 10787 Berlin, not far from the Pride Market . The market is for charity and organised by the CVJM, which is practically the German version of YMCA, (well, the organisation, not the song). Further info

• In addition, I have already reported the following markets: 

•  Lichtenberg's Winterzauber, with lots of lights, rides and stalls. Daily till December 19th, on Landsberger Allee 364 (near the Ikea, Tram M6 from Alex). 

• The Winterwelt  in Potsdamer Platz is also open every afternoon, with its fake snow slide.  





• The "Pride", LGBTIQ Winterdays takes place till December 23rd near Nollendorfplatz 

• The Vorglüh-Markt in Holzmarkt 25 (Fri-Sun, free admission) 

Hanukkah 

Chanukah, the holiday with the 1000 spelling-options, will start next Sunday (so the 28th), but there are already some Hanukkah related activities for the kiddies out there. 

• Chabad Alexanderplatz will offer a pre-Chanukkah event for kids aged 3 to 12 on Sunday (2 - 4 pm)  

• The Fraenkelufer Synagogue will have Chanukkah activities in their Kids club on Sunday (for kids aged 3-10, in different age groups, details)

• Also sort of Hanukah related: A Peula (activity) of Hashomer Hatzair (where some pre-Chanukah activity will take place, but only as an appetizer to the real party in two weeks' time, info, for kids aged 7(ist) and up (till 15ish, they are not very strict). 

• The people of the Fraenkelufer Synagogue are inviting everybody to their Mitzvah Day get together, which will be, this time, a cleaning activity in the neighbourhood. 

The Rest of the Week

Except for Thanksgiving for our American (and feast-loving) readers, there are several other things happening throughout the week. 

• On Monday, "True Italian" will offer their "True Italian Pasta Week", where you can get a meal and a drink for only EUR 14.  (To the list of restaurants taking part)

• Well next Friday is Black Friday, and we'll probably have some shopping events

Thanks for supporting the blog!