Events in Berlin for this Weekend, 20 - 22 June

Friday

Today in the afternoon, you can join Hebrew/German afternoon activity at Bambinim West (Brandenburgische Str), with Inbar Yemini.

Also on this Friday, the "Kinderfest" at the Humboldt University. The event includes all kinds of "academic" activities for children, including a robot stand, a place where you can learn how animals talk and much more.
HU Children Fest, Friday from 3 pm. Main Building, Unter den Linden 6 (Bus 100/200: Staatsoper ; S/U/Tram to Friedrichstrasse)

Saturday: CSD Berlin

Christopher Street Day is the German name for the Pride Parade demonstration for LGTBI rights (after the name of the street where the Stonewall Riots started). The Parade in Berlin has never been blamed of being too prude or modest, so it is left for your consideration, whether or not to participate with your kids: it might has an education value.
CSD Parade, Saturday, from 12:30 from Olivaer Platz to the Victory Column.

Besides, have you seen the nice Google dedication to the day?

Saturday: Fete de la Musique

However, there is another huge event this Saturday! The Fete de la Musique is originally a French event, but Berlin also celebrates it in the past 20 years. Artists - some of them well known like the Element of Crime - perform for free from Saturday afternoon. There is also a specific programme for children, although kids can of course also come to all other gigs. The full programme can be searched by venue, Bezirk or type of event (e.g., for kids)

Also on Saturday

• A street fair on Eosanderstr. 13, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the local puppet theatre. 

• Summer fair also at the Archenhold Observatory, with children programme that includes rocket building and other cool activities. 

• The Victoria Football Club organises a tournament for children. Anyone can join, but has to register in advance (details) 

• The Open Day at the Tagesspiegel newspaper includes lots of children events, like a scavenger hunt, crafts, and more. 

Sunday

• Cooking  class for kids at Bambinim West 

• A swim of 750 m between Gatow and Schildhorn in Grunewald, based on a Medieval Legend. 
• Also on Saturday: crafts for the whole family and building puppets at the Figurentheater Grasshüpfer in Treptow. 

German French Fair 

The fairgrounds in Kurt Schumacher Damm host this funfair, which includes a Ferris Wheel, rides, stands and lots of crepes with Nutella. 

Fair: from June 20th till July 20th, every day. Wednesday is family day with reduction on the rides. 

Activities for Families and Kids on the 24th - 25th of May

Saturday: The Long Night of the Families 

We haven't recovered from the "Long Night of the Museums", and there is yet another Long Night, this time with activities for children and their families. Many of the activities are either free of charge or very cheap, but there are way too many activities, for me to even recommend. Just browse their website: you can filter activities by age, categories and district (Bezirk). 

Another "Long Night" is the "Long Nights of the Books", in and around Oranienstrasse in Kreuzberg. This Long Night is mostly for adults and all about book readings, signing, etc. However, there are a couple of activities for kids as well. 

Street Fairs, Block Parties, Fairs - I think you get it: this weekend is full of them! 

The Britzer Mühle will open its doors to anyone interested to see how the mill works, see how the flour is being used etc. On both weekend days, for free. 
Where: Buckower Damm 130 12349 Berlin 

Österreichpark, a park located at the southern end of  Sömmeringstraße in Chatlottenburg is celebrating its first birthday with a picnic, animals, music and more. For free. 
Place: Sömmeringstraße 
Transit: Mierendorffplatz (U7)

In Schöneberg, the Primavera Fest will take place on Akazienstraße, with the regular mixture of food, music, bouncy castles and other activities to celebrate spring. 

On Saturday only, the district of Treptow will celebrate the "Fest für Demokratie und Toleranz mit 15 Bands" near Bahnhof Schöneweide. 

On Sunday, on the other hand, the Pfefferberg Biergarten will celebrate 170 years, from 12:00 
Place: Schönhauser Allee 176 
Transit: Senefelderplatz (U2) 

There is also a big fair starting this weekend: the Steglitzer Festwoche, There are rides, food, music and more. Entrance is free, rides cost money (50% off on Wednesdays). On Saturdays, there will be fireworks. 
Place: Bäkestraße 1, 12207 Berlin
Transit: ca. 10 minutes walk from Lichterfelde Ost (S25) 

Steglitzer Festwoche in the olden days 

Also on Sunday: Don't forget to vote! 

If you're EU citizens, you can vote in the EU elections this Sunday. In addition, German citizens can also vote on the future of the Tempelhofer Feld. It is not clear to me why only Germans and not all legal residents of Berlin, but if you have this right - use it! 

Not sure which party to vote for? Try the Wahl-o-Mat. 


And after you cast your vote

Go fight ---  I mean, water fight. On Sunday, in the Lustgarten, at 3 pm. Bring only environmentally friendly containers (bottles, buckets, water guns - no "water bombs" for example. 

Or meet fairies - The Britzer Gardens have a fairy event on Sunday, from 2 till , including many activities for fans of the winged creatures. 

And Just a Kind Reminder...

Next weekend is a four-day-weekend, again! Yippie (unless you work on Friday and have to find arrangement for the kids). 

And also Shavu'ot is in the next two weeks, I promise to write about events there


A Sad Farewell... 

Bambinim has been running their Kabalat Shabbath for a year now. Unfortunately, money has dried out - and unless they find new support, this Friday was the last event. Thank you Bambinim for the nice Friday!!! 

Here is the farewell note. 

Let's hope we'll see them again! 

Events for Kids and Families in Berlin, May 9-11th 2014

This weekend is full of interesting events, so take a deep breath and...

Friday: Kabalat Shabbat for Families 

As usual, there are two Kabalot Shabbath - one in Bambinim (Fürstenwalder Str, at 4 pm) and one in Rykestr. (at 6 pm). 

Homemade Challah @ Bambinim 

Also on Friday, a street party in Treptower Park to commemorate the "Soviet" V-Europe Day, and "Israel Day" in Wittenbergplatz with some sort of an entertainment programme organised by the Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft. 

Saturday/Sunday 

Lots of street parties and fairs will take place at the weekend. In the "Fest der Nationen" in Prager Platz, you can enjoy some regional and ethnic specialities and also see the big firework show on Saturday at 10:30 PM (U9 Günzelstr., Fr. from 2 pm; Sat-Sun all day). 

Fest der Nationen (credit: Berliner Woche)

The spring fair in Hasenheide continues this week as well, with rides and food stands and other fair elements. Fireworks on Saturday at 10 pm (Neuköllner Maientagen, Hasenheide, U7 Südstern or U7/U8 Hermannplatz, admission free, rides for a fee). 

Neuköllner Maientagen

Another party is first and foremost for kids: In Washingtonplatz, organised by Radio Teddy, again both for Sunday and Saturday. The Hits4Kids party will include Maya the Bee and Vickie the Viking (Hauptbahnhof, admission free). 

 

Korea, Roma/Sinti and also the Fire Brigade on Saturday (and many other activities) 

There are also some recommended events on Saturday only. There are, apparently, two religious holidays in this multicultural city. The first one is the Korean Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회 연등축제 in Korean, Lotuslaternenfest in German). The Gardens of the World celebrate it with traditional music, shows and much more, on Saturday from 6pm. The actual parade will be at 9:30 pm. (Sa from 6 pm, Gärten der Welt , Eisenacher Straße 99, 12685 Berlin; Bus 195 from Bahnhof Marzahn or 194/195 from S Mahlsdorf; Admission fee: €6/2.5)

Lotuslaternenfest

Not only the Koreans celebrate this weekend. The Roma and Sinti of Berlin celebrate Herdelezi (St. George's Day). The street party will take place in Boddinstraße near Rathaus Neukölln on Saturday from 2 pm (free admission). 

But for some toddlers, real excitement is neither Korean culture nor Roma festivals - it is the fire brigade! The Berlin Fire Brigade will have its annual run up the stairs of the mighty Park Inn Hotel in Alexanderplatz, all 41 floors of it. The actual race starts at 11:00, but there will be engines and gear in the square long before that. 

The Fire Brigade Run (source: Morgenpost)

Comics fans can also rejoice on Saturday, the "Free Comics Day". Participant stores will give away copies of comics and some will also hold events. Further Details

The Spandau Citadel will hold its Children Museum Day: Free admission and all kinds of cool activities for kids aged 4 and up. Cool pictures from previous years

Further events on Saturday

Re-Opening party of the Prib Art School in Mitte (U Bernauer Str), including craft activities, etc. 

Plants, music and more in the Regenbogenfabrik on Saturday afternoon. 

The Kaffeeklatsch in Markthalle IX will dedicate itself to Mother's Day

Sunday: Mother's Day 

Mother's Day is a bit of an invented holiday, mostly for those who sell chocolate and flowers, but who cares. 

And the archetypical mom, so says Hollywood, is the Jewish Mother. The Jewish Museum has an especially nice offer for this Mother's Day : A family-oriented tour through the exhibition about the Creation of the World, followed by buffet breakfast and creative activity. Registeration: g.struve@jmberlin.de , Further Details, EUR 25 for adults, under 18 for free. 

If you (or your children) understand Hebrew, there is a Hebrew-language children theatre on Sunday, organised by Kumsitz. For children aged 2-9. Registration: yeladim.berlin@gmail.com , Child: EUR 10, Adults: EUR 4. 

On Sunday evening, you can also join a Yom Haatzmaút party on a boat on the Spree. Barak Balistic will provide beats and all seems quite awesome. 

But there are also other cool events on Sunday, for example the Spielfest in Mauerpark (in addition to the regular events that take place in Mauerpark on Sundays), or an open day at the Konzerthaus in Gendarmenmarkt. I think I have warned before: busy weekend ahead! 

Next Week: Lag BaOmer 

Next week will be Lag BaOmer. I know already of three events for kids (a parade by Chabad, an event at Rykestr and one in Bambinim), news will follow. In the meanwhile, enjoy your weekend! 

This Weekend in Berlin: Passover and Much More

Friday: Kabbalat Shabbath

Like every week, there are family-oriented Saturday-Eve activities at the Rykestrasse Synagogue and in the Bambinim Centre on Fürstenwalder Straße.

Passover

Seder night is officially on Monday (14th), but until then, you can enjoy Bambinim's children Seder on Sunday. More Seders in Berlin

Saturday: Opening of the Sandmännchen Shop and other Shopping "Experiences"

Not a huge fan of shopping myself and even less so when my kids tag along, but there are so many shopping "events" this weekend, some may of interest.

If your kids are fans of the Sandmännchen show, the RBB TV are opening a special shop only for Sandmännchen merchandise at their HQ in Charlottenburg, and for the grand opening on Saturday you can take your picture with the Sandmännchen taken.

Sat, 10:00-16:00
Where: Kaiserdamm 80, 14057 Berlin-Charlottenburg
Getting There: U Theodor-Heuß-Platz

Another shop is opening only on this Saturday: The International  Popup Store @ Driss am Wunderland

Also on Saturday, Naschmarkt will organise a "Kaffeeklatsch" market for Easter, with special stuff (not kosher for Passover, I guess... :-) 

Naschmatkt in Markthalle IX 

Sunday: Bratwurst Championship

The Domäne Dahlem runs on Sunday the "12th Berlin Championship in Bratwurst-Making". Not a place for vegans...

Es geht um die Wurst!

Where: Domäne Dahlem Königin-Luise-Straße 49 14195 Berlin
Getting There: U Dahlem Dorf
Entrance fees apply


Sunday: Cherry Blossom Festival in the Gardens of the World

Trees are blooming all over the place, and the Gardens of the World in Marzahn will organise an Asian themed cherry blossom festival.

Cherry Blossom Festival in Marzahn

Where: Gardens of the World, Eisenacher Straße 99 12685 Berlin
Getting There: Bus 195 from Marzahn or Mahlsdorf
Entrance fees apply



Fr/Sa/Su: Spring Fairs

Three major fairs this week : the Zentraler Festplatz and in Britz have been mentioned last week; on Friday (11th) you can enjoy the fair in Alexanderplatz (till the 27th)

Easter Fair in Alexanderplatz, till the 27th

The Spring Fair in the Zentraler Festplatz continues (until April 21st) and includes rides, food stalls, and general fair fares. Free entrance; Wednesday is family day (with half price on the rides). 

Where Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 207, 13405 Berlin
Getting There  U7 to Jakob-Kaiser-Platz and then X21, M21 or N21



Another spring fair will take place in Britz, not far from the beautiful Britzer Gardens. The fair is on the  Fulhamer Allee and Parchimer Allee and includes "non-stop entertainment", rides and more. Also, a 8.5m high Easter Bunny will be there. 

The mighty Easter Bunny in Britz

Britzer Baumblüte (until April 21st),, Fulhamer/Parchimer Allee (Getting there: U7 Parchimer Allee) 

More Events 

Also on Saturday, an Easter Market at the Museumsdorf Düppel 

Address  Clauertstraße 11 14163 Berlin

Getting There bus 118 from Mexikoplatz or bus  115 from Zehlendorf

Sat/Sun: Block Party in Rheinstr/Walther Schreiber Platz

Sat/Sun: Potsdam Port Party, near Bahnhof Potsdam 

Sat/Sun: LegoFriends Weekend at Lego Discovery Centre 

Events for Families in Berlin, March 4 - 6

Welcoming the Saturday: Bambinim and Rykestrasse

As in every Friday afternoon, there are family Kabalat Shabbath activities in the Rykestrasse Synagogue (from 6 pm) and in Bambinim/East Fürstenwalder Str (from 4 pm). 


Block Parties, Street Fairs and Festivities 

There are many street parties and fairs this weekend. 

The Spring Fair in the Zentraler Festplatz continues (until April 21st) and includes rides, food stalls, and general fair fares. Free entrance; Wednesday is family day (with half price on the rides). 

Where Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 207, 13405 Berlin
Getting There  U7 to Jakob-Kaiser-Platz and then X21, M21 or N21



Another spring fair will take place in Britz, not far from the beautiful Britzer Gardens. The fair is on the  Fulhamer Allee and Parchimer Allee and includes "non-stop entertainment", rides and more. Also, a 8.5m high Easter Bunny will be there. 

The mighty Easter Bunny

Britzer Baumblüte (until April 21st),, Fulhamer/Parchimer Allee (Getting there: U7 Parchimer Allee) 


Street Parties

There are also less "commercial" street parties. One will take place in Mehringplatz (Fri-Sat) and will include crafts activities and lots of plants; another will take place in the UFA Fabrik, and will be dedicated to sustainability, environment and spirituality.

UFA Fabrik - Zukunft Erde Festival 2014 (Sat/Sun) 
Where Viktoriastraße 10-18 12105 Berlin 
Getting There U6  Ullsteinstr 





Saturday: Oh, the Horrors! Pillow Fight in Potsdamer Platz 

On Saturday, between 2 and 5 pm, there is supposed to be a massive (?) pillow fight in Potsdamer Platz. This is in fact the 7th year of this bizarre event, and pictures from last year seem fun enough. 

This year in Potsdamer Platz

Sunday : Crafts for Passover and Easter 

On Sunday, Bambinim will offer Passover-themed workshops and activities for children in their Fürstenwalder Str place. From 3 pm (fee based, EUR 10 per family)

Passover at Bambinim 

The Märkisches Museum will offer Easter activities on Sunday,with crafts (Am Köllnischen Park 5 10179 Berlin), fees apply. 


More Weekend Events 

There are many other events at the weekend. You can also do treasure hunt with a GPS and a compass at the Ökowerk ; the Spuk im Hochhaus, in an abandoned Plattenbau in Pankow, continues (I have to make it to this one before it ends!) ; there are several baby/children flea markets, for example here and the blog Berlin for All the Family has many other ideas


Sidenote on Passover in Berlin

I have assembled a list of public Seders in Berlin for this year (it is in Hebrew, but then again, most of these Seders are in either Hebrew or German/Russian). I am not really sure what to recommend someone who feels lonely and would like to celebrate Passover with others. These public Seders are usually not a highly pleasant experience, being in the same room with 200 other people and paying outrageous amounts for kosher-for-Passover-hospital-cuisine. I am willing to play a matchmaker, being the busybody yente I am: if you want to invite another family over, feel free to use the comments section.

Events for the Weekend, 21 - 23 March 2014

Spring Fair

This lovely weekend marks the beginning of the street fairs and outdoor events in Berlin, and brace yourself for non-stop events till the end of September.

The first such event is the "Frühlings-Spar-Volksfest" (Saver's Spring Fair). The fair will have rides and stands. The "Saver's" part refers to the fact that the rides will cost only EUR 1, and that admission itself is free.
Where: The fairground near the Spandau Citadel (U7 Zitadelle)
When:  March 21st - 30th , Mon-Fri 3 - 10 , Sat. 2 - 11 , Sun 12 am - 10 pm

Springtime for Germany (can't avoid a cheap pun when I see it)

Music Festival in the Sony Centre

The Sony Centre will host the Herzgrün Festival, another spring-themed event. The artists and concerts come from a variety of styles and genres, including a special children concert. The event is for free, but it is advised to reserve tickets in advance.

Main children event is "Herzlichen Glückwunsch kleines Huhn", on Sunday, at 3:30 pm.

Fri/Sat/Sun - all day.


Spring in the Forests

Berlin's natural education centres, the Waldschulen, offer all kinds of activities to celebrate the spring.

In the Waldschule Bucher Forst, you can take a guided tour to see the awakening forest on Sunday (in German, for a fee and advanced registration required, further details).

The Ökowerk in Grunewald will offer an array of activities, including a "paper chase"/"treasure hunt" game where the children can learn the basics of Geocoaching. Here, too, advanced registration is required. You can also try your luck in Plänterwald, in another scavenger hunt. 


Model Weekend at the FEZ

If building tiny models of airplanes, cars or trains is your children's hobby (or - let's face it - your adult hobby), the FEZ is full of events for you this weekend.

model aeroplane in FEZ

Also On...

On Saturday, 2 - 5, a flea market for children stuff at the Heilige Maria Magdalena Kita, on Weiskopffstr. 12-13, 12459 Berlin .

Seed and plants exchange on Saturday (from 3 pm) at the Leila shop (which was by the way featured on the Guardian this week).


Upcoming - Easter Holiday: Music Day Camp in English (w/ HE and DE)

In just a month, schools will take their Easter holiday (this year between April 12th and 27th).

You can, of course, take the school's own Hort offering. However, there are a few interesting offers , for  private courses and camps.

The first that landed on my desk (who has a desk nowadays, not to mention things that land on it? Well, nevermind) - is a musical day-camp, "Music Theatre Workshop" for kids aged 6 to 9, in Friedrichshain. By the end of the camp, the kids will perform a musical. Further details.

Events for the Weekend: March 14th - 16th

Lots of events this weekend, also thanks to Purim, which is celebrated in many venues all over. You can read a full review of Purim in Berlin in the following link.

The weekend opens with two events, one at the family room of the Rykestrasse synagogue, the other at Bambinim East (Fürstenwalder Str). At the latter, Hamantaschen will be baked!.

Nom Nom Nom... Purim at Bambinim (Source: Wikipedia) 

Bambinim will also celebrate on Sunday (10:00 @ Brandenburgischer Str; 3 pm @ Fürstenwalder) and if you're a Hebrew speaker, there are several additional events, by Kumsitz (on Saturday) and the Rykestrasse Synagogue (on Sunday):

Kumsitz



Rykestrasse

St Patrick's Day

It's that time of the year, when having an Irish friend should be your first priority. On Sunday, the Berlin St. Patrick's Day Parade will start at 1:45 pm from the Plänterwald Station, all the way to Arena Treptow. Parade is sort of for free, but the event at the Arena has admission fee.

S Bahn Exercise

Also on Sunday: Firstly organise S Bahn exercise session, from 1 pm a Gesundbrunnen.

Facebook Event

Don't need a gym, got the S Bahn

Also on Sunday: Birthday Party for a Cat

The Georg Büchner Bookstore in Prenzlauer Berg will celebrate the 30th birthday of Petterson and Findus, the naughty cat and his old owner. They ask for registration in advance:
undercover.buechnerbuchladen@googlemail.com, telefonisch unter: 030/4421301  

Musical Events

This is the second week of the Klangwelten Music Festival, in which kids can try on different instruments (Sat / Sun @ FEZ).

The Philharmonie will host a "Peter and the Wolf" concert on Saturday (2 pm) and two children concerts on Sunday (at 10 and 11).

Another musical event on Suday is the Familienfest at M.I.K.Z at Rigaer Str. 99 (the RAW area, but closer to Modersohnstr). Sunday, from 12:00, electronic beats for young and old.

Purim 2014 in Berlin - Events for Families, Kids and Adults

Megillah Readings

It is customary to read the Book of Esther in Purim and you will find joyous Megillah Readings in all of the synagogues in Berlin (all readings are in Hebrew/German):

On Saturday, March 15th

6 pm - Rykestr.

6:30 pm  - Fraenkelufer

7 pm - Pestalozzistr Congregation (at Fasanenstr. Community Building); Chabad House West, Chabad House East (for Israelis); the Sephardi Synagogue on Passauer Str

7:30 pm - The Central Orthodox Synagogue on Joachimstaler Str., The Herbartstr. Synagogue (formerly Hüttenweg Congregation), Oranienburger Str


On Sunday, March 16th

8 am - Sephardi Synagogue

9 am - Chabad Houses (East and West)

10 am - Rykestr., Oranienburger Str. and Fraenkelufer

11 am - Chabad Houses (East and West)

1 pm - Chabad Houses (East and West)

4 pm -  The Central Orthodox Synagogue on Joachimstaler Str.

***

Events for Children and Families

Bambinim presents a plethora of Purim events this year .

Tomorrow (Friday, March 7th) at 4 pm, there will be craft activities followed by the Purim story at the Fürstenwalder Str Bambinim .

On Sunday (March 9th), you can enjoy a Purim-themed brunch at the  Brandenburger Str. Bambinim (from 10:30) (Further Info)

On Friday, March 14th, the Fürstenwalder Str Bambinim will have a second event, baking Hamantaschen (at 4 pm).

All of this is only in preparation to the big parties, on Sunday the 16th, with one party in the West (10 am) and one in the East (3 pm). On Monday, the 17th, the very last event will take place: a Hebrew-language party for the kids who take their Hebrew courses in the Brandenburgischer Str branch.

If you can understand Hebrew. you can also join Kumsitz and Todanke's party on Saturday, the 15th, at 11:00

I also found through Googling this event, can't tell you more than what's written, it's in the "Studio am Hochhaus" in Hohenschönhausen

Dienstag 11.03.2014 11.00 Uhr

Das Purim-Spiel - die Geschichte der Esther "Ein musikalisch-literarisches Spiel mit Liedern und Tänzen zum Mitmachen für Kinder ab Klasse 3. | Musik: Konstantin Nazarov | Erzählerin: Brigitte Graf | Anmeldung, Telefon: 030-929 38 21 | Eintritt für Schulklassen pro Kind: 1 Euro, Erwachsene: 4, erm. 2 Euro

Parties for Older Crowed

Also here, parties begin a week before Purim, with a Meschugge Party on Friday (tomorrow!) in Kaffee Burger

On Saturday, the 15th, at 22:00, there will be a party in the Grand, sponsored by the Jewish Community. 22 minutes later, the BASE MENT in Kreuzeberg will open its doors to a Purim Party.

If you're into Chabad, you can also check out their event of a "Purim Festival"

But like in ski, there are also an après  party, at ACUD on the 22nd.