Events for the Weekend: April 1st - 3rd

Move your body

The Berlin Half Marathon on Sunday opens a season with hopefully many races and other popular sporting events. If you have not signed up for a half marathon, it is probably too late, but you can in any case stand on the sidelines and cheer the participants (which also include handcarts for wheelchair riders and inline skates) . 

Children can also take part in the "Bambini race", which takes place on Saturday on the Tempelhofer Feld, where the marathon fair also takes place. You can register in the field according to availability (as long as there are still places available in the respective age group).  Details 

Photo: The organizers

Festive everywhere 

• The Spring Festival takes place from Wednesday to Sunday at the Zentraler Festplatz  in  Reinikendorf  . Admission to the funfair is free - the rides are for a fee. Until 24.04. 
• Address by public transport, bicycle or car: Zentraler Festplatz Berlin Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 207 13405 Berlin (Bus lines X21, M 21, N 21 to Am Festplatz) 

• Saturday only: The Neulich Brewery in  Neukölln is organizing  a street  party near  its building on Saturday - Selchower Str. 20 in the Schiller-Kiez 

• Sunday only: Spring party at the "Pinke Panke" children's farm in  Pankow   , between 14:00 and 18:00 (address: Am Bürgerpark 15-18, 13156 Berlin; stop: Wollankstr)

• Easter market on Sunday at Karl-August-Platz in the district  Charlottenburg  . 

• Spring party every day of the weekend in the outskirts of Berlin, in the village of  Schönefeld, Am Rondell12529 Schönefeld (probably approaching buses like line 263 from Grünau train station) 

Crafts and museums

The whole city becomes a great shop-lesson in honour of the "European Craft Day" - workshops, museums, etc. become a place where artisans exhibit their wares for sale and admiration, and sometimes even offer to participate. Great offer is available at an arts and crafts market in the Domäne Dahlem  (throughout the weekend) and on the Spandau Citadel. 

Arts and Crafts Days  - This weekend throughout the  city

A map for finding the various events can be found on the event  website 

And even more handicrafts, just for sale, you will find, among other things, as usual: 

• In the Baergarten in the Revier Südost in  Schöneweide   not far from the station, on Saturday 

• The Flowmarket ot the Maybachufer in  Neukölln on   Sunday 

If you prefer to see other people's crafts and visit fascinating workshops, this Sunday  is   Museum  Sunday and this  means that dozens of museums are open free of charge and also offer special guides, workshops and activities for children. There are also museums that combine these two major events

Museum Sunday  - all over Berlin

And more interesting events ...

Next week is the last week before the Easter / Passover holidays in the Berlin schools, which means that the post next week will probably be full of Passover events (I already know, for example, from  Hashomer Hatzair's Passover camp between the  8th. and April 10), but in the meantime already this week you can, if you wish, go to the "Shul Club" of the Women's Run Synagogue to do activities in preparation for Passover (Sunday, 12:00, for children from 3 to 10 years in two groups) 

And something more interesting: On Saturday / Sunday, a play for families (children from 5 years old)  Lost in the Woods will be performed in the middle of the  ACUD. The play is an absurd chamber comedy full of fantasy and love for the theater. Shortly before the band goes on tour in England, she performs three times in Berlin. You will especially like to receive host families and refugee children from Ukraine, write to: hawkandhilltheatre@gmail.com

Run in the woods

Events for the weekend of March 25-27

 Spring, the sweet spring

You must have noticed the spring temperatures outside, enticing you to go for a walk. For example, there are already a few cherry buds in the various cherry blossom trails in Berlin. Apart from the suggestions for hiking trails in Berlin, there are a few other places to go: 

• The Spring Fair is a small funfair in the Zentraler Festplatz on Kurt Schumacher Damm. The fair is open on Wednesdays and Sundays (not just at the weekend, in case you are hosting tourists or are on holiday) and admission is free (the rides of course charge an entrance fee - there are discounts on Wednesdays). The fair ends on April 24th. Arrival: Bus 127 to  Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 207 13405 Berlin 

Spring Fair (Photo: Official Website)

• The Düppel Museum, dedicated to restoring medieval life in the tiny villages that now make up Berlin, works to promote spring as it did in the Middle Ages: with a " Winter Expulsion Festival " this weekend 

Spring cleaning

In a number of neighbourhoods in Berlin, there are initiatives to take advantage of the spring weekend to clean up a park together as a community: 

• Treptower Park , Saturday, 12:00 - 15:00 

• Volkspark Wilmersdorf , Saturday, starting at 3 p.m. 

Spring sounds and solidarity 

• First: 
• Matilda, the maths rat  (it sounds better in German), music for kids at FEZ on Sunday

• Drumming concert for adults and children in the Pierre Boulez Saal, 15:30 ( tickets )

Drummers in Pierre Bola

• Solidarity concerts with Ukraine: 
• Saturday, 4 p.m., songs for peace in front of the Russian Embassy at Unter den Linden 

• A charity concert at the Theatre Verlängertes Wohnzimmer on Saturday, 20:00 

• On Sunday, 16:00, at the Jewish Museum, " Jewish Voices for Ukraine " 

• Not a solidarity concert, but a flea market for children whose income is sacred to the children of Ukraine , on Sunday (10:00 to 16:00), at Markthalle IX in Kreuzberg 

• And on Saturday you can have a solidarity brunch , also for charity, at the Trial and Error in Neukoelln

• And if you are closer to Kladow, there is also a fundraiser for Ukraine

• Of course, this week, too, there will be a large demonstration of solidarity on Sunday at the Brandenburg Gate and Str der 17 Juni, details

In addition...

• Kolektif , which takes place on Friday / Saturday / Sunday, is a large fair for bicycle nuts, including equipment, lectures, activities for children and more, at Motorwerk in Weißensee, An der Industriebahn 12 13088 - Berlin. Entry with payment "according to your ability" 

• Prints and Art Market at Neurotitan on Saturday ( details ), as well as the Baergarten at Revier Suedost in Shöneweide

• Designer market on Sunday at Fabrik Osloer Str in Wedding 

• Market with herbs and other spices in Spaeth Baumschule in Treptow on Saturday / Sunday 
• The "Das Schloss" Mall in Steglitz is celebrating a birthday and that means for them an open Sunday for shopping, as well as all kinds of events and shows in the mall on Saturday and Sunday 

• On Saturday evening, lights off - at " Earth Hour " - for those who want to experience it collectively, at Partiser Platz near the Brandenburg Gate

More Jewish Heritage

You can already this week: 

• Bake challahs with Zuzammen on Sunday, in a challah baking workshop for the whole family 

• Sing with Nitzan on Friday afternoon at the Frankleufer Synagogue

Thanks to all those who support the blog .... and buy coffee

   

Events for the weekend of 18-20 March

 Purim

Although the holiday actually ends, there are weekend events. In some of the participating stores you can still buy " Hamantaschen for Ukraine ", but this is not necessarily the main news: 

• " Carnival de Purim ", the main Purim party of Ritter Butzka, on Saturday / Sunday 

• Also in the Berlin branch of Hashomer Hatzair , Purim is celebrated on Sunday , with costumes and the like

Ukraine

Beyond the material and psychological assistance that you can provide directly to refugees and those concerned, there are a number of charity events for Ukraine: 

• Friday night, a jazz concert for Ukraine in Quasimodo 

• Saturday and Sunday, charity concerts  (1) and ( 2 ) (classical) at the Berlin Philharmonic 

• The Belarusian community is organizing a " Fashion for Freedom " event for Belarusian women who are political prisoners and for refugees from Ukraine. Saturday in Charlottenburg 

• On Sunday, a classical concert at Kirche am Lietzensee for Ukraine

• Also on Sunday, a screening of the documentary "Klitschko" at the Astor Film Lounge 

• "Kulturhaus Spandau" does not hide the direct message in choosing their charity film - they will screen Charlie Chaplin's  great dictator on Saturday and Sunday

• On Sunday at Das Gift in Neukelen, a Variety show for Ukraine, with Russian and Ukrainian artists, called  La La Peace 

• On Sunday there is also a meal at the Rock Herberge in Kreuzberg, in solidarity style, for those who know the concept of "Volxküche" (solidarity cuisine, and for those who do not, please read the information before you decide whether to come or not) 

Anti-racism weekend

It turns out that this weekend is celebrated around the world as a "weekend against racism" (so save the racism for Monday, okay?). However, there are a number of events in Berlin, including 

• An anti-racism demonstration on Wilmersdorf Straße in Charlottenburg, on Saturday

• A human chain in the Rudow neighborhood against racism, on Saturday; Merzahn combines the issue with cleaning the neighborhood on Saturday 

In addition 

• Flea markets, designers, etc .: 

• Of course the Baergarten on Saturday, in Revier Südost in Schöneweide

•  Children market on Saturday / Sunday in Pankow near Wilhelmsruh station

• At Freiheit 15 in Köpenick  on Sunday 

• And of course all those who regularly (Tiergarten, Mauerpark, Schöneberg Rathaus, etc.) 

• Move the T * T: 

• The Valentine's Race has been postponed because of the corona and will take place this coming Sunday

• And on Sunday you can also run around the Müggelsee 

• For lovers of closed spaces: 

• Draw manga on Saturday at the Central Library 

• On Saturday and Sunday, the Philharmonic will offer concerts for small children (3-5) in which they can also participate; As well as a concert of " Animal Carnival "

• Children draw and sing at "Brotfabrik" on Sunday

Events for the first weekend of February 2022 in Berlin: 4-6 February

 An event-packed weekend is ahead of us, including for those of you who are in isolation / interested in participating online

Meeting like-minded People

• On Sunday, Israeli and Jewish children and youth can meet at Hashomer Hatzair  for two activities (according to age groups). The operations take place in different places, to reduce the risk of infection in the corona. Details at berlin@hashomerhatzair-eu.com 

• Even before that, on Saturday night, you can hear a concert by the band " Fulkado " at La Vida Wine Club, not far from Gendarmenmarkt 

Experiencing Berlin's Museums

The first Sunday of the month is always an open Sunday in many museums. 

Beyond the free admission, it is possible to participate in a selection of workshops and activities for the whole family. Generally, it is advisable to set a window of time in advance - but I have already participated several times simply with a spontaneous arrival. Beyond that, due to the corona, there is also a large online offering that you can participate in. 

• Big and small fashion lovers are invited to the Kunstgewerbemuseum, for an exhibition on Christian Dior and his "followers"

• Closing soon: Exhibition on reflections and mirrors in art, at the Alte Nationalgalerie, including virtual reality activities

• To play chess ( for children and youth ) as part of Alexander Calder's exhibition at the Noya National Gallery

And a few other interesting things: 

• If you enjoyed the recommendations for the Harry Potter places in Berlin , you may want to visit an engraving exhibition  of imaginary animals  from the 15th-18th centuries at the Kupferstichkabinett in the "Kulturforum" near Potsdamer Platz

• You can also learn how to make " Morse strings " or understand " why things float " at the Technical Museum 

• First steps with a 3D printer at "Klax" on Saturday  

• A workshop in accordance with the Gustavo exhibition at Biesdorf Palace, Saturday 

Events in Berlin, January 21st - 23rd

 The boy who is also a magician

My friend Y. had once a blackout - he had forgotten the name of the most famous magician-boy in the world, and in his honour, some events (happening this week) and places (which are open most of the time) where Harry Potter fans can visit Berlin: 

• You can start off with a concert of music from "Harry Potter " in Potsdamer Platz , on Friday / Saturday at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz (details and tickets); by the way, if you will have missed it, there is also another concert with Harry Potter tunes in March in the "Mercedes Welt" , as well as a marathon of all movies in Babylon in two weeks

• Have you always dreamed of playing Quidditch in real life? Because the Quidditch Berlin team is holding an open day this coming Sunday (in the Eichkamp area of  Charlottenburg) and you can try your hand at the game. I have a feeling you will not be able to fly with a broom, but do enjoy 

• The Magic Museum in the Mitte area gives a bit of a tourist trap vibe, but that doesn’t stop it from being, well - a museum of magic themes. 

• The MitVergnügen website has 11 recommendations for places that, if you exercise your imagination well, are similar to places from the movies or books. To me, most similar is the Amtsgericht Mitte, but read the list and decide for yourself! 
• By the way, two places I would add to the list: Spandau's old town, which is quite similar in some of its alleys to Diagon Alley, and the castle's restaurant can in some of its corners definitely give the feeling that we're at the Leaky Cauldron. 

• And, admittedly not really in Berlin, but the Brieselang Forest is very, very "Harry Potter" in spirit 

• Whatever you do, don't go to Müggelsee (sorry, I had to. It is said that women become similar to their mothers as they get older, but at the level of jokes, I am definitely gender bending when it comes to dad-jokes) 

• And if you really need Harry Potter products, the " Sieben Königslande " store in Mitte (in the Hoffman courtyards on Oranienburger Str. 32, 10117 Berlin), specializes exclusively in everything you need, except a scar on your forehead 

In the meantime, with the Muggles 

• Flohmarkt @ Baergarten Market in Schoneweide  , Saturday from 12:00 (Schnellerstraße 137, 12439 Berlin) 

• Cleaning together in the Wuhlheide Park ( details ) and at Samariter Kiez in Friedrichshain  ( details ), both on Saturday

• Disco on Ice at Lankwitz on Saturday night ( details ); And if you're less into the ice skating, there's also a kids' disco in Sprungraum , the trampoline hall in Templehof 

• Sunday: The street food market of Kulturbrauerei ( Prenzlauer Berg)  and Winterzauber on the Wendeschloss beach in Koepenick ( details of the latter )

• I have no idea if this is really going to happen or is it some kind of comic event, but just in case it happens: The Pitcairn Islands (check the atlas) are celebrating "Bounty Rebellion Day" on Sunday, and will (reportedly) set a model ship on fire in James Simon Park in Mitte

Events for January 27th

And a somewhat sharp transition: January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day and ceremonies are expected all over Germany. 

This coming weekend: 

• On Sunday, an action by Hashomer Hatzair  Ken Berlin will take place. The little ones will take action online; Larger groups will hold a memorial service at one of Berlin's memorial sites (details: berlin@hashomerhatzair-eu.com) 

• Another ceremony will be held by the "Nevatim" organization that is somehow connected to the Jewish Agency, on Sunday afternoon ( details )

On Thursday: 

• At 12:00 you can hear an online lecture , by the Fritz Bauer Institute, entitled "Der kalte Blick. Letzte Bilder jüdischer Familien aus dem Ghetto von Tarnów" 

• At 15:00, a memorial service at Loeperplatz in Lichtenberg 

• At 19:30 at the Jewish Community House at Fasanenstr 78 ( details )

Activities, but under the duvet

Some more recommendations, for those who can not (or do not want to) leave the house, because of the weather / the corona / life-itself 

• A trip for children to South Africa courtesy of "SIVA", on Saturday at 11:00 

• How do you draw polar animals? It's a bit like a famous joke from art classes (a white horse drinking milk in the snow), but in an online SIVA course kids will be able to learn it (Sunday, 10:00) 

• Although already mentioned in the context of "International Holocaust Remembrance Day", Hashomer Hatzair's youth group meets online this week, and you can join by email berlin@hashomerhatzair-eu.com

Events in Berlin, January 14-16

The corona regulations are changing yet again, and as usual not in our favour ... As of Saturday, the following rules will apply:

• Restaurants are in G2 + conditions - that is, you should be recovered or vaccinated, and with testing. Exceptions: Those who received a booster, which is equivalent to a test. If you have a booster from another country, it is important to make sure that it is included in the German app.

• Important! This only applies to adults: “Up to and including the age of 18, children and young people are not subject to the 2G or the 2G + regulation. So they can accompany their parents in restaurants. "Children and young people between seven and eighteen years of age have to show a negative test result. A school ID card is also valid as test evidence until the winter holidays.

• Children and young people from the age of 6 can only enter museums and other attractions with a test or school ID.

• On public transport, the ride is with FFP2 masks.

Celebrating the Weekend Outdoors

• One last chance to enjoy the Tierpark light show, which closes on Sunday. 

• Only on Saturdays: The Flohmarkt @Baergarten, in Revier Südost in Schöneweide 

• And just so we'll have something to eat on Sunday as well: the street food market in the Kulturbrauerei is back, this coming Sunday.

Or rather, fun in heated spaces?

• Film music under the starry sky in the Planetarium (Prenzlberg), Sat 8 p.m.

• At FEZ, the "Just Play" program continues with suggestions for the whole family and children between the ages of 2-12 

Jewish Culture

• It's Tu BiShvat and the synagogues in Berlin will hold ceremonies on Sunday. Chabad are delivering "Tu Bishvat" kits (see image below) 

• The Fraenkelufer Synagogue is organising kids activity in the Gleisdreieck Park on Sunday (more information here); 

• On Sunday evening, there will be a virtual Seder Tu B'Shvat that is also suitable for those who do not live in Berlin, of the Fraenkelufer synagogue. Details

• Another event is organised by BASE Berlin and is more adult-oriented, who can join a TuBishvat mindfulness hike in Brandenburg, on Sunday. 

• If you also speak Hebrew, there are a couple of Tu-Bishwat events in Hebrew on my Hebrew blog. 

• High schools in Berlin are holding open days (virtual and with attendance) in the coming weeks, to help sixth- and fourth-graders in high school selections. Among other things, the Moshe Mendelssohn Jewish High School holds a virtual open day (Sunday)

Events for the weekend, January 7-9th

Unfortunately, the numbers continue to rise and this week there are several things that have changed online. Despite everything, there is still a lot to do in the city this weekend.

Christmas leftovers

There are still spectacular lights in the city (Potsdamer Platz, KuDamm and more), and of course there are the Tierpark and Botanical Garden light shows that come in on the last line (this is the last week for the botanical garden and the penultimate one in the Tierpark).

• Lights celebration in the Botanical Garden and in the Tierpark , daily from the afternoon, for an entrance fee, in the botanical garden until Sunday, January 9th, in the Tierpark until January 16th.

• You can still enjoy the magic of winter in "Winterzauber", in the Strandbad Wendenschloss (Köpenick), on Sunday 

Still Outside 

• The FEZ invites us: "Just play!". That is the name of the weekend program. Families with children from 2 to 12 years can enjoy themselves with various activities. Admission from € 3

• If you are more of a board game fan, you can also register for the "game afternoon" in the Hansa library and let the dice roll on Sunday afternoon

• And back to the Wuhlheide area: not far from the FEZ you can also find the Haus Natur und Umwelt, where you can bake waffle (s) together on Sunday afternoon (details)

• Weekend art sale at Atelier cocon coloré in Wedding (Amsterdamer Str 6), On Saturday (from 12:00) you will be able to find different works of art to take home with you. 

• And speaking of art: this weekend an exhibition will open at the Pavillon am Milchhof on the border of Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg (Schwedter Straße 232 10435 Berlin) which is part of the "Festival of Light Art". The exhibition, called LUX, features various artists and their versions of light art. Free entrance

Jewish Culture

• Hashomer Hatzair have decided to move their activity online. The groups will meet online on Sunday afternoon, you can get more information or join by mailing berlin@hashomerhatzair-eu.com 

• The film "Kiss me Kosher" will be screened on Saturday, with the director, as part of Queer Film Evenings in the Jewish Museum

• The opera "Hansel and Gretel" comes to the State Opera from Friday, recommended for ages 6+.