Events for the weekend, November 11-13th

 Lantern Parades

You have probably received the memo from the Kita, but just in case: In this time of the year lanterns parades take place all over Berlin. The origin of the tradition is for Sy. Martin's Day on November 11th, but in secular Berlin, there are many non-religious parades. 

Most of the lantern parades take place on Friday: 

• Treptow-Köpenick: In Strandbad Wendeschloss (info / map) 

• Tempelhof-Schöneberg: In Café Eule in the Gleisdreieck Park (info / map) 

• Steglitz-Zehlendorf: In Domäne Dahlem (info/map) 

• Pankow: In the Heinrich Böll Library in Prenzlauer Berg (map), at 5pm, with a parade in the Mühlenviertel

• Potsdam: in the Volkspark, in the Remisepark (map/event) 

• Neukölln: In the Britz Gardens (info / map) and in the Wutzky Einkaufcenter (info/map) 

On Saturday: 

• In Medaillonplatz in Rummelsburg (info/ map)

• In the Schultheiss Quartier shopping centre in Moabit (info/map) 

• How to create light and fire like in the Middle Ages, on Saturday (2pm) in the Waldschule Zehlendorf (info / map) 

Diwali

I think it's the first time I see a public Diwali party in Berlin, so yippy-multikulti!  If you don't know it, some Wiki-Info. It is, Indeed, another light-oriented festival, because that's what we humans do when it's getting darker and colder. 

So, Diwali Berlin on the Sage Beach includes 12 stands with Indian food, DJs, comedy, dance, and lots of fun. 

Sat-Sun, from 2:30pm, on Sage Beach (website / address)

Meanwhile, in Wuhlheide...

The dead are walking around us! No, the Zombie Apocalypse is going to happen elsewhere (I suspect, in BER), it's just a Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) party.

On Saturday, in the FEZ (website / map) 

The Ghost of Christmas Future...

If the theme of the last item was zombies, here we have the good old starship invasion: The streets of Berlin are filling slowly with empty shells, reminding us that Christmas is near. And relatively, many events start way before the official starting time of the Christmas Markets in Berlin (which is the weekend of the 25th, so in two weeks). 

What do we have at the weekend?* 

• The market in Potsdamer Platz, already quite established in the past two weeks (Fr-Sa, Mo-Sa - might be closed on this Sunday due to the mourning day)

• The market in Frankfurter Allee, near the Magdalenenstr U-Bahn, with many rides and what promises to be the largest funfair/Christmas Market in Berlin (Fr-Sa, Mo-Sa - might be closed on this Sunday due to the mourning day)

• The Glühwald on Mercedes Benz Platz (Fr-Sa, Wed-Sa - might be closed on this Sunday due to the mourning day)

• The Vorglühmarkt in Holzmarkt-25 (map, also see the Christmas Market map below) , also on this Sunday (for sure) 

• The Christmas Avenue , aka the "Gay" Christmas Market on Nollendorfplatz, from Friday on 

No Flea Markets this Sunday

There is no shortage of events for this weekend (as usual...) but there is also one notable "regular" event missing: there are no flea markets on this Sunday, as it is the "National Mourning Day". Originally designed to commemorate the fallen of the First World War, it is a day dedicated to people who died in wars and violent incidents. There are usually several interesting ceremonies in cemeteries. 

While the official outdoor markets don't operate, there are several special markets and events. Small exchange (trade off) markets in Friedenau and Prenzlauer Berg are marked on the map at the bottom of the page, but there is also the Fashion Fleamarket in Ballhaus Berlin, on Sunday, which is dedicated only to women's fashion (info/map) 

• Also, a "Vintage and Art" in Brauhaus Neulich (map/FB event)

• A street food festival in Oranienburg (map/FB event) 

• A "Romantic Vintage Market" in Schloss Diedersdorf on Sat and Sun (map/FB event)

Pasta and other important things next week

Apparently, next week is True Italian Pasta Week. For EUR 15, you can get in selected Italian places a fancy pasta dish plus a drink. 

Monday - next Sunday 

In many Italian places around the city 

The event map

Events in Berlin , 4-6 November

 Lantern parades 

First, this is a reminder to all parents of children in kindergartens—the lantern parades are approaching, and you should prepare. It is highly likely there'll be one in your kindergarten as well. For children, this is usually one of the most exciting and central events of the Kita year.

The main lantern parades take place on November 11th, but this week there are also some cute parades and events for you:

• Lantern parade at the Düppel Museum, Saturday starting at 15:00 (the parade itself starts at 16:30) (site / location)

• On Sunday you can build lanterns in the Britz Gardens, at the Freilandlabor Britz (site / location / you must register in advance!)

• Also on Sunday, making lamps from recycled materials also at the Museum of Communications, as part of Museum Sunday (site / location)

Christmas markets (sorry, "Winter Fairs")

Berlin's Christmas markets only open at the end of November. In fact, there are two Sundays in November, which are days of national mourning and on which the “normal” Berlin flea markets will also be closed (the first of which is next Sunday - November 13).

But in Berlin as in Berlin, there's always a good excuse for a party. Already last week, we welcomed the first Christmas winter market; And the second opened already this week.

• The winter fair (Winterzauber) on Frankfurt Allee is actually a flashy amusement park full of rides and lights and at the same time the biggest Christmas market in Berlin. For the orientation of Berlin veterans: In the past, this Christmas market was behind "Alexa" and last year it was located next to Lichtenberg's Ikea. This is its third stop, also in Lichtenberg, near the Magdalenenstr station. This will not be the last stop in the market wanderings, as the area is actually intended for construction in the coming years. In any case, this market starts already this Friday and will continue until December 25th, closed only on the various days of mourning and on Christmas Eve; On Wednesdays there are discounts on the rides. (location)

• Continues: Winter World in Potsdamer Platz. This fair runs until January 1st and includes, among other things, the snow slide, as well as food stalls and other amusements (location)

• And another little something in Christmas spirit: on Mercedes-Platz the Glühwald starts on Saturday, a few food/drink stalls (with an emphasis on Glühwein of course) and beautiful decorations. Between Wednesday and Sunday from 16:00, until December 30 (location / website)

Science days, legendary days

Many events for the inner knowledge enthusiast in each of us. First, Berlin celebrates two events – the "Children's Fairy Tale Week" (with many reading events) and the "Science Week" (in which most of the events are aimed at adults).

An exciting event for science lovers is the 20th Anniversary of the "Children's University of Lichtenberg". It is also celebrating the beginning of a new "season" of academic lectures for children aged six and older. On Saturday, at the Anna Seghers Library in Lichtenberg (event/location)

• At the same time, FEZ continues with the "crazy laboratory", with experiments and activities for children till to the age of four (until Sunday / details / location)

And if all this is not enough, Sunday is "Museum Sunday", with many museums that are open for free, and activities in the various museums.

Among the many activities:

• A journey following the beginnings of photography at the Museum of Photography (details / location)

• Musical tour at the Düppel Museum (mentioned earlier in the context of the lanterns), (details / location)

• Experiments with light at "Berlinische Galerie" (details/location)

• Not in the context of the Museum Sunday (and for a fee), but in the Botanical Gardens, those of you who suffer from the cold and miss the desert will be able to take a guided tour for families to the “desert” inside the gardens (details/location)

• There are many other events in the dozens of participating museums

Food and more things to put in the shopping bag

• At the Messe the Bazaar Berlin fair is held this weekend. It includes decorative objects and "gifts" (details/location - please note that the complex is huge and at least from their website it is not clear where exactly within the complex the fair is located)

• Street food festival in the IKEA Schoenberg parking lot, Friday-Sunday (FB event / location)

• Brazilian cultural festival, including food, music, children's area and more at Festsaal Kreuzberg on Sunday (details/location)

• Vintage clothing sale this weekend in Kühlhaus Berlin (FB event / location)

• Designer market in Leopoldplatz in Wedding on Sunday (location); And for those who prefer it under a roof - on Saturday in Arminius Halle, designer and handicraft market (website / location)

• Huge flea market at Trabrennbahn Berlin Karlshorst - Saturday/Sunday (location)

November 9

The  German "Schicksalstag" and anniversary of the Novemberpogrom is approaching and there is large event that will be held near the monument on Levetzowstrasse in Moabit, with the participation of Jewish and non-Jewish organisations (including Hashomer Hatzair, FB event, location)

The event map

Events for the weekend of October 28th-30th (and of course, Halloween on the 31st)!

Halloween

Although this is actually on Monday, it is obviously the biggest event of the weekend. There are so many Halloween events, that I had to only concentrate in some major ones in the blog text itself, but I have added quite a few on the map. 

Things you should know, if you're new to Berlin: 

• Halloween is not really a thing in Germany. Consequently, many people have no idea at all it is Halloween

• You'd find many parties for adults (the most famous ones in the Kulturbrauerei and in the Weekend, but have a look at 030 if you're looking for Halloween parties for adults)

• You will also find some cool events for kids, but trick-or-treating is not really so popular, and it is, quite honestly, subjected to the following Murphy's Law: If you will go outside all dressed up with the kids, it is very likely that the neighbours will have no idea why you're asking for candy ; and If you will not buy any candy and will not take your kids, you will get people at the door plus very accusing looks from your own kids. So, in conclusion, mostly a very scary holiday for social awkward people like me, who'd always end up doing the wrong thing. 

And without further ado, some Halloween events this year: 

• Scary Autumn party in the Strandbad Wendenschloss on Saturday, with a bonfire, pumpkin carving, and much more (FB event / location) 

• T&T events:
  
  
• One, which seems a little private: Someone is organising trick-or-treating in the Weinberg on Sunday afternoon (FB event, location)

• Another one, after publication, on Monday in the Schlosspark in Pankow (maps, FB event)

• Teens and older can also enjoy the Halloween in the Berlin Dungeon  (details)

• The Halloween Run in the Jungfernheide has a route for younger kids, one for older kids and two for adults (website / location) , on Monday

• Many shopping centres will hold their Halloween party for kids, either on the 29th or on the 31st: Europa Centre (29th, incl Trick/Treat); Tempelhofer Hafen (29th); Allende Center (31st); Alexa (all week long, but the big event on the 31st)

• And for the less commercialised option, many Youth Clubs (Jugendclub) in the different neighbourhoods will hold their own parties, some are also on the map

• Already booked-up, but perhaps you'll be lucky to get a ticket from the waiting list or someone who can't attend: Karl's Gruselnacht (29th); Hard Rock Cafe Monster Brunch (30th); Ghost time in the Museum of Communication (30th); and the Scary Night in the FEZ (31st)

Make Mariah Rich Again

It's this time of the year again! And it is starting earlier and earlier every year: Stollen are in the supermarkets from August and now, a Christmas market will start at this weekend. If the trend continues like this, we'll have candy in July and Christmas markets will fight the Oktoberfest ones for a space in September. 

Anyway, the Winterwelt in Potsdamer Platz – the one with the cool slide – is starting at the weekend! Admission is free, rides/stalls of course for a fee. 

• Winterwelt Postdamer Platz (location), open daily from Fri, Oct 28th till January 1st (except for a few holidays)

Castañada and more good reasons to get a cookie

Cookies are always a good idea, but the Iberian community is celebrating the Castañada this weekend. El Colmado tapas place on Joachimstaler Str will offer festive cookies on Saturday, as well as a workshop with a local Castell group, that will show us how to build a human tower! (location / event on FB)

Other food events and markets: 

• Autumn Market with textiles and handmade products, as well as food and music in the Domäne Dahlem on Sat + Sun (details, location)

• A pop-up market of Ukranian art in the Heeresbäckerei on Saturday (insta, FB location) 

•  The Nowkoelln Flowmarkt in Maybachufer on Sunday (location)

• Not really for the younger crowd and sort of Halloween event: The Halloween flea market at Starke August on Sunday (location) 

Also important to know...

• That daylight saving time ends on October 30, so in the night between Saturday and Sunday, you will "gain" an hour sleep (with 3 am turning into 2 am), but it also means, sundown is much earlier. 

• On Monday, aside from being Halloween, there's also a children's day in the Natural History Museum , with free admission and many activities (info; location)

• Between Tuesday and Friday, you can take party in the "Clean River" kids camp in the Labyrint Museum (info)

• On Wednesday, you can visit the Family Day in the Spandau Citadel (info)

• And on Thursday (also the rest of the week), why don't you head to EastGate in Marzahn for a lego exhibition ; or an AI workshop for kids in Hellersdorf (info, also robotics on Wednesday)

The event map

Events for the weekend : October 21st-23rd and for the Autumn Holidays

 Halloween and autumn

• On Friday/Saturday/Sunday there's a big street party on Storkower Bogen with rides, food booths and music: the Lichtenberger Herbstfest, free admission 

• On Saturday and Sunday, the Figurentheater Grashüpfer in Traptower Park will host "Ghost in Black Light" activities, where you can participate with scare enthusiasts aged four and over. Registration

• "Night of Horrors" at Karl's Strawberry Village in Elstel on Saturday (by pre-registration); All weekend through you can visit and see seasonal entertainment

On Saturday you can also

• Make scary costumes from old fabrics and objects (including ones you bring) at the Haus der Materialisierung

• Carve pumpkins in the Globus Baumarkt Lindenberg in the outskirts of Berlin

And more monsters and costumes...

• Monsters: Are you into Monster Trucks (you or the kids)? At The World of Motorshow you can see all kinds of horrific cars live, on Sunday, in the car park of the Hellweg of Köpenick

• Costumes: The Zentrum Schöneweide shopping centre is celebrating some sort of anniversary and in honour of this, two things are happening that may interest you: First, on Sunday there will be an "open Sunday shopping" (between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. as usual); And at 18:30 there will also be fireworks. Also, people will walk around there in Star Trek costumes (and you can too, if you have one) and the entire centre will have a Star Trek exhibit. The exhibition is also open during the weekdays of the coming week, so, live long and prosper! 

... and from SciFi to real-life computers and robots

Besides fantasizing about science fiction, you can also participate in various activities of the "Berlin Code Week" at the weekend (which lasts about a month).

• Friday afternoon at Kinder- und Jugendbibliothek ZLB: level design at Mario Maker (details); Saturday "Maker Kids" activity at the same place (details)

• Saturday at the municipal library in Kreuzberg: learn Micro:bit coding (details)

• Saturday/Sunday: At the Futorium - "The City of the Future" (details)

• Starting Saturday and throughout the fall vacation, FEZ will hold the Verrücktes Labor for explorers four-year-old and older: performances, experiments and the possibility of trying out stuff (details)

• Sunday: toothbrush robots in the technical museum (details)

And also...

• For Teens and Young Adults: Queer ZineFest 2022 at Schloss 19 Youth Club on Saturday (details)

Jewish Culture

• "Hashomer HaTzair" will conduct a memorial tour around Berlin for young adults (from the age of 16) and adults. The tour focuses on the history of the movement before the Holocaust and the resistance to the Nazis by the members of the movement in Berlin. The guidance will be in German, but it is likely that if you have difficulty understanding, there will be enough people who can translate. Sunday, 14:00 (details)

• I usually don't post events here that aren't in German / English, which are the languages shared by most readers. However, "Bubables" theatre will show the "Kosher Machine" in Ukrainian on Sunday (details) and you are invited to spread the news among Ukrainian-speaking families you know

Next week: fall vacation, solar eclipse

The public school fall break starts on Monday and will last two weeks.

Some events and activities in the coming week:

• On Monday, a week-long activity will begin at the Spandau field school for children aged 8-10 with lots of autumn nature (details)

• For those who prefer to stay at home, Siva Kids offer an online Scratch course during the first week of the holiday

• But you don't have to be at home to learn to program. On Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday/Friday there will be programming workshops for children aged 6-9 at Yaam, for free (details)

• On Tuesday, around 12:13, there will be a partial solar eclipse in Berlin. Want to watch it with the kids? Of course, it is enough to stand outside in a place with a clear view (and remember to protect your eyes well and not look at the phenomenon directly!) . However, the three observatories/planetarium of Berlin will also conduct joint observations (information in German), in "Zeiss" and "Archennhold" with creative activities as well (among other things, to create "observation goggles").

A less recommended way to observe an eclipse

• On Wednesday there will also be a computer workshop for children at Haba, with advance registration (details)

• And a reminder to the 4th - 6th grade students who have not yet received a "seahorse" / bronze: free swimming courses during the fall break to obtain the certificate

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

   

In addition, you can participate in guided tours in Berlin  - all days of the week - a classic tour to get to know the city, an alternative tour (graffiti  , etc.)  and a Jewish heritage tour 

The event map

Events for the weekend, 14-16 October

Last Chance: The Festival of Lights

This weekend is the last chance to catch the Festival of Lights. The festival features quite a few installations in famous buildings in Mitte (map below) and also some events, including the ADFC Light Ride: bicycles are to be decorated with light and ridden on Friday evening in Potsdamer Platz. 

• Berlin Festival of Lights - the official website

And speaking of transportation: On Sunday, the 10k-Berlin race will flow through City West. Cars are of course blocked (see the route). Starting in the Charlottenburg Castle, there is also a kids' race, at 11:30 . Late registration only in the morning in the race itself. 

The Season of the Witch 

Halloween is coming up and there are already a few events at the weekend. 

• Horror Nights in the Filmpark Babelsberg on Friday and Saturday. This scary event is only for older kids (really older: aged 16 and up). 

•  The really big event this weekend for those who cannot wait till Halloween is at Karl's Erdbeerhof in Elstal, with scary food, rides and much more. By the way, next week and the one after that, Karl will offer their "Scary Nights", which are usually overbooked if you don't buy well in advance. 

Hurdy Gurdy Man and other Reasons to Party

• The Komische Oper will open its gates to children on Sunday with a children festival which will obviously include lots of music... 

Other musical events: 

• Singing together in the Spandau Music School, on Saturday, for kids aged 6-10 

• Build your own instrument in Klang-Holz e.V. (also in Spandau), on Saturday, for kids aged 7-12 

• A "Peter and the Wolf" workshop in the Museum of Musical Instruments, on Saturday 

• And on Sunday: "When siblings compose", a concert for kids in the Haus des Rundfunks

And also: 

• Street party on Gorkistraße in Tegel on Saturday and Sunday, including a shopping Sunday (1-6 pm) 

• And a "traditional Oktoberfest for families" in Kaulsdorf, on Cecilienplatz, Fri through Sun 

• Autumn festival in the Pinke-Panke children farm on Sunday (2-6 pm) and another one in the Landhausgarten Dr. Max Fränkel in Kladow. 

• The Komödie am Kurfürstendamm im Schiller Theater is running a flea market on Saturday, with costumes, props and everything else. 
• More market: Kilo vintage second hand pop up on both weekend days, in Paul-Lincke-Ufer 21 

• The Zeughausmesse with designer and handmade articles, Sat+Sun in the Kühlhaus 

•  Flowmarkt in Neukölln on Sunday 

Children Cultural Month

October is the Children Cultural Month, with many events in museums, theatres and other cultural institutions. Unfortunately, many are overbooked. You can still try to be on the waiting list and it seems like in many cases you can also bet on free places on the spot despite them being officially overbooked. 

• KinderKulturMonat, all of the events 

Some recommended events with officially free spots: 

• Make your own book in Galerie im Körnerpark on Saturday, for kids aged 7-12 

• Create your own fantasy creature in Popcorner Projektraum on Saturday, for kids aged 8-12

• Dance with tanzbasis , for kids aged 10-12 on Saturday 

• Workshop with the Susi exhibition about a young Jewish girl in the Holocaust at Alice - Museum für Kinder on both days

• Make a sock axolotl in the Technisches Museum on Saturday 

• Play "Lingo Bingo" at FELD Theater für junges Publikum on Saturday 

• Discover colours in the Exploratorium on Sunday 

• Watch "Schaun das Schaf" in Hackescher Höfe Kino 

• And also: An opportunity to do some 3D printing in the Futurium ; try printing at the Kurt Mühlenhaupt Museum and much more. 

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

   

In addition, you can participate in guided tours in Berlin  - all days of the week - a classic tour to get to know the city, an alternative tour (graffiti  , etc.)  and a Jewish heritage tour 

The event map

Events for the weekend, October 7-9

 Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights opens on Friday, as always, as if there are no stories about an energy crisis around us. Or maybe there is some impact: The theme of the festival this time is "Vision of our Future" and they promise installations that.. (and I quote) "require very little electricity and look as if they move by magic". 

I prepared a map of the Festival of Lights (and even put pictures of some of the planned intallations), so that you can walk between the attractions. A recommendation for families with children - exactly these small sculptures they are talking about, are not to be missed: For example, the Darth Vader installtion near the Humboldt Forum. Recommendation for everyone: keep valuables in crowded places like the Brandenburg Gate. Valuables, including of course your children in the dark. 

• Berlin Festival of Lights - the official website

The Long Night of the Families

Continuing with Berlin's exciting nightlife! On the night between Saturday and Sunday, many cultural organizations for children and youth open their doors for activities until the late hours. Some of the activities are neighborhood, in neighborhood children and youth centers; Some in museums or other major sites. 

Some notable events: 

• Dancing at the Staatsblatt School at the Deutsche  Oper

• Experiments and activities that are also suitable for families where one of the participants is disabled - at the Indiwi center

• Build lamps and learn about electronics at GoodLab

• spend a night in a computer games museum  ; In the spy museum  or perhaps in the samurai museum

• Scavenger hunts: in the RAW compound ; As well as the Umweltbildungszentrum Freilandlabor Marzahn  and the Volkspark Friedrichshain

• Make music at the Leo Kestenberg Musikschule 

• A visit to  the Märkisches Landbrot GmbH bakery to see how bread is made 

• Gaze at the stars at night for the whole family at the planetarium

• The full program on the official website: the long night of the families

Sukkot, Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles will begin on Sunday evening and end on the following Sunday evening. Of course, in every synagogue in Berlin  you can find a sukkah. Beyond that 

• Starting on Tuesday, Moving Poets NoVilla in Treptow will hold their version of Sukkot - with secular entertainment that includes jazz and folk bands and food from a selection of places

• And on Thursday they will celebrate at the Chabad of West Berlin 

Come and Dine with us!

• Cheese festival at "Markethalla 9" on Sunday - Cheese Berlin 

• The Berlin Food Week will start on Monday, with various culinary events 

And some other interesting fairs: 

• The Berlin Creativity Fair can be of interest to anyone who has a fondness for creating works of art, craft classes and those who are crazy about Pitnerst - at the "Arena" in Treptow, Friday-Sunday 

• " Design and Art " festival sponsored by Stilwerk at KantGaragen on Friday/Saturday 

• Music festival at Residenzstr in Reinickendorf on Friday ( details )

• The fall fair ends on Sunday  ,   which includes amusement park facilities, game stands, food, music stages and more   . The entrance is free, the facilities cost money. At the Zentraler Festplatz the price for facilities is reduced on Wednesdays. Until October 9, on Wednesday-Sunday afternoons.

Code name: try to crack!

If all this is not enough, then this week the Berlin Coding Week opens (which lasts more than a week, almost a whole month). You are invited to join various events, including: 

• Marathon of Jugend Hackt in Wedding all days of the weekend

• Scratch, Calliope, etc. workshops in various public libraries on Saturday (for example: Scratch in Helena Nathan)

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

   

In addition, you can participate in guided tours in Berlin  - all days of the week - a classic tour to get to know the city, an alternative tour (graffiti  , etc.)  and a Jewish heritage tour 

The event map