Events in Berlin for July 1st - 3rd, 2016

Drehorgelfest

The free music/street festival of the week... this time it's "Drehorgel", barrel-organs. From Friday afternoon through Sunday evening, in the Breitscheidplatz (Europa Centre) area, including a parade of the barrel-organs on Saturday, at 11:00, on the KuDamm 

Jewish Heritage: Summer Party in the Jewish Museum

On Sunday, the garden of the Jewish Museum will host an event for the whole family, including crafts activities, demonstration of bagel baking, puppet theatre and much more. (details) 

Sunday, 2 - 7pm 

Jewish Museum, Lindenstr. (U Hallesches Tor) 

Free admission 

Furthermore

• Every day: the "German French Funfair" (Deutsch-Französisches Volksfest), in the Zentraler Festplatz in Kurt-Schumacher-Damm. Free entry for children under 14 and on Wednesdays, the rides are for half price for families. Every day in the afternoon, until July 24th 





• Sat/Sun street-party in Ruedesheimer Platz (near the U Bahn with the same name) 

• Saturday: a children event and Museumsfest in the Waldmuseum in Grunewald, from 3pm to 6pm (details) 

• Another event for nature-lovers on Saturday: The Leibnitz Society organises an "Open Air Salon" for the whole family in Hausvorgteiplatz, about Biodiversity and Sustainability, from 12:00 (details)

• Saturday: Even for children in Forum Steglitz shopping centre, with Radio Teddy 

• Saturday, from noon on: a street fair in the Stargarder Str in Prenzlauer Berg 

• Sunday at 1 pm: workshop for families with schoolkids from the first grade on, in the Maya Exhibition at Martin Gropius Bau. Titled "zschr:-))br×øüOEł Öffentlicher Workshop für Familien und Kinder (ab 1. Klasse) zur Ausstellung „Die Maya – Sprache der Schönheit

• Sunday at 9:30 : children run from Forum Steglitz (details) 

• Also on Sunday: an open day at the animal shelter (Tierheim Berlin). details

•  2:30 pm: swimming competition in the Spree, near Museum Island and Monbijoupark 

• Fri/Sat/Sun - Medieval festival in the Wartenberger Hof (details, public transport: 10 minutes walk from S Wartenberg) 

• Sunday: The street food market in the Kulturbrauerei; and Bite Club in the old Rundfunkhaus on Neapelstr (details) 

About Me

I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. Contact Me. 

Events for Berliners : June 24 - 26

The Bergmannstraße Jazz Festival

One of the most popular street parties of the summer is taking place in Bergmannstrasse and the nearby streets. It includes many (free, open air) Jazz concerts and shows, as well as the usual mixture of stands, food and rides. Free admission from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening, but please note, that this festival is usually very crowded especially if your kids tend to get lost in such events. 

The Bergmannstrassenfest

Furthermore

• All weekend long: 48-hours Neukoelln, cultural events in the quarter (details) 

• Saturday from 1pm: a Brazialian party in Yaam, for the whole family

• Saturday, 2-5pm, Family Saturday in the Haus am Waldsee, dedicated to modern/contemporary arts. 

• Saturday from 10 am: Fest der Linke in Rosa Luxemburg Platz

• Saturday marks the beginning of the "German French Funfair" (Deutsch-Französisches Volksfest), in the Zentraler Festplatz in Kurt-Schumacher-Damm. Free entry for children under 14 and on Wednesdays, the rides are for half price for families. Every day in the afternoon, until July 24th 

• Saturday at 4pm and further on: the Kreuzberg CSD, an alternative Pride Parade, from Oranienplatz

• A guided tour titled "Führung mit Lennés Gärtnerin durch den Park Glienicke" (in German), Sunday, 3 pm (details) 

• Also on Sunday, 1 pm: the workshop "Abseits vom Schein: Mach Dich hübsch! Öffentlicher Workshop für Familien und Kinder (ab 1. Klasse) zur Ausstellung „Isa Genzken: Mach Dich hübsch!“" at the Martin Gropius Bau. 

• Sunday in the Insel in Treptow: Summer Party for the whole family (details) 

Events for the Whole Family in Berlin, June 17 - 19

Urban Nature Weekend

The weekend is dedicated to "Langer Tag der StadtNatur". All around the city, you will find activities around nature: explanations, guided tours, activities and more.

full programme 

Urban Nature Weekend

Furthermore 

• Friday through Sunday: The "Köpenicker Summer" in the Altstadt of Köpenick

• Saturday afternoon: music workshops at the Klingendes Museum

• And more music: On Saturday (11:00) and on Sunday (4 pm), Peter Maxwell Davies' children opera "The Two Fiddlers" (based on a short story by George Mackay Brown), at the Philharmonie, recommended for children aged 8 and older (details in English, but please note the libretto is in German)  

• Saturday from 3 pm: a comics party to celebrate the "birthday" of one of Berlin's comics publishers, in ex-Rotaprint 

• The Inklusionslauf (Saturday, Tempelhofer Feld) is a charity run for inclusion of people with special needs or disabilities. 

• Satuday from 7pm : free open air Jazz concerts in the Lohmühlenstr. Squat 

• Sunday at 1 pm: workshop for families with schoolkids from the first grade on, in the Maya Exhibition at Martin Gropius Bau. Titled "So hübsch wie ich will! Öffentlicher Workshop für Familien und Kinder (ab 1. Klasse) zur Ausstellung „Die Maya – Sprache der Schönheit“

• Sunday in the Museumsdorf Düppel: an event all about wool and how it is being used 

• And in the Botanical Gardens on Sunday: "Arts and Music Market" 

• Also on Sunday: "Fairy Tales Day" in Babelsberg (details)

• Yummi: 
• Not only that we have the regular Street Food Market in the Kulturbrauerei on Sunday, but also : 
• the Bite Club in the Arena, Treptow on Friday 
• the "Green Market" on Sat/Sun,  
• And the "Breakfast Market" in Markthalle IX 

Later this week

Fete de la Musique is this time on Tuesday (always on June 21st), with lots of musical shows, all for free. Details, including an option to search for kid-friendly events

About Me

I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. 

Events in Berlin, June 10 - 12

Shavuot in Berlin

Shavuot (called Schawuot in German) is that one Jewish holiday that is not based on the old Woody Allenesque adage of "they tried to kill us, they failed, let's eat". This festive occasion is actually a celebration of inclusion (at the focus of the Biblical story: Ruth, a refugee, and her integration into society), and a celebration of the summer harvest of wheat, the new fruits and therefore even vegetarian-friendly. 

There are several Shavuot Events in Berlin. One of the most interesting ones are organised by Elements of Food and Habait : 

• On both days there will be a pop-up vegetarian restaurant at the Botanico Restaurant in Rixdorf (details)

• On Saturday and Sunday, at 5 pm, there will be tours in English through Rixdorf, ending with a meal at Botanico (details) 

• And on the night between Saturday and Sunday, Tikkun, an intellectual debate , from 8:30 PM till 2 AM (details) 

The Jewish Museum offers a special guided tour on Sunday, aimed at families with children aged 6 and up and with a special Shavuot context. In the end of the tour, the children will get to do paper flowers, following the tradition of covering the house with flowers in Shavuot (full details)

Bambinim will hold two Shavuot events for kids on Sunday:

• On Sunday, 9:30 am - at the Rykestr Synagogue (donation based) 
• On Sunday, 3 - 6 pm - at their centre in Charlottenburg (Brandenburgische Str) , EUR 4 p, P 

These are not the only Shavuot events in Berlin. Several synagogues will also hold a Tikkun (at Pestalozzistr., Joachimstaler Str., Passauer Str, Chabad Alexanderplatz and Oranienburger Str) and there is also a celebration at the Jewish Grade School, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the school.

Long Night of Science

Another "Long Night" in Berlin, this time the event is dedicated to the city's many research facilities and enables us to see science in action. Many of the activities are suitable for children.

Saturday, all around berlin
http://www.langenachtderwissenschaften.de/

Furthermore

• Sat/Sun Arts and crafts festival near Schloss Schönhausen in Pankow

• Saturday, 2-5pm, Family Saturday in the Haus am Waldsee, dedicated to modern/contemporary arts. 

• Saturday from 1 pm, garden party at Nirgendwo (details)

• Saturday from 1 pm, also an open day at the Humboldt Forum construction site, including a "Harp Flash Mob" 

• All weekend long: Medieval festival in Schloss Britz (details, public transport: U7 Parchimer Allee) 

• Sunday, 1pm, a workshop for families with children aged 6 and up, around the Lee Miller exhibition in Martin Gropius Bau, titled "Portraits – Abseits von Germany‘s Topmodel Öffentlicher Workshop für Familien und Kinder (ab 1. Klasse) zur Ausstellung „Lee Miller – Fotografien“ 

• This is the last weekend for the traditional "Steglitzer Festwochen". In Bäkepark , a walking distance from S Lichterfelde Ost (S2  and S25) 

Markts Etc

• Saturday, the designer market in Karnoldplatz (Neukoelln) 

• The Street Food Market, at the Kulturbrauerei

Meanwhile in Brandenburg...

• Fri/Sat/Sun - The "Medieval" Weberfest in Weberplatz in Babelsberg (five minutes walk from the S-Babelsberg Station, details) 

About Me

I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. 

Events in Berlin, June 3rd - 5th, 2016

Jewish Heritage Events

The Jewish High School on Grosse-Hamburger-Str will celebrate on Sunday (12 to 3 pm) with a Hoffest, supposedly also for Yom Yerushalaim (Jerusalem Day). 

Moreover, Shavuot is next week, and while the events will be only published in this blog (hopefully) in the next weekend, the main event is so fabulous it would be really a shame to miss: A pop-up restaurant in Rixdorf and more, here. 

Furthermore

• From Thursday and until June 12th: African Culture Festival in Alexanderplatz. 

• A children event at the Humboldt University main courtyard, Friday from 3 pm 

• Saturday afternoon: music workshops at the Klingendes Museum

• Also on Saturday: Street-Fair in Österreichpark (not far from the Mierendorffplatz U7)

• All weekend long: The Berlin Air Show, ILA, which includes aeroplanes and aircraft of all types, including - as you can see - information about space travel. At the exhibition grounds near Schoenefeld, which was supposed to be used (oh, the irony!) for BER. Shuttle buses from Schoenefeld and Rudow train stations. 

התערוכה האווירית (צילום: המארגנים)

• On both weekend days: A fest at the Hafenkueche Restaurant in Rummelsburg (Lichtenberg)

• Another event will take place on the KuDamm: A Classic Car exhibition

• Open air gallery at the Oberbaumbruecke, Sunday June 5th , for free

• Also on Sunday, 1 pm: the workshop "Abseits vom Schein: Mach Dich hübsch! Öffentlicher Workshop für Familien und Kinder (ab 1. Klasse) zur Ausstellung „Isa Genzken: Mach Dich hübsch!“" at the Martin Gropius Bau. 

• The Naschmarkt in Markthalle IX, Sunday 

About Me

I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. Contact Me. 

Events in Berlin, April 29st - May 1st, 2016

Jewish Heritage: Mimouna Parties in Berlin

The Mimouna does not belong originally to German-Jewish tradition. This tradition, which originated in Morocco, marks the end of Passover by eating lots of sweets, mostly made from Chametz that was stored in the Muslim neighbours' houses (more in Wikipedia). In any case, while this is not an original Berlin tradition, there is no reason why it should be celebrated in the capital of Multikulti. 

And so, there are in fact several places in Berlin where you can celebrate Mimouna this year. It is actually traditional to do some party-hopping, visiting more than one party in the evening

• Sat, April 30th, 8 pm, in Kanaan (Kopenhagener Str. 16, 10437 Berlin,  S+U Schönhauser Allee) details

• Sat, April 30th, 9:30 pm, at the Fraenkelufer Synagogue (U Kottbusser Tor), with desserts provided by the awesome Eivgy kosher Moroccan restaurant in Berlin. details

Mimouna at Fraenkelufer

• Sat, April 30th, 11pm, at the Chabad House on Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 34 . The reason for the very late hour is that the ultra-fromm Chabad don't want to start cooking until 9:30, when Passover is officially over. 

Lubavicher Mufleta

By the way, there used to be a similar German-Jewish tradition called Rumpelnacht. Since there weren't any Muslim neighbours to store the Chametz with (and the Christian neighbours were not always as neighbourly), the essence of this tradition is totally different: it is the night, in which the family changes the dishes (from Passover dishes to Chametz dishes), lots of quick work and eating is supposed to be done with light food, outside the house, although I did find this lovely recipe for a Rumpelnacht Cake . There is, though, a very German aspect of the Rumpelnacht (besides Ordbung muss sein, that is): First thing the men of the house would do with the end of the holiday is run off to drink beer, forbidden as Chametz in Passover. It was even recognised as Havdalah Wine, for this occasion.

May Day

May Day is this year on a Sunday, and unfortunately unlike other countries, there is no bank holiday on Monday to compensate the working class of cheating them out of an extra day-off. But still, expect the regular May Day festivals, including the big MyFest party in SO36 (Eastern Kreuzberg). This party is in fact so popular, that it might be a little too much for parents of younger children (or those who tend to get lost). 

http://www.myfest36.de/

A street party, a demonstration, and a little of both: MyFest in Kreuzberg

Walpurgisnacht, April 30th

Back to Saturday night, because there is not only Mimouna going on, but also "The Night of the Witches", Walpurgisnacht. 

The Kulturbrauerei will have a party (starting at 10pm), with a bonfire, but there are also children events, e.g. a ride with the FEZ Parkeisenbahn , which witches stories, sausage and some fizzy drink .  details and registration

Furthermore

• The "Gallery Weekend Berlin" will open on Friday (till Sunday). Openings, special events and more - some also suitable to bring children to tag along 

• Also opening on Friday (but staying longer) is the Neukoellner Maientage funfair in Hasenheide (U Hermannplatz). There will be shows, rides, funfair food and such. Until May 25th, everyday (on Wednesdays rides for half price). 

Neukoellner Maientage

• The Berlin Reads festival in Bebelplatz provides an open air free library and on Sunday, with family day details

• Fri/Sat/Sun - "Art and Wine" street-party in Lichtenrade. details

Art and Wine in Lichtenrade

• Fri/Sat/Sun : Watersport fair and exihibition in Gruenau (close to the train station with the same name), there are admission fees (EUR 2 for adults) 

• Sat: Vegan bake sale in Herrfurthplatz (Neukoelln, near Bodinstr). 

• And more food: the street food market at the Kulturbrauerei, Sunday 11:00 - 18:00 

Brandenburg: Baumblütenfest in Werder

The town of Werder, just west of Potsdam, celebrates the Baumblütenfest From Saturday and until May 8th. Including beautiful flowers, a "queen", rides, food and music. 

Baumblütenfest

Until May 8th, in Werder (Havel), get there by using the RE1 from Berlin's main staitons. 

About Me

I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. Contact Me. 

Events in Berlin, April 8th - 10th, 2016

It's Almost Passover

It's almost Passover (this year conveniently for those who actually work/study, on a Friday, April 22nd). On Sunday, the Jewish Museum will run the workshop In der Mazzebäckerei, where kids will also get the opportunity to bake a handmade Mazzo. 

Sunday, 11:00, at the Jewish Museum, EUR 3 for participation + admission fee for the adults. 

Markets, Everywhere... 

Spring has begun and there are nice markets all over the weekend. 

• The Archenhold Observatory will hold an "Astro-Börse", a market for amateur astronomers, with family oriented activities and programme. Sat from 2pm , Free admission. 

• Sat/Sun at the Spandau Citadel, "Crafts and Arts" market, with historical atmosphere. EUR 3 admission, from 11:00 

Crafts and Arts Market in the Citadel

• The Neukoelln Flowmarkt on Sunday and a "Stoffmarkt" on Saturday, both in Maybachufer

• The Kulturbrauerei's Street Food market, Sun, 11:00 - 6:00 

• Rohvolution, a raw food fair at the FEZ, Sat/Sun, admission fees apply (EUR 7-9). details

Furthermore

• Saturday morning: Pankow's Spring Run, including a route for really young children (2009 and younger) and for older children (born in 2004 - 2008) details and registration

• Also on Saturday: free entertainment and activities at the Mercedes Welt, to celebrate the new Mercedes E (details) 

• Saturday, 11:00 - 6:00pm - Spring celebration in the Wedding community garden, himmelbeet (Ruheplatzstr. 12, 13347 Wedding, Berlin ), (details) 

• Sunday at 3:30 p,: the "Funny-Family-Mitmach-Sinfonie" concert, at the Philharmonie (tickets)

• The Herzgrün Festival offers free music at the weekend, including for young children, but tickets are all out. Perhaps you'd be lucky at the centre itself.

• Sunday: Cosplay, Manga and Anime convention in the Museum for Communication , free admission under 17 

Cosplayers (Wikipedia)

About Me

I offer tours in Berlin as well as write about the city as well as published several books and articles in general. I am always free for writing gigs - travel writing or any other types of writing and research - or of course to show you the wonderful city I live in. Contact Me.