What to See and Do in Berlin This Year

Heading to Berlin this year? Looking for something fun to do? Courtesy of VisitBerlin.com, here are a range of upcoming events and activities to try for short or long stays... 

LONG NIGHTS

• Long Night of Sciences 

Science becomes an experience on the "brightest night of the year." From 5 pm until midnight, more than 60 scientific institutions in Berlin and Potsdam will open the doors to their laboratories, archives and lecture halls, which are usually closed to the public. Scientists present their area of expertise, show experiments and answer to the manifold questions of the visitors. May 10. 

• Long Night of Museums 
This year, Berlin’s Long Night of the Museums will partner with the local castles and memorials to present one large festival event. Some 100 Berlin museums and cultural institutions will open their doors from 6 pm Saturday evening until 2 am Sunday for music, theater and culinary events around the permanent and temporary exhibitions. With one ticket, visitors get unlimited access to a shuttle bus service and admission to all participating venues and events. May 17.

ART WEEKEND

• Gallery Weekend Berlin 

More than 50 of Berlin’s top galleries will open their doors to present contemporary art during this three-day event. Guided tours, parties and special events will all be included. May 2-4.

FESTIVAL WEEKS

• Berlin Biennale 
The Berlin Biennale brings together a range of local and international artists that explore the intersection between larger historical narratives and individuals' lives. The research for the Biennale is structured along three approaches toward the city of Berlin: in its relationship to the built environment, in its relationship to citizenship, and in its relationship to labor. Major location will be the KW - Institute for Contemporary Art in Berlin’s art hotspot Auguststraße. 
May 29 - August 3.

• Berlin Fashion Week 
Did you think Fashion Week was limited to New York and Milan? Not a chance: Twice each year, in winter and in summer, Berlin hosts its own Fashion Week with shows, awards ceremonies and off-site events. Top picks: The Mercedes-Benz Berlin Fashion Week shows the latest couture on “Straße des 17. Juni” at Siegessäule. As part of the Fashion Week, the BREAD & BUTTER international fair for street and urban wear turns the former Tempelhof Airport into an avant-garde catwalk. For the first time, the show will open its doors to the public for two days on Friday and Saturday. July 8-13.

• Berlin Pride Week 
The local LGBT community and visitors from around the world will celebrate during the Berlin Pride Week. Some 200 events will focus on culture, politics, sports and parties, starting with the 22nd Lesbian and Gay Street Festival (June 14-15) and ending with Berlin’s Christopher Street Day Parade (new name: Stonewall Parade) on June 21. 

• Berlin Music Week 
Berlin will become center stage for the international music world during this week-long event, which is simultaneously a music industry gathering and marketplace for professionals, a conference and coaching platform for musicians and, above all, a concert and music festival for the public. Berlin Music Week events include the Berlin Festival, held in the hangars and on the airfield of Tempelhof Airport. Another highlight is the Berlin Club Night with some 60 participating clubs offering a taste of the city's nightlife. September 3-7.

• Berlin Art Week 
The third edition of the Berlin Art Week will celebrate artists through various platforms, including atelier shows, activities in public spaces and discussions. In 2013, some 80,000 art aficionados spent the week exploring the latest of artistic expression, trends, as well as established and up-and-coming artists. The trade fairs abc art berlin contemporary and Preview Berlin Art Fair will be a central component of the Art Week. September 16-21.

For other ideas of what to see and do in Berlin, check out www.visitBerlin.com.

Photo of Fashion Week courtesy of VisitBerlin.com.