Berlin City Guide - events

Carnival of Cultures
The Carnival of Cultures is a fabulous display of traditional and modern cultures reflecting the many different ethnic communities living within the city. It began as a project to encourage communication between the diversity of nationalities, religions and customs in Berlin, and today the extravaganza is one of the biggest events on the cultural calendar. The festival includes international music, dance and theatre performances, as well as traditional crafts, food and drink. The highlight is the colourful street parade with hundreds of magnificent floats accompanied by swirling dancers, jugglers, musicians, and entertainers.
Venue: Streets of Kreuzberg District
Date: 9-12 May 2008
Website: www.karneval-der-kulturen.de

Berlin International Film Festival
The coveted Silver and Golden Bears of the Berlin International Film Festival are the symbol of achievement in one of the top events in the film industry. The Berlinale has become one of the biggest and most reputable festivals in the international business of artistic media and film, where world-class filmmakers launch their latest achievements under various categories in the competition. Film screenings are shown in a variety of festival cinemas, and different events include filmmaking workshops, and opportunities for young producers and directors to screen one-minute films during the festival. For more information, email info@berlinale.de or call +49 (0)30 259 200.
Venue: Potsdamer Platz
Date: 7-17 February 2008
Website: www.berlinale.de

Christopher Street Day
The gay pride parade CSD has its origins in New York's Christopher Street, the site of violence between customers in a gay bar and raiding police in June 1969. To commemorate the social 'coming out' of gay and lesbian communities, huge street parties and parades take place to celebrate a greater tolerance among the public and to demonstrate self-confidence in their homosexuality. Although a huge, colourful festival with hundreds of thousands of participants, including heterosexual revellers, its political focus is the demand for legalization of homosexual partnerships.
Venue:
Date: 28 June 2008
Website: www.csd-berlin.de

Classic Open Air
Set in one of Europe's most beautiful squares, Classic Open Air stages the romantic summer sounds of classical music presented by internationally acclaimed musicians, conductors and composers. The concert series attracts large crowds to evenings of music under the starlit sky, against the romantic backdrop of the Gendarmenmarkt. For more information contact the organisers on +49 (0)30 315 754-0.
Venue: Gendarmenmarkt
Date: 5-9 July 2007
Website:

Berliner Gauklerfest (Juggler's Festival)
The Gauklerfest is a festival of arts and crafts, live music, clowns and jugglers, and enterprising street performers, as well as good food and beer. Every summer the historic centre of the city is transformed into a haven of family entertainment with a varied daily programme of attractions, including plenty for the kids.
Venue: Around Opernpalais Unter den Linden
Date: 1-10 August 2008
Website: www.gauklerfest.de

Christmas Markets
During the festive season more than 40 Christmas markets around the city attract visitors with typical arts and crafts, Christmas lights and decorations, and the smell of Glühwein, gingerbread and roasted nuts. Santa Claus, music and dance, fairy tales and puppetry are there to entertain the children while shoppers can browse past antique toys and doll makers, candles, woodcarvers, and a variety of traditional goods. The largest Christmas market in Europe is said to be in the suburb of Spandau, where the stalls are spread out throughout the Old Town and provide a particularly traditional experience. For more information contact the Berlin Tourist Office on +49 (0)30 250 025.
Venue: Various
Date: November to December 2008, TBC
Website: www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/index1.htm

New Year's Eve
Berlin welcomes in the New Year with what has become one of the largest open-air parties worldwide, crowned with a wonderful fireworks display. The huge variety of entertainment includes music, stage and light shows, DJ towers, dance floors and a place to party the night away.
Venue: Brandenburg Gate
Date: 31 December 2008
Website: www.silvester-in-berlin.de

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – Open Air
To end the Berlin Philharmonic's season, the traditional open-air concert is a popular summer night out where musicians and soloists perform some of the most well liked pieces of classical music in a unique and relaxed environment. Picnics are enjoyed by candlelight for an unforgettable experience. For more information contact the Pressestelle office on +49 (0)30 254 88 178/254 or email presse@berliner-philharmoniker.de
Venue: Waldbühne
Date: June 2008, TBC
Website: www.berliner-philharmoniker.de

Berlin Marathon
Taking runners past most of the famous sights of the historic city, the annual Berlin marathon is one of the most popular in the world, ending at the Brandenburg Gate.
Venue:
Date: 28 September 2008
Website: www.berlin-marathon.com