20 Things to Do in Berlin in 2018

Berlinale is one of the most important film festivals in Europe. February 15 until February 25 2018 will mark the 68th Berlinale event, which will take place in more than 20 venues around Berlin and will premiere around 100 films. The 2018 program will be announced on February 6, 2018.

Every April, Berlin galleries open their doors to locals and visitors for a sneak peek at what the artists of the European creative hub are up to. On April 27–29, 2018, participating galleries will open their doors on Friday evening and will welcome visitors until Sunday evening. Gallery Weekend is certainly a good excuse to take off and make your Berlin trip.

Summer is the best time of the year in Berlin. The sun is up, and hopefully out. The locals start waking up from their long winter sleep and appear from their months of hibernation. For four days, international bands give concerts in venues all around Kreuzberg, and on the last day there is a street parade of people wearing the clothes of their cultures, singing songs, dancing for hours, and let’s not forget, serving their culture cocktails.

American Football fans, this one is for you. Probably not as popular as European football (the other football) but a little taste of the Americas didn’t hurt anyone. We like to call this a peaceful cultural exchange. The US is known for its entertainment industry after all.

Every June the world’s techno capital and alternative tunes goldmine, Berlin turns into a haven for music fans. On this day you can catch famous bands and DJs perform for free in parks, clubs, and venues all around the city. On Fête de la Musique the city is filled with music and sound, calling all of Berlin out of their homes and into the streets.

There are two fashion weeks in Berlin, one in January and one in July. If you want to see some of the most fashion-forward designers, hairstyles, models, and artists, Berlin Fashion Week is one hot and intimidating time to visit Berlin in 2018.

Near the Frankfurter Tor, Berlin’s International Beer Festival is lifting the spirits of the locals and thirsty travelers. Meet your fellow beer fans to taste the best and strangest flavors of beer from all over Germany. Get your hops on and drink wisely.

Even though in 2017 the BMW Berlin Marathon coincided with the national elections in Germany, it was still a hot topic buzzing around the Berlin scene. Public transportation adapted to the event, people participated and watched it all the way through. On September 15–16, 2018, it is expected to be even bigger and better than before. If you are on the athletic side of things, you don’t want to miss this event.

Oktoberfest is more of a Bavarian activity, but every October main squares in Berlin set up smaller versions of the famous Oktoberfest tents found in Munich. Head to Alexanderplatz to get into the action this 2018.

Berlin is perhaps the most open minded city in the world when it comes to nudity. Want to see it with your own eyes? Click here and learn more about FKK (Freikörperkultur, or ‘free body culture’). We’re all tired of our tan lines and so are the nudists who hang around Berlin lakes and ‘beaches’ daily. They have their marked meeting points and are there from sunrise to sunset.