What to do this weekend: Berlin’s best events
Whatever your mood this weekend, there’s something for you in Berlin. Check out our guide to this weekend’s best events.
Thursday
Gallery Weekend
Photo: IMAGO / Funke Foto Services
It’s that time of year again people! Make sure you wear your comfiest shoes ‘cause there might be quite a bit of ground to cover this weekend. With around 50 participating galleries and over 80 international and local artists involved in this year’s Gallery Weekend, don’t miss one of Berlin’s leading events for contemporary art in Germany. There are plenty of exhibition openings this Thursday (so you can start early if you know where to look) before the ‘official’ opening this Friday…
- Various galleries across Berlin, 26th April- 28th April, details.
Alfilm Festival
The AlFilm Festival provides a platform for the most exciting contemporary films from the Arab world to be screened in Germany. Showing more than 40 films from Arab directors and countries, ALFILM is a great opportunity to discover new favourites and experience these often too rarely-screened movies together in a festival context. Going since 2009 and run by the non-profit association Zentrum für Arabische Filmkunst und Kultur e.V., their aim is to provide challenging perspectives on contemporary cultural, social and political issues. Panel discussions on current themes, film talks and specials complete the programme.
- Various kinos throughout Berlin, April 24th through April 30th, details.
Irish Chip Shop Week
Savour the essence of Ireland with this flavour journey at Irish Chip Shop Week, from April the 24th to 28th. From spicy chicken tenders with chunky chips to Ireland’s beloved Spice Bag, get stuck into this tasty feast. On the menu are classics like fish ‘n chips, featuring beer-battered hake paired with chunky salt and vinegar chips, mushy peas, and garlic sauce. Explore the full lineup this weekend with mouthwatering dishes and vibrant flavours that will leave you craving more.
- Crazy Bastrd Kitchen, Weserstr. 168, Kreuzberg, 24th April- 28th April, details.
Friday
The Dark Room Vertical
At The Dark Rooms Vertical with Boris Acket, huge storms and raging winds are brought to life in a 120 year-old abandoned tower, where installations are designed to simulate natural phenomena by reacting to each other, creating their own weather system. Taking note from experiments like Berlin Atonal’s landmark Metabolic Rift exhibition, the soundscapes and light design aid this process and swallow the audience up in a dark atmospheric environment that leaves a lasting impression on the viewers.
- Secret location, Monday to Friday from 2pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 10pm, details.
The Colonialism Remembrance Concept
Presented for the first time during a three-day event, the Colonialism Remembrance Concept was developed over a two-year process by Dr. Ibou Coulibaly Diop in collaboration with the initiatives Dekolinale, Decolonize Berlin, ADEFRA, Korea Verband, korientation and Afrika-Rat. The event aims to confront the consequences of colonialism and foster a transnational culture of remembrance in Berlin. Engage with Afro-diasporic civil societies, BIPoC organisations, scholars, activists and artists to explore the complexities of Germany’s colonial past and its implications for the present.
- HKW, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Tiergarten, details.
Sellerie Weekend
Explore Berlin’s vibrant art scene beyond Gallery Weekend with Sellerie Weekend, an off-programme for project spaces. From April 26th to 28th, 2024, immerse yourself in the diverse programme of independent art spaces across the city. Join in celebrating non-commercial art initiatives and fostering visibility for their invaluable contributions to Berlin’s cultural landscape.
- Various locations, April 26th through to April 28th, details.
Saturday
UY Studios Tee Market
UY Studios is hosting their first ever T-Shirt Market here in Berlin with a huge selection of designs ranging from clubby styles, basics, oversized tees, baby tees and distressed fabrics. With Spring well and truly in swing, you’ll be needing a few of these to fill out your wardrobe (that is, once the sun rears its shy head again). Pop past and enjoy some live DJs, a pizza pop-up and a bar to unwind post-shop.
- UY Studio, Pflügerstraße 11, Kreuzberg, 12:00pm- 7pm details.
Poetics of Encryption Concert: Early Labyrinth
Early Labyrinth emerges clandestine from Berlin’s underground scene with a thematic punk ethos that blends funk-inspired rhythms and soulful melodies that tackle topics from class struggle to military oppression. Involving elaborate music videos and masked costumes, they create a space that attempts to resist the encroaching police state, offering an alternative to imperial capitalism through music made for dancing on the future graves of dead systems.
- KW courtyard, Auguststraße 69, Mitte, start time 7pm, details.
Kinky Market
Embrace the season with stylish, locally-designed kinky outfits that will make you shine at any event. Following the success of the Kinky Christmas Market, join in for a Spring edition to update your wardrobe with sexy, high-quality items. Elevate your style with pieces from vendors like Badass Prints, ReBlack, Lunatic Mind, and more.
- Sage Beach, Köpenicker Str. 18-20, Kreuzberg, details.
Sunday
Asian Streetfood Festival
Sage beach is the place to be this weekend! Head over there this Sunday to enjoy the rich and distinctive flavours of Asian cuisine at the Asian Streetfood Festival. Visitors can experience authentic Asian dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, ranging from crispy spring rolls to spicy curries and sweet sticky rice. But there’s more… While you eat you can be entertained by some brilliant live dance, DJ sets, and K-pop and kung fu performances.
- Sage Berlin, Köpenicker Str. 18-20, Kreuzberg, 12pm to 10pm, details.
Friendly Flea Market
Kreuzberg reveals its latest attraction: The Friendly Flea Market at Jules B-Part on the last Sunday of every month. Luring visitors with 40 stalls, music and refreshments, the inaugural event kicks off this Sunday, offering Berliners a monthly haven to explore, haggle and indulge. Expect a diverse array of clothing, accessories, and home decor, accompanied by lively tunes and delicious street fare, culminating in a cosy beer garden gathering.
- Jules B-Part, Luckenwalder Str. 6b, Kreuzberg, 11am to 5pm, details.
ELSE Open Air
Watch day fade into night at this huge 16-hour event at Else – an institution that has created an exuberantly large community here in Berlin. For those who can’t wait to feel the Else vibe again, you can get in the mood with the already released line-up including Catz ‘N Dogz, Cryme, Eagles and Butterflies and more. Nestled in East Berlin next to Treptower Park S-Bahn Station, it offers a completely new Lambada Laabs QX3 sound system and an open-air dancefloor shielded by a transparent roof for rain or shine. You will also be able to enjoy the indoor space after 10pm and indulge in some freshly mad over-baked pizza.
- Else, An den Treptowers 10, Treptower, 2pm to 4am, details.
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