Berlin’s Top 10 : Festivals & Fairs – Sports Highlights

1. Berliner Filmfestspiele

   The
   Berlinale is the only top German film festival, and is attended by
   Hollywood stars and German starlets alike. Until 1999, the film festival
   took place all around the Zoo-Palast cinema; today the traditional
   festival draws thousands of cinema fans to the area around Potsdamer
   Platz.

   • Filmhaus Potsdamer Platz

   • 2nd and 3rd week in February

   • 
     www.berlinale.de
     

2. Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA)

   The
   latest in entertainment technology from around the world and high-tech
   toys for young and old are on show at the IFA (International
   Broadcasting Exhibition) in the ICC.

   • Messe Berlin, ICC

   • 030 303 80

   • every year in Aug or early Sep

   • Admission charge

3. Popkomm

   As
   one of Europe’s biggest music festivals, the trendy Popkomm attracts
   top acts and thousands of music fans for its mix of concerts, talks and
   parties at the Messe and in clubs around the city.

   • Messe Berlin

   • 030 303 830 09

   • mid to late September

4. Christopher-Street-Parade

   This
   gay parade openly celebrates alternative lifestyles. Up to 500,000 gays
   and lesbians from around the world boisterously dance, drink and
   celebrate in the streets of Central Berlin (see also Christopher Street Day).

   • Kurfürstendamm and Straße des 17. Juni

   • 030 23 62 86 32

   • 4th weekend in June

5. Berliner Festspiele

   See
   a variety of classical concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances,
   jazz and literature, all organized around a particular theme.

   • Various venues

   • throughout the year

   • 
     www.berlinerfestspiele.de
     

6. Lange Nacht der Museen

   For
   one night, entrance to many of Berlin’s museums is free. Many
   institutions also put on special events for that weekend, and the street
   artists and sellers entertain the public, who normally wait in long
   queues.

   Berlin museums

   • 030 24 74 98 88

   • last weekend in January or August

   • 
     www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de
     

   
   

   
   
   

7. Grüne Woche

   The
   largest gourmet feast in the world, Green Week is a tasty agricultural
   and gastronomical fair for everyone. Nowhere else can you enjoy a
   culinary journey around the world in such a condensed space.

   • Messe Berlin, ICC

   • 030 303 80

   • 2nd half of January

   • Admission charge

   
   

   
   
   

   IFA, ITB and Grüne Woche at the Messe

8. Fashion Week

   Top designers and local talent present their new collections.

   • Various venues

   • Jan/Feb & Jul

   • 
     www.fashion-week-berlin.com/en/

   • Admission charge

9. Karneval der Kulturen

   Multicultural Berlin celebrates for three days in the colourful Kreuzberg district in a cheerful street carnival parade.

   • Kreuzberg

   • Whitsun

10. Internationale Tourismusbörse (ITB)

    The
    world’s largest tourism fair offers up-to-date information to the
    general public, often at elaborately designed stalls. The night-time
    shows put on by many of the exhibiting countries are especially popular.

    • Messe Berlin

    • 030 303 80

    • March

    • Admission charge

Sports Highlights