What’s up in Berlin: July – September 2016

When dress code in Friedrichshain moves from “funeral” to “pool attendant”, bathing ponds show floating isles of suntan lotion, and you have to queue longer for a cone of ice cream than to get into Berghain, you know it’s that time again: Midsummer in Berlin. Euro 2016 is over, but event highlights for this summer have only just started. What’s not to miss in the next three months? Read on:

Lovin’ and Dancin’

Couch potatoes are winter vegetable, so hit the road and celebrate the hottest months of the year! Where and when? Berlin’s street and music festivals are a good start. Like Lesbisch-Schwules Stadtfest – “Lesbian and Gay Festival” – on July 16 and 17 with 350,000 guests at Schöneberg’s Nollendorfplatz. Beginning of what might well be the queerest week of the year and good warm-up for Christopher Street Day a week after (23 July). Risen from the ashes of legendary Love Parade has recently Zug der Liebe (30 July), a musical demonstration for tolerance, understanding, and justice. Choppers and rock’n’roll, that’s what Pure & Crafted (12 & 13 August) is all about. The motorcycle get-together will happen in and around Postbahnhof Friedrichshain. And the highlight of the festival season is, of course: Lollapalooza Festival. On September 10 and 11 the international mainstream festival will go into its second German round. If you want to find out more about music festivals in and around Berlin, find a list here.

Gourmandizing the Summer

Wanna have a beach body? Go to the beach, take your body. Having said that, why not treat yourself with the tastiest pleasures of life? The world’s longest beer garden might only exist for three days, but those are some good three days! Berlin International Beer Festival (5 – 7 August) turns Karl-Marx-Allee into just that, with oat sodas from all around the globe. Once the EURO 2016 Fan Mile will be struck you can prove that you savoir vivre at the German-French Festival, taking place right next to Brandenburg Gate on Juli 15 through 16. Highlight: A free concert of French electronica legends Air under the open sky – Open Air so to say. If you’re the kind of person to rather listen to your conscious than good music, stop by at Vegan Summer Festival at Alexanderplatz (19 – 21 August), or the organic farmers’ market BioHoffest on Potsdamer Platz (18 September).

Art and Sound

No need to stunt about this, but they sure got a show: Berlin lacht! (“Berlin laughs!”) is an amazing street theater festival and will turn Alexanderplatz into a stage for everyone from 21 July through 7 August. If you like to be serenaded into summer nights, visit Classic Open Air 2016 on charming Gendarmenmarkt (21 – 25 July). Other classics, as well as a lot of interesting stuff can be found in Berlin’s museum during the Long Night of the Museums on 27 August. Elsewhere, the boards that mean the world will tremble under the delicate movements of the finest dancers: Tanz im August is Germany’s biggest festival for contemporary dance theatre (12 August – 4 September). Berlin Music week is no more, but its successor is up and about: Pop Kultur 2016 is the name of this diverse festival for current trends in popular music. Between 31 August and 2 September you can enjoy concerts, readings, discussions, and workshops in Neukölln. And since Berlin is more and more turning into the art capital of Europe, one of the artsiest events may not be missed: Berlin Art Week (13 – 18 September) sets the direction for contemporary art in more than 100 galleries throughout town. Would you like another insider’s tip? Finest cinematic art and entertainment can be found at Down Under Berlin – Australian and New Zealand Film Festival (14 – 18 September).

Trade and Shows

Since detaching from yearly Fashion Week, Bread & Butter has become Berlin’s newest and hottest fashion show. From September 2 through 4 the independent fashion fair will be hosted in Treptow’s Arena – don’t miss it. And one of the biggest highlights of the year is happening at the same time: IFA Consumer Electronics 2016 will open its gates between 2 and 7 September to allow you a glimpse of the world of technological wonders.

You see, there’s more than enough to do and see for a hot summer in Berlin 2016. And that’s not nearly all, all the capital is a place of fun and adventures in the beautiful summer months. Like, why not spend a night out at one of our charming Open Air Cinemas?

Come to Berlin and enjoy the summer,

Simon

Blogger @IndustriepalastHostel