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

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