When the leaves slowly change colour and the temperatures no longer feel like summer, autumn gradually makes its way to Berlin. But when it turns grey outside, it's time to get cosy inside. Look forward to cosy hours in the sauna, delicious treats at the Berlin Food Week and celebrate the beautiful autumn days with the whole family at the big Autumn Carnival. Festival of Lights, Jazzfest, Pumpkin Festival and Halloween - Berlin's autumn is rich in beautiful festivals and exciting events. Here are our 11 tips:
Tip 1: Festival of Lights - in the spirit of freedom
The Wall came down 35 years ago and the borders between East and West were opened. For the 20th anniversary edition, the Festival of Light is therefore also dedicated to freedom. This time, the spectacular light installations show the big and small stories that characterise Berlin as a city of freedom and make it a vibrant metropolis. Experience luminous productions that tell of creativity, joie de vivre and confidence and bathe the city's most important buildings in colourful light.
A very special highlight awaits you on 8. and 9 October at Berlin Cathedral. Against the backdrop of a unique light and video installation in the chancel of the cathedral, the DJ and pioneer of electronic music, Paul van Dyk, presents his live set 'Escape Reality'.
When: 4 to 13 October, 7 - 11 p.m.
Where: anywhere in Berlin
Tip 2: Take to the skies at the Berlin Autumn Carnival (Berliner Herbstrummel)
Let yourself be carried up into the autumn sky on the chain carousel, wander through the mirror maze and enjoy the view from the 35-metre-high High Sky Ferris wheel. In addition to all kinds of fun rides, you can also expect carnies and game booths at Berlin's traditional autumn fair. Enjoy currywurst, churros and candy floss. On the second and penultimate day, a high-altitude fireworks display lights up the sky above Berlin. Perfect for a family outing.
When: 20 September - 13 October, Wednesday & Thursday 2 - 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 2 - 11 pm, Sunday & 3 October 1 - 9 pm, Monday & Tuesday closed (fireworks on 20 September and 11 October at 10 pm). October at 10 pm)
Where: Zentraler Festplatz, Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 207, Tegel
Tip 3: Find the perfect pumpkin at the Schöneberg Pumpkin Festival
Delicious pumpkin is available in autumn in everything from soups to casseroles. In Berlin, we don't just carve pumpkin heads at Halloween, but celebrate the pumpkin with a festival of its own. On 5 and 6 October, the Schöneberg Pumpkin Festival is planned for Akazienstraße. There will then be pumpkins of all kinds and variations. Autumn can't taste any better!
When: 5 & 6 October
Where: Akazienstraße, Schöneberg
Tip 4: Look forward to the start of the season at Berlin's stages
The start of the stage season also brings colour into grey autumn days. Theatres, opera houses and concert halls have opened their doors and surprise with new interpretations of classics and premieres of new plays. So make yourself comfortable in the theatre chair and be entertained.
When: from September
Where: Everywhere in Berlin
Tip 5: Take an autumn walk
When the light falls softly through the leaves, a walk in the forest is particularly beautiful. The classic in Berlin is the Grunewald, the large forest area on the Havel. Or you can climb the Teufelsberg. Here you can discover Berlin's largest street art gallery on a guided tour or learn more about the history of the former spy stations. You'll also be rewarded with a magnificent view.
11 tips for beautiful autumn walks
Tip 6: Fly a kite
When the autumn winds start blowing, it's time to fly your kite. On the Drachenberg, very close to the Teufelsberg, there is always a fresh wind blowing, and the magnificent view is a reward for the climb. The plateau on the Volkspark Prenzlauer Berg is also a perfect place for kite artists. The huge Tempelhofer Feld with its seemingly endless expanses is also popular.
Tip: For the Festival of Giant Kites on 21 September, gigantic fantastic creatures fly over Tempelhofer Feld. A typical Berlin autumn pleasure for the whole family.
Top 11 places to fly kites in Berlin
Tip 7: Get together for cosy living room concerts
The open air season is slowly coming to an end. But that doesn't mean you can't hear any more concerts in Berlin. Bands big and small play all year round. From electro, pop and rock to classical, jazz and world music, you'll find it all. An insider tip is the Piano Salon Christophori in Wedding. Concerts are also held regularly in the rooms of the workshop, where mainly historical keyboard instruments are repaired. Many jazz bars in Berlin have jams almost every day. You can find more nice concerts in our event calendar.
Tip 8: Enjoy a delicious meal together
Autumn is harvest time - and therefore the perfect time for delicious and warming dishes. Get inspired at Berlin Food Week and enjoy the variety that Berlin's gastronomic scene has to offer: How about an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner? Traditionally, the American harvest festival is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is served with turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. In Germany - and of course in Berlin - the Martins goose is an annual gastronomic highlight.
When: 7 to 13 October
Where: everywhere in Berlin
Tip 9: Treat yourself to a wellness day
When the drizzle is pattering against the windows outside, it's particularly cosy inside. Through the large window of the panoramic sauna with a view of the garden of the vabali Spa, you can watch as autumn slowly makes its way into nature. Or you can float across the Müggelsee in the warm sauna room of the Finnfloat Sauna. Wellness and sauna offers in Berlin are as diverse as the city itself. We have put together the best saunas for you here.
Berlin's best saunas
Tip 10: Browse in bookshops
When the leaves are falling outside, it's time to browse through a book indoors in comfort. Many new books are now being published and invite you to browse in the bookshop. We have put together a selection of Berlin novels that tell exciting stories from the city's past and present. We have also picked out tips for beautiful and well-stocked bookshops throughout the city.
More tips for bookshops in Berlin
Tip 11: Get spooky at Halloween
Berlin's autumn gets spooky around 31 October. While the little ones go out dressed up in the afternoon to collect sweets, the big Halloween fans start the scary party when night falls. Traditionally, Filmpark Babelsberg also welcomes witches, monsters and ghosts. We'll tell you where to find the spookiest places and scariest parties in Berlin in our blog.
When: 31 October
Where: All over Berlin
You can find even more tips for autumn in our events calendar.
