There's a lot going on in the capital in August: the Long Night of Museums invites you to discover unknown sides of exhibition culture with "Berlin Secrets". The "Zug der Liebe" (Love Train) will be travelling through the city and the concert halls will be offering a top-class programme with the Music Festival, Tanz in den August and the Young Euro Classics. Numerous summer festivals invite you to experience dance, theatre, music and culture in the open air - and enjoy the balmy summer evenings late into the night. Find out what not to miss in Berlin in August in our monthly preview.
Tip 1: Visit 75 museums with one ticket during the Long Night
In keeping with this year's motto "Berlin Secrets", many Berlin museums will be offering new insights during the Long Night and some museums will be taking part for the first time. Look forward to a night full of art, culture and surprises. The official programme will go online on 23 July. This year, around 750 live events, workshops and numerous special and express guided tours await you at the Long Night of Museums in Berlin. With just one ticket, you have access to 75 museums in the city. Shuttle buses will take you directly from museum to museum.
When: 24 August 6 pm to 25 August 2 am
Where: in 75 museums in the city
Tickets for the Long Night of Museums
Tip 2: Listen to music and join in the conversation at the Pop Culture Festival
Three days of pure pop culture are on the programme: In addition to numerous concerts and DJ gigs, you can once again experience the world première of several commissioned works. The pop culture phenomenon will also be explored in talks, readings and films. The focus will be on the exciting interaction between social developments and artistic trends. How is today's world reflected in current pop culture? Which topics are taken up, which points of criticism are formulated in texts? The festival sees itself as a process in which you as an audience can also participate!
When: 28 August to 30 August August
Where: Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg
Tip 3: Tanz im August brings opposites together on stage
Contrasts are once again a major theme at this year's Tanz im August, the international festival for contemporary dance. Geographical and cultural borders in particular will be explored through dance. However, the festival focuses not only on what divides us, but also on what unites us. Overcoming borders, for example, plays a major role in Tamara Cuba's dance performance "Sea of Silence", which deals with the migration routes of women. The work celebrates its German premiere on 16 August at radialsystem.
When: 15 to 31 August
Where: at HAU Hebbel am Ufer and other venues in the city
Tip 4: Enjoy the start of the concert season at Musikfest Berlin
The music festival, with which Berlin traditionally starts the new season, will once again be extremely diverse in 2024. This year, the focus will be on classical music from North, Central and South America, with 160 works by 80 composers in 40 concerts. In keeping with the theme, the music festival is entitled "Amériques", which is borrowed from the orchestral piece of the same name by Edgard Varèse. You can hear the piece on 24 August at the Philharmonie Berlin.
When: 24 August to 18 September
Where: Philharmonie Berlin and many other venues
Tip 5: Listen to young musicians from all over the world at the Young Euro Classic Festival
Listen to exciting interpretations of classical compositions by youth orchestras from all over the world. They are all united by their love of music and thus also set an example for peaceful coexistence. For two-and-a-half weeks, the international young orchestras will show what they can do at the Berlin Konzerthaus on Gendarmenmarkt. And for the very youngest music fans, there are children's concerts and a workshop to dance and make music with them.
When: 9 to 25 August
Where: Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte
Tip 6: Enjoy a cool down at the Kolonnaden Bar on Museum Island
The Kolonnaden Bar will reopen in one of Berlin's most beautiful spots in August. It will be located in the Kolonnadenhof of the Alte Nationalgalerie. With a panoramic view of the Spree and the TV tower, you can enjoy talks, DJ sets and cool drinks. Since 2017, an annual pop-up bar has opened in the Kolonnaden, which is used as a place to meet and socialise. This year, the focus is on "strolling". There will be a cultural programme every Thursday.
When: 1 August - 1 September, Thursday - Saturday 4 - 10 pm, Sunday 4 - 8 pm
Where: Kolonnadenhof of the Alte Nationalgalerie, Museum Island, Mitte
Tip 7: Train of love - take a stand against Anti-Semitism
"ARTISTS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM" is the motto of this year's parade. Around 50 non-profit organisations and associations are now actively involved. The colourful procession of love will then make its way through the city with lots of live music and good humour. The exact route is yet to be announced. Between 4 and 10 pm, there will be a final rally and a joint street party. Afterwards, there will be an after-party at Ritter Butzke.
When: 31 August. August
Where: Start at Mauerpark
Tip 8: Be enchanted at the Klassik Open Air in the Britzer Garten
Well-known classics are on the programme at the Open-Air Concert in the Britzer Garten. Be there when the Babelsberg Film Orchestra plays the most beautiful pieces from well-known film productions such as "Harry Potter" or "Indiana Jones" on the big stage by the lake. Let yourself be carried away by the world-famous melodies and get in the mood. The highlight of the programme is the fireworks at the end of the concert evening.
When: 31. August from 7 pm
Where: Britzer Garten, fairground by the lake, Sangershauser Weg 1, Neukölln
Tip 9: Take part in the ADFC cycling summer for families
During the ADFC Bike Week for Families, numerous free offers await. In addition to repair workshops, children, young people and families can discover special bicycle tours. A great event to get children and young people excited about getting around on two wheels and contribute to fitness and sustainability at the same time.
When: 12 to 18 August
Where: Neighbourhood house at Volkspark Wilmersdorf and Velokiez at Möckernstraße 47
Tip 10: Watch classic films in the open air at the UFA Film Nights
Also in the Colonnade Courtyard of the Old National Gallery on Museum Island, you can enjoy five silent film classics in the open air accompanied by live music at the UFA Film Nights in August. UFA stands for Universum Film AG, the company founded in 1917 is closely linked to German film history. Some of the films have been freshly restored and digitally enhanced. Before each screening, there will be a short introduction with interesting facts about the film history and a chronological classification of the material.
When: 1 August
Where: Colonnade Courtyard of the Alte Nationalgalerie, Museum Island, Mitte
Tip 11: Feel like a prince and princess at the Potsdamer Schlössernacht
During the Potsdam Palace Night, Sanssouci Park is transformed into a gigantic stage. Stroll through the grounds and be enchanted by music, acrobatics, readings and installations. As soon as it gets dark, the castles and the illuminated park sparkle in a blaze of light.
When: 9 to 10 August
Where: Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam
You can find even more tips for events in August in our Events calendar.
