The Generali Berlin Half Marathon, the start of the antique market season at the Karlshorst harness racing track and the European Arts and Crafts Days all fall on this first weekend in April. The variety of events is once again huge - look forward to three days full of springtime activities for every taste!
Win a spring weekend in Berlin:
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the first warm rays of sunshine are inviting you to explore the city and enjoy the beautiful parks and cafés. With a bit of luck, you could win a magical spring weekend for two in Berlin – including an overnight stay at a top hotel.
Tip 1: On your marks and off you go to the Generali Berlin Half Marathon
We're starting this weekend with the quickest tip of all: the Generali Berlin Half Marathon. For over 30 years, this athletic test of strength has been the most popular running event in Berlin. Over a 21.0975 kilometre course, sports enthusiasts from all over the world can show what they can do in running shoes, inline skates, wheelchairs or on handbikes. And even those who don't feel like throwing on their sports gear at the weekend can take part: For spectators, there are specially organised routes where you can follow the more than 30,000 athletes on public transport. At specially marked cheering points, you can then compete with many others. So there's no excuse when the Street of 17 June becomes a race track on Sunday!
When: Sunday at various start times from 9.15am
Where: Straße des 17. Juni between Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column, Tiergarten
Tip 2: Stroll through the antique flea market at the Karlshorst trotting track
With the first rays of sunshine in April, Berlin's junk dealers dust off their antique treasures:Inside their antique treasures to bring what is probably Berlin's most popular antique flea market back to the Trabbrennbahn Karlshorst. Furniture, jewellery, rare art, quirky second-hand items, stamps, records, photographs and much more - here you will find everything the last century has to offer. Dealers from Germany and neighbouring countries come together to offer their treasures at reasonable prices. Of course, catering and parking spaces are also provided - because once you've found a beautiful oriental carpet and the perfect Biedermeier chest of drawers, you'll need strength, patience and ideally a car to transport your new treasures comfortably into your own four walls.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm
Where: Karlshorst trotting track, Treskowallee 129, Karlshorst
Antique flea market at the Karlshorst trotting track
Tip 3: Stock up on colourful perennials
Hobby gardeners: watch out: The Berlin Perennial Market in the Botanic Garden is back and transforms the open space in front of the greenhouses with a total of 134 stands into a true flower paradise. Numerous gardeners come together here to offer naturally grown clematis, hostias, English lavender, roses, fairy flowers and many other botanical highlights for sale. You can also buy specialist information, garden literature, garden accessories, handicrafts and all kinds of culinary delicacies at many stands - and then take a long walk through the spring garden landscape. A colourful afternoon in bloom awaits you!
When: Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm
Where: Botanischer Garten Berlin, Königin-Luise-Platz, Steglitz
Berlin perennial market in the Botanical Garden
Tip 4: Feast your way through the Captain's Brunch on a Berlin Spree boat
We all know and love them: The many Berliner Spreeschiffe, which take numerous culture lovers all over Berlin, especially in summer. This season, the Reederei Winkler has come up with something very special. On the Captain's Brunch Boat Tour, you can expect not only exciting anecdotes about the history of various Berlin highlights on the banks of the Spree, but also a delicious brunch buffet. Fresh scrambled eggs, salads, main courses and much more are included in the price and will give you the energy you need to make yourself comfortable on the sun deck afterwards and let the gentle Berlin Spree breeze blow in your face. Ahoy and bon appétit!
When: At various departure times
Where: Charlottenburg/Schlossbrücke landing stage, Charlottenburger Ufer 1, Charlottenburg
Tickets for the Berlin Spree boats
Tip 5: Admire works of light art at DARK MATTER
The impressive works of light art at Dark Matter have been a favourite with Berlin art fans for many years. Now the grounds of the Museum of Light and Media Art DARK MATTER have been expanded to include the new TRANSFORMATOR hall. With its 1000 square metres of exhibition space and 10-metre-high ceilings, it provides the ideal backdrop for Christoph Bauder's artwork SKALAR - REFLECTIONS ON LIGHT & SOUND. The art installation by the Stuttgart-based large-format artist has been travelling the world for seven years - and can now finally be seen again in Berlin. Look forward to an almost cosmic art event!
When: Friday from 12.30 to 11 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm
Where: DARK MATTER, Köpenicker Chaussee 46, Lichtenberg
SKALAR - REFLECTIONS ON LIGHT & SOUND
Tip 6: Browse Berlin's libraries all night long
The next special event is taking place this weekend for the very first time: The Night of the Libraries. With this initiative, the German Library Association is opening the doors of countless libraries for one night - including city libraries, university libraries, specialised libraries and many more. These facilities should not only be places of learning, but also places of encounter and exchange. In order to present the diverse range of over 8000 German libraries to an interested audience, a lot of knowledge will be shared with you late into the night this Friday. Look forward to readings, fairy tale sessions for young and old, workshops and even a sewing café!
When: Fridays at various event times
Where: Libraries across Berlin
Tip 7: Learn everything there is to know about the myth of Tempelhof
The Tempelhof Airport is well known to Berliners:It is well known inside - after all, it borders on Tempelhofer Feld, Berlin's most popular leisure area. But its halls hide a few secrets from Berlin's history. Did you know about the extensive cellar and tunnel system beneath the building? Have you ever heard of the film bunker that burnt out at the end of the war? If you want to learn more about the hidden places of the old airport, the Tempelhof Myth tour is just the thing for you. For two hours, you will gain exciting insights into the history of the airfield during the National Socialist era, the Air Force from 1945 and the secret service activities during the Cold War.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various tour times
Where: Tempelhof Airport, CHECK-IN Visitor Centre, Platz der Luftbrücke 5, C2, Tempelhof
Guided tour of the myth of Tempelhof
Tip 8: Spend the weekend with European arts and crafts
For over 20 years, an entire weekend has been dedicated to arts and crafts in many European countries at the beginning of April - and for over 10 years in Berlin too. This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, numerous Berlin museums, art workshops and studios open their doors for the European Arts and Crafts Days and invite you to look over the artists' shoulders as they work. You will learn a lot about the local creative scene, but also about the historical and social aspects of arts and crafts. Devote yourself to the truly beautiful things in life during guided tours, workshops, exhibitions and many other events for an entire weekend - and take the opportunity to learn how they are made!
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various times
Where: Various venues throughout Berlin
Tip 9: Experience VEGAS ROUGE at Berlin's Spiegelpalast
Berlin used to be like New York, this weekend it becomes Las Vegas: The hit American production VEGAS ROUGE is coming to the Spiegelpalast am Bahnhof Zoo and celebrating its European premiere this weekend. This tip is aimed primarily at those who want to fill their weekend with a little extravagance - because there is more than enough of that in this unique mix of varieté and burlesque show. Sexy dance interludes, spectacular acrobatics and sparkling costumes suddenly make everyday life seem far away. Grab a drink at the bar, make yourself comfortable in the theatre seats and enjoy the show!
When: Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 7 pm
Where: Spiegelpalast at Bahnhof Zoo, Hertzallee 41, Charlottenburg
VEGAS ROUGE at Spiegelpalast berlin
Tip 10: Spring awakening with the cherry blossoms in the gardens of the world
In Japanese culture, the cherry tree has a very special role: Its blossoming there marks the beginning of spring. And in Berlin, too, the pink sea of blossom is an unmistakable sign that we can now leave the snow and cold behind us for the time being. You'll find most (and certainly the most beautiful) cherry trees in the Gärten der Welt in Marzahn, where the blossoming of these magnificent specimens is celebrated every year with a supporting programme of dance, culinary delights and music. Make your way to the festival this weekend, because the spectacle is over sooner than you think: the cherry tree blossom season comes to an end at the beginning of May.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am until dusk
Where: Gardens of the World, Eisenacher Straße 99, Marzahn
Cherry Blossom Festival in the Gardens of the World
Tip 11: Sway to accordion music at the Philharmonie Berlin
Few instruments epitomise the Mediterranean lifestyle as well as the accordion - a balmy summer evening, a glass of red wine and a light sea breeze are the ideal setting for this music. But the chamber music hall of the Berlin Philharmonie is not a bad backdrop either and has the advantage that all accordion players here are absolutely world-class. This weekend, the PANTONALE 2025, the International Accordion Festival with a world premiere, will take place here. Under the direction of Miran Vaupotic, virtuosos such as Radu Ratoi, Daniel Roth and Volodymyr Murza will perform the most beautiful melodies together with other soloists. Look forward to the accordion spring.
When: Friday at 6 pm
Where: Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie, Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, Tiergarten
