November in Berlin is anything but grey. The international science, jazz, gastronomy and film scenes meet here this month. Listen to imaginative fairy tales, celebrate an extraordinary festival of the dead and visit the first Christmas markets!
The ninth of November marks the 34th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. We'll be celebrating the big anniversary next year, but in the meantime there are already a few exciting exhibitions on the theme to discover.
Tip 1: Celebrate Halloween in Berlin
Get the month off to a spooky start: On the night of 31 October and the first of November, all kinds of parties and events for children and adults take place in Berlin. The Night of the Spirits is becoming more and more popular in Germany every year. Who is surprised? Carving pumpkins, eating sweets and creative disguises put you in a good mood. For the best tips on how to spend Halloween in Berlin, check out our blog article.
When: 31 October and 1st November
Tip 2: Get brain cells going at Berlin Science Week
For ten days during Science Week, you can gain an insight into the great scientific work being done in Berlin. The festival of science is entitled "Dare to know" and encourages you to expand your horizons. The diverse topics range from natural and social sciences to interdisciplinary art exhibitions and performances. Check out the most interesting workshops and lectures now.
When: 1st to 10th November
Tip 3: Explore Berlin's culinary landscape with "eat! Berlin"
The gourmet festival "eat! Berlin" will get your taste buds pumping. The culinary festival celebrates the diversity of Berlin's gastronomy. For ten days there are tastings, workshops, cooking shows and special gastronomic offers. Particularly popular are the special menus in high-class restaurants that you can't normally book. Many events have limited space, so make sure to book early.
When: 2nd to 12th November
Tip 4: Enjoy music across the generations at the Jazz Festival
The renowned Berlin Jazz Festival puts the future of its musical genre at the centre of the action. The 60th edition of the festival, founded in 1964, is dedicated to connecting young and old by jazzing across generations. In addition to lots of concerts in various Berlin locations, there will also be artists' talks. Gain an insight into the jazz scene and discover new interpretations of the musical genre.
When: 2nd to 5th November
Discover jazzfest
Tip 5: See spectacular pieces on loan at the Museum Barberini
Under the title "Lifescape", the new exhibition at Potsdam's Museum Barberini is dedicated to the works of the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. Learn more about the multifaceted artist, who is known to many only through his painting "The Scream". The exhibition includes top-class loans from Oslo, New York and Dallas that you wouldn't otherwise get to see. If you want to learn more about Munch, take a look at the Berlinische Galerie. The exhibition "Zauber des Nordens" (Magic of the North), which focuses on the artist's time in Berlin, has been running here since September.
When: from 18th November
Where: Museum Barberini, Alter Markt - Humboldtstraße 5-6, Potsdam
Tip 6: Get in the mood for the Berlinale with film festivals
November is a film month packed with cinema highlights from top to bottom. Lovers of red velvet, popcorn and big screens can get in the mood for the Berlinale, which takes place in February 2024. Too early, you say? Real cinema freaks are already sitting on hot coals. The deadline for filmmakers to enter the race for the coveted award is in November. Maybe you'll already see the next award winners at these film festivals?
- /node/2116280, 14th - 19th November
- Italian Film Festival, 7th - 11th November
- Litauisches Filmfestival, 10th - 12th November
- Französische Filmwoche, 23rd - 29th November
Tip 7: Going to the first Christmas markets
In November, you can get into the Christmas spirit at the first Christmas markets before there's not enough time for that in December. For example, visit the Winterdays at Nollendorfplatz, which open their doors on 10th November, or the historic Christmas market on the RAW grounds from 18th November. A special highlight is the Christmas Garden in the Botanical Garden - not a classic Christmas market. Here you can be enchanted by numerous light installations from 17th November.
When: from 10th November
Christmas Garden
Tip 8: Dive into tales at the Berlin Fairy Tale Days
Fairy tales are there to be told. At the 34th Berlin Fairy Tale Days they will be told extensively: Children's eyes will light up in puppet theatres, libraries and many other places. There are classics by the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen, but also new stories like that of the stubborn NEINhorn. And for adult fairy tale lovers, too, there will be a programme or two to discover.
When: 2nd to 19th November
Tip 9: Experience an expedition to the Arctic on board the Polarstern
The German Museum of Technology is opening the new special exhibition "Thin Ice. Come along on a climate expedition!". Here, for the first time, you can see the documentation of an Arctic expedition carried out in 2019 on board the research ship Polarstern. Everything is vividly presented for children and adults. For example, you can learn how to measure the thickness of ice in the polar sea or search for microorganisms yourself.
When: from the 23rd of November
Where: German Museum of Technology, Trebbiner Straße 9, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
Tip 10: Celebrating a different kind of festival at the Humboldt Forum
In Europe, dying and death are associated with mourning, muted colours and despair. At the Mexican Festival of the Dead, in contrast, you celebrate a colourful folk festival where you connect with your deceased loved ones. In November, the Humboldt Forum offers you the opportunity to get to know this way of dealing with death. The programme includes a special exhibition, a market with Mexican specialities and handicrafts and authentic performances.
When: 1st and 5th November
Where: Humboldt Forum
Tip 11: Making time for circus
The nationwide circus festival "Zeit für Zirkus" (Time for Circus) in Berlin will also be colourful and will introduce you to the fascinating world of the contemporary circus ring with numerous programme items. Contemporary circus does without trained animals and inspires with acrobatic feats. The artists combine art, dance and entertainment. 14 different circus companies, projects and stages in Berlin are represented.
When: 17th to 19th November
For even more event tips in November, you can always click through our event calendar.
