Are you interested in the history of Berlin’s queer spaces? Music from new places? Panels or theatre performances? Queer club nights? We’ve put together a stellar calendar packed with some of the top LGBTQI+ events taking place this summer in Berlin. There is something for everyone, so keep reading to see what’s coming up.
June 28
Opening Ceremony with QAB
Queens without Borders is taking over the Reichstag fanzone to kick of pride month with a diverse lineup of artists from SWANA, Singapore, Brazil and Iran. Their mission is to create space for queer and trans refugees and immigrants. The evening starts with a panel discussion on SID (Systemic Institutionalised Discrimination) before finishing off with with a drag show. Come see performances by Robyn Casket, Kendall Wax and more!
- Fanzone in front of Reichstag, Platz der Republik 1, Mitte, Start 20:00, details.
June 29
East Pride Berlin
In one of the first major marches of Pride Month, East Pride Berlin is inviting everyone to meet at Gethsemanekirche, Alexanderplatz at 16:00 to celebrate queer pride and culture. After getting the party started at Gethsemanekirche, the group will march to the New Synagogue on Oranienburger Str. Bring your flags and be prepared for a good community experience!
- Gethsemanekirche, Stargarderstr. 77, Prenzlauer Berg, Start 16:00, details.
Girls Town x Sticks and Stones
Girls Town is taking over the Haubentaucher for a pool party! The Sticks and Stones Trade Fair for FLINTA*s has curated an excellent DJ lineup of LENNOX and KIM SWIM. Enjoy the pop and hip hop of LENNOX before transitioning to KIM SWIM’s electro and techno. Bring your own towel and enjoy the music and the mood.
- Haubentaucher, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain, Start 22:00, details.
July 1
Post Daddies
Israeli queer performers Noam Meiri and Ariel Nil Levy are turning the stage at Heimathafen into a sauna for an exploration of the “dad bod” phenomena. Add music, superb acting and discussions on gay dating, loneliness and activism take on a new tone, equal parts humorous and deep.
- Heimathafen, Karl-Marx-Str. 141, Neukölln, Start 19:30, details.
July 3
Furiosa Live FUNK Party
Brazilian drag queen and singer Gloria Groove is performing in Berlin for the first time this Pride at Astra. She’s taking over the LatinX Queer party “Furiosa” for an incredible night. House DJs Mati C and Dj Hio are there to keep the party atmosphere electric.
- Astra, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain, Starts 19:00, details.
Happy Grindring
Psychologist Tobias Herrmann-Schwarz knows that online dating can be a nightmare. That’s why he is taking over famous gay bar Heile Welt to host a workshop on communicating your needs when dating, using apps to achieve your goals, and even overcoming ghosting. Whatever app you use, Tobias will teach you how to make it work for your dating life.
- Heile Welt, Motzstr. 5, Schöneberg, Starts 17:30, details.
July 6
Dragify Drag Day Festival
When 20 drag queens get together for a day of performances, you have to stop and watch. At Kulturfabrik Moabit, Vlady Scklover and Ocean are hosting what is sure to be one of the largest drag shows this Pride. Come find your new favourite queen, with performances by Judy La Divinia, Nikita, Miss Steak and Emi (among many others). The show runs from 2 to 10pm, so if you get hungry, feel free to swing by the food trucks celection by ‘That Gay Creation’.
- Kulturfabrik Moabit, Lehrter Str. 35, Mitte, Starts 14:00, details.
July 10
Let’s Talk about Sex
Long-time friend of The Berliner Pansy is back! This time, she’s taking the stage at Kleine Freiheit — not to perform— but to educate. With Dr. Martin Viehweger, she’s creating an open forum to discuss safe-sex practices, chemsex, HIV, PrEP, or sex and drugs in general.
- Kleine Freiheit, Nansenstr. 31, Neukölln, Starts 19:30, details.
Lemonade Queers Sober Party
Berlin’s party scene is sometimes feels like it’s lacking in sober spaces, which is exactly why Lemonade Queers is hosting their second annual Sober Party to celebrate sobriety and pride. Enjoy mocktails while watching performances by Vlady, Momo and Miss Steak. This party is all about building connections, so stop by to meet new friends.
- SchwuZ, Rollbergstr. 26, Neukölln, Doors open at 19:00, details.
July 12
Erotic Party for Men
This “alternative to other sex party locations” is creating a safe and relaxed environment for men looking to celebrate eroticism. There is no dress code or standard club-craziness (think house music instead of techno rave), so you have complete control over the intensity of your experience.
- AHA-Berlin e.V., Monumentenstr. 13, Schöneberg, Starts 21:00, details.
TASTY
SchwuZ is bringing the sound of SWANA to the main stage for the TASTY party. On the Habibi stage, party-goers will be able to enjoy Arabic music curated by the first Syrian Drag Queen Mudi. For those who love variety, the other two floors will be playing their traditional electro and pop. SchwuZ is always a party, so whatever music you like, there is a place for you to dance.
- SchwuZ, Rollbergstr. 26, Neukölln, Doors open at 22:00, details.
July 13
LGBTIQ* Bicycle City Tour
Interested in discovering the queer history of Berlin? This free bicycle tour will explore queer stories from 1850-1923 right here in the Hauptstadt. The tour takes 3 hours and will end on Motzstr. in Schöneberg. If you are interested in seeing where the first gay activist group was founded or where the world’s first sexological institute existed, take this tour.
- Neue Wache, Unter der Linden 4, Mitte, Starts 14:00, details.
Trash Deluxe
At this open-stage event, the audience can actively participate in the performance. Professionals and newcomers are welcome to share their drag, burlesque, performance art, singing, live music and more. This month’s motto is “PRIDEtastic!” Hosts Kay P. Rhina, Eva LaBosse and Joyce Taylor will be your hosts for the evening so the audience can relax, enjoy, or even perform.
- Ballhaus Prinzenallee, Prinzenallee 33, Mitte, Admission at 19:00, details.
July 17
Dykes Gone Wild
Back at SchwuZ, the Dykes Gone Wild party is here to provide a self-proclaimed “sapphi‘sticated” night! Dykes, butches, divas, and friends are all welcome at SchwuZ’s Pepsi Bar where drag queen Foxglove is performing with DJ Südstern. If you are a fan of dance numbers, Foxglove is sure to break out the choreography on the Pepsi Bar stage.
- SchwuZ, Rollbergstr. 26, Neukölln, Starts 19:00, details.
July 19
Poetry Slam x Your Body
Your Body, a photography collective dedicated to promoting body positivity through nude photo shoots, is hosting an exhibition of 30 uncensored nude photographs at Alte Münze. Before and after the exhibit, Your Body is hosting a poetry slam. Share your vulnerable thoughts on your own body and learn how to better utilize body positivity in your life.
- Alte Münze, Molkenmarkt 2, Starts 19:00, details.
Gym Buddy vs. Buttcocks
If something a little more sporty (or at least sport-themed) is your thing, look no farther than the Gym Buddy vs. Buttcocks party. Wear your shortest and most scandalous gym wear and hit the floor with sweaty pop superstars Jordan Snapper and Jacky-Oh Weinhaus.
- SchwuZ, Rollbergstr. 26, Neukölln, Starts 22:00 details.
July 20
Lesbich Schwules Stadtfest
On the 30th anniversary of the Lesbich Schwules Stadtfest (or Lesbian and Gay City Festival), organisers are expecting 350,000 people to take to the streets to celebrate. Starting at 11:00, snacks, drinks, and music on 6 sound stages will set the scene for a memorable show of culture and support. There are a mix of all sorts of entertainers and styles (of course complete with the standard Berlin-esque techno). If you miss it the first day, you can always come back for day two!
- Nollendorfplatz, Schöneberg, Starts 11:00, through July 21, details.
July 24
Monster Ronsons’ Poppers on Pride
In a drag show you won’t soon forget, Monster Ronsons is celebrating pride with a show that combines club culture, homoeroticism and sexual liberation. Naked drag queen Bleach is hosting. Excellent performances from Lawunda Richardson, Gutter Gucci, Nancy Nutter, (and Mr. and Mrs. Popper themselves) Connor Linhus and Mari Corolla will surely make this event memorable and unique.
- Monster Ronsons, Warschauer Str. 34, Friedrichshain, Doors 20:00, details.
July 25
Canal Pride
Celebrate Pride in true Berlin fashion – on the Spree! Queer Action Alliance for Tolerance-Respect-Diversity is taking to the river. Each of their 19 boats has a name and sponsor to celebrate a facet of Queer identity. While spots on the boat may sell out, the harbour parties are open to all. So take yourself down to the banks of the Spree and you’ll see the boats in all their glory.
- Boarding at various locations, Harbor Party OST Hafen, Alt-Stralau 1-2, Friedrichshain, details.
July 26
Boylesque Drag Festival
A feature in both Berlin and Cologne’s drag scenes, the Boylesque drag show arrives just in time (for a good strip tease). Boylesque, or male strip teases with a storyline, has actually been a part of the Berlin queer community since the 1920s. Now, Boylesque Drag Festival is reinventing this art with a series of strong performances that show viewers how to reimagine gender roles and celebrate people.
- Wintergarten, Potsdamer Str. 96, Mitte, Starts 20:00, Through July 27, details.
Dyke March
The Dyke March asks Berliners to take to the streets to support Lesbian visibility on July 26! Participate to see the streets of Berlin literally covered in purple, blue and pink. After the march, Ritter Butzke is throwing an epic after party, where their three floors will be open to march participants and friends, so come celebrate Lesbian visibility!
- Ritter Butzke, Ritterstr. 24-27, Kreuzberg, Starts 20:00, details.
July 27
CSD March
No pride guide would be complete without the iconic Christopher Street Day Parade (CSD). This year, participants will meet at Leipziger Str. and make their way to the Brandenburg gate, where the march (and of course, the party) will start. This year’s motto is “Only Strong Together – for democracy and diversity”, and event organisers have designed a programme around 6 core demands for the LGBTIQ+ community.
- Leipziger Str., Starts 12:00, ends at the Brandenburg gate with speeches and parties to follow, details.
Official CSD FLINTA Party
Haubentaucher has been reserved for the second time this Pride! All three floors, indoor/outdoor areas and the pool will be taken over by Girls Town for the official CSD FLINTA after party. It’s their second time hosting, and the calibre of headliners (which include festival staple AMARI) show that they *really* know what they are doing. Be prepared to dance!
- Haubentaucher, Revalerstr. 99, Mitte, Starts 20:00, details.
House of Pride Party
3.500 guests are expected to descend on Ritter Butzke following the CSD Pride March. With seven areas (both outdoor and indoor), their impressive lineup includes 28 acts playing 5 genres of music, so take time to explore each set while you’re there.
- Ritter Butzke, Ritterstr, 24-27, Kreuzberg, Starts 21:00, details.
Gayhane
The third CSD afterparty on this list, SO36 is bringing back their QueerOriental dance floor. Under SO36’s iconic disco ball, you can jam to Turkish, Arabic, Greek and Hebrew pop music. When the Halay (Oriental Circle Dance) starts playing, everyone is invited to participate as a show of solidarity for the Queer Community.
- SO36, Oranienstr. 190, Kreuzberg, details.
Colors of Pride Kiki Ball
At the Colours of Pride Kiki Ball, Berlin’s best ballroom dancers are collaborating with an international panel of judges to host what will be a dance competition to remember. The social hub is known for hosting a lot of cool cultural events, so this dance-extravaganza is sure to be excellent. Participants can enter the competition in 14 categories including sex siren and all-American runway, so show your skills at the Social Hub.
- The Social Hub, Alexanderstr. 40, Mitte, Starts 15:00, details.
July 28
Guided Tour: Berlin History of Sex
In this history of sexuality in Berlin, iconic locations and ideas are highlighted with an augmented reality experience. The whole tour will take about 3 and a ½ hours and cover topics like Berlin nudity, sexual sciences, and sex work/fetishes. It starts at Bellevue Palace and ends in Nollendorf Platz. If you have always wondered (but never asked) how Berlin developed its attitude about sex, now is your chance.
- In front of Bellevue Palace, Spreeweg 1, Mitte, Starts 15:30, details.
The Genderplays of Marie Høeg and Bolette Berg
Like a Whirlwind – The Genderplays of Marie Høeg and Bolette Berg showcases the works of couple Marie and Bolette who achieved international acclaim for their experimental approach to gender portraits. Rediscovered in 1920, the photos question ideas of femininity and the limitations of gender roles.
- f³ – free space for photography, Waldemarstr. 17, Kreuzberg, Through August 25, details.
