01 WED
Forest Season Opening
INSTALLATION Dark Matter has a habit of serving up spectacular light installations, and this one is no different. Masterminded by Christopher Bauder with a score courtesy of Chris Kuijten, it’s an immersive voyage into a vivid forest that cycles through the four seasons on a 45-minute loop – a bit like April in Berlin, then.
- Dark Matter, Köpenicker Chaussee 46, 10317 Berlin (Through Oct)
Nureyev Ballet
DANCE Few ballets are as inherently political as this masterpiece. Based on the life of the great Russian dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev, it draws on his artistic prowess and uncompromising will to freedom. Dropped by the Bolshoi Theatre in 2022 for violating LGBTQIA* censorship laws, it’s the first time the ballet has been performed outside of Russia.
- Deutsche Oper, Bismarckstraße 35, 10627 Berlin Starts 19:30
02 THU
Edward William Godwin und Oscar Wilde. Dandys Dekadenz Moderne
ART The Bröhan Museum often flies under the radar, which is staggering given the exhibitions it hosts. Like this one, for example. This retrospective takes a peek into the lives of two kindred spirits who shaped the aesthetic movement, namely the designer Edward William Godwin and the celebrated author Oscar Wilde. It’s well worth a visit if you want to uncover the crossover between dandyism and modernist art.
- Bröhan Museum, Schloßstraße 1a, 14059 Berlin (Through Aug 30)
04 SAT
Medieval Fair: Easter Knight Spectaculum
FAIR Cross the drawbridge at Spandau Zitadelle and venture back to the Middle Ages. Inside, breathtaking jousting tournaments and duelling knights await, ready to wow punters young and old. After taking in all the medieval mayhem, stumble into one of the pop-up taverns and take the edge off with a jar of mead or two.
- Spandau Zitadelle, Am Juliusturm 64, 13599 Berlin Starts 10:00 (Through April 6)
Welcome to the New Renate
CLUB Just when you thought it was all over, Renate returns with a vengeance and a new lease (of life?). Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this promises to be an incendiary affair – a bumper lineup featuring the likes of Eduardo de la Calle and Stella Zerki will keep vibes bubbling well into the early hours.
- Renate, Alt Stralau 70, 10245 Berlin Starts 23:00
05 SUN
Tracey
CLUB Club kids with their finger on the pulse will be anticipating the first installment of this party. Born of the queer rave and artist collective behind Lunchbox Candy, expect this offshoot to be equally loose and high-energy as its predecessor. Details are hard to come by just now, though come Easter Sunday, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
- Kruzwerk, Lobeckstraße 30-35, 10969 Berlin Starts 22:00
07 TUE
Juana Molina
CONCERT There’s no better setting to enjoy Juana Molina’s avant-garde tunes than in an atmospheric former crematorium. In a past life, the Argentine singer-songwriter made a name for herself as her country’s most popular comedian. Nowadays, she produces hypnotic and multi-layered music that’s won acclaim from within the experimental scene and beyond – and from David Byrne, no less.
- Silent Green, Gerichtstraße 35, 13347 Berlin Starts 20:00
Tirailleurs
ART ‘Tirailleurs’, the name given to soldiers conscripted from France’s former colonies, played a pivotal part in overthrowing Nazism in Europe. However, those brave troops hailing from Africa, Asia, the Americas and Oceania are often, and tragically, overlooked. This exhibition highlights their valiant sacrifice with a collection of artistic works, archival materials and film screenings.
- HKW, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, 10557 Berlin (Through Jun 14)
08 WED
Max Ernst to Dorothea Tanning: Networks of Surrealism
LAST CHANCE If you’re into surrealist art, don’t miss out on this excellent little exhibition. Not only are there mind-melting works from the likes of Max Ersnt and Óscar Domínguez, it also gives you a running commentary on the movement’s fascinating history. You might even spot a lesser-known Dalí on display, too.
- Neue Nationalgalerie, Potsdamer Str. 50, 10785 Berlin Ends 18:00
09 THU
A Panda do Sol
GIG A Panda do Sol are emblematic of how musical cultures have a wonderful habit of coalescing in Berlin. On the face of it, they’re a roots samba ensemble, although they weave together rich traditions such as chanson, beguine and Afro-Brazillian percussion. If that wasn’t enough, you get to see them play at one of the city’s oldest pubs.
- Yorckschlösschen, Yorckstraße 15, 10965 Berlin Starts 20:00
10 FRI
Human Rights Film Festival
FILM If you, like most of us, are feeling the Weltschmerz, put this date in your calendar. Showcasing documentaries fully focused on human rights and those who defend them, expect hard-hitting themes like freedom of speech, gender equality, refugee rights and conflict. There probably couldn’t be a more timely film festival right now.
- Various locations. Through Apr 18
Berlin New Stand-Up Award Final
COMEDY The final for Berlin’s best stand-up award is fast upon us. You might think it’s all just a giggle, but it’s serious business. Comedic reputations are on the line and there’s some decent cashish at stake (€1000 to be precise). Alongside a secret jury, your vote will decide who gets the last laugh.
- Heimathafen, Karl-Marx-Straße 141, 12043 Berlin Starts 19:00
11 SAT
Cherry Blossom Festival
FLOWER FESTIVAL Forget the Skyscanner splurge, you only need to schlep up to Marzahn to sate your sakura (cherry blossom) cravings. With the festival entering its 18th year, over 25,000 visitors are expected to admire the brilliant blossoms at Gärten der Welt. Several Japanese, Korean and Chinese cultural events promise to spirit you away, even just for a moment.
- Gärten der Welt, Blumberger Damm 44 D-12685 Berlin. Starts 12:00. Also on Apr 12
Berlin Bike Market
MARKET Sure, you’ll probably spot a MAMIL geeking out on carbon forks, but this two-day event is firmly for the bike-loving masses. Over 200 brands take over the hangar at Tempelhof, meaning it’s highly likely you’ll fall in love with some new wheels. After a test ride, check out the race around the airfield or the flatland BMX competition.
- Tempelhof Airport. Platz d. Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin. Starts 10:00. Also on Apr 12
TransCULT by Babylon ORCHESTRA feat. Nesrine, Momo Djender & MONOM
SOUND Listen up audiophiles, if you haven’t been down to MONOM yet, where the Funktion-One have you been? Equipped with 57 high-spec speakers, nobody’s messing about here. For this session, Tahar Ben Jelloun’s The Sacred Night has been transformed into a mesmerising and fully immersive audio experience, featuring trippy soundscapes, haunting vocals and instrumentals.
- MONOM, Funkhaus Berlin, Nalepastraße 18, 12459 Berlin. Starts 16:00
12 SUN
Berliner Staudenmarkt
MARKET With winter well and truly in its death throes (famous last words), this annual bonanza ushers in the springtime vibes. With numerous plant-laden stalls spread over a kilometer-long route in leafy Dahlem, it’s your chance to snap up all sorts of flora and swap gardening tips with fellow green-fingered folk.
- Domäne Dahlem, Königin-Luise-Straße 49, 14195 Berlin. Starts 09:00. Also on Apr 11
13 MON
Mark Reeder’s Mystery Movie Night
FILM For each event, Mark Reeder picks a movie to screen to an intimately sized audience, but the selection remains a closely guarded secret right up until the moment the film starts. It could be a comedy, it could be horror, it could be a rare sci-fi gem – you just don’t know! One thing is guaranteed: the choices are never boring.
- Backhaus Projects. Weserstr. 168, 12045 Berlin Starts 19:30
15 WED
Achtung Berlin
FILM FESTIVAL After the international glamour of Berlinale, there’s something to be said about reconnecting with things closer to home. Achtung Berlin does just that, showcasing the latest work of filmmakers from Berlin and Brandenburg. Over the course of the week, around 70 movies, short films and documentaries will be screened, meaning there’s ample opportunity to see the city through a new lens.
- Various locations. Through Apr 22
Marina Abramović Balkan Erotic Epic: The Exhibition
ART Bold, irreverent and always provocative, Marina Abramović has been shaking up the establishment with her performance art for several decades now. Featuring cinematic, sculptural and live installations, her show is without doubt one of this year’s highlights. Heavily tinged with Balkan folklore, her ritualistic performances explore how the body is at once erotic, political and deeply spiritual.
- Gropius Bau, Niederkirchnerstraße 7, 10963 Berlin (Through Aug 23)
16 THU
Festival International New Drama (FIND)
STAGE Thespian vibes abound at this 10-day festival, featuring productions by emerging writers and directors from across the globe. A dazzling programme featuring works from countries like the UK, Brazil, Italy and Norway promises to take you on a captivating odyssey through the world of theatre.
- Schaubühne, Kurfürstendamm 153, 10709 Berlin (Through Apr 26)
17 FRI
Affordable Art Fair
FAIR The crux of this three-day fair is simple: showcasing emerging artists whilst giving average people the chance to buy their art without breaking the bank. A win-win for all involved. With pieces priced from €100 to €10,000, affordable is definitely subjective here, though you can also just come along for a gander.
- Arena, Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin Starts 12:00. Also on Apr 18 and 19
Bridges Magazine Launch
MEDIA Much like its name signifies, Bridges is a magazine that links West Bank Palestinian communities with activists in Israel, highlighting the region’s socio-economic struggles and the reality of settler violence. The second edition’s launch is a welcome opportunity to learn more, with all profits going to support groups in Walaja and Der Istia.
- Lettrétage, Veteranenstraße 21 10119 Berlin Starts 19:30
18 SAT
La Traviata
STAGE Verdi’s heartbreaking masterpiece tells the tale of a doomed relationship between a Parisian courtesan and young bourgeois man, their love crushed by societal norms and terminal illness. Director Nicola Raab has reimagined the opera as a psychological chamber drama, bringing themes of social exclusion, female self-determination and death centre stage.
- Schillertheater, Bismarckstraße 110, 10625 Berlin. Starts 19:30. Also on Apr 24, 30, May 2 and 17
QWEER SPRING FEST 2026
MARKET The first of QWEER FEST’s seasonal installments gets underway today, continuing its mission to create a community-led space for queer creatives, performers and businesses. Alongside a vibrant market featuring curated stands and tasty bites, there’s a full roster of live stage programming too. Entry is on a donation basis, so come down and show some support!
- Kalle Halle, Karl-Marx-Straße 101, 12043 Berlin Starts 13:00
Veggienale & FairGoods Festival
FAIR Berlin has always been a haven for vegetarians and vegans – a place where plant-based eating goes far beyond a few well-fired falafels and drab side salads. This trade fair dives even deeper into the nutritional benefits of living meat-free, serving up a selection of panel discussions, lectures and demonstrations. Tuck in!
- FEZ Wuhlheide, Str. zum FEZ 2, 12459 Berlin. Starts 10:00. Also on Apr 19
19 SUN
S 25 Berlin
RUN Running season gets underway this Sunday with Germany’s oldest city race. Although the main event features a 25km course that starts at Olympiastadion, there’s also the option to run in the shorter 10- and 5km routes. No excuses then – join around 10,000 participants and get your jog on!
- Olympiastadion, Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin Starts TBD
Berlin Comic Book Fair
BOOKS Fancy a bit of nostalgia and escapism? Reconnect with your inner nerd and head up north for Berlin’s very own version of Comic-Con. Plenty of vendors will be there peddling your favourite vintage editions and graphic novels. Publishers will also be showcasing upcoming releases, and there will even be talks with established artists. Much to marvel at!
- Tegeler Seeterrasse, Wilkestraße 1, 13507 Berlin Starts 10:00
20 MON
Free Entry at C/O
FREE STUFF There’s no need for Mondays to be meh when you scope some top-tier art, gratis. Toxic positivity aside, there’s free entry at C/O and there are some great exhibitions on show – not least a rarely-seen collection of Graciela Iturbide’s striking black-and-white shots capturing Mexico’s multifaceted culture.
- C/O, Hardenbergstraße 22–24, 10623 Berlin Starts 11:00
Smut Slam
SPOKEN WORD Things tend to get spicy at Smut Slam, a place where spoken word and dirty storytelling mingle. The brainchild of playwright Cameryn Moore, expect to hear randy, real-life sex tales that’ll prompt plenty of WTFs. Readings from the FUCKBUCKET – an aptly named receptacle collecting audience confessions – are always revelatory.
- The Social Hub, Alexanderstraße 40, 10179 Berlin Starts 19:00
22 WED
ALFILM Festival
FILM FESTIVAL ALFILM returns with a busy programme of films from the Arabic-speaking world, inviting viewers to challenge cultural stereotypes through cinema and storytelling. Alongside numerous screenings, a packed-out roster of panel discussions, masterclasses and talks gives you the opportunity to chat with the people behind the movies.
- Various locations. Through Apr 28
23 THU
Drei Schwestern
STAGE Anton Chekov’s famous play is a tale of nostalgia and longing for a time that no longer exists. Reimagined by Slovenian director Mateja Koležnik, she swaps Chekov’s provincial backdrop for a military zone. It’s here that the three sisters wrestle with the past and the ever-deepening cracks in their realities. Potent stuff.
- Berliner Ensemble, Bertolt-Brecht-Platz 1, 10117 Berlin Starts 19:30
24 FRI
Critical Mass
BIKE PROTEST The last Friday of the month can only mean one thing: it’s time to charge the Minirig, put together a playlist of your favourite bangers, and join the party peloton. Sure, it may seem like a two-wheeled rave-up, but it’s all in the name of making Berlin a more bike-friendly city.
- Meet at Mariannenplatz / Heinrichplatz. Starts 20:00
25 SAT
Bruce Gilden: Why These?
EXHIBITION OPENING Bruce Gilden’s point-blank pics might not be everyone’s cuppa, however, as confronting as they may be, he somehow captures the essence of his subjects, inviting you to turn the lens inward onto your own humanity. The US street photographer personally selected the 45 photos on display, so you can expect it to be a real insight from one of the masters of their craft.
- Fotografiska, Oranienburger Str. 54, 10117 Berlin Starts 10:00. Through Aug 23
26 SUN
Orlando
THEATRE Orlando, the literary hero-heroine at the heart of Virginia Woolf’s queer masterpiece, defies categorisation and challenges rigid normativity. Brit duo Katie Birch and Alice Birch have adapted Woolf’s groundbreaking novel into an impressive show, masterfully combining stage performance with live video. Come see it to believe it.
- Schaubühne, Kurfürstendamm 153, 10709 Berlin Starts 15:00. Also on Apr 24 and 25
27 MON
The Radical Frame Film Festival
FILM If you want to find out what’s going on in the world of short films, make sure you get involved with this little two-day festival. From Palestine to Poland, the USA to Brazil, the programme boasts an eclectic bunch of award-winning shorts from far and wide.
- Lichtblick-Kino, Kastanienallee 77, 10435 Berlin Starts 19:00. Also on Apr 28
30 THU
Venus Alchemie / Walpurgisnacht Celebration
PERFORMANCE Put down the tarot cards, set an intention and get over to Volksbühne for a night of spellbinding performances. Wonderfully witchy and oh-so supernatural, Venus Alchemy explores themes like duality and ritualism through music, dance and visuals. Mesmeric tunes from Amira Berbo and Aliénore soundtrack a programme brimming with Walpurgis energy.
- Volksbühne Grüner Salon, Linienstraße 227, 10178 Berlin Starts 20:00
Walpurgisnacht
PARTY With warmer months on the horizon, tap into your inner pagan and celebrate the start of springtime. Traditionally a time to chase evil spirits (and drab weather) away, Mauerpark bustles with all manner of Walpurgis characters, from bubble performers casting iridescent orbs out across the dusky sky to high-octane fire artists dancing the night away.
- Mauerpark, Bernauer Str. 63, 13355 Berlin Starts 16:00
