01 THU
Berlin New Year’s Run
RUN As the fireworks die down, and with a dusty Sekt hangover lurking in the background, what could be a better resolution than slipping on your trainers and joining 3,500 runners for a 4km jog around Mitte? The good news is that it’s not competitive – it’s the taking part that counts.
Brandenburger Tor. Starts 12:00.
It’s Not Over! Renate Nye: 86h
CLUB After 18 years as a mainstay on Berlin’s club circuit, we really thought that Renate was tragically closing its doors…until they announced just before Christmas that they weren’t! They’d planned to go out with a bang, which was why they’re throwing a four-day New Year’s party. Thankfully, the closure is off, but the party is very much still on. Come and get lost among its warren-like corridors – and not for the last time!
Renate. Starts 22:00 on Dec 32.
02 FRI
TRESOR: Still Awake
CLUB If you’re still coasting from NYE or want to pop your club cherry in 2026, then Tresor has your back. As part of their week-long celebration, the club keeps its doors open and decks warm. Get down on it!
Tresor. Starts 23:00.
04 SUN
CHANEL Commission: Klára Hosnedlová. embrace
ART It’s your last chance to see the Hamburger Bahnhof exhibit from Czech sculptor Klára Hosnedlová, renowned for her breathtaking work that fuses Eastern European histories with collective mythologies. Commissioned by CHANEL, this installation – a huge utopian landscape constructed from flax, sandstone and concrete – is her largest sculptural work to date. Prepare to be bowled over.
Hamburger Bahnhof. Ends 18:00.
06 TUE
Open Decks & Table Tennis
CLUB The only pingers here are ping-pong balls bouncing about to the sound of eclectic tunes. Every Thursday, Wedding’s neighbourhood rave cave hosts a vinyl-only evening. So, play some table tennis while DJs spin their latest finds at the first one in the new year.
Humboldthain Club. Starts 18:00.
08 THU
Tanztage Berlin: 30th Anniversary
DANCE Organised by the effortlessly cool Sophiensæle, Tanztage is a celebration of the city’s relationship to dance and the artists who bring it to life. As it enters its third decade (see p.82), expect a fortnight-long programme boasting performances, workshops and discussions that spotlight the reality of independent artistry in a turbulent world.
Sophiensæle. Starts 19:00. Through Jan 24.
12 MON
Mark Reeder’s Mystery Movie Night
FILM Like a box of chocolates, with this mystery movie night, you never know what you’re gonna get. Mark Reeder picks a movie to screen to an intimate audience, and the selection remains a closely guarded secret right until the moment the film starts. It could be a comedy, it could be a 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. Starts 19:30. Also on Feb 3.
13 TUE
Minus 16: SAABA
DANCE Now that you’ve got the festive Nutcracker out of your system, it’s time for something a little more avant-garde. Ohad Naharin and Sharon Eyal are two Israeli choreographers renowned for their boundary-pushing practices. Their works combine effervescent movement with punchy soundtracks. Captivating stuff indeed.
Deutsche Oper Berlin. Starts 19:30. Through Feb 3.
14 WED
Ultraschall Berlin
MUSIC Time for a chin scratch? This five-day festival is all about showcasing new music from within the contemporary classical scene. As well as the excellent roster of artists on the bill, it’s also a great excuse to visit the Haus des Rundfunks and enjoy the acoustics in its iconic concert hall.
Various locations. Through Jan 18.
15 THU
NBA Berlin: Orlando Magic vs Memphis Grizzlies
SPORTS Slam dunk your way down to the Uber Arena to catch the NBA landing on German soil. With the season shaping up nicely for the Magic, this promises to be an entertaining match-up. All you need to do is find a pointy-foam-finger-thingy and brush up on your baller knowledge.
Uber Arena. Starts 18:00.
ANT Neuromeeting
SCIENCE Cerebral puns about ‘opening your mind’ would be a bit cheap here. However, this three-day event brings the cutting edge of neuroscientific research to the heart of Berlin. Expect interactive workshops and expert talks covering themes like psychedelics, machine learning and mental health.
Various locations. Starts 20:00. Through Jan 17.
16 FRI
International Grüne Woche Berlin
TRADE FAIR One of Germany’s best-known trade fairs gets underway today. Going strong since 1926, International Grüne Woche (see p.46) is arguably more relevant today than ever. Head down to discover the latest from the world of food, agriculture and horticulture – and munch some tasty snacks along the way.
Messe Berlin. Starts 10:00. Through Jan 25.
Eugene Onegin
OPERA It’s around this time in February that serotonin levels are at an all-time low. So, why not get misty-eyed over this sumptuous Tchaikovsky opera put on by the Komische Oper? Come ponder the fleeting nature of youth and loves lost – just don’t forget the tissues.
Schillertheater. Starts 19:30. Through Feb 1.
17 SAT
CAVALLUNA – Gateway to the Otherworld
HORSE SHOW Equestrian fans just can’t say neigh to this horsey extravaganza. Jokes aside, the out-of-this-world production and music behind this show, not to mention the incredible horse riding on display, are truly enough to make anyone giddy with joy.
Uber Arena. Through Jan 18.
19 MON
Smut Slam: Firsts
SPOKEN WORD Berlin’s only dirty storytelling open mic night returns for 2026, with a topic we can all relate to: Firsts! We know, we’ve all been there. But set aside the judgment and revel in other people’s titillating tales.
The Social Hub Berlin. Starts 19:00.
22 THU
British Shorts Film Festival
FILM Beloved within Berlin’s Anglosphere, this staple festival showcases the latest short films from the UK and Ireland (see p.76). Spread over the course of a week and across seven venues (including Kreuzberg’s kooky Sputnik Kino), its programme boasts some 150 films. Get involved!
Various locations. Through Jan 28.
23 FRI
CTM Festival
MUSIC It’s about that time of year when the familiar clang of analogue synths, obscure instruments and drum machines fills a handful of forward-thinking venues once again. As per, the programme will make any discerning electronic aficionado weak at the knees. Hunker down and tune in.
Various locations. Through Feb 1.
24 SAT
Truffle & Truffle Festival
FOOD Let’s be honest, you either love or hate these expensive little subterranean nuggets. If you’re in the former camp, pencil this date into your culinary calendar now. From creamy pastas to eccentric ice creams, prepare your taste buds for truffles in every format conceivable.
Festsaal Kreuzberg. Starts 12:00. Through Jan 25.
28 WED
transmediale 2026
ART Much like its sister festival CTM does with music, transmediale continuously bends boundaries when it comes to the intersection between art, culture and technology (see p.65). If you’re into all things abstract, it’s worth seeing if something on the programme catches your eye… or leaves you scratching your head.
Various locations. Through Feb 1.
29 THU
Berlin Short Film Festival
FILM If your attention span is dwindling, then we’ve got you. Celebrating creativity and inspiration, Europe’s leading platform for short filmmakers returns for its 14th year. The festival aims to unite diverse Berlin audiences with the top talent: a vital stop on the international circuit.
Babylon. Through Feb 1.
30 FRI
Critical Mass
PROTEST Every last Friday of the month, cyclists band together in one big bike ride to take back the streets of Berlin and disrupt traffic with bells, whistles and, you guessed it, bikes. It’s basically a party on two wheels!
Mariannenplatz. Starts 20:00.
Berliner Sechstagerennen
SPORTS It may well be too Baltic to be biking about outdoors, but that doesn’t mean the fun can’t come inside. Pedal over to Prenzlauer Berg to catch some of the world’s best track cyclists battle it out in this 113-year-old event, Berlin’s Sixdays race.
Velodrom. Starts 18:00. Through Jan 31.
Berlin Fashion Week
FASHION Strike a pose. It’s all about the garms this week as the fashion glitterati descend on Berlin. From haute couture designs to exclusive runway shows (not to forget the cheeky after-parties), there’s no end of stylish drips to inspire your 2026 wardrobe revamp.
Various locations. Through Feb 2.
31 Sat
Time to Shine 10: DIRTY TALK
KINK This tenth edition of Time to Shine is dedicated to the fine art of talking filth. Enter the realm of dirty talk and navigate the tight space between fantasy, confession and holding your nerve. As usual, it’s a place for kink enthusiasts to meet and mingle, featuring award-winning stand-up courtesy of L’aDios and Terry Saunders.
Neue Bühne Friedrichshain. Starts 20:00. Also on Jan 30.
