This November marks 37 years since Berlin celebrated the fall of the Wall and the opening of the inner-German borders – a beacon of hope for the whole world. And so, for the second time, the City of Freedom is hosting Berlin Freedom Week and Conference, transforming itself into an international stage for passionate voices and bold ideas. The Jewish Culture Days also contribute to cultural diversity with exhibitions, readings and more. Science Week seeks solutions to the crises of our time. And at the Bazaar or the cosy Tea Festival, you’ll discover beautiful things from all over the world. What’s more, the first winter markets are already opening in November.
Tip 1: The first winter markets light up Berlin
Can’t wait for the festive season? Then look forward to the first winter markets in Berlin! From 18 November, the Botanical Garden is transformed into the glittering Christmas Garden Berlin. Along a circular route stretching some two kilometres, you’ll find imaginative light installations and little stalls serving hot drinks and treats.
Just two days later, on 20 November, Christmas also kicks off at the Tierpark. Here, you can stroll past sparkling tree tops, illuminated animal figures and fairytale-like illuminated paths. An ice rink and festively decorated stalls, where you can grab a bite to eat and warm up, round off this pre-Christmas experience perfectly.
Our tip: Book your tickets now for these two popular light shows and get in the mood for the most wonderful time of the year!
When: 18 November 2026 to 10 January 2027
Where: Christmas Garden, Königin-Luise-Straße 4–6, Steglitz
When: 20 November 2026 to 9 January 2027
Where: Christmas at Tierpark, ‘Bärenschaufenster’ entrance, Am Tierpark 125, Friedrichsfelde
Christmas at tierpark
Tip 2: Berlin Freedom Week: Discover freedom from new perspectives
What does freedom mean today? And how can it be defended? During Berlin Freedom Week, the capital becomes a meeting place for people concerned with democracy, human rights and social cohesion. Centred around the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November, this city-wide series of events links Berlin’s history with questions about current affairs.
The centrepiece of the event is the Berlin Freedom Conference, which brings together international voices from the worlds of politics, business, culture and civil society.
Other highlights during Freedom Week include an exhibition on Afghan women’s rights activists, guided cycle tours along the former Berlin Wall and a dance performance at the Tränenpalast.
When: 7 to 14 November 2026
Where: Various venues across Berlin
Tip 3: Theatre of Things: When objects tell stories
What happens when objects suddenly start telling stories and familiar things take on a whole new meaning? At the international ‘Theatre of Things’ festival at the Schaubude Berlin, you’ll experience just how experimental contemporary puppet and object theatre can be. Running until 5 November, the festival is celebrating its 15th edition under the theme ‘The World as a Model’.
Instead of traditional stage plays, you can look forward to productions, installations and exhibitions that experiment with unusual forms of expression. The festival invites you to question familiar ways of seeing and to view the world from different perspectives.
When: 30 October to 5 November 2026
Where: Schaubude Berlin, Greifswalder Straße 81–84, Prenzlauer Berg
What do we believe in? Which values, hopes and convictions? These questions run through great works of music – and are more relevant than ever. The Berliner Philharmoniker explore them at their Biennale "Signs and Wonders – on faith, hope and doubt". From 14 to 31 Jan 2027, the Kulturforum becomes a festival site for concerts and readings. Book your tickets now!
Tip 4: The theme of the Berlin Jewish Cultural Days is “Time for the Righteous”
Under the theme “Zadikim – Time for the Righteous”, the 39th Berlin Jewish Cultural Days explore what justice means for our coexistence today. “Hardly any other concept could be more fitting for our times,” says Dr Gideon Joffe, Chair of the Jewish Community of Berlin, in his welcome address. “For justice is evident in our daily interactions, in respect, responsibility and the willingness to stand up for others.”
Concerts, readings and theatre performances are planned. The Israeli singer Marina Maximilian will kick off the programme. The main exhibition, ‘Super Hero’, which explored the question of what makes a person a hero or heroine, unfortunately had to be cancelled due to a lack of funding. Comic fans should not miss Julian Voloj’s talk on ‘Superman’s Heirs: How Jewish Immigrant Children Invented the American Comic Book Industry’ on Sunday 15 November at 4 pm at the Neue Synagoge
When: 12 to 22 November 2026, various times
Where: Various venues in Berlin, including the Rykestraße Synagogue, Rykestraße 53, Prenzlauer Berg, and the New Synagogue, Oranienburger Straße 28–30, Mitte
Tip 5: Berlin Science Week: Discover the science of tomorrow
How is artificial intelligence changing our everyday lives? What can we learn from nature? And what will the world of tomorrow look like? From 1 to 10 November, Berlin Science Week will transform the capital into a giant research laboratory. Under the theme ‘In Touch’ , scientists will demonstrate just how closely research is linked to our lives.
Things will be particularly exciting from 6 to 8 November at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, the festival centre for Science Week. But there’s plenty to explore beyond that too: at ‘Pint of Science’, research meets pub culture, whilst you can get hands-on with free experiments and workshops at 33 libraries across Berlin.
When: 1 to 10 November 2026, various times
Where: Haus der Kulturen der Welt, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Tiergarten, and other venues across Berlin
Tip 6: Experience a fusion of hip-hop and classical music at the HipHop Ball
The Berlin Hip Hop Ball is back for its second edition. The dress code is particularly original: elegant evening wear is compulsory, whilst high heels are strictly forbidden. Instead, trainers are a must for everyone’s ball outfit. So dress to the nines, lace up your favourite trainers and dance your way through the magnificent halls of the Rotes Rathaus. Here, hip-hop culture and ballroom tradition merge to create a glittering night. The historic premises alone are worth a visit.
When: Saturday, 14 November 2026, 7.30 pm
Where: Rotes Rathaus, Rathausstraße, Mitte
Tip 7: Discover new female musicians at the rejazz festival
Jazz is no longer a male-dominated field! Over three evenings at the rejazz festival, the spotlight will be on female musicians who are pushing the boundaries of jazz with their own compositions, unusual instruments and experimental sounds.
To kick things off, harmonica player Ariel Bart will whisk you away into cinematic soundscapes, whilst Berlin-based saxophonist Silke Eberhard celebrates her trio’s 20th anniversary. Things will get particularly unusual on the final evening: harpist Julie Campiche combines acoustic sounds with electronics, before jazz pianist Aki Takase brings the festival to a close together with DJ Illvibe and dancer Kofie da Vibe.
When: Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 November 2026, 8.30 pm each evening, doors open from 8 pm
Where: Kunstfabrik Schlot, Invalidenstraße 117, Mitte
Tip 8: Listen to enchanting stories and magical sounds at the Berlin Fairy Tale Days
When harps play of their own accord and music overcomes even the greatest obstacles, it’s fairy-tale season in Berlin once again! The 37th Berlin Fairy Tale Days are themed ‘The Magic Flute and the Star Harp – Music in Fairy Tales and Stories’. From 5 to 22 November, everything revolves around the magical power of music, which brings people together, touches hearts and sometimes even saves lives. You can let yourself be enchanted in places such as the greenhouses of the Botanical Garden, at Domäne Dahlem, in numerous Berlin libraries or even in the House of Representatives. Some events are free of charge. Advance booking is usually required.
When: 5 to 22 November 2026, varying times
Where: Various venues across Berlin
Tip 9: Berlin Tea Festival: Discover the world of tea
From Japanese matcha to Chinese oolong: the Berlin Tea Festival is all about the art of tea drinking. The silent green Kulturquartier in Wedding becomes a meeting place for tea lovers and anyone curious about new flavours. Under the motto ‘Closer to Tea’, around 70 exhibitors present their tea varieties, handmade accessories and traditional tea culture. Particularly exciting: many producers travel directly from the growing regions and offer insights into their work.
With your own tasting cup, you can sample your way through the world of tea. Around 55 workshops, tea ceremonies, talks and film screenings invite you to learn more about cultivation, preparation and the stories behind the different teas.
When: Saturday & Sunday, 7 and 8 November 2026, 11 am – 7 pm each day
Where: silent green Kulturquartier, Gerichtstraße 35, Wedding
Tip 10: Go on a shopping spree around the world at Bazaar Berlin
Want to travel round the world without leaving Berlin? From 4 to 8 November, Bazaar Berlin brings international arts and crafts, fashion and unusual gift ideas under one roof at Messe Berlin. Around 500 manufacturers and retailers from more than 60 countries will be showcasing their products and inviting you to browse, discover and shop.
Across five themed zones, you’ll find handmade accessories, quirky home décor ideas, sustainable products and winter decorations. If you’re still on the hunt for original Christmas presents, you might just find what you’re looking for here early on. New this year is the ‘Mineralis’ section, which is all about minerals, gemstones and fossils. Amidst sparkling crystals and artistically crafted unique pieces, a visit to the fair becomes a little journey of discovery.
When: Wednesday 4th to Sunday 8th November 2026
Where: Messe Berlin, Messedamm 22, Westend
Tip 11: ‘I’m Bulgarian?!’: Explore the concept of ‘home’ with Vidina Popov
Where do we actually belong? And what remains of our roots once we’ve long since made a home for ourselves elsewhere? In her fast-paced one-woman show “Am I Bulgarian?!”, actress Vidina Popov takes you on a journeythat is as humorous as it is personal, in search of home and identity. Blending theatre, stand-up and Balkan soul, she tells the stories of people searching for their place amidst different cultures and ways of life. To do so, Popov weaves together interviews, documentaries and personal encounters into a musical stage piece that plays with clichés and supposed certainties.
By the way: don’t miss our next Berlin Unboxed podcast episode! Together with Vidina Popov and actor Til Schindler, we’ll take you behind the scenes of Berlin’s theatres.
When: Friday, 13 November 2026, 7 pm
Where: Heimathafen Neukölln, Studio, Karl-Marx-Straße 141, Neukölln
For even more event tips in November, you can browse through our events calendar at any time.
