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FESTIVALS AND FAIRS

1.Berliner Filmfestspiele

Filmhaus Potsdamer Platz • 2nd & 3rd week in Feb • www.berlinale.de 

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The Berlinale is the top German film festival, and is attended by Hollywood and German stars alike. Until 1999, the film festival took place around the Zoo-Palast cinema; today the area around Potsdamer Platz takes centre stage for the festivities.

Crowds at the Berliner Filmfestspiele

2.Pop-Kultur

Various venues • End Aug • www.pop-kultur.berlin

As a successor of the Berlin Music Week, this new festival for bands, musicians, artists, producers, labels as well as audiences is held in and around the Berghain Club.

3.Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA)

CityCube Berlin • 030 30 38 30 00 • every year in Aug or early Sep • Admission charge 

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The latest in high-tech toys and entertainment technology are on show from over 1,500 global exhibitors at the IFA (International Broadcasting Exhibition).

4.Christopher Street Day

Kurfürstendamm and Straße des 17. Juni • 030 23 62 86 32 • 3rd or 4th weekend in Jun 

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This colourful gay parade on Christopher Street Day celebrates sexual diversity. Up to 500,000 gays and lesbians from all around the world boisterously dance, drink and celebrate in the streets of Central Berlin (for further details see Christopher Street Day).

5.Festival of Lights

Various venues • Oct • www.festival-of-lights.de

For 10 days, dozens of Berlin’s most popular landmarks are illuminated in spectacular ways and light art and creative installations set up around the city. A mecca for photographers and lovers of optical illusions.

Berliner Dom illuminated by light art during the Festival of Lights

6.Lange Nacht der Museen

Berlin museums • 030 24 74 98 88 • last weekend Mar & Aug • www.lange-nacht-der-museen.de • Admission charge

For one night, one ticket gives access to all the city’s museums until well after midnight, offering visitors an unusual experience. Many institutions also put on special events, and street artists and sellers entertain the patiently queueing public.

7.Grüne Woche

CityCube Berlin • 030 30 38 30 00 • 2nd half of Jan • Admission charge 

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The largest gourmet feast in the world, Green Week is a tasty agricultural and gastronomical fair for everyone. Nowhere else can you enjoy a culinary journey around the world in such a condensed space.

8.Fashion Week

Various venues • Jan & Jul • www.fashion-week-berlin.com/en • Admission charge

Top designers and local talent present their new collections.

9.Karneval der Kulturen

Kreuzberg • Whitsun (varying date in Jun) 

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Multicultural Berlin celebrates for three days in the colourful Kreuzberg district in a cheerful street carnival parade.

10.Internationale Tourismus Börse (ITB)

CityCube Berlin • 030 30 38 30 00 • Mar • Admission charge 

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The world’s largest tourism fair offers up-to-date travel information to the general public, often at elaborately designed stalls. The night-time shows put on by many of the exhibiting countries are especially popular.

TOP 10 SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

1.Berlin Marathon

Str. des 17. Juni • 3rd/4th Sun in Sep

The most exuberant marathon in the world attracts thousands of runners.

Runners at the Berlin Marathon

2.Skate by Night

Str. des 17. Juni • Jun–Aug: Sun evening

In-line skaters from around the world meet for night-time “blading”.

3.Sechstagerennen

Velodrom • 2nd half of Jan

The Six-Day Race is one of Berlin’s most venerable sports events.

4.Tempelhofer Park

www.tempelhofer-park.de

This former airport has become the city’s largest sports ground (for further details see Tempelhofer Park).

5.Berliner Neujahrslauf

Brandenburger Tor • 1st Jan

This New Year’s Day Run is for those who are fit and not afraid of the cold.

6.Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF)

Olympiastadion • Summer

Germany’s biggest athletics festival.

7.DFB-Pokalfinale

Olympiastadion

Germany’s second-most important soccer cup final is played here.

8.Deutsches Traberderby

Trabrennbahn Mariendorf • 1st week in Aug

The derby for professional trotter races.

9.Berlin Triathlon

Treptower Park • early Jun • triathlon-service.de

Amateurs can register online for this.

10.Berliner Motorradtage

Kurfürstendamm • end Mar

The international meeting of bikers is a noisy event.

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