Hey Berliners!

Thursday, the World Cup starts. No fan mile this year — Berlin goes local. Beer gardens, courtyard screens, rooftop bars. Best spots are listed below.

Saturday, the President’s residence opens to the public. Bellevue Palace, usually closed to everyone, hands the keys to the Academy of Arts for two weeks before renovations begin. Katharina Grosse, Wolfgang Tillmans, and Monica Bonvicini. Book the time slot before it fills.

Three reasons to read this week. All time-sensitive.

See you out there.

— Dr Yassir A Shuaib

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🔴 MediaMarkt & Saturn’s 19% VAT campaign ends Monday 8 June at 23:59

Typical early‑June Berlin. Mon 8 June is the warmest at ~25°C and mostly dry – the last day for the VAT deal. Tue–Wed cooler (19–20°C) with possible showers. Thu–Sun low to mid‑20s, mainly dry – perfect for outdoor screenings, ILA air show, and markets. 🔗 Full forecast

⚽ World Cup opens Thursday 11 June
The tournament runs 11 June – 19 July across the USA, Canada and Mexico. Berlin has no central fan mile this year – the city watches locally. You’ll find the best spots in the Special Event section below. 🔗 More info here

🎸 Helene Fischer – Olympiastadion, Sat 13 June, 19:30
⚠️ Heavy traffic expected in Charlottenburg, Westend and around Spandauer Damm from 16:00 – similar to the Metallica concert. Take the U‑Bahn (U2 Olympia‑Stadion) or S‑Bahn (S3/S9), not a car. 🔗 More info here

✈️ ILA Berlin Air Show – final public day Sun 14 June
Saturday is sold out. Sunday is your last chance to see spectacular flying displays and aerospace technology up close. Adults: €30, reduced: €18, children under 6: free. 🔗 More info here

🚴 ADFC Sternfahrt – happening now (Sun 7 June)
Roads A100, AVUS and Straße des 17. Juni is closed to cars until about 16:00. BVG runs normally. For BER airport, take the S9, S45 or the FEX regional train – avoid the car. 🔗 More info here

🏛️ Bellevue Palace – opens Sat 13 June · Free · until 28 June
The president's residence opens before an eight‑year renovation. Works by Katharina Grosse, Wolfgang Tillmans, Monica Bonvicini, and Gregor Schneider. Free with a time slot ticket.
📍 Spreeweg 1, Tiergarten – S Bellevue
🔗 More info here

🎵 FKA Twigs + Yves Tumor – Fri 12 June · Velodrom · 20:00
Final show of the Body High Tour. Doors open at 18:30.
📍 Paul‑Heyse‑Str. 26, Friedrichshain – S Ostbahnhof
🔗 More info here

🎪 Hamburger Bahnhof Open House – Fri 12–Sun 14 June · Free
30th anniversary – new exhibition “Tausendmal Berlin”. DJ Kikelomo outdoor set Fri 19:00–22:00. BVG Orchestra free concert Sat. 12:00. English guided tours all weekend. Fri 10:00–22:00; Sat‑Sun 11:00–18:00.
📍 Invalidenstr. 50‑51, Mitte – S+U Hauptbahnhof
🔗 More info here

🎨 Kunstfest Pankow – Sat 13 + Sun 14 June · €3 entry (children free)
70+ artists, live music, acrobatics, and handmade crafts in an open‑air palace garden.
📍 Tschaikowskistr. 1, Pankow – U2 Vinetastraße
🔗 More info here

Opens Thursday 11 June. No central fan mile – Berlin watches locally.
Germany‘s first match: Sun 14 June, 19:00.

🍺 Kulturbrauerei – Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg
36 m² LED wall in the courtyard · all matches · indoor backup in bad weather. 🔗 More info here

🍺 BRLO Brwhouse – Schöneberger Str. 16, Kreuzberg
Beer garden on the water · selected matches · from 11 June. 🔗 More info here

🍺 Center am Potsdamer Platz – Potsdamer Str. 2, Mitte
100 m² screen · free · Germany matches + finals. 🔗 More info here

🍺 Golgatha Beer Garden – Katzbachstraße, Kreuzberg
LED screen · no reservation · dogs and children welcome. 🔗 More info here

🍺 Neulich at Tempelhof – THF Tower, Tempelhofer Feld
All matches · open‑air · U‑Bahn Paradestraße. 🔗 More info here

🍺 Beach Neukölln – Neukölln
Sandy beach bar · big screen · street food · all summer. 🔗 More info here

🔗 Full Berlin screenings list

MONDAY 8 JUNE

🤖 TEDxBerlin “A World With AI” – 09:00–18:00 · Ticketed
AI, business, society and creativity.
📍 Factory Berlin, Rheinsberger Str. 76/77, Mitte – U8 Rosenthaler Platz
🔗 More info here

TUESDAY 9 JUNE

🎭 “Heroes” – Berliner Ensemble · 20:00 · from €22
David Bowie tribute celebrating Berlin’s influence on world music.
📍 Bertolt‑Brecht‑Platz 1, Mitte – S+U Friedrichstraße
🔗 More info here

THURSDAY 11 JUNE

⚽ World Cup opens – first match today

🍜 Street Food Thursday – 17:00–22:00 · Free entry
30+ vendors in a 19th‑century market hall.
📍 Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg – U8 Kottbusser Tor or U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info here

FRIDAY 12 JUNE

🎵 FKA Twigs + Yves Tumor · Velodrom · 20:00 · Ticketed
Body High Tour final show. Doors open at 18:30. See Berlin Picks. 🔗 More info here

🎪 Hamburger Bahnhof Open House begins · Free · 10:00–22:00
See Berlin Picks. 🔗 More info here

🎧 DJ Kikelomo – Hamburger Bahnhof garden · 19:00 · Free
Outdoor DJ set. First come, first in.

SATURDAY 13 JUNE

🏛️ Bellevue Palace opens · Free
Book a time slot. See Berlin Picks. 🔗 More info here

🎸 Helene Fischer · Olympiastadion · 19:30
⚠️ Heavy traffic in West Berlin from 16:00. Take U2 or S3/S9.

🎨 Kunstfest Pankow · Schlosspark Schönhausen · Free
70+ artists, live music, acrobatics.
📍 Tschaikowskistraße 1, Pankow – U2 Vinetastraße
🔗 More info here

🎺 BVG Orchestra – Hamburger Bahnhof courtyard · 12:00 · Free
90‑minute free concert. 🔗 More info here

🏘️ Neighbourhood Festival · Rathaus Schöneberg · 12:00–19:00 · Free
100+ community organisations, children’s programmes, and live music.
📍 John‑F.‑Kennedy‑Platz, Schöneberg – U4 Rathaus Schöneberg
🔗 More info here

🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide · 09:00 · Free
Free 5km every Saturday. Register once at parkrun.com.de – then just show up.
📍 Volkspark Hasenheide – U8 Boddinstraße
🔗 More info here

SUNDAY 14 JUNE

⚽ Germany vs Curaçao – 19:00 CET · World Cup Group Stage
Germany‘s first match of the tournament. See screening guide above.

✈️ ILA Berlin Air Show – FINAL public day · 10:00–18:00
Adults: €30, reduced: €18, under 6: free. Saturday sold out.
📍 BER ExpoCenter Airport – S45 or regional to Flughafen BER
🔗 More info here

🏅 Family Sports Festival final day · 10:00–17:00 · Free
Baseball, beach volleyball, skateboarding, kendo, and archery. All ages.
🔗 More info here

🎨 Chanel Commission: Lina Lapelytė – until 10 January 2027
We make years out of hours. 400,000 wooden cubes fill the Historic Hall of Hamburger Bahnhof. Visitors and performers build structures while voices fill the space. Free admission.
📍 Invalidenstraße 50–51, Mitte – U Naturkundemuseum / S Hauptbahnhof
🔗 Chanel Commission

🎪 Cirque du Soleil ALIZÉ – Theater am Potsdamer Platz
Europe‘s first permanent Cirque show. No shows Mon–Tue.
Wed 10 (18:30) · Thu 11 (19:30) · Fri 12 (16:00 + 20:00) · Sat 13 (16:00 + 20:00) · Sun 14 (13:00 + 17:00)
📍 Marlene‑Dietrich‑Platz 1, Tiergarten – S+U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info here

🎵 Berghain – Sat 13 June · Klubnacht from 23:59
The lineup will be published Thursday 11 June at berghain.berlin.
📍 Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Friedrichshain – S Ostbahnhof
🔗 More info here

🏛️ Brancusi – Neue Nationalgalerie · until 9 August · €14
150+ sculptures from Centre Pompidou. First major German exhibition in 50+ years. Tue–Sun, with Thu until 20:00. 🔗 More info here

🖼️ Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism · until 27 September · €16/€8
100+ Impressionist works. Alte Nationalgalerie. 🔗 More info here

🎨 Marina Abramović: Balkan Erotic Epic – Gropius Bau · until 23 August · €15
Film, sculpture, performance. ⚠️ Explicit content. Closed Tuesday.
Mon + Wed–Fri 12:00–19:00 · Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00. 🔗 More info here

🎪 Luftschloss – Tempelhofer Feld · until 13 September · Ticketed
Open‑air theatre and concerts. 🔗 More info here

🌿 Türkenmarkt – Tue 9 + Fri 12 June · 11:00–18:30 · Free
Fresh produce, Turkish & Middle Eastern food. 180 stalls along the canal. Cash preferred. Prices drop after 17:30.
📍 Maybachufer 1–13, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info here

🍜 Street Food Thursday – Thu 11 June · 17:00–22:00 · Free entry
30+ vendors in a 19th‑century market hall. Local producers, craft drinks, hot food.
📍 Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg – U8 Kottbusser Tor or U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info here

🛒 Flohmarkt Mauerpark – Sun 14 June · 09:00–18:00 · Free
Vintage records, second-hand clothing, handmade goods, and street food. Karaoke from 15:00.
📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64, Prenzlauer Berg – U8 Bernauer Str. · S Schönhauser Allee
🔗 More info here

🎨 Nowkoelln Flowmarkt – Sun 14 June · 10:00–17:00 · Free
Second‑hand clothing, art, handmade objects, and vintage items along the canal.
📍 Maybachufer, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info here

💍 Wedding Market at Leopoldplatz – Sun 14 June · 11:00–18:00 · Free
14th anniversary. 100+ vendors, 10 street food stands, music & dance. Free forró dancing class at 15:30 – all welcome.
📍 Leopoldplatz, Wedding – U6/U9 Leopoldplatz
🔗 More info here

⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 — opens Thursday 11 June
48 teams · 104 matches · 11 June – 19 July · USA, Canada & Mexico Full schedule

Thu 11 June
Mexico vs South Africa · 21:00 — opening match
South Korea vs Czechia · 04:00 (overnight)

Fri 12 June
Canada vs Bosnia · 21:00
USA vs Paraguay · 03:00 (overnight)

Sat 13 June
Brazil vs Morocco · 00:00 (midnight)
Qatar vs Switzerland · 21:00
Haiti vs Scotland · 03:00 (overnight)
Australia vs Türkiye · 06:00 (overnight)

Sun 14 June
Germany vs Curacao · 19:00 — Germany's first match ⭐
Netherlands vs Japan · 22:00
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador · 01:00 (overnight)
Sweden vs Tunisia · 04:00 (overnight)

All times CEST

🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide — Sat 13 June · 09:00 · Free
Free 5km every Saturday. Register once — then just show up.
📍 Volkspark Hasenheide, Columbiadamm 160 — U8 Boddinstraße
Register here

🚴 ADFC Sternfahrt — 50th edition · Sun 7 June · Free
Germany's largest bicycle demonstration. See City News above.

😂 Meanwhile in Berlin – Sat 13 June · 20:15 · from €18
English stand‑up showcase at SaliGari Bar.
📍 Simplonstraße 23, Friedrichshain – S+U Warschauer Straße
🔗 Tickets here

😂 Laughing Spree – Sun 14 June · Boat comedy · suggested €12–15
Hosted by Chris Doering. Free shot on entry.
📍 Mühlenstraße 73, Friedrichshain – S/U Warschauer Straße
🔗 Book here

🎹 Free lunch concert – Wed 10 June · 13:00 · Free
40–50 min of chamber music at the Berliner Philharmonie. No reservation – arrive early; limited standing room.
📍 Herbert‑von‑Karajan‑Str. 1, Tiergarten – S/U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info here

🗣️ German-English Language Exchange – every Tuesday · 19:00 · Free
Weekly language swap at Travolta Bar in Kreuzberg (since 2008). Separate tables for English and German, no registration needed.
📍 Wiener Str. 14b, Kreuzberg – U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info here

🌍 InterNations Berlin – events this week
The largest expat community in Berlin. Check their website for current socials, brunches and meetups.
🔗 More info here

🏅 Family Sports Festival — Sat 13 + Sun 14 June · 10:00–17:00 · Free
First time at a central venue. Badminton, gymnastics, rowing, dance, table tennis, judo, fencing, beach volleyball and more. German Sports Badge on site. All ages.
📍 Sportforum Berlin, Weißenseer Weg 53, Hohenschönhausen
🔗 More info here

🏛️ Zur letzten Instanz – Mitte (Old Favourite)
Berlin’s oldest restaurant, since 1621. Prussian classics – Eisbein, Boulette – in wood-panelled rooms on a cobbled mediaeval backstreet. English‑friendly. Book ahead.
📍 Waisenstraße 14–16, Mitte – U2 Klosterstraße
🔗 Reserve here · Official website

📖 Do You Read Me?! – Mitte
Berlin‘s best international magazine and art book shop. Curated titles from independent publishers worldwide – photography, architecture, fashion, design, culture.
📅 Mon–Sat 11:00–19:00
📍 Auguststraße 28, Mitte – U8 Rosenthaler Platz or U6 Oranienburger Tor
🔗 More info here

💰 Trade Republic – Graduate Backend Engineering, Berlin
Europe’s largest savings platform. €150B+ assets, 10M+ customers. English‑first engineering. 🔗 More info here

🤖 Cogram – Product Engineer / Technical roles, Berlin / Remote
YC W22. AI platform for architects, builders and engineers. 15‑person team, high equity. 🔗 More info here

🧠 Merantix Momentum – Working Student AI Full Stack Engineer, Berlin (20h/week)
Berlin AI startup. English required. 🔗 More info here

📈 Huzzle – Head of Growth, Berlin (on‑site)
Senior role, venture‑backed AI company. 🔗 More info here

🔍 Job Drop Berlin – updated daily
Berlin startup jobs in English – engineering, product, design, marketing. 🔗 More info here

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See you next time. Same time. Same Kiez.

— Yassir