Hey Berliners!

Design and heavy metal. Two things you might not expect in the same sentence – but this is Berlin.

Bayern won the DFB-Pokal last night at the Olympiastadion. Harry Kane hat-trick. The domestic double. In six days, the same stadium hosts Metallica.

Berlin Design Week REAL opens Thursday at the Macherei in Kreuzberg. Ten years of the festival. Twenty years since Berlin became a UNESCO City of Design.

And before any of that: Monday is Pfingstmontag. A public holiday. Most shops are closed. A good day to recover from last night.

A creative week with a very loud ending.

— Dr Yassir A Shuaib

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Hot start to the week. Mon 25: 28°C, dry. Tue 26: 30°C. Warm all week — perfect for Design Week and Metallica outdoors. 🔗 Full forecast

🏖️ Pfingstmontag — Mon 25 May · Public holiday
Whit Monday is a German public holiday. Most shops are closed, and the BVG operates on a Sunday schedule. 🔗 More info here

🎨 Berlin Design Week REAL — opens Thu 28 May
The 10th annual Berlin Design Week takes place from 28–31 May. For the first time, the main festival hub is at the Macherei in Kreuzberg. 🔗 More info here

🎸 Metallica: M72 World Tour — Sat 30 May
Metallica performs at the Olympiastadion on Saturday, 30 May. Arrive early as transport will be very busy. 🔗 More info here

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🎨 Berlin Design Week — Free entry for most events
The Berlin Design Nights on Thursday 28 May are free to attend, and the U-Bahn U8 conveniently connects nine different locations. Satellite venues are free all week. A ticket for the Berlin Design Day (Thursday 28 May, 2:30–7:00 PM) costs €19. 🔗 Full programme · 🔗 Design Day ticket

🛍️ Designer Outlet Berlin — Open Sunday 31 May
The Designer Outlet Berlin will be open for a special Sunday shopping event on 31 May. Enjoy outlet pricing across all your favourite brands. Free entry. 🔗 More info here

🎨 Berlin Design Week REAL — Thu 28 to Sun 31 May
Berlin's 10th Design Week at the Macherei, Kreuzberg, with 1,000+ sqm of exhibitions, talks and the Design Pool market.
📍 Macherei Berlin-Kreuzberg, Hallesches Ufer 40–60 — U1/U3 Hallesches Tor
🔗 More info here

🎸 Metallica: M72 World Tour — Sat 30 May, Olympiastadion, 17:30
Metallica returns for one of the biggest rock concerts of 2026. Gates open at 17:30. Transport will be extremely busy — plan an early departure. S3/S9 or U2 to Olympiastadion.
⚠️ Check ticket availability — may be sold out.
📍 Olympiastadion Berlin — S3/S9 · U2 Olympiastadion
🔗 More info here

🎨 artspring Pankow — FINAL WEEK · Sat 30 + Sun 31 May
Final weekend of artspring's 10th edition: 300+ artists open studios across Pankow, Prenzlauer Berg and Weißensee. Free and walkable.
📍 Various venues, Pankow — U2 Eberswalder Str./Vinetastraße
🔗 More info here

🖼️ Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism — opened 22 May
100+ major Impressionist works (Monet, Degas, Cézanne) at the Alte Nationalgalerie on Museum Island. Until 27 September 2026. Timed tickets recommended.
📍 Alte Nationalgalerie, Bodestraße 1–3, Mitte — S/U Hackescher Markt
🔗 More info here

🎨 Berlin Design Week REAL — Your Guide

Thu 28 May · Berlin Design Day · 14:30–19:00 · Macherei, Kreuzberg
Talks, panels, and networking on design and creative practice.
⚠️ Ticket required – check current price before booking. 🔗 More info here

Thu 28 May · Berlin Design Nights · from 19:00 · Free
30+ studios open across Berlin. U8 connects nine locations from Mitte to Neukölln.
🔗 More info here

Fri 29 May · The Berlin Format · 15:00–20:00 · Macherei, Kreuzberg
Design conference – talks, panels, networking. Ticketed.
🔗 Get ticket here

Sat 30 + Sun 31 May · Design Pool market
Sat 12:00–20:00 · Sun 12:00–19:00 · Free to browse.
Design objects, furniture, fashion, and prints from Berlin studios.
🔗 More info here

All week · Satellite locations · Free
Studios, galleries and universities across Kreuzberg, Mitte and City West. Walking tours available.
🔗 Full programme 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

🏛️ Brancusi – Neue Nationalgalerie, until 9 August
Over 150 sculptures from the Centre Pompidou, including a partial reconstruction of his Paris studio, are shown outside France for the first time. Tickets are €14 and include permanent collection entry – covered by the Berlin Museum Pass.
📍 Potsdamer Str. 50, Tiergarten – S/U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 Book tickets

🎪 Luftschloss at Tempelhofer Feld – now in its 4th season
The open‑air amphitheatre is open for its 2026 season (from 14 May to 13 September). It presents a mixed programme of theatre, concerts, comedy, film and dance.
📍 Tempelhofer Feld West entrance – U6 Paradestraße
🔗 View programme

🎪 Cirque du Soleil ALIZÉ – Theater am Potsdamer Platz · ongoing
Europe’s first permanent Cirque du Soleil show – acrobatics and Magie Nouvelle.
This week:
Wed 27 May 18:30 · Thu 28 May 19:30 · Fri 29 May 16:00 + 20:00
Sat 30 May 16:00 + 20:00 · Sun 31 May 13:00 + 17:00
No shows Mon or Tue.
📍 S/U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 Book tickets

🎭 English Theatre Berlin
Berlin’s only permanent English‑language theatre.
📍 Fidicinstraße 40, Kreuzberg – U6 Platz der Luftbrücke
🔗 See programme

🎹 Ludovico Einaudi – Tue 26 May, Berliner Philharmonie, 20:00
Solo Piano. An Italian composer in one of the world‘s great concert halls. ⚠️ May be sold out – check the secondary market.
📍 Herbert‑von‑Karajan‑Str. 1, Tiergarten – S/U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info here

🎤 Ne‑Yo + Akon – Thu 28 May, Uber Arena, 20:00
Nights Like This Tour 2026. Two R&B icons live in Berlin.
📍 Mercedes‑Platz 1, Friedrichshain – S Ostbahnhof / S/U Warschauer Str.
🔗 More info here

🎸 Metallica: M72 World Tour – Sat 30 May, Olympiastadion, 18:00
Gates open 16:30. Transport very busy – arrive early.
📍 Olympiastadion – S3/S9 · U2 Olympiastadion
🔗 More info here

🎶 Dionne Warwick – Sat 30 + Sun 31 May, Admiralspalast
Two nights with Klassische Philharmonie NordWest.
📍 Friedrichstraße 101, Mitte – S/U Friedrichstraße
🔗 More info here

🎵 Berghain – Fri 29 + Sat 30 May (Klubnacht from 23:59)
The lineup will be published Wed 27 May.
📍 Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Friedrichshain – S Ostbahnhof
🔗 More info here

🎧 Digitalism – Thu 28 May, Rough Trade Berlin
Hamburg electronic duo. Good alternative to Design Day crowds.
📍 Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain – S/U Warschauer Str.
🔗 More info here

🎵 The Abyssinians & Big Youth – Tue 26 May, Lido, 19:30
Two reggae legends on one night.
📍 Cuvrystraße 7, Kreuzberg – U1 Schlesisches Tor
🔗 More info here

🖼️ Cassirer and the Breakthrough of Impressionism — until 27 Sep
Over 100 Impressionist works (Monet, Degas, Cézanne) at the Alte Nationalgalerie.
📍 Bodestraße 1–3, Mitte — S/U Hackescher Markt
🔗 More info & tickets

🎨 Chanel Commission: Lina Lapelytė — free · until 10 Jan 2027
Visitors and performers reshape 400,000 wooden cubes at Hamburger Bahnhof. Voices fill the space.
📍 Invalidenstraße 50–51, Mitte — U Naturkundemuseum · S Hauptbahnhof
🔗 More info

🏛️ Brancusi — Neue Nationalgalerie · until 9 August
150+ sculptures from the Centre Pompidou. €14 · Tue–Sun · Thu until 20:00 · Closed Mon · Berlin Museum Pass accepted.
📍 Potsdamer Str. 50 — S/U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info & tickets

🎪 Luftschloss — Tempelhofer Feld · until 13 September
Open‑air amphitheatre with theatre, concerts, and comedy. Ticketed.
📍 Tempelhofer Feld West — U6 Paradestraße
🔗 More info & tickets

🎨 Marina Abramović: Balkan Erotic Epic — Gropius Bau · until 23 August
Film, sculpture, and live performance rooted in Balkan folklore. typically closed Tuesday. ⚠️ Adult content.
📍 Niederkirchnerstr. 7, Kreuzberg — S/U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info & tickets

📷 BerlinDiscoveries 26 — 27–31 May · free · f³ freiraum für fotografie
Contemporary photography exhibition. Tue–Sun 13:00–19:00.
📍 Winsstraße 4, Prenzlauer Berg — U2 Eberswalder Str.
🔗 More info & tickets

🎥 English cinema this week
Use OV‑Berlin.info to find original language (OV) and English-subtitled (OmeU) screenings across more than 25 Berlin cinemas.
🔗 Find original‑language screenings

🎨 Design Pool – Sat 30 + Sun 31 May
Sat 12:00–20:00 · Sun 12:00–19:00 · Free. Berlin Design Week market at the Macherei. Designers and makers selling direct.
📍 Macherei, Hallesches Ufer 40–60, Kreuzberg – U1/U3 Hallesches Tor
🔗 More info here

🌿 Türkenmarkt – Tue 27 + Fri 29 May · 11:00–18:30
Fresh produce, Turkish & Middle Eastern food, and street 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 28 May · 17:00–22:00
30+ vendors in a 19th‑century market hall. Local producers, craft drinks, hot food.
📍 Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg – U1/U8 Kottbusser Tor
🔗 More info here

🛍️ Flohmarkt am Mauerpark – Sun 31 May · 09:00–18:00
Vintage records, 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 31 May · 10:00–17:00 · Free
Second‑hand clothing, art and handmade objects. Same canal as the Türkenmarkt. Free entry.
📍 Maybachufer, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info here

🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide – Sat 30 May · 09:00 · Free
Free 5km every Saturday. First time? Register once for free at parkrun.com.de – then just show up with your barcode. Done by 10:00.
📍 Volkspark Hasenheide, Columbiadamm 160, Neukölln – U8 Boddinstraße
🔗 More info here

😂 Laughing Spree – English comedy on a boat
Weekly on the Spree. Hosted by Chris Doering. Suggested donation €12–15, free shot on entry.
📍 Mühlenstraße 73, Friedrichshain – S/U Warschauer Str.
🔗 More info here

😂 Darkest Thoughts – Fri 29 May, 23:00, from €2
English comedy showcase at Zosch bar, Mitte.
📍 Tucholskystraße 30, Mitte – S Oranienburger Straße
🔗 More info here

😂 Meanwhile in Berlin – Sat 30 May, 20:15, from €18
English stand‑up showcase at SaliGari Bar, Friedrichshain.
📍 Friedrichshain – S Ostbahnhof
🔗 More info here

🎤 English Stand‑Up Sunday – Sun 31 May, 19:30, Free
Open‑format stand‑up at Oblomov, Neukölln.
📍 Lenaustraße 7, Neukölln – U8 Schönleinstraße

🗣️ German-English Language Exchange – every Tuesday, 7 pm. Free.
This relaxed weekly meetup has been running for over 14 years. Find the separate English and German tables; no RSVP needed.
📍 Travolta, Wiener Str. 14b, Kreuzberg – U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 Meetup: German-English Language Exchange

🎹 Free lunch concert – Wed 27 May, Berliner Philharmonie, 13:00, Free
40–50 min of chamber music. Arrive early – limited seating is available.
📍 Herbert‑von‑Karajan‑Str. 1, Tiergarten – S/U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info here

🌍 InterNations Berlin – events this week
Berlin’s largest expat community organises regular socials, brunches, and meetups for English speakers. Check the website for events near you.
🔗 InterNations Berlin Events

🎨 Design Pool at Macherei – Sat 30 + Sun 31 May, from 12:00, Free
Berlin Design Week‘s design market. Designers selling direct, workshops, and things to touch and try. No tickets needed.
📍 Macherei, Hallesches Ufer 40–60, Kreuzberg – U1/U3 Hallesches Tor
🔗 More info here

🎉 27th Chorin Street Festival – Sat 30 May, Free
Neighbourhood street festival. Children’s programme, flea market, food and live music all day.
📍 Choriner Straße, Prenzlauer Berg – U2 Senefelderplatz
🔗 More info here

🚲 Mini Bike Fest – Sat 30 May, 11:00–20:00, Free
DIY festival for small‑wheel bikes. Fix things, ride, meet people. All welcome.
📍 ZK/U, Siemensstraße 27, Moabit – U9 Turmstraße
🔗 More info here

🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide – Sat 30 May, 09:00, Free
Free 5 km. First time? Register once for free at parkrun.com.de – then just show up with your barcode.
📍 Volkspark Hasenheide, Columbiadamm 160, Neukölln – U8 Boddinstraße
🔗 More info here

🌮 Elotl — Mexican Bistro · Berlin
Chef Yahir Franco — first Mexican chef to earn a Green Michelin Star (at Frea) — now runs a Mexican bistro fusing Latin cooking with German ingredients. Try the Rinderroulade Birria · Quarkknödel with Chile Ancho · Kassler à la Veracruzana.
📍 Prenzlauer Berg — exact address TBC
🔗 More info here

📖 Do You Read Me?! – Auguststraße 28, Mitte
Berlin's best independent magazine and bookshop. International magazines, art and design books from around the world. A perfect stop during Design Week.
📅 Mon–Sat 11:00–19:00 · Closed Sunday
📍 Auguststraße 28, Mitte – S/U Hackescher Markt · U8 Weinmeisterstraße
🔗 More info here

Berlin listings move fast – apply the same day.

🛏️ WG Room · Prenzlauer Berg / Pankow · ~€750/month (Warmmiete)
🔗 More info here

🏠 1‑Room Flat · Friedrichshain / Kreuzberg · ~€900–1,050/month (Warmmiete)
🔗 More info here

To apply:
• Last 3 payslips or employment contract
• SCHUFA report – free once a year
• Short cover letter (German or English)

🎵 SoundCloud – Engineering, Berlin
Music platform, Berlin HQ. Multiple roles open.
🔗 More info here

🥗 HelloFresh – Engineering, Berlin
World's largest meal kit company, Berlin HQ. English-first.
🔗 More info here

🤖 telli – Engineering, Berlin
Y Combinator AI voice startup. $2M+ ARR. Small in‑person Berlin team.
🔗 More info here

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See you next time. Same time. Same Kiez.

— Yassir