Hey Berliners!

This is the week Berlin earns its reputation.

Four of the city's signature moments land in the same seven days: Walpurgisnacht on Thursday, Gallery Weekend across the whole weekend, Theatertreffen opening Friday, and Labour Day (May 1st) shutting everything down. Add desert blues at Huxleys, a free five-kilometre run in Neukölln, a five-course duck in Kreuzberg, and the best TV deal you'll see before the World Cup, and you have what a proper Berlin week actually looks like.

Don't waste it.

— Dr Yassir A Shuaib

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A warm spring week. Monday to Thursday around 16–18°C, easing to 15°C by the weekend. Thursday (Walpurgisnacht) looks mild, good timing. 🔗 More info here.

🏛️ A Berlin square gets a name
The square in front of the State Parliament becomes Margot-Friedländer-Platz on 7 May. Friedländer survived Theresienstadt, moved to the US after liberation, and returned to Berlin at 88, spending her final years speaking to school children about what happened. 🔗 More info here.

🚌 1 May — expect route changes
On 1 May, some BVG buses and trams in Kreuzberg and Mitte will be rerouted because of Labour Day demonstrations.

Before you head out, check the BVG app or website for live updates on your route. 🔗 More info here.

📺 Deal 1 — WM 2026 TV deals — until 30 April
Best time of the year to buy a TV in Germany. Two verified prices at MediaMarkt right now: LG OLED 65" at €1,299 (was €3,199) and Samsung OLED 65" at €1,333. Free delivery on both. 🔗 More info here.

⌚ Deal 2 — Samsung Galaxy Fit3 — €42.99 (was €65)
33% off at MediaMarkt. AMOLED display, heart rate monitoring, 100+ sports modes, 13-day battery. Lightweight fitness tracker — not a smartwatch, but everything most people actually need. Available in Dark Gray, Silver and Pink Gold. 🔗 More info here.

🏛️ Berlin Museum Pass — 3 days, 30+ museums — €32
€32 adults, €16 concessions. Covers 30+ museums across three consecutive days. This is the best week of the year to use it: Gallery Weekend, Theatertreffen and Brancusi at the Neue Nationalgalerie all running at once. Covers Hamburger Bahnhof, Neue Nationalgalerie, Bode-Museum, Gemäldegalerie and 27 more.

The Pergamon Museum is closed until 2027, Das Panorama next door is open and covered by the pass. Buy online to skip the queue at the desk. 🔗 More info here.

🔥 Walpurgisnacht — Thu 30 April, from 16:00. Free.
Mauerpark transforms into an open stage: campfire, fire artists, drum circles, soap bubbles and music past midnight. Starts 16:00, ends after midnight. One of Berlin's best free nights. Get there before dark, it fills up. 📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64, Prenzlauer Berg — U2/U8 Eberswalder Str. 🔗 More info here.

Also, other events on Thursday 30 April:

🎨 Gallery Weekend Berlin — Fri 1 to Sun 3 May. Free.
50 galleries, 63 locations, 80+ artists from 20+ countries. 22nd edition. All galleries open simultaneously Friday evening. Free Art Talks at the Neue Nationalgalerie all weekend. Hamburger Bahnhof open until 22:00 on both Friday 1 May and Saturday 2 May. 🔗 More info here.

Highlight: The orchestra from Annika Kahrs' film performs a free open-air concert at Hamburger Bahnhof on Saturday afternoon. No ticket needed. 🔗 More info here.

🎭 Theatertreffen opens — Fri 1 May (Most important theatre festival)
The 63rd edition opens at Haus der Berliner Festspiele with Il Gattopardo directed by Pınar Karabulut, a production from the Schauspielhaus Zürich. Runs 1–17 May. Germany's most important theatre festival. Tickets sell fast. 📍 Schaperstraße 24, Charlottenburg, U Spichernstraße. 🔗 More info here.

🎸 Tame Impala — Wed 29 April, Uber Arena, 20:00
The show at Uber Arena is mostly sold out, but you can check Ticketmaster for last‑minute returns. Doors open at 7 PM, and the concert starts at 8 PM. 🔗 More info here.

🎩 Free Lunchtime Concert — Philharmonie, Wed 29 April, 13:00
Every Wednesday from September to June, there’s a free 40‑ to 50‑minute concert in the foyer. The doors open at noon, but it's limited to 1,500 people and you need to collect a numbered entry chip when you arrive. Capacity fills up fast, so arrive early. 📍 Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1 — S/U Potsdamer Platz 🔗 More info here.

🎭 Everything Must Go — Mon 27 April, HAU2, 20:00
Pioneering British company Forced Entertainment presents a late‑night bar that doesn't really exist. Dreams, tears and drinks overflow in this portrait of a world on the edge. 90 min. 📍 Hallesches Ufer 34, Kreuzberg, U1/U6 Hallesches Tor. 🔗 More info here.

🚗 Oldtimer Open Air — Sat 2 + Sun 3 May, 10:00–17:00. Free.
Over 500 classic cars and motorcycles are on display in the courtyard of the historic Spandau Citadel. 📍 Zitadelle Spandau — U7 Zitadelle. 🔗 More info here.

🌍 Taste of Africa — Sun 3 May, 12:00–22:00
Enjoy African food stalls, an Afrobeats sound system, live artists, a drum workshop, and a kids' corner. Tickets are available online. 📍 Urban Spree, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain, S Warschauer Str. 🔗 More info here.

🏛️ Brancusi — Neue Nationalgalerie, until 9 August
The first major Brancusi retrospective in Germany in over 50 years, in cooperation with the Centre Pompidou, featuring over 150 sculptures, photographs, films and archival materials. Expect queues at the entrance. Book tickets online. Tickets €14 · Covered by Berlin Museum Pass, 📍 Potsdamer Str. 50, Tiergarten, S/U Potsdamer Platz. Tue–Wed 10:00–18:00 · Thu 10:00–20:00 · Fri–Sun 10:00–18:00 · Closed Monday 🔗 More info here. Tickets.

🎬 ALFILM — Arab Film Festival Berlin, final days: Mon 27 + Tue 28 April
This is the 17th edition, and it runs 22–28 April 2026. The final two days feature closing screenings at HAU1. The festival's "Spotlight" section is Sudan: New Projections, curated by Talal Afifi of the Sudan Film Factory. Most films have English subtitles. 📍 HAU1, City Kino Wedding, Wolf Kino, CineStar KulturBrauerei, Sputnik 🔗 More info here.

🎥 English cinema in Berlin this week
Find all original-language (OV) and English-subtitled (OmeU) screenings across Berlin cinemas. filter by OV/OmeU. 🔗 More info here.

🌍 Tinariwen — Thu 30 April, Huxleys Neue Welt, 20:00
The Grammy-winning originators Tuareg musicians the of Desert Blues from Mali on their "The Hoggar Tour". Expect hypnotic guitars, raw vocals, trance rhythms. One of the most distinctive live shows you'll see in Berlin this year. If Tame Impala is sold out, this is where you should be. 📍 Hasenheide 107–113, Neukölln — U8 Schönleinstraße 🔗 More info here. Tickets.

🎺 Nils Wülker Quartet — Tue 28 April, Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal, 20:00
Germany's most successful jazz trumpeter presenting his new album "Zuversicht" (released January 2026) with Omer Klein on piano, Linda May Han Oh on bass and Gregory Hutchinson on drums. High demand, book now. Tickets from €43. 📍 Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, Tiergarten, S/U Potsdamer Platz. 🔗 More info here. Tickets.

🎸 Bongeziwe Mabandla — Mon 27 April, Frannz Club, 20:00
Multiple award-winning South African artist and one of the most fascinating voices redefining African music today. Folk-influenced Xhosa-language music with a growing European following. A small room, a good Monday night. Check Frannz. 📍 Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, U2 Eberswalder Str. 🔗 More info here.

🎡 Berliner Frühlingsfest — FINAL WEEKEND. Closes Sunday 3 May
The spring fair has over 85 rides and free entry. Fireworks are on Friday, 1 May at 10 pm. 📍 Kurt-Schumacher-Damm 207, Bus direct to the fairground 🔗 More info here.

🎨 Marina Abramović: Balkan Erotic Epic — Gropius Bau, until 23 August
Her first major solo exhibition in Berlin since the 1990s. Artworks explore ritual, the body and Balkan folklore. One of the most talked-about shows in Berlin right now. Wed–Mon 10:00–19:00 · Closed Tuesday · Tickets from €14. 📍 Niederkirchnerstr. 7, Kreuzberg, U Potsdamer Platz / Stadtmitte 🔗 More info here.

Türkenmarkt at Maybachufer
Visit on Tuesday, April 28, and Thursday, April 30, from 11:00 to 18:30. Note: The usual Friday market is on Thursday this week because May 1 is a holiday. This is one of Berlin's top markets, featuring 180 stalls along the canal with fresh food, spices, street food, and more. Tip: Prices go down after 17:30. Bring cash. 📍 Maybachufer 1–13, Neukölln, Near U8 Schönleinstraße. 🔗 More info here.

Street Food Thursday — Markthalle Neun, Thu 29 April, 17:00–22:00
In a renovated market hall from the 1800s, there are over 30 food stalls, local products, and craft drinks. 📍 Eisenbahnstraße 42/43 in Kreuzberg, Kottbusser Tor U1/U8. 🔗 More info here.

Flohmarkt Marheinekeplatz — Sat 2 May 10:00–16:00 · Sun 3 May 10:00–17:00
Neighbourhood flea market on a covered square in Kreuzberg. More local, less touristy than Mauerpark. 📍 Bergmannstraße 106, Kreuzberg, U7 Gneisenaustraße

Flohmarkt am Mauerpark — Sun 3 May, 09:00–18:00
Berlin's popular flea market offers vintage items, records, handmade goods, street food, and open-air karaoke starting at 3 PM. 📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64, Prenzlauer Berg, U8 Bernauer Straße 🔗 More info here.

Gütermarkt ZK/U Berlin — Sun 3 May, 11:00–19:00
Second‑hand goods, local crafts, repair workshops and food at a bi‑monthly community market. Free entry. 📍 Siemensstraße 27, Moabit. 🔗 More info here.

Hertha BSC — 2. Bundesliga MD32
Playing against 1. FC Magdeburg on Sunday, May 3rd at 1:30 PM. Currently in 6th place with 48 points after 31 matches. 🔗 More info here.

Union Berlin — Bundesliga MD32
HOME vs 1. FC Köln · Sat 2 May, 15:30. 📍 An der Alten Försterei, Köpenick, S3 Köpenick 🔗 More info here.

🏀 Alba Berlin — BBL MD32
Alba Berlin will play against NINERS Chemnitz at home on Sunday, May 3rd, at 3:00 PM. 📍 Uber Arena, Warschauer Str. 1, Friedrichshain, Warschauer. 🔗 More info here.

🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide — Sat 2 May, 09:00. Free
Free 5km every Saturday. No registration needed on the day. Just show up. 📍 Columbiadamm 160, Neukölln, U8 Boddinstraße 🔗 More info here.

Epic Comedy Showcase — Fri 1 May, 21:00, from €2
Berlin's best English stand-up showcase. Established comics only, no open-mic amateurs, hosted by Dharmander Singh. Doors 20:00, show 21:00. Bar cash only. 📍 Zosch, Tucholskystraße 30, Mitte, S Oranienburger Str. 🔗 More info here. Tickets.

0.1% Accurate — Sun 3 May, 20:00, from €4
Magdalena the "fortune teller" combines a crystal ball, questionable predictions and dark humour. Intimate and fun. 📍 SaliGari Bar, Simplonstraße 23, Friedrichshain, U5 Samariterstraße

🏆 Horváth — Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44a, Kreuzberg
Two Michelin stars, held continuously since 2015. Chef Sebastian Frank’s "emancipated vegetable cuisine" puts vegetables first — Austrian roots, sustainability at the core. In summer, the garden terrace on the Landwehrkanal is one of Berlin's best outdoor dining spots. Wed–Sat from 18:30, booking essential. 🔗 More info here.

Orania Restaurant — Oranienplatz 17, Kreuzberg
Famous for the X-Berg Duck, a five-course interpretation of Peking duck, from duck dashi and dim sum through crispy skin at the table to breast from the grill. Warmer and more relaxed than Horváth, no cancellation stakes, live music at the bar. A proper Kreuzberg evening out. 📍 U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof, U8 Kottbusser Tor, Reservations recommended Fri–Sat. 🔗 More info here.

Another Country
A cozy English-language bookshop in Kreuzberg with over 20,000 second-hand books. You can buy a book, or use it like a library: return it and get your money back (minus a small fee of €1.50). They also host a film club, dinners, and other events. One of Berlin's genuine institutions. 📍 Riemannstraße 7, Kreuzberg, U7 Gneisenaustraße. Mon–Tue, Thu–Fri 13:00–19:00 · Wed 13:00–20:00 · Sat 13:00–19:00 · Closed Sunday 🔗 More info here.

🏭 VP Operations & Electrification — NexDash
Lead electrification, charging infrastructure, and P&L for Europe's first AI‑orchestrated logistics carrier. Senior hire, direct founder collaboration. 🔗 Apply here.

🧠 Senior Data Scientist — DATATRONiQ
Apply ML to industrial sensor data (anomaly detection, predictive maintenance). Hackathons, weekly show‑and‑tell, English‑language team. 🔗 Apply here.

⚙️ Cloud & DevOps Engineer (Kubernetes) — DATATRONiQ
Build and run infrastructure for an AI‑powered Industrial IoT platform (Kubernetes, microservices, cloud and on‑prem). Pair‑programming & hackathon Fridays. 🔗 Apply here.

🎨 Game Designer — GameDuell
Design casual games for a global audience. English‑language environment. Verify before applying. 🔗 Apply here.

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See you next time. Same time. Same Kiez.

— Yassir