Hey Berliners!

The World Cup run is over. Germany went out to Paraguay on penalties — undone by a hot keeper and missed spot kicks. A gutting way to go, but they gave the city plenty to shout about.

The good news: the heat has broken, the calendar's wide open, and this is Berlin at its best.

Today is the final day of 48h Neukölln – the city's biggest free art festival. Classic Open Air opens on Gendarmenmarkt this week. The lakes are perfect. The open-air cinemas are back.

No match to plan around — just the city. Get outside

— Dr Yassir A Shuaib

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The World Cup TV rush is over — this week's about getting outside. Gear for lakes, parks and beer-garden nights. Confirm live prices before buying.

🔊 JBL Charge 6 — from ~€127 (RRP ~€180) · waterproof, ~24 h battery, doubles as a power bank. The lake-and-park standard.
🔗 Compare on idealo

🧊 Cool box — passive from ~€30, electric from ~€80 · lake and balcony essentials.
🔗 Browse at MediaMarkt

🔋 Anker power bank, 20,000mAh — ~€35–45 · long park days, no outlet in sight.
🔗 Compare on idealo

🌬️ Tower fan — from ~€40 · The heat will be back, and Berlin has almost no AC.
🔗 Browse at Coolblue

✈️ Summer travel — July/August getaways still bookable, prices climbing.
🔗 Best flight deals on mydealz

The 40°C peak has broken — proper, pleasant July in Berlin.

Sun 5 · ~24°C · Warm afternoon showers possible. Pack a light layer for 48h in Neukölln.
Mon–Wed · ~21–24°C · mixed sun, the odd thunderstorm.
Thu–Sat · ~22–25°C · warm and dry for Classic Open Air Week.

🔗 Full forecast

⚽ Germany are out
Beaten by Paraguay in the Round of 32 — 1–1 after extra time and lost the shootout 4–3. Their first-ever World Cup exit on penalties. Full recap in Sport.

🎨 48h Neukölln — final day today
Berlin's biggest free art festival wraps. See Special Event.

🎻 Classic Open Air opens Thursday. Six nights on the Gendarmenmarkt, 9–14 July. See Berlin Picks.

🌅 Open-air cinema is in full swing nightly across the city. See Berlin Picks.

🚇 BVG heat note
Summer works and diversions are running — check your line before you travel.
🔗 Live disruptions here

🎻 Classic Open Air — Gendarmenmarkt · 9–14 July · Ticketed ⭐

One of Europe's most beautiful squares becomes an open-air concert hall. Opens Thu 9 July with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin under Joana Mallwitz — the programme includes Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Full line‑up: Giovanni Zarrella (Fri 10), Joja Wendt & Friends (Sat 11), David Garrett (Sun 12), HAEVN (Mon 13), and Alphaville (Tue 14). Tickets from ~€64.50.

📍 Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte — U2/U6 Stadtmitte
🔗 Tickets & full programme · Opening night tickets

🎨 48h Neukölln — final day today · Free

Berlin's biggest free art festival wraps today. ~300 galleries, studios and spaces across Neukölln open their doors. Theme: OUT/SIDE/IN. Artists on-site to talk about their work. Don't over-plan — just wander.

📍 All over Neukölln — U7/U8
🔗 Programme & map · Berlin.de event page

🎶 Sonic Pluriverse (Gnawa Festival) — HKW · until 17 July

Moroccan Gnawa tradition through concerts, DJ sets, and workshops at Haus der Kulturen der Welt. A genuinely different sound for a warm night. Concerts are €24/20; DJs/talks/films are free.

📍 John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Tiergarten — S+U Hauptbahnhof
🔗 More info & tickets

🌅 Open-air cinema — nightly

Freiluftkino Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Rehberge and Hasenheide are all running. Peak season — bring a blanket.

🔗 Freiluftkino Kreuzberg · Berlin open-air listings

🎨 48h Neukölln — Final Day · today · until 19:00 · Free ⭐

Berlin's boldest art festival wraps today. Around 300 galleries, studios and workspaces across Neukölln open their doors under this year's theme OUT/SIDE/IN — artists are usually on-site to talk about their work.

How to do it: don't over-plan. Take the U7 or U8 in, grab a printed programme, and let the map decide. Wandering is the strategy — and it's the best free thing in the city this weekend.

📍 All over Neukölln — U7/U8
🔗 Programme & map here

SUNDAY 5 JULY (today)

🎨 48h Neukölln — final day · until 19:00 · Free — see Special Event
📍 U7/U8 Neukölln · 🔗 Programme & map

🛒 Flohmarkt Mauerpark · 10:00–18:00 · Free — vinyl, vintage, handmade; Bearpit Karaoke from 15:00
📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64 — U8 Bernauer Str. · 🔗 More info

TUESDAY 7 JULY

🌿 Türkenmarkt · 11:00–18:30 · Free — fresh produce, Turkish & Middle Eastern food
📍 Maybachufer — U8 Schönleinstraße · 🔗 More info

🗣️ German-English Language Exchange · 19:00 · Free — Berlin's longest-running exchange (since 2008)
📍 Travolta Bar, Wiener Str. 14b — U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof · 🔗 More info

THURSDAY 9 JULY

🎻 Classic Open Air opens — Konzerthausorchester / Mallwitz — Gendarmenmarkt — see Berlin Picks
🔗 Tickets

🍜 Street Food Thursday · 17:00–22:00 · Free entry — 30+ vendors, global cuisine
📍 Markthalle Neun — U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof · 🔗 More info

FRIDAY 10 JULY

🎻 Giovanni Zarrella — Italian Summer Night — Classic Open Air, Gendarmenmarkt
🔗 Tickets

🌿 Türkenmarkt · 11:00–18:30 · Free
📍 Maybachufer — U8 Schönleinstraße · 🔗 More info

SATURDAY 11 JULY

🎻 Joja Wendt & Friends — Classic Open Air, Gendarmenmarkt
🔗 Tickets

🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide · 09:00 · Free — free timed 5km
📍 Columbiadamm 160 — U8 Boddinstraße · 🔗 Register

🛒 Flohmarkt Mauerpark · 10:00–18:00 · Free
📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64 — U8 Bernauer Str. · 🔗 More info

SUNDAY 12 JULY

🎻 David Garrett — Classic Open Air finale — Gendarmenmarkt
🔗 Tickets

🛒 Nowkoelln Flowmarkt · 10:00–17:00 · Free — canal-side design & vintage market (biweekly)
📍 Maybachufer — U8 Schönleinstraße · 🔗 More info

🌅 Open-Air Cinema — nightly across the city
Berlin's best summer ritual is back. Freiluftkino Kreuzberg (in the Kunstquartier Bethanien courtyard) and Freiluftkino Friedrichshain (in Volkspark Friedrichshain) run a nightly mix of new releases, cult classics and English-language films under the stars. Rehberge (Wedding) and Hasenheide (Neukölln) round out the pick. Films usually start at dusk (~21:30). Bring a blanket and a jacket — it cools down by the water and the trees.
📍 Multiple venues citywide
🔗 Kreuzberg programme · 🔗 All open-air listings

🎨 Chanel Commission: Lina Lapelytė — Hamburger Bahnhof · until 10 Jan 2027 · Free
The Lithuanian artist transforms the museum's vast Historic Hall into a polyphonic sound installation — part sculpture, part live performance, with singers and visitors filling the space with voices. A slow, immersive escape on a warm afternoon. Free admission.
📍 Invalidenstr. 50–51, Mitte — U Naturkundemuseum / S Hauptbahnhof
🔗 More info here

🎪 Cirque du Soleil ALIZÉ — Theater am Potsdamer Platz
Europe's first permanent Cirque show. Air-conditioned — a good warm-evening option. No shows Mon–Tue. Weekly schedule: Wed 18:30 · Thu 19:30 · Fri–Sat 16:00 and 20:00 · Sun 13:00 and 17:00.
🔗 Book here

🎵 Berghain — Klubnacht · Sat 11 July, from 23:59
The lineup is published on Thursday on berghain.berlin. Peak-summer Klubnacht.
📍 Am Wriezener Bahnhof, Friedrichshain — S Ostbahnhof
🔗 Program here

🎶 Sonic Pluriverse (Gnawa) — HKW · until 17 July
Moroccan Gnawa music, DJ sets and workshops. See Berlin Picks.
📍 Tiergarten — S+U Hauptbahnhof
🔗 More info here

🏛️ Brancusi
Neue Nationalgalerie · until 9 Aug · €14 — 150+ sculptures from Centre Pompidou. Air-conditioned. Tue–Sun, Thu to 20:00.
📍 Potsdamer Straße 50 — S+U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info & tickets

🖼️ Cassirer & the Breakthrough of Impressionism
Alte Nationalgalerie · until 27 Sep · €16/€8 — 100+ Impressionist works.
📍 Museumsinsel — S+U Hackescher Markt
🔗 More info & tickets

🎨 Marina Abramović: Balkan Erotic Epic
Gropius Bau · until 23 Aug · €15/€10 — Explicit content; closed Tue.
📍 Niederkirchnerstraße 7 — S+U Potsdamer Platz
🔗 More info & tickets

🎪 Luftschloss
Tempelhofer Feld · until 13 Sep · Ticketed — Open-air theatre, concerts, comedy, and evenings.
📍 Tempelhofer Damm 59 — U6 Paradestraße
🔗 More info & tickets

🌿 Türkenmarkt — Tue 7 + Fri 10 July · 11:00–18:30 · Free
Fresh produce, Turkish & Middle Eastern food. Cash preferred; prices drop after 17:30.
📍 Maybachufer, Neukölln — U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info

🍜 Street Food Thursday — Thu 9 July · 17:00–22:00 · Free entry
30+ vendors in Markthalle Neun.
📍 Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg — U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info

🛒 Flohmarkt Mauerpark — Sun 5 + Sat 11 · from 10:00 · Free
Vinyl, vintage, handmade. Cash only.
📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64 — U8 Bernauer Str.
🔗 More info

🛒 Nowkoelln Flowmarkt — Sun 12 July · 10:00–17:00 · Free
Canal-side design & vintage flea market. Runs every second Sunday — next date 12 July.
📍 Maybachufer 32-33 — U8 Schönleinstraße
🔗 More info · Berlin.de page

🏃 Germany 1–1 Paraguay (Paraguay win 4–3 on penalties) · Round of 32 · Boston

Julio Enciso headed Paraguay ahead (42'); Kai Havertz levelled just after the break (54'). Jonathan Tah's extra‑time header was ruled out by VAR for a foul on the keeper. In the shootout, Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah all missed — it was the first time Germany had ever lost a World Cup penalty shootout.

Paraguay went on to face France in the Round of 16.

🔗 Full match report (BBC) · Full bracket (FIFA)

🏃 Parkrun Hasenheide — Sat 11 July · 09:00 · Free

Free timed 5km; register once. Cooler morning slot.
📍 Volkspark Hasenheide, Columbiadamm 160 — U8 Boddinstraße
🔗 Register here

😂 Laughing Spree — boat comedy · from €16.88 · Every Sun & Tue
Berlin's only English comedy show on a boat. Hosted by Chris Doering. Free shot on entry. 2.5 hours, 6 comedians.
📍 Mühlenstraße 73, Friedrichshain — S+U Warschauer Str.
🔗 Tickets & info

😂 Meanwhile in Berlin — English stand-up · from €18.02 · Saturdays, 20:15
Top local comedians on Berlin life, dating & expat culture. Intimate venue, great drinks.
📍 Simplonstraße 23, Friedrichshain — S+U Warschauer Str.
🔗 Tickets & info

🗣️ German-English Language Exchange — Every Tuesday · 19:00 · Free
Berlin's longest-running language exchange (since 2008). Locals, expats & travellers. Separate tables for German & English — all levels welcome. Just buy a drink.
📍 Wiener Str. 14b, Kreuzberg — U1 Görlitzer Bahnhof
🔗 More info

🌍 InterNations Berlin — Multiple events weekly
Berlin's largest expat community (5+ million members, 420 cities). 3–4 official events monthly + ~30 groups with 45 monthly activities. Membership required.
🔗 Join & find events

🏊 A proper lake day — now the heat has broken, the lakes are at their best. Schlachtensee has shallow, sandy entry points perfect for young children, a 5.5 km walking path, shaded picnic spots, and a beer garden with a children's playground. Pack a picnic and make a morning of it. Free.

📍 S1 to Schlachtensee station — lake is steps away

🔗 More info (visitBerlin) · Family guide · Beer garden · Water quality (Berlin.de)

🌇 Klunkerkranich — Neukölln (Rooftop)

Berlin's beloved cultural rooftop garden atop the Neukölln Arcaden car park. Part beach bar, part garden, part open-air stage — with wooden benches, sand underfoot, and a view of the TV Tower. Changing the street-food menu, cold drinks, and DJ sets at sunset. Open daily from 17:00 (Thu–Sat from 16:00, until 02:00/03:00). Small cover charge (~€0–5). Perfect after a day at 48h Neukölln. Get there early on weekends — the lift queue builds fast.

📍 Karl-Marx-Str. 66 (top of Neukölln Arcaden) — U7/U8 Rathaus Neukölln

🔗 Official website · Contact & opening hours · visitBerlin page · Berlin.de page

🛒 Flohmarkt am Mauerpark — Sunday · 10:00–18:00 · Free

Berlin's most famous flea market. Up to 450 vendors with vinyl, vintage clothing, GDR-era oddities, handmade goods, antiques, and second-hand treasures. Cash only. Bearpit Karaoke from 15:00 — one of Berlin's best Sunday rituals.

📍 Bernauer Str. 63–64, Prenzlauer Berg — U8 Bernauer Str.

🔗 Official website · Berlin.de info · visitBerlin

💰 Trade Republic — Graduate Backend Engineering · Berlin
Rotate through engineering teams building real financial systems used by millions. Bachelor's/Master's in CS or related. Up to 1 year of experience. English-first.
📍 Berlin · 🔗 Apply here

🤖 Cogram — Product Engineer / AI Operator · Berlin / Remote
YC W22. LLM-based productivity platform for architecture, engineering & construction. 8+ years of experience. Build end-to-end features with AI tools. $70K–$130K + equity.
📍 Berlin / Remote · 🔗 Apply here

🧠 Merantix Momentum — AI/ML Project Manager · Berlin
Berlin-based AI service provider. Direct link between engineering team and customers. Hands-on role — build prototypes, steer roadmaps, shape ML solutions.
📍 Berlin · 🔗 Apply here

🔍 Job Drop Berlin — updated daily
Berlin startup jobs in English — engineering, product, design, marketing.
🔗 Browse here

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See you next time. Same time. Same Kiez.

— Yassir