About Berlin, Germany | What is on, Berlin hotels
This short break guide about Berlin, Germany will help you to make the most of your trip. Lists of what’s on in Berlin and recommended hotels will save you time when planning your city break.
About Berlin, Germany
On your next European vacation, you may just want to check out the third most visited destination in the continent – Berlin, Germany. This once divided city is now a hub of the liberal lifestyle. The city is greatly service oriented which attributes to its many business centers. Conversely, this metro is also filled with pleasurable attractions, an avant-garde art scene, a lively nightlife and is an enthusiastic center for culture, media and politics. Its historic heritage (from its Prussian days to the Third Reich to the fall of the wall to today’s open minded ideals) also makes it a sought out tourist attraction and a popular setting for film production. Berlin also brings in many youngsters because of its promising low cost of living, who will ultimately play a part in its ever expanding, energetic social scene. http://www.berlin.de/english/
What is on in Berlin in 2008
Our mini-guide to what’s on in Berlin lists the top events in 2008 in a handy Berlin Calendar format. If you take your short break in Berlin, Germany when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in Berlin.
January
Berlin Six Day Race
Cyclists, come one come all! Each January nearly 70,000 spectators converge on the Velodrom to watch cyclists pedal through numerous races during the Berlin Six Day Race series. The pedal power is so serious that the events run into the wee hours of the am, 3:00am to be exact! And for the little cyclists among us; Sunday is Family Day, complete with many kid-tastic events. Costs run from 5-52EUR and the races are on from Thursday – Saturday starting at 6:00pm and pedaling on through until 3:00am. Family Day offers more kid friendly hours from 10:00am – 6:30pm. http://www.sechstagerennen-berlin.de/ http://www.gegenbauer-ticketservice.de/
February
Going Underground
Playing into the innovative atmosphere of the city, Berlin’s Going Underground festival is a unique way to present short films to public viewers, whether they want them or not! Each February the underground rail system features fourteen short films on their novel TV screens for an entire week, making this fest easy to catch while on the go, literally! Audiences are then asked to vote for their favorite short film and the winning artist receives 3,000EUR and the prestige that goes along with it. The films play on the trains 24 hours a day and the cost for a one way ticket is between 2.10 – 2.70EUR. http://www.berliner-fenster.de/, http://www.interfilm.de/, http://www.goingunderground.de/
March
Spandau Spring Festival
The delightful Berlin suburb of Brauhaus Spandau plays host to a charming spring fest each year, entitled the Spandau Spring Festival. The fest is a combination of the best of both worlds for both adults and kiddies alike. Towering roller coasters, spook houses and speedy go-karts abound as do the rounds of German beer. To add to the festivals magic, a fireworks display goes off in the evenings for all to ogle. But the best part might just be the free entrance! The Spandau fest runs from February 2 – March 16, 2008. http://www.wollenschlaeger-berlin.de/
April
Verzaubert Queer Film Festival
Since the fall of the Berlin wall, the city has become increasingly open minded. The Verzaubert Queer Film Fest falls right into this category. It seeks to bring the gay and lesbian message to the people by making four city stops each year in April with fantastic cinema. The films explore issues of love and gender identity among other subjects that often show themselves in the gay and lesbian community. The show stops in Berlin from April 16 – 23. http://www.verzaubertfilmfest.com/
May
International Museums Day
All over the great country of Germany, museums take part in International Museums Day with special exhibitions that show the importance of museums to society and history itself. Nearly 6,000 museums participate in this stimulating event and a overwhelming amount of displays, shows, exhibits and lectures speak to the public and celebrate art and culture the world over.
June
Berlin Christopher Street DayNearly half a million people flood Berlin for Christopher Street Day, an event that signifies the higher tolerance and acceptance among the general public. A rally kicks off at 9:30am while a parade marches onward from Kufurstendamm to the Strasse des Juni. From there Siegesaule features bands and beer for a party that lasts from the afternoon well into the following morn. http://www.csd-berlin.de/
July
Berlin Festival
The Berlin Festival is the end all be all of German music festivals. While the main stage features rock and roll legends, the side stages come alive with the exciting play of European newcomers. Heck, you may even just catch the next generation Rolling Stones here! And for those who love to shake, you can slip into your dancing shoes and listen to the DJ spin tunes under the dance tent. Tickets range in price from 40 – 68EUR. http://www.berlinfestival.de/2007/
August
Hemp Parade
Dedicated to all things Hemp, the Berlin Hemp Parade seeks to pay homage to its open-armed citizens with cannabis education. The organizers don’t seek a pro-drug rally but rather want the parade to signal superior liberty by rooting for cannabis’ legalization. There are also stands filled to the brim with hemp products. The surprising variety of these products – with everything from shoes to ice cream – will leave you astounded enough that you might actually vote with the Hemp Parade’s majority in favor of cannabis! And if not, well there is a speaker’s corner where anyone is able to speak their mind, whether for or against it. http://www.hanfparade.de/
September
The Great Chariot Race
Ancient Rome comes to Berlin during this spirited festival. The Great Chariot Race features many fascinating history lessons in a very hands on way with nearly 200 gladiators and a chariot parade! This child friendly atmosphere also has pony rides, spear throwing for the public, chariot displays and music to keep it festive. The race itself has a presentation that is chock full of chariots, over one hundred horses and nearly double that in gladiators. Talk about stepping back in time! The fest is held each September and costs 9 – 16EUR to get in; children 12 and under are free. Hours run from 12:00pm – 6:00pm, plenty of time to soak up antiquity! http://www.luxevents.de/wagenrennen.com/
October
German Unity Day
Each October, the city of Berlin acknowledges the fateful day in 1989 when the wall separating East and West Germany came down. In the morning, the event starts with a fantastic display of art and culture at the Bradenburg Gate. Afterwards, the Reichstag holds a large street party where musicians and other live acts, like cabaret stars, perform for a massive audience into the evening hours. Unity Day also looks to celebrate all of the blessings and liberal pursuits that Berlin has been able to see since the wall came crumbling down. http://www.germany.info/
November
Berlin Fairy Tale Festival
Nearly 70,000 participants come out to be enchanted by the Berlin Fairy Tale Festival. The fest is a chance for children as well as adults to immerse themselves in the ancient German tradition of folklore. Many artists and authors come out to lend a hand in the telling of myths and mystic tales. The Fairy Tale fest is held in venues all around the city and the costs and hours vary to the location. http://www.maerchenland-ev.de/
December
Red Ribbons for Berlin
The Rote Schleifen fur Berlin, translated to Red Ribbons for Berlin, knows a thing or two about funding raising. On December 1, volunteers roam the city, handing out ribbons and relishing donations, vying to keep their spot as the top World Aids Day fundraiser in all of Europe. Other events include candlelighting and vigils for those that have fallen victim to this horrific illness as well as uplifting speeches by those who have overcome. There is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to help others in need. http://www.welt-aids-tag.de/
Recommended Berlin Hotels
Hotel review website TripAdvisor allows travelers to thoroughly assess Berlin hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst. The top 10 Berlin hotels recommended by review are:
1. Ritz-Carlton Berlin
2. Swissotel Berlin
3. Askanischer Hof
4. Mercure Hotel & Residenz Berlin
5. Moevenpick Hotel Berlin
6. Grand Hyatt Berlin
7. Marriot Hotel Berlin
8. Radisson SAS Hotel Berlin
9. Hotel Concorde Berlin
10. Regent Hotel Berlin
