Berlin highlights 2020
Due to the current situation regarding COVID-19 we recommend our daily updated calendar of events to be able to view existing (digital) events and offers.
Humboldt Forum in the Berlin Palace
As a cultural venue for experiencing art, meeting, exchanging and learning, the Humboldt Forum will be a unique place in the heart of the city when it opens by the end of 2020. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, there will only be a partial opening of the Forum at the end of the year. At the opening will be the gastronomy, an exhibition about the history of the place and the castle passage for the public accessible. The opening of the Museum of Asian Art and Ethnological Collections is planned for spring/summer 2021.
A metropolis overnight: the 100th anniversary of Greater Berlin
The rise to becoming a prestigious metropolis began when Berlin transformed into the third largest city in the world practically overnight on 1 October 1920. The surrounding communities and cities became part of Greater Berlin and thus the capital city expanded 13-fold in one fell swoop and merged into a megacity.
To celebrate this anniversary, a variety of exhibitions will be on show. Especially "100 years of (Greater) Berlin. An unfinished project" in the Kronprinzenpalais and the central exhibition in the Märkisches Museum will illuminate this great historical event and also make reference to contemporary Berlin.
Exhibitions in the districts about 100 Jahre Groß-Berlin
Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg | 19 June - 04 October 2020
Kiezgeschichten - 100 Jahre Friedrichshain und Kreuzberg
The FHXB Museum presents stories and shows places from the past 100 years that still characterise Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg today.
Reinickendorf | 06 Augustl - 25 October 2020
Mitten in Reinickendorf. 100 Jahre (Groß-)Berlin
What have the public spaces of the district and the city changed and what do they mean to the residents? This and much more becomes clear in the exhibition.
Mitte | 26 August 2020 - 30 May 2021
Chaos & Aufbruch / Berlin 1920|2020
The central special exhibition for the anniversary year of Greater Berlin will be on display at the Märkisches Museum.
Neukölln | 15 August - 04 April 2021
Neukölln wird Großstadt
Eight exemplary sites in the district show how Neukölln has developed in the individual historical phases to the present day.
Lichtenberg | 17 May - 20 December 2020
Oskar Ziethen - Lichtenberger Kommunalpolitiker mit Weitblick (Lichtenberg local politicians with vision)
Who was the first mayor of Lichtenberg and above all: what was he like and what did he want to push for Lichtenberg? This is what this exhibition will highlight.
Spandau | 13 September 2020 - 18 May 2021
Jein danke! / Spandau und die Gründung von Groß-Berlin 1920 (Spandau and the foundation of Greater Berlin 1920)
The main exhibition in the Zeughaus will run from 13 September 2020 to18 May 2021 and will focus on the area of tension between the Berlin administration / Spandau magistrate and the everyday life of the residents.
Tempelhof-Schöneberg | 25 June 2020 - 14 March 2021
Neues Bauen, neues Wohnen / Siedlungen der Weimarer Republik in Tempelhof-Schöneberg (Settlements of the Weimar Republic in Tempelhof-Schöneberg)
For many people, housing shortage and housing misery were part of everyday life during the Weimar Republic. What challenges did Berlin have to face during this time and what did ideal building and liveable housing look like? The Schöneberg Museum (from 01 August 2020 to 14 March 2021) and the Tempelhof Museum (25 June 2020 - 13 September 2021) will provide answers to these questions.
Treptow-Köpenick | 17 September - 31 March 2021
"Wir kommen nicht mit leeren Händen" - Die Ortsteile von Treptow-Köpenick und ihr Weg nach Groß-Berlin im Jahr 1920 (The districts of Treptow-Köpenick and their way to Greater Berlin in 1920)
The present district of Treptow-Köpenick once had 15 districts, which are the focus of this exhibition.
Marzahn-Hellersdorf | 17 August 2020 - 16 April 2021
StadtRandLage. Ein Marzahn - Hellersdorfer ABC
At that time, the communities that belonged to Marzahn-Hellersdorf extended as far as the district of Niederbarnim. The eventful history of relations between the district and Berlin is the subject of this article.
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf | 21. August 2020 - 24. January 2021
Vorort oder Weltstadt? Charlottenburg, Wilmersdorf und Groß-Berlin
The resistance of today's districts of Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf against the administrative union raises interesting questions regarding the incorporation, which are explained in the exhibition.
Mitte | 10. Oktober 2020 bis 31. Januar 2021
Das Rathaus Wedding 1930. Ein neues Rathaus für einen neuen Bezirk. Eine Gebrauchsanleitung. (A new town hall for a new district. An instruction manual.)
Everything about the history and visions of Wedding Town Hall from 1928/1930 to today can be seen here.
Pankow | autumn 2020 - spring 2021
Pioniere der modernen Sozialarbeit - Das Bezirksjugendamt Prenzlauer Berg seit 1920 (Pioneers of modern social work - The Prenzlauer Berg District Youth Welfare Office since 1920)
The reform efforts of public youth welfare work after 1920 are the central theme of this special exhibition.
Industrial culture
Berlin's cityscape is characterised by Berlin Modernism, which was recently on everyone's lips, as 2019 was the centenary of the Bauhaus movement. On the occasion of 100 years of Greater Berlin, 2020 also marks the year of industrial culture. Berlin is home to many exciting and interesting industrial buildings, which have been redeveloped for a huge variety of concepts beyond their original use and today invite you to take a diverse excursion into Berlin's districts.
30 years of reunification
Following the peaceful and exuberant celebrations marking 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall all over the world, and especially in Berlin in 2019, the celebrations marking 30 years since reunification will be held on 3 October 2020. Many exciting exhibitions, activities and anniversary events will take place on this occasion. The latest information about the planned celebrations can be found here.
Exhibition highlights
Berlin is also a great location for art and culture. After all, 2020 will see numerous exhibitions of works by world-famous painters and artists:
Christo und Jeanne-Claude
From 21 March to 14 September 2020 at the Palais Populaire
Christo became well known all around the world, especially after wrapping the Reichstag. As one of the most famous artist couples, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who passed away in 2009, were very active on the art scene. Since then Christo has been working alone and producing unique works of art and events. The exhibition displays and addresses projects from 1963 to the present.
Magical Soup
From 06 September 2020 to 03 January 2021 at Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum for Contemporary Art
With media art works from the collections of the Nationalgalerie and the Friedrich Christian Flick Collection, this group exhibition explores boundaries of all kinds. The exhibition includes works by Nam June Paiik, Charlemagne Palestine, Nevin Aladag and Nicole Wermers.
Chaos & Departure - Berlin 1920 | 2020
From 26 April 2020 to 10 January 2021 at the Märkisches Museum
100 years of Greater Berlin is one of the top themes in 2020. What effects did the doubling of the population practically overnight have in Berlin? Which municipalities and previously independent cities now formed part of the second largest city in the world in terms of area? The exhibition "Chaos & Departure - Berlin 1920 | 2020" at the Märkisches Museum sheds light on these questions.
ISTAF 2020
200 of the world's best track and field athletes will compete in 16 disciplines at the International Stadium Festival (ISTAF) on 13 September. Further information about the event can be found in our event calendar.
BTHVN2020
As part of BTHVN2020, concerts, exhibitions, readings and other events to mark Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birthday will take place throughout Germany until September 2021. Berlin is also participating with an exciting programme including concerts at the Berliner Philharmonie, a permanent exhibition at the Deutsches Historisches Museum and a Klassik OpenAir at the Jagdschloss Grunewald. Due to the current situation, some project partners and organizers also offer a digital cultural program.
BER
The BER airport is scheduled to open on 31 October 2020. A big opening ceremony is not planned, but Tegel Airport, which will close one week later, will be bid farewell with dignity.