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This summer is going to be great! I can feel it in my gut. Ok, admittedly summers in Berlin are usually always great. But somehow there’s something in the air. Everyone is in the mood to just have the best time.
We’re looking forward to visits to the lake, walks in the park, outdoor cinema, open-air parties, evenings by the canal, festivals and a lot of fun. And there’s a lot to experience this summer, too. In large part, we have the Kultursommerfestival (Cultural Summer Festival) to thank for that, which is taking place for the second time this year. From June 24 to September 3, the festival brings together a full program of 100 events. It is probably one of the largest joint projects of Berlin cultural institutions there is.
above photos: Angela Regenbrecht
The Kultursommerfestival 2023
But what exactly is the Kultursommerfestival about? The answer is actually very simple: It aims to offer the people of Berlin many wonderful opportunities to get together outside and enjoy culture – simply to have fun together. Various lockdowns in recent years have understandably created an increased need for this.
When putting together the events, the organizers of the Kultursommerfestival attached great importance to creating a diverse program that spans the entire city and includes as many neighborhoods and communities as possible. Around 100 concerts, plays, performances, readings, talks, and installations will take place – not only in well-known locations but also in unknown and hidden places. So you can look forward to some unexpected experiences.
Particularly worth mentioning is also – and all inflation-stricken Berliners will be especially happy about this – that all 100 events are free of charge. For a few, however, you have to reserve a spot.
above photos: Alexander Rentsch
The Great Opening of the Kultursommerfestival
On June 24, so this coming Saturday already, the festival will kick off with the grand opening. While last year’s edition opened with a big event at Tempelhofer Feld, this year the first day will be spread over 9 events all over the city.
Just to give you a few examples: The Moka Efti Orchestra, the big band from the series Babylon Berlin, plays at Schlossgarten Schönhausen; jazz and soul are performed on a ship in front of Eastside Gallery by Jocelyn B. Smith and band; the classical-electro crossover music project Symphoniacs plays in front of Charlottenburg Palace; the Flying Steps perform at Landwehrkanal in Neukölln; Freak de l’Afrique throws a party at Napoleon Komplex with a concert by Cloudy June. And these are just a few of the highlights from the opening.
Darvish at Queens Against Borders, photo: Nura Qureshi
Program Highlights of the Kultursommerfestival 2023
The highlights will continue through September. We are especially looking forward to the Queens Against Borders event, which will open Pride Month Berlin on June 28 at the Alte Münze. A little later, on July 9, there will again be Staatsoper für Alle on Bebelplatz and you can also look forward to the annual iHeartBerlin x Staatsoper Picnic.
Summer parties are also part of the program, for example on July 21 at the Haus der Statistik, on July 29 at the Holzmarkt, and on August 22 in the courtyard of the Social Hub. We are also looking forward to events at Uferhallen and Studios, Monopol, Review Südost, and Silent Green.
We have already listed some of our favorites in our event calendar. In the coming weeks, we will recommend even more events and visit some of them for you. So be sure to stay tuned and enjoy the Berlin summer with us at Kultursommerfestival 2023.
Party at Review Südost, photo: Lale Yürür
