The local Rainbow parade is celebrated every year on the last weekend of June. Some 200.000 drags, leather-gays, fetish-freaks and pretty normal homosexuals celebrate gay and lesbian liberation, and it is going to be probably one of the most colourful things you are ever going to see. The atmosphere is superb, the parties outrageous and Berlin is in pink hands - one of the best weekends in the whole year.

Info at www.csd-berlin.de

THE BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL - BERLINALE

Undoubtedly one of the most important film festivals in the world happens always in friendly February. The main section “the competition” is relatively boring, mainly movies you'll see 6 months later in your local theatre, and the only justification for this hyper-PR-event is that it brings Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt, Bono, Sean Penn and de Niro into town. The other sections “Panorama” and “Forum” are absolutely brilliant. Hundreds of movies teaching you painfully how colourful the screen could be if it wouldn't be dominated by the always-the-same-Hollywood-trash. You'll see 8 hour documentaries about the life of Sahara-dwellers and mind-blowing Korean animes, Canadian very-independent movies and beautiful Argentinean love stories. Every movie is an adventure, and a great trip into worlds you usually do not get to see. Highly recommended and we got the tickets!

The info under www.berlinale.de

The organizers Berliner Festspiele are also in charge of:

• the MÄRZMUSIK, a festival for modern e-music in March

• the THEATERTREFFEN, a high-profile meeting of the most important contempary theatre-ensembles in May

• the BERLINER FESTWOCHEN, celebrating classical music performed by the best classical artists worldwide, in September/October

• and the JAZZFESTIVAL in November

Tickets for all this under kartenbuero@berlinerfestspiele.de and info under www.berlinerfestspiele.de. They do speak English

KARNEVAL DER KULTUREN - THE CARNIVAL OF CULTURES

When the lust for life and the delight of colours unite and old and young are dancing in the streets together and creating a festival of tolerance and variety then Berlin is celebrating the Carnival of Cultures. During the four-day festival millions of visitors will experience our capital at its best: cosmopolitan, dynamic, buoyant, diverse and colourful.
 By the way, if you have seen the bongo-group, consisting of 14 white-pale, middle-aged housewives dressed in (too) tight African clothing, you might lose some of your stereotypes of what it is to be German.

Info under www.karneval-berlin.de

SILVESTER IN BERLIN ? THE NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION

In recent years, since reunification, Berlin became the no.1 location for Germans to celebrate New Years Eve, with the highlight being the millennium change, where more than 2 million people showed up and turned Berlin into a gigantic party ground. Usually there are around 1 million people, many of them non-Berliners. Comparable to Times Square, people here gather at the Brandenburg Gate and the central Boulevard Unter den Linden. A lot of excellent parties make this a good day for young people as well as older ones. Just watch out for the stray fireworks!

www.silvester-berlin.de

It seems like forever that the 21st of June as longest day and shortest night has been a special party day. In 1982 the French Minister of Culture initiated the first Fête de la Musique in Paris. Since then the start of the Summer has been celebrated in over 100 countries.

In 1996 Berlin joined the Party as well and since then the 21st of June has become a special day in every Berliners’ diary. More than 180 Open Air stages are being put up all over the city. It seems as if every Café-, Bar-, Theatre- or Clubowner opens their stages for non- as well professional musicians.

Ask on reception for the biggest stages, as well as the closest nearby. You will certainly have the day of your life.

More information (unfortunately only in German) at www.fetedelamusique.de

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Popkomm has been based in Berlin since 2004 and is now well established as the world’s music and entertainment business meeting place. It is synonymous for innovation and trends. The Innovation-in-Music-and-Entertainment Award distinguishes young companies that have creative business ideas. While admission to the exhibition is restricted to industry professionals, the PopKomm festival gives everyone interested in music a chance to explore the latest industry trends. Performers from around the world - including signed bands and unsigned artists - are showcased on three days. The Kulturbrauerei just up the road from the Circus has become established as a primary festival venue.

More information at www.popkomm.de

Every year in September the sports metropolis of Berlin is celebrating a fabulous anniversary. Over 40,000 athletes set off on the fastest marathon course in the world, cheered on by a million spectators and more than 70 live bands. Participating in the BERLIN MARATHON means a lot more than just running the same 42 kilometres together with the fastest athletes in the world, however. Experiencing the fantastic atmosphere along the course and running through the Brandenburg Gate and past the grandstands the last 400 metres to the finish line make this euphoric marathon race an unforgettable experience for everyone.

More information at www.real-berlin-marathon.com