The 10 Best Events in Berlin in January

In January, Berlin shows why it never quite falls into hibernation. While some cities are still asleep, the capital is already bursting with life again. Trade fairs, festivals, sports, and light art transform the cold into a backdrop. Berlin is still at the top of its game even in the frost.

The new year in Berlin doesn't start with good intentions, but with energy. From the radio tower to the Philharmonie, a new season begins: food, music, dance, politics, technology, movement. We have selected the 10 best events in Berlin in January for you!

1. New Year's Concerts by the Berlin Philharmonic (January 1-3, Philharmonie)

World-class music rings out right at the start of the year. The Berlin Philharmonic opens the year with a lively concert program – mostly classical music with wit and lightness. The conductor and orchestra show that high culture also means joy. The atmosphere in the Philharmonie is always something special.

Our tip: If you can't get a ticket, many bars and cafés in the area broadcast the concert live. Just order a glass of sparkling wine and enjoy.

2. Berlin New Year's Run (January 1, Brandenburg Gate)

With no time pressure and full of New Year's energy, you can run a four-kilometer route through the city center. No competition, no stress—just exercise, fresh air, and good vibes.

Our tip: Just join in—registration is free. And afterwards, a coffee at Pariser Platz tastes twice as good.

3. Festival of Lights – Winter Edition (ongoing until early January)

Famous buildings, squares, and bridges light up the winter sky. The light art transforms Berlin into a colorful fairy tale – especially around Mitte, Charlottenburg, and the government district.

The winter edition is almost more beautiful than the autumn one: fewer tourists, more peace and quiet, more atmosphere.

Our tip: bring your camera or cell phone and start around 5 p.m. – the light is perfect then.

4. Tanztage Berlin (January 5-20, Sophiensäle)

Contemporary dance by young artists from all over the world. Experimental, bold, surprising – not mainstream, but a stage for something new.

Our tip: Go early, as many performances sell out quickly. And open rehearsals are just as worthwhile as the big performances.

5. Berlin Christmas Season & Winter World (until January 7, Alexanderplatz & Potsdamer Platz)

The last days of Christmas magic – mulled wine, lights, ice rinks, and a Ferris wheel. Soak up some nostalgia before the new year really gets started.

Our tip: Go during the week when it's less crowded. And: The ice rink at Potsdamer Platz is ideal for a winter date.

6. Transmediale Vorspiel (end of January, various locations)

Pre-events for the big transmediale festival—with installations, performances, and discussions about digital culture. Galleries and studios throughout the city open their doors.

Our tip: Go with the flow—don't plan a route. Just go wherever sounds interesting.

7. CTM Festival – Music & Art (starts end of January)

One of the most exciting festivals for electronic music, club culture, and sound art worldwide. Concerts, DJ sets, performances, and talks in clubs such as Berghain, HAU, and Radialsystem.

CTM is more than music – it's a sound laboratory, a space for ideas and the future.

Our tip: If you can't get a ticket for the big events, go to the satellite programs: small gigs, big experiences.

8. Long Night of Museums - Winter Edition (mid-January)

Over 70 museums open their doors until midnight. Shuttle buses connect the locations, and there's music, guided tours, and surprises everywhere.

It's simply wonderful to wander through the city at night and visit museums that are otherwise quiet and empty.

Our tip: Choose three locations – more than that is unrealistic. My tip: the Natural History Museum, the New National Gallery, and the Museum of Technology.

9. International Green Week (January 17-26, Messe Berlin)

From January 16 to 25, a huge trade fair for food, agriculture, and sustainable living will take place. International Green Week is celebrating its 100th anniversary. For a century, it has been not only a trade fair but also a ritual. 1,400 exhibitors from around 60 countries, hundreds of thousands of visitors, halls full of scents, sounds, and global trends.

The spectrum ranges from agricultural technology to street food. Politicians, manufacturers, and gourmets come together between tractors and herb stands. The new generation of agricultural scientists and farmers talk about climate change, energy, and sustainable supply chains. The adventure farm attracts families, while gourmets wander through the country galleries.

Our tip: go in the morning when it's still quiet. And: from cheese from the Alps to gin from Brandenburg: taste your way around the world!

10. New Year's Cabaret - Berlin Cabaret Festival (throughout January)

Satire, music, and sharp tongues—theaters such as the Distel, the Kabarett-Theater Wühlmäuse, and the Bar jeder Vernunft offer programs full of irony, politics, and Berlin charm.

Our tip: Wühlmäuse for the classics, Distel for the big stage, Bar jeder Vernunft for an intimate evening with wine.

Bonus. NBA premiere and Sixdays Weekend

On January 15, Berlin will become a global sports center. For the first time, an official NBA regular season game will take place in Germany. Memphis Grizzlies vs. Orlando Magic at the Uber Arena.

Just a few days later, the Sixdays Weekend at the Velodrom follows with its traditional counterpart. Track cycling, music, neon lights, sweat. This event has been an integral part of Berlin's sporting culture for decades.

Two worlds collide in the same month: the American Super League and European cycling nostalgia. Both fill arenas, both show how much exercise and community belong together.

Berlin in January is like the city itself: fearless, honest, lively. Between music, light, art, and cuisine, you'll find energy everywhere—you just have to want to see it. My personal favorite: the dance days at the Sophiensäle: wild, bold, and so wonderfully Berlin.