All for art? Not quite. It’s May, after all, and that means open airs, long nights, a new cinema, and ice-cold frosé. Sure, there’s a bit of exhibition buzz in the mix too. But what else is happening around International Workers’ Day? Here are CC’s Calendar tips. To set the tone for the weekend, it’s worth stopping by Lamm Bar today (30.04.2026). Moules fritesby Lora Kraft await, alongside frosé for an indulgent start to May. Another spot where the food is always on point is Ari’s. But it’s also a place to dance, with the second edition of Diablo Mami this Friday (01.05.2026) at Luncheonette. Together with Isla Berlin, they’ll keep you going for nine hours of music, including sets by Kenny and Yentzyz. If you feel drawn to the streets on this day of protest, you can always dance in between: Refuge Worldwide is hosting an open air on Friday (01.05.) at Beach Neukölln. Together with Berliner Berg Brauerei, they’re inviting you to two floors with thirteen DJs, including Lerato Khathi and Kíkẹ́lọmọ, who prefer long sets over quick drops. There’ll be food stalls and plenty of reasons to lose track of time — like the fact it’s completely free. A quick demo overview: the FLINTA* march “Take Back the Night” kicks off during Walpurgis Night (30.04.) at Schönleinstraße U-Bahn station; the German Trade Union Confederation gathers in front of the Red Town Hall under the slogan “Mach Dich Stark Mit Uns” (01.05.); and political dancing for a “Free Görli” (01.05.) takes place in Görlitzer Park. Things continue on Saturday (02.05.), when we meet at the School of Sculpture.
Old Friends Meet Again is an evening for art, but also a walk through a sculpture garden — all under the direction of Studio 11. You can discover works by Julia Oram, Isabel Monti, and others. Somewhere in between, a yakitori grill by Sakana is firing away, followed later by a tea ceremony. Back on the block — more precisely at Kreuzberg Pavillon — the Block Party opens that same evening (02.05.), curated by Louis Hilson. Inside, the graphic systems of Experimental Jetsetmeet the vibrant collages of Bravas Graphix, alongside a sound performance by Mundi Dialungana. Thanks to Tourist and Szeene, you can ease into Sunday (03.05.) both breathless and artsy. The Berlin Gallery Weekend Run kicks off with coffee at Aera Bread, before heading on through exhibitions, including stops at Tanya Leighton and Esther Schipper. Art without standing still, in other words. To round off the week, there’s one more highlight, this time in the dark. On Sunday (03.05.2026), Kino Arsenalopens at Silent Green. The new screening room moves into the former Westhalle, whose high ceilings (once part of a ceremonial hall) already feel cinematic in their own right. Technically, it has everything that makes film so tactile: projections from 8 to 70 mm from the Arsenal archive, as well as 4K screenings, supported by a Dolby Atmos system. Add to that the wide, old-school seats are made for sinking into — and are especially welcome after dancing into May.
Text: Emma Zylla / Photos: Jonas Michel, Giulia Daley, Nadine Haas, Nusa Hernavs
Lamm Bar, Wisbyer Str.1, 10439 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
Mussels & Frites Frosé 30.04.2026 18h
@lamm_bar
@lorakraftdining
Ari’s, Glogauer Str.2, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Diablo Mami Vol.2 01.05.2026 13–22h
@aris__berlin
@islaberlin
@isla.radio
Beach Neukölln, Treptower Str.39, 12059 Berlin–Neukölln; map
May Day 01.05.2026 12–22h
@refugeworldwide
@beach_neukoelln
@berlinerbergbrauerei
U-Bahn-Station Schönleinstraße; Stadtplan
Take Back The Night 30.04.2026 from 20h
Rotes Rathaus; Stadtplan
Mach Dich Stark Mit Uns 01.05.2026 from 12h
Görlitzer Park; Stadtplan
Free Görli 01.05.2026 from 12h
You can find an overview of all demonstrations here.
School of Sculpture, Provinzstr.40–42, 13409 Berlin–Reinickendorf; map
Old Friends Meet Again 02.05.2026. Register here.
@schoolofsculpture
@_studioii
@coolscoutt
@sakana.berlin
Kreuzberg Pavillon, Naunynstr.53, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Block Party 02.05.2026 19–22h
@kreuzberg_pavillon
@sellerie_weekend
Aera Bread, Fasanenstr.74, 10719 Berlin–Charlottenburg; map
Gallery Weekend Run 03.05.2026 11h. Register here.
@tourist.official
@artszeene
@aera_bread
Kino Arsenal, Plantagenstr.30, 13347 Berlin–Wedding; map
Opening 03.05.2026. Find the full programme here.
@arsenalberlin
@silent.green
