Berlin City Guide - events

Carnival of Cultures
The Carnival of Cultures is a fabulous display of traditional and modern cultures reflecting the many different ethnic communities living within the city. It began as a project to encourage communication between the diversity of nationalities, religions and customs in Berlin, and today the extravaganza is one of the biggest events on the cultural calendar. The festival includes international music, dance and theatre performances, as well as traditional crafts, food and drink. The highlight is the colourful street parade with hundreds of magnificent floats accompanied by swirling dancers, jugglers, musicians, and entertainers.
Venue: Streets of Kreuzberg District
Date: 9-12 May 2008
Website: www.karneval-der-kulturen.de

Berlin International Film Festival
The coveted Silver and Golden Bears of the Berlin International Film Festival are the symbol of achievement in one of the top events in the film industry. The Berlinale has become one of the biggest and most reputable festivals in the international business of artistic media and film, where world-class filmmakers launch their latest achievements under various categories in the competition. Film screenings are shown in a variety of festival cinemas, and different events include filmmaking workshops, and opportunities for young producers and directors to screen one-minute films during the festival. For more information, email info@berlinale.de or call +49 (0)30 259 200.
Venue: Potsdamer Platz
Date: 7-17 February 2008
Website: www.berlinale.de

Christopher Street Day
The gay pride parade CSD has its origins in New York's Christopher Street, the site of violence between customers in a gay bar and raiding police in June 1969. To commemorate the social 'coming out' of gay and lesbian communities, huge street parties and parades take place to celebrate a greater tolerance among the public and to demonstrate self-confidence in their homosexuality. Although a huge, colourful festival with hundreds of thousands of participants, including heterosexual revellers, its political focus is the demand for legalization of homosexual partnerships.
Venue:
Date: 28 June 2008
Website: www.csd-berlin.de

Classic Open Air
Set in one of Europe's most beautiful squares, Classic Open Air stages the romantic summer sounds of classical music presented by internationally acclaimed musicians, conductors and composers. The concert series attracts large crowds to evenings of music under the starlit sky, against the romantic backdrop of the Gendarmenmarkt. For more information contact the organisers on +49 (0)30 315 754-0.
Venue: Gendarmenmarkt
Date: 5-9 July 2007
Website: