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Travel Special
Madrid Travel Special
The FT’s guide to the Spanish capital, from navigating the Golden Art triangle to skiing in the sierras
Winter Travel
Snow and ski special
From ski touring in the Alps to elk watching in the Rockies and dog sledding in Norway
Hotel Insider
Mama Shelter
Designed by Philippe Starck, the comfortable space is in synch with its locale, writes Sophy Roberts
Destination
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1. Berliner Filmfestspiele
The Berlinale is the only top German film festival, and is attended by Hollywood stars and German starlets alike. Until 1999, the film festival took place all around the Zoo-Palast cinema; today the traditional festival draws thousands of cinema fans to the area around Potsdamer Platz.
- Filmhaus Potsdamer Platz
- (030) 25 92 00
- 2nd and 3rd week in February
2. Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA)
The latest in entertainment technology from around the world and high-tech toys for young and old are on show at the IFA (International Broadcasting Exhibition) in the ICC.
- Messe Berlin, ICC
- (030) 303 80
- Admission charge
- every 2 years in Aug
3. Love Parade
Although it has lost some of its original fun, the largest techno-party in the world still attracts a crowd of nearly one million visitors every year to ear-shattering beats in Tiergarten.
- Großer Tiergarten
- (030) 28 46 20
- 2nd or 3rd weekend in July
4. Christopher-Street-Parade
This gay parade openly and brashly celebrates alternative lifestyles. At the end of June, up to 500,000 gays and lesbians from around the world boisterously dance, drink and celebrate in the streets of Central Berlin.
- Kurfürstendamm and Straße des 17. Juni
- (030) 23 62 86 32
- 4th weekend in June
5. Berliner Festwochen
Classical concerts, exhibitions and events organized around a particular theme form the cultural highpoint of the year.
- Various venues
- September
6. Lange Nacht der Museen
For one night, entrance to many of Berlin's museums is free. Many institutions also put on special events for that weekend, and the street artists and sellers entertain the public, who normally wait in long queues.
- Berlin museums
- (030) 28 39 74 44
- last weekends in January and August
7. Grüne Woche
The largest gourmet feast in the world, Green Week is a tasty agricultural and gastronomical fair for everyone. Nowhere else can you enjoy a culinary journey around the world in such a condensed space.
- Messe Berlin, ICC
- (030) 303 80
- Admission €11
- 2nd half of January
8. Theatertreffen Berlin
Since 1963, the most interesting theatre productions from around Germany have been performed annually here in Berlin.
- Various venues
- Admission charge
- May
9. Karneval der Kulturen
Multicultural Berlin celebrates for three days in the colourful Kreuzberg district in a cheerful street carnival parade.
- Kreuzberg
- Whitsun
