In my opinion, one of the best events in Germany, especially in Berlin, is the Carnival of Cultures. That’s why I’ve decided to summarize the most important information to know in advance to enjoy it to the fullest. I will update this post as new details become available. However, I always recommend checking the official source in case of last-minute changes: www.karneval.berlin.
WHEN AND WHERE
In 2025, the Carnival of Cultures will take place from Friday, June 6, to Monday, June 9. The grand street parade, showcasing the best of all cultures, will be held on Sunday, June 8.
The festival, where food stands and concerts are located, will take place at Blücherplatz. The nearest metro station is Hallesches Tor (U-Bahn).
WHICH DAYS TO GO?
In my experience, one day is not enough to enjoy everything the carnival has to offer. However, if you prefer the busiest days to dance and meet new people, I recommend going on Friday and Saturday.
If, on the other hand, you’re going with kids or prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, Sunday and especially Monday will be better options.
Although some days have more or fewer attendees, the overall atmosphere is calm until around 5 or 6 p.m. After that time, phone signal and mobile data tend to fail due to the large number of people. The only exception might be Friday in the early hours, as the festival starts in the afternoon and the initial crowd is smaller.
NOT LIVING IN BERLIN?
If you don’t live in Berlin but have friends who can host you, I recommend asking them in advance for a place to stay.
If you’re looking for a budget option, you can try Couchsurfing to find someone offering a spot on their couch. However, let’s be realistic: this option is usually easier for women than for men.
Another affordable alternative is staying at a nearby hostel. In my case, I had good experiences at Three Little Pigs Hostel and Grand Hostel Berlin. If you know of another good place, feel free to share it in the comments.
That said, I suggest booking well in advance, as accommodation demand is high during the carnival, and travelers come from all over.
THE PARADE
The Karneval der Kulturen parade has changed its route in 2025. Instead of taking place in Kreuzberg, as was tradition, this year the parade will be held in Friedrichshain due to long-term construction work on Gneisenaustraße.
The new route starts at the intersection of Frankfurter Allee and Proskauer Straße, and continues along Karl-Marx-Allee, ending at Karl-Marx-Allee and Berolina Straße, near Alexanderplatz. The parade is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025.
While in previous years I would have recommended watching it near Gneisenaustraße station, this year a good strategic spot could be somewhere along Karl-Marx-Allee, particularly near Strausberger Platz or Frankfurter Tor, where public transport access is convenient and you’ll find plenty of shops and open space.
This year, the parade and the festival area are still located far apart, so walking the full distance may be a challenge. To avoid difficulties, using public transportation, bicycles, or electric scooters is highly recommended.
⚠️ Please note: the central median strip along the entire parade route is a protected habitat for rare insects and plant species. Visitors are asked not to step onto the median and to respect local biodiversity.
MY CULINARY STRATEGY
One of the biggest attractions of the carnival is the food stands, where you can find dishes and drinks from different countries. It’s almost impossible not to want to try them all.
However, there are two drawbacks: the lack of comfortable eating space and, in many cases, the price. That’s why I usually only try the dishes that really catch my attention or that are new to me.
If, like me, you enjoy exploring Berlin, there are some places I recommend visiting at noon that, in my opinion, never disappoint:
- Ice cream at “Inka Eis” (Belziger Straße).
- Colombian coffee at “Kaffee Bogotá“.
- Bolivian salteñas near ”Kaffee Bogotá”.
If you have more recommendations, feel free to share them in the comments.
EXTERNAL EVENTS
The concerts and carnival officially end at 11 p.m. (if my memory serves me right). There aren’t many options to stay longer, so if you’re interested in continuing the party, it’s best to plan your nightlife activities in advance.
On the official carnival website, there’s a section dedicated to events organized by different dance groups. These activities include themed parties, cultural events, and dance sessions, so it’s worth checking it out as soon as it’s updated. I will share the link once new information is available.
Personally, I usually attend Latin events, like those at Havanna Club in Berlin, but during the carnival, there are options for all tastes.
If, like many, you’re curious about Berlin’s kinky scene, KitKat Club is one of the most recommended nightclubs. However, it often closes during the carnival, likely to avoid an influx of curious tourists. Still, there’s no harm in checking their event calendar on Instagram.
CONCERT AREAS
In 2024, the Carnival of Cultures concerts were divided into different areas, and it’s very likely that the 2025 distribution will be similar. These areas included:
- Klang Plaza: One of the main stages, featuring a diverse lineup ranging from Anatolian jazz to Afrobeat. Latin music concerts stood out here.
- Neue Pumpe: Representing Berlin’s musical diversity, this stage featured acts such as Japanese fusion rock, multicultural music, and Balkan rhythms.
- Shantytown: A space dedicated to relaxing and meditative music, perfect for those looking for a calmer festival experience.
- Listen to Berlin: A stage focused on Berlin’s music scene, showcasing local talent.
- Sound Avenue: Featured a wide variety of musical performances, although in my opinion, African rhythms stood out the most in this area.
In addition to these stages, the so-called “Music Corners” were scattered around the park, offering performances by street musicians and improvised groups. In 2024, some of the spaces that caught my attention the most were those dedicated to salsa, Brazilian batucada, and a roaming concert featuring Spanish-language music.
MY RECOMMENDED EVENTS
As you may have noticed, I have a particular preference for Latin rhythms when it comes to dancing. That’s why in this section, I’ll share the concerts and events I would definitely attend. However, I recommend checking the carnival’s official website to plan your own route, as the lineup is very diverse.
In my experience, even if you have a well-planned concert route, you’ll likely end up changing your plans after discovering new and interesting performances.
FRIDAY, June 6
🕕 6:00 PM – Puto Production (shantYtown)
Chilean drum-driven electro beats straight from the streets of Berlin. Expect trance, dance, and pure ecstasy.
🕢 8:15 PM – Tempo Havanna (Klang Plaza)
Salsa, Son, Bachata, Bolero and more! A blend of Cuban classics and original hits that will get you dancing.
🕣 8:30 PM – Sapucaiu no Samba (Rasen in Aktion)
Over 100 dancers and drummers bring Rio’s street carnival vibe to Berlin!
SATURDAY, June 7
🕜 1:30 PM – Wayra Puka (shantYtown)
Andean fusion from Argentina to Colombia with a revolutionary spirit. Songs of nature, justice, and freedom.
🕕 6:00 PM – Baby Jaguar (Klang Plaza)
A high-energy mix of Cumbia, Latin Funk, and Afrobeat. Pure tropical fire!
🕕 6:00 PM – Vetter Sound (Rasen in Aktion)
Samba meets Funk, Drum & Bass. Powerful rhythms for a party atmosphere!
🕗 8:00 PM – Bloco Explosão (Rasen in Aktion)
Over 60 drummers play Samba Reggae and Funk from Salvador da Bahia.
🕢 8:15 PM – La Melodica (Klang Plaza)
Classic 70s-style New York Salsa Dura with explosive brass and raw energy.
SUNDAY, June 8
🕕 6:00 PM – Doble Nelson (Klang Plaza)
Colombian Cumbia, Peruvian Chicha, and Argentine Cumbia villera rolled into one explosive dance show.
🕢 8:15 PM – Sonidera MX (Klang Plaza)
Sonidero power from Mexico! Vinyls, mic, and charisma — a true cumbia experience.
🕘 9:00 PM – DJ Batero (shantYtown)
A multikulti DJ set mixing Disco, Salsa, Hip Hop, Cumbia, and more. The perfect closing act!
