As summer comes to a close and autumn sets in Berlin celebrates with the Tour of Lights. For a week and a half the city nights light up with light art at over 70 locations. And when autumn comes to an end Christmas markets pop-up all over the city. But there is plenty to do in the German capital in between.

Enjoy the colours of autumn

Berlin's many parks explode with colour as the season sets in and the autumn foliage turns yellow, orange and red. When it's sunny, autumn is a great time to spend an afternoon strolling through Tiergarten. With it tree lined paths and lawns, memorials and café and beer garden, the park is a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets.

Other great ways to observe autumn's colours include taking a cruise on the Spree, it is a great way to tour the inner city sights on the shore, or wandering through the immaculate gardens of Charlottenburg Palace, which are considered a world renowned example of garden design. Or choose one of the many other parks in the city, such as Monbijoupark or Volkspark Friedrichshain.

Explore Museum Island

Rainy days are inevitable in autumn, Museum Island is a great place to take shelter for the day. With its five distinct museums, Museum Island allows you to travel the world and through time all while remaining on the UNESCO World Heritage listed island in the Spree.

Discover ancient Egyptian artefacts, portraits and sculptures of the 19th century at the Neues Museum, learn more about the glorious days of Athens at the Alte Nationalgalerie and discover fascinating exhibits from the Middles Ages to the 19th century at the Bode Museum. The Pergamon Museum, although currently unavailable due to renovations, is Berlin’s most visited museum and displays, the Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Museum of Islamic Art while the Altes Museum made the rulers’ and princes’ Collection of Classical Antiquities available to the public.

Delight in seasonal food

Enjoying seasonal produce is a way of life in Germany. Summers see plenty of people toting around freshly picked strawberries and other fruity delights. In autumn the focus shifts to chanterelles, apples and pumpkins. Head to one of Berlin's many weekly markets to explore the seasonal bounty nature and the harvest produce.

Autumn also brings Germany's largest food festival to Berlin: Berlin Food Week from 7th until 13th of October. Berlin Food Week promises to be a delectable journey through the culinary delights of this vibrant and diverse city. This annual event celebrates Berlin's thriving food scene, bringing together renowned chefs, innovative food concepts, and food enthusiasts from around the world. From trendy street food markets to Michelin-starred dining experiences, the Berlin Food Week offers a tantalizing array of gastronomic adventures. Visitors can expect to savor a fusion of flavors, explore the latest food trends, and engage in workshops and discussions on sustainable and ethical dining.

Shop till you drop

In case museums aren't what you are looking for on rainy day, then we certainly recommend exploring Berlin's shopping scene. The German capital is a must-visit for shopaholics. It has everything from designer labels and locally made artisan goods to bookshops and flea markets.

If you are ready to splurge on some designer brands or some window shopping, head to the most famous shopping street in the city, Kurfürstendamm (or Ku'damm to locals). It is home to designer stores such as Armani, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.

Continue onto Tauentzienstraße to make your way to Berlin's largest department store, Kaufhaus des Westens (or KaDeWe). With over 60,000 square meters of retail space and more than 380,000 articles available, it is the second largest department store in Europe after Harrods in London.

Is your budget a little smaller? Then you might want to head over to Prenzlauer Berg. The district is dotted with children's shops, indie boutiques and casual restaurants. On Sunday's the flea market in Mauerpark draws browsers and buskers. And the KulturBrauerei, a former brewery complex, is now home to shops and a food market on Sundays.

Enjoy Berlin’s autumn festivals

Giant Kites Festival

The annual Giant Kites Festival on September 21st is a family-friendly event not to be missed. At Tempelhofer Feld, a former airport turned sprawling park, thousands of visitors gather to admire colourful giant kites filling the sky.

Throughout the day, there's plenty to do for everyone. Kids can enjoy kite-making workshops, bouncy castles, and face painting. For the more adventurous, watch world and European kite champions perform incredible stunts. The festival is free to attend and concludes with a dazzling fireworks display.

Even outside the festival, Tempelhofer Feld is a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic, offering a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle.

Festival of Lights

Every autumn, Berlin is transformed into an open-air lightshow during the Festival of Lights. Landmarks, buildings and squares throughout the city become canvases for breathtaking light art and projections. This festival, which attracts over two million visitors, is one of the most popular light art events in the world.

In 2024, the festival will take place from 4 to 13 October and will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The theme ‘Celebrating Freedom’ highlights self-determination and freedom of expression. The Tour of Lights offers a bus tour with the best displays, with photo stops along the way so you can fully appreciate the illuminated beauty of the city.

Oktoberfest

While many associate October with Oktoberfest, the festival is primarily celebrated in Munich. However, Berlin offers its own version of this festive Bavarian tradition. From late September to early October, you'll find smaller Oktoberfest events, especially in Alexanderplatz, where you can enjoy traditional music, food, and beer. Some other popular venues include Kurt-Schumacher-Damm, Spandau and Spreewiesn. Plus, many local beer gardens and breweries host their own festivities. Attending an Oktoberfest in Berlin is a great way to experience German culture while enjoying tasty food and drinks.

Getting around Berlin in autumn

No matter the weather, the Berlin City Sightseeing buses will get you where you want to go in the city. When the sun is shining the roof of the top deck is folded away so you can enjoy all the sights and sounds of the city. When the weather turns, the roof slides back into place, keeping you warm and dry inside.

Whether you come to Berlin for Berlin Food Week, Oktoberfest, Halloween or just to explore this iconic city, Berlin in autumn won't disappoint! There are plenty of things to do in Berlin all year round.