International, diverse art is anything but a foreign concept in Berlin. The world’s greatest artists, from Marina Abramović to Constantin Brâncuși, will present major exhibitions featuring new works in the city later this year. And in between, high-caliber exhibitions run throughout the year, ensuring that Berlin never lacks exciting art. When it comes to contemporary art, one event stands out in particular—not just in Berlin, but across Europe: Gallery Weekend Berlin is one of the most important events for contemporary art in Europe. It takes place every year around May 1. In 2026, it runs from May 1 to 3, transforming the entire city into an open, modern gallery.
Gallery Weekend was founded in 2005 by Berlin galleries and has since become a fixture on the international art calendar.
On the weekend of May 1–3, over 50 selected galleries will simultaneously open new exhibitions, showcasing both established and emerging artists. The entire city transforms into a walk-in exhibition. The focus is deliberately on galleries rather than museums or art fairs, creating a direct encounter between art, space, and the public.
This weekend, you can look forward to solo and group exhibitions as well as a strong international focus. The program is complemented by new curated formats such as “Perspectives, ” which was introduced in 2026. In addition, there are numerous talks, events, and guided art walks. Participating galleries include Sprüth Magers, Esther Schipper, Galerie Barbara Thumm, and Société. Works by internationally renowned artists such as James Turrell and Markus Lüpertz will be on display.
The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the openings, which usually take place between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the exhibitions are generally open from around 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free at most galleries.
The event is organized on a decentralized basis and spans various districts of Berlin. A particularly large number of galleries can be found in Mitte around Auguststraße, in Kreuzberg, in Charlottenburg along Fasanenstraße, and in Schöneberg.
