After plenty of Christmas delicacies, sweet treats and hopefully a successful New Year’s Eve party, it’s time for a fresh start and new resolutions in January. But don’t worry – the fun is far from over! Get back into your routine while enjoying your free time to the full. We show you the best highlights and activities for the start of 2026 in the Main City!
Start the year at Bubble Planet
A colorful activity for January: At Arena Berlin, the globally acclaimed, immersive experience awaits you with 12 themed rooms all about bubbles in all shapes and sizes. Giant bubbles, floating balloons, a gigantic ball pool, an LED underwater room, VR experiences, a hot air balloon simulator and imaginative worlds of illusion appeal to all the senses and awaken the inner child. Whether with friends, family or as a special group activity – Bubble Planet invites you to escape the gray winter, immerse yourself in a playful dreamscape and leave everyday life behind for 60 to 90 minutes.
Berlin New Year’s run
A sporty start to the new year! On 1 January 2026, you can start the new year with fresh energy and get active on a 4-kilometre route from the Brandenburg Gate to Berlin Cathedral. This is not a competition, but a relaxed run for all ability levels that focuses on fun, community and an active start to the year. Participation in the Berlin New Year’s Run 2026 is free and possible without prior registration. Instead of an entry fee, voluntary donations will be collected for a good cause.
NBA Berlin Game 2026
The sporting action continues on January 15 with the NBA Berlin Game 2026, a very special event that will mark the first time an NBA regular season game has been held in Germany. The venue is the Uber Arena, where the Orlando Magic will face the Memphis Grizzlies. This game is an absolute highlight for basketball fans – and also a major sporting event for the capital. Don’t miss this historic match and secure your tickets in good time via the official ticket outlets.
A relaxed start to January at the Traumkonzert
Want to start January in a calm and relaxed way? Then you shouldn’t miss this extraordinary concert concept by former Polarkreis 18 frontman Felix Räuber. Together with concert pianist Justin Lehmann-Friese, he will create a unique, calming soundscape at the Tempodrom Berlin on 11 January – inspired by Yann Tiersen, Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer and Haevn. Surrounded by the artists, you can take a horizontal seat on comfortable loungers and enjoy the music from a completely new perspective. Close your eyes and immerse yourself in a world of deep relaxation.
Dance Days 2026
The Tanztage festival has been presenting innovative and cross-genre works by Berlin artists since 1996 and is returning to the city in 2026. The 35th edition of the festival will take place from January 8 to 24 under the artistic direction of Mateusz Szymanówka. The focus will be on political analysis, the status of dance in society and new perspectives on the musical genre. Contemporary dance will be shown in the Sophiensælen.
Ultraschall – the festival for new music
The Ultraschall Festival for New Music will celebrate important anniversaries and festival debuts at various locations in Berlin from January 14 to 18. The varied program is dedicated to works of contemporary music. At Haus des Rundfunks, Heimathafen Neukölln and Radialsystem V, you can expect an exciting mix of established ensembles, experimental positions and promising newcomers.
The secrets of Machu Picchu
At the Kantgaragenpalast, you can embark on a unique VR expedition to Machu Picchu until the end of the month. Immerse yourself in the lost Inca empire: hike through the majestic Andes, experience the life of the ancient culture up close and take part in their rituals. Admire imposing temples and terraces, marvel at the breathtaking Andean landscape and experience a spectacular solar eclipse. Innovative VR technology and captivating storytelling bring the fascinating world of Machu Picchu to life – an experience that makes history tangible and transports you directly into the past. Perfect for cold and uncomfortable January days!
The International Green Week
A must for all foodies and green lovers in January: the International Green Week is one of the most traditional trade fairs in Germany and has developed into an internationally important event since it was founded in 1926. From January 16 to 25, both trade visitors and culinary novices can discover a wide range of themed worlds and experience highlights and new trends from the fields of food, agriculture and horticulture. The trade fair will focus intensively on current future topics such as climate protection, the circular economy and sustainable land use.
Europe’s largest horse show in Berlin
From January 17 to 18, you can experience the most popular and one of the largest horse shows in Europe at the Uber Arena Berlin. Around 60 horses and some of the best riders in Europe will present spectacular performances for fans of all ages at CAVALLUNA – Grand Moments. Accompanied by a first-class dance company, an enchanting story is told that takes you into a magical fairytale world.
SixDay – bicycle race
At the end of the month, sports fans can look forward to an event where they can experience six hours of top-class sport up close. The Six Day Weekend in Berlin presents Olympic and world champions in track cycling from January 30 to 31. Experience how the adrenaline level rises in the banked turns and share in the excitement of the thrilling races. The sport is complemented by DJ beats, an exuberant party atmosphere, impressive light shows and delicious drinks and food. With a bit of luck, you can even take a selfie with your favorite athlete or have a quick chat.
New music at the CTM
From 23 January to 1 February 2026, the CTM Festival presents its 27th edition with a diverse program that makes current topics and perspectives tangible through music and art. The festival will bring together concerts, discussion formats and artistic labs at selected venues such as Berghain, Radialsystem and, for the first time, Alte Münze. The focus is on exploring the relationship between dissonance and resonance in music, sound art and performance. The focus will be on so-called “in-between spaces ” – areas in which frequencies, sounds and ideas meet, collide and sometimes form surprising new connections.