Event Details
Carnival of Cultures Berlin 2027
The Carnival of Cultures (Karneval der Kulturen) takes place from 14 to 17 May 2027 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Around one million visitors celebrate each Pentecost weekend at Blücherplatz and along the parade route at one of Germany's largest street festivals. Admission to the street festival and most stages is free of charge. The highlight is the grand parade on Pentecost Sunday, 16 May 2027, when more than 5,000 performers from cultures around the world take to the streets of Kreuzberg.
Dates and Opening Hours 2027
- Friday, 14 May 2027 from 12:00: Opening of the street festival at Blücherplatz
- Saturday, 15 May 2027, 12:00 to 23:00: Children's Carnival and street festival
- Pentecost Sunday, 16 May 2027: Grand parade from approx. 13:30; street festival 12:00 to 23:00
- Pentecost Monday, 17 May 2027, 12:00 to 18:00: Final festival day
The Grand Parade on Pentecost Sunday
The parade on 16 May 2027 is the centrepiece of the festival. Between 4,000 and 5,000 Berlin performers in groups with floats, costumes, drums and dance move through the streets. The classic route runs along Mehringdamm, Gneisenaustraße and Hasenheide to Hermannplatz, finishing around 21:30. From Brazilian samba to West African drumming and Chinese lion dance, up to 60 groups showcase the cultural diversity of Berlin in a celebration that is impossible to replicate anywhere else.
Street Festival at Blücherplatz
The four-day street festival around Blücherplatz features several stages with live music, theatre, performances and interactive workshops. Around 350 stalls offer food from every corner of the world, handicrafts and information. Key stages include Klang Plaza with Afrobeat and Latin jazz, Neue Pumpe with Balkan rhythms and world music, and the Shanti Town zone focused on sustainability and community workshops. On Saturday, the Children's Carnival adds a separate parade finishing at Görlitzer Park.
Admission and Tickets
The street festival and parade are free and open to everyone. Tickets for a VIP viewing tribune along the parade route and selected workshops can be booked in advance at karneval.berlin or via Eventim.de. The Carnival of Cultures is a Safer Space welcoming people of all genders, sexual orientations and nationalities.
Getting There and Visitor Tips
- Public transport is strongly recommended. The nearest station is Hallesches Tor (U1, U3, U6).
- Arrive early, especially on Pentecost Sunday when the parade route fills up quickly.
- Wear comfortable shoes; the parade route covers several kilometres.
- Temperatures in Berlin in May can be cool in the evenings; bring a light jacket.
- A glass ban applies across the site; drinks are served in cups.
- Book accommodation well in advance as Pentecost weekend is one of Berlin's busiest.
