It's that time of year again – Berlin Art Week is here, marking its 15th anniversary edition. Running September 9-13, 2026, the festival brings together over 120 museums, private collections, galleries, project spaces, and the Positions art fair, turning the German capital into a playground for contemporary art lovers for five days
New this year: the Kulturforum serves as the festival's central hub, with talks, workshops, screenings, and a "Reading Garden" where visitors can pick up route maps and program info. On opening day (Wednesday), the Neue Nationalgalerie unveils Night, Maurizio Cattelan's first major German solo show, as part of the 2026 Nationalgalerie Prize.
Galleries to Explore
Berlinische Galerie – Berlin art from 1870 to today, from Dada to contemporary, with films, concerts, and artist talks.
Schinkel Pavillon – Tucked in a historic DDR building, a haven for contemporary sculpture and media art.
Contemporary Fine Arts – Since 1992, this gallery has showcased both emerging and established artists, including Cecily Brown, Sarah Lucas, and Georg Baselitz. With locations in Berlin and Basel, it’s known for high-quality exhibitions and provocative, thought-provoking works.
Esther Schipper – A cornerstone of Berlin’s contemporary art scene, Esther Schipper has over 30 years of groundbreaking exhibitions. Featuring 48 visionary artists, the gallery is a must-visit for experimental and time-based works.
Cafés and Bars for Art Lovers
Goodlyfe - A hidden gem perfect for coffee or matcha, conveniently near Berlinische Galerie and Esther Schipper. Combine your cultural cravings with a caffeine fix.
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10 AM–5 PM | Fri–Sun 10 AM–6 PM
Five Elephant - Trendy café with exceptional coffee and a creative vibe, ideal for recharging after gallery hopping in Kreuzberg.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM–6 PM | Sat–Sun 9 AM–7 PM
ZEIT Café - A wonderful blend of coffee and art, housed in a beautifully restored 1950s gas station.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11 AM–6 PM | Sat–Sun 9 AM–7 PM
Le Balto - A hidden gem where natural wine, warm candlelight, and effortless hipster elegance come together for one cozy, unforgettable evening.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun 6 PM–1 AM | Sat–Sun 9 AM–7 PM
Berlin Art Week Highlights
Gallery Night | 6-10 PM Thursday, Sept 10 - Around 48–50 galleries from the Gallery Weekend Berlin network stay open late. This runs alongside the Positions Berlin Art Fair opening the same day at Tempelhof Airport, with 80+ galleries from ~20 countries.
Featured Night | 6-10 PM Friday, Sept 11 - Roughly 30 independent project spaces, curatorial initiatives, and artist-led collaborations take over unusual venues across the city - U-Bahn stations, hotel suites, cinemas, even outdoor pools.
Open Houses & Discovering Collections | Saturday, Sept 12 - Private collections open their doors; Discovering Collections! offers guided tours into normally-inaccessible private spaces (Boros Collection, Julia Stoschek Foundation, and others). Spaces are limited, so advance booking is recommended for the guided tours.
Sunday, Sept 13 - The week winds down with artist talks, tours, and events at the Berlin Art Week Garten (Kulturforum).
Shop in Style
Andreas Murkudis - Barena Venezia
For Berlin Art Week 2026, Andreas Murkudis steps back from retail-as-usual and hands his two gallery-like spaces on Potsdamer Straße - Store 77 and Store 81 - over to designers, artists, and music labels for site-specific installations
Usual opening hours: Monday - Saturday from 11 AM - 7 PM
If you need more inspiration for your time in Berlin, you can check out the Melagence Ultimate Berlin Guide!
Esther Schipper Gallery
AD Magazine, Heji Shin
Sojournal, Damian Tauchert
Contemporary Fine Arts Website, Matthias Kolb
Zeit Cafè
Le Balto
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