Carnival of Cultures : Celebrating Diversity in Berlin
Experience a Vibrant, International Festival of Music, Dance, and Global Cultures
May 08th, 2023
The Carnival of Cultures is an annual event in Berlin that celebrates diversity and multiculturalism. This festival brings together people from different cultural backgrounds to showcase their traditions and art forms. It is a vibrant and colorful event that features parades, music, dance, and food from various parts of the world. The carnival also includes workshops, exhibitions, and performances that promote intercultural understanding and dialogue.
The highlight of the Carnival of Cultures is the street parade that takes place on Pentecost Sunday in Kreuzberg. More than 5,000 dancers, musicians, and artists from all over the world perform, and up to half a million people line the streets to watch. Groups from different cultures demonstrate their unique art forms, such as Brazilian samba, Chinese lion dance, West African drums, and Bernese carnival brass. This impressive parade highlights the richness of Berlin's diversity and international character.
The 2023 street parade will start at noon on May 28, at the corner of Gneisenaustraße and Zossener Straße, and will lead via Gneisenaustraße and Hasenheide to Hermannplatz.
In addition to the parade, visitors can enjoy the street festival around Blücherplatz. This event is a celebration of Berlin's diversity and offers a colorful entertainment program on several stages. There are theatre performances, interactive entertainment, and information booths run by sustainable companies and initiatives. Visitors can also indulge in organic crepes and other delicacies while browsing through the 350 market stalls selling handicrafts, culinary delights, and information. Families with children can enjoy age-appropriate activities.
Many participating parade groups also host their own parties before and after the carnival, offering visitors a chance to experience a range of cultural celebrations. For example, Freak de l'Afrique invites visitors to three pre-parties at Metropol, Haubentaucher, and Festsaal Kreuzberg, as well as a big afterparty at Haubentaucher. Grupo Chile invites visitors to La Picá de Deli Mel, where they can experience Chilean music, delicacies, and joie de vivre.
The Carnival of Cultures takes place from May 26 to May 29, 2023, with the parade on May 28. The festival is free of charge, and visitors can enjoy it from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.
