This weekend in Berlin

Jazzfest Berlin – right around the corner from ARO

Fri 30 Oct · 00:00

Haus der Berliner Festspiele (+ A-Trane, Quasimodo, Gedächtniskirche) · Wilmersdorf

One of Europe's boldest jazz festivals takes over the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, plus A-Trane, Quasimodo and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Expect Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Quintet reworking 1960s free jazz on Friday and a free late-night jam at Quasimodo on Saturday. On Sunday the Globe Unity Orchestra under Alexander von Schlippenbach closes the festival with its 60th-anniversary concert.

ARO tip: The main venue is a short walk from our front door – no ticket? Head to the free Saturday jam at Quasimodo on Kantstraße and see who drops in after the main concerts.

U3/U9 Spichernstraße

Genghis Khan and the World of the Mongols

Fri 30 Oct · 10:00

James-Simon-Galerie, Museumsinsel · Mitte

Brand-new on Museum Island: a big archaeology show on the Mongol Empire, timed for the 800th anniversary of Genghis Khan's death. Many objects come straight from Mongolia and some have never left the country before. It zooms in on the 'Mongolian Century' (1250–1350), when one empire linked East and West.

ARO tip: Book a morning slot to beat the crowds, then use the €18 combo ticket to see Nefertiti in the Neues Museum next door.

U5 Museumsinsel

Día de los Muertos at Holzmarkt

Fri 30 Oct · 16:00

Holzmarkt 25 · Friedrichshain

The riverside Holzmarkt village celebrates the Mexican Day of the Dead with a decorated altar, live music, storytelling and performances. Kids get face paint, grown-ups can try screen printing or shape their own sugar-skull calaveritas. Plenty of Mexican food keeps everyone going.

ARO tip: Go on Friday or Sunday when entry is only €3, arrive before dark for the altar, then stay for the river lights along the Spree.

Bus 300 Holzmarktstr.

Long Night of Swimming – late laps next door

Fri 30 Oct · 18:00

Stadtbad Wilmersdorf I (and 15 other pools) · Wilmersdorf

For the Berlin pools' 30th anniversary, 16 indoor pools stay open late on Friday – some until 2 am. Our closest one, Stadtbad Wilmersdorf I, keeps the lanes open until midnight, and its sauna is open too. Regular admission applies, so it's a cheap night out with a difference.

ARO tip: Night owls: Stadtbad Schöneberg and Stadtbad Charlottenburg (Alte Halle) stay open until 2 am – swimming in a historic hall at 1 am is very Berlin.

S+U Heidelberger Platz

Halloween party at the Kulturbrauerei

Fri 30 Oct · 22:00

Kulturbrauerei · Prenzlauer Berg

The old brewery complex in Prenzlauer Berg turns into a haunted maze of dancefloors – eight floors and 18 DJs on one ticket. It runs on both Friday and Saturday night, and costumes are very much part of the fun. Saturday is the busier night, so grab tickets early.

ARO tip: Pick Friday: the ticket is cheaper and there's more room to dance. Warm up beforehand with a snack around Kastanienallee, a few minutes' walk away.

U2 Eberswalder Straße

Lichtenberger Winterzeit opens

Sat 31 Oct · 14:00

Lichtenberger Winterzeit · Lichtenberg

Berlin's first taste of winter-market season: the big funfair on Landsberger Allee opens on Saturday with around 80 rides, including a Ferris wheel and the 85-metre Lion Tower. Fill up on waffles, mulled wine and grilled treats between rides. Entry costs nothing – you only pay for rides and food.

ARO tip: Ride the Ferris wheel just after sunset for a view over the lit-up east of the city – and save the rides budget for Wednesday family discounts if you're staying longer.

Tram M5, M6, 16 / Bus M8

Free Halloween afternoon for kids at Potsdamer Platz

Sat 31 Oct · 14:00–19:00

The Playce, Potsdamer Platz · Tiergarten

The Playce at Potsdamer Platz throws a free Halloween party for all ages: mask-making workshops, face painting, glitter stations and spooky walking acts. Kids can trick-or-treat through participating shops, learn a Thriller-style dance at 6 pm and join the costume parade at 6:30 pm, followed by a live 'Gruselband'.

ARO tip: Come at 3 pm for the workshops, so the kids have a home-made bag ready for trick-or-treating before the parade.

S+U Potsdamer Platz

Halloween in the Park at Britzer Garten

Sat 31 Oct · 16:00–21:00

Britzer Garten · Neukölln

Swap the city for a big green park after dark: Britzer Garten hosts a family-friendly Halloween evening with a lantern parade, a fire show and spooky fairy tales. There's dancing round the witches' cauldron, a Halloween disco and walking acts like the headless gentleman. Best costume can win a prize.

ARO tip: Arrive around 4 pm to walk the autumn-coloured lakeside paths in daylight before the fire show – ticket desks close at 8 pm.

Halloween Run in Volkspark Jungfernheide

Sat 31 Oct · 17:30–20:30

Volkspark Jungfernheide · Charlottenburg-Nord

Lace up, dress up and run through the park at dusk. Distances go from a 500 m mini run and a 1.2 km school run to 5 and 10 km for grown-ups. Costumes are encouraged and every finisher gets a medal.

ARO tip: Pack a head torch with a pumpkin sticker – it's dark by the 6:30 pm start, and the best costumes get the loudest cheers.

Sunday treasure hunt at Mauerpark flea market

Sun 1 Nov · 10:00–18:00

Flohmarkt im Mauerpark · Prenzlauer Berg

Berlin's most famous Sunday ritual: hundreds of mostly private sellers with vinyl, bikes, clothes, instruments and random household finds. It's less about antiques and more about the people-watching and the bargains. Cafes and food stalls around the edges keep you fuelled.

ARO tip: Go after 4 pm when sellers start packing up and prices drop – then walk the remains of the Berlin Wall along Bernauer Straße.

English stand-up comedy at Z-Bar

Sun 1 Nov · 20:00

Z-Bar · Mitte

A cosy bar in Mitte hosts a Sunday night English-language stand-up show – perfect if your German isn't stage-ready yet. The main show starts at 8 pm and runs about an hour; after that the 'Garbage Show' open mic lets newcomers test their material. Entry is pay-what-you-want.

ARO tip: Reserve a seat for about €2 and tip the comics €10–15 at the end – or stay for the free open mic and cheer on the brave first-timers.