Last updated on 10/11/2026
Yulia Veksler
Music under the open sky, a mild evening light and perhaps an ice cream in hand, that for me is pure summer. For this list I gathered the loveliest Berlin open-air spots, from the huge Waldbühne to the cozy garden stage. What mattered to me was that setting, sound and mood come together. This way there is something for everyone, whether a big top act or an intimate concert evening.
The Waldbühne is located in a hollow on the Murellenberg in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and accommodates 22,290 guests on terraced seating, modeled after Epidauros. Concerts have been held here since 1962, and under a tent roof since 1982. In 2026, Nick Cave, the Pet Shop Boys, and Gianna Nannini performed. Among Berlin's open-air concert venues, it is the largest.
The Parkbühne Wuhlheide is located in Volkspark Wuhlheide in Oberschöneweide, built in 1951 for the World Festival of Youth and a garden monument since 1990. With around 17,000 standing places, it is Berlin's second-largest open-air stage after the Waldbühne. In 2026, The Cure played three sold-out evenings and Kraftklub played two. Open-air concerts take place here among old trees.
The Olympic Stadium in Westend was opened in 1936 according to plans by Werner March and has been a listed building since 1966. For football matches, it holds 74,475 seats; for concerts with the interior space in use, significantly more: Metallica attracted over 94,000 guests in 2026, a new house record. For open-air concerts in Berlin, this is the stage for major tours.
Since 1992, the Classic Open Air has been held every July at Gendarmenmarkt in Mitte, with the stage positioned on the steps of the Konzerthaus between the German and French Cathedrals. The square has been open again since March 2025 after renovation. In 2026, over 30,000 guests attended on six evenings, for acts like David Garrett and Alphaville. It is the most classical among Berlin's open-air concerts.
The Freilichtbühne Weißensee is located on the shore of Lake Weißensee in Pankow and is run voluntarily by an association. The listed Great Stage seats around 2,000 guests, with an additional courtyard stage and a children's stage. In 2026, the Crucchi Gang and the Moka Efti Orchestra performed here. Open-air concerts and cinema alternate from May to September.
The Sommergarten (Summer Garden) of Messe Berlin is located under the Funkturm (Radio Tower) in Westend, surrounded by the exhibition halls, and can accommodate up to 10,000 guests across approximately 10,000 square meters. It was built in 1931, and concerts have been held here since 1981. Today, music is only played during the IFA in early September, in 2026 with BUNT. and Ikkimel. It is the shortest format among Berlin's open-air concerts.
The Arena in the Gardens of the World is an open-air stage on Blumberger Damm in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, built in 2017 for the IGA garden exhibition based on a design by Paul Böhm. Up to 5,000 guests can find space on benches and lawn terraces around the stage. In 2026, Agnes Obel and the Dresden Philharmonic played here. It is the greenest among Berlin's open-air concert locations.
In summer, the Citadel Music Festival takes place in the courtyard of Spandau Citadel, a Renaissance fortress built from 1559 to 1594, featuring a 13th-century Julius Tower. Up to 10,000 guests can fit within the fortress walls. In 2026, Massive Attack, Kings of Leon, and Morrissey performed here. Among Berlin's open-air concert venues, this one boasts the longest history.
The ufaFabrik summer stage is located on Viktoriastraße in Tempelhof, on the grounds of the former Ufa film copy processing plant, which was occupied in 1979. Up to 500 guests can be accommodated under the white tent roof; the sides are open, so performances take place even in the rain. In 2026, Dota, FALK, and the Irish Festival performed here. It is the smallest of Berlin's open-air concert venues.
The Haus der Kulturen der Welt (House of World Cultures) in Tiergarten uses its rooftop terrace, the concrete platform above the auditorium of the former Kongresshalle from 1957, in summer. The 'Wassermusik' series last ran in 2022; since 2023, the festival has been called Sonic Pluriverse. In 2026, it focused on Gnawa music from Morocco for five weekends. It is the most curious among Berlin's open-air concerts.
