Theater

The Puppet Theatre Museum Berlin on Karl-Marx-Straße displays figures from three centuries, with the foundation stemming from the collection of its founder Nikolaus Hein. The museum includes its own small stage, a library dedicated to puppet theatre, and workshops where puppets are built. Playful guided tours are available for children's groups of eight or more.

In Gotenstraße in Schöneberg, a classic costume rental awaits, offering far more than just carnival items: Schnick Dee provides high-quality costumes from the Baroque, Middle Ages, Roaring Twenties, and 80s, and even has its own photo studio.

In the historic Art Nouveau ballroom of the Hackesche Höfe in Mitte, the Chamäleon shows what contemporary circus truly can do: acrobatics, dance, and stage art merge into poetic shows unknown to classical vaudeville. For Sunday dates, the same lower prices apply as during the week.

Acting, improvisation, and camera acting for children and teenagers: The ACTivity Drama School offers regular course groups for ages 8 and up during the winter holidays, with a free trial lesson to get a taste.

Berlin's oldest cabaret has resided in the Europa-Center on Ku'damm in Charlottenburg since 1949, poking fun at current events with political satire and black humor. Biting, musical, and always close to the present: Die Stachelschweine are an institution that no other cabaret in Berlin can afford to ignore.

Berlin's oldest professional improv ensemble meets every Monday at the BKA Theater on Kreuzberg's Mehringdamm for a competition. Two teams, one stage, no script: Theatersport Berlin has been delivering spontaneous theater since 1995, with the audience taking charge.

“With Edith into the New Year!” – at the New Year's Eve and New Year's revue 2018/2019 by Neukölln's sharp-tongued Edith at the BKA Theater, no eye will stay dry, guaranteed! On New Year's Eve with an after-show party!

Located in Tempelhof, on a former UFA film studio site, ufaFabrik is arguably Berlin's most versatile cultural center. Those who experience improv theater here get evenings written by the audience themselves: spontaneous, unscripted, and different every time.

Berlin's first dark restaurant, located in Prenzlauer Berg, transforms a wedding anniversary into an experience that recalibrates all senses. At unsicht-Bar Berlin, you dine in absolute darkness, accompanied by blind service staff and a changing stage program ranging from concerts to dark theater. Not seeing here means: finally perceiving correctly again.

Atze Music Theatre in Wedding is Germany's largest music theatre for children, operating three stages: a hall with 480 seats, a studio stage, and a semicircular tent stage for the youngest from three years old. The house's hallmark is the Singspiel (musical play). The theatre is located directly at the exit of the Amrumer Straße subway station.

Germany's oldest and largest ensemble cabaret, Die DISTEL, is located directly at Friedrichstraße station in Berlin-Mitte. Since 1953, DISTEL has been using political satire and live music to sting where it hurts. Sharp punchlines, social depth, and a view into the government district included.

In southwest Berlin, precisely in Steglitz, stands the Schlosspark Theater: a private theater with over 200 years of history, which Dieter Hallervorden has turned into one of Berlin's most renowned stages since 2009 with in-house productions, guest stars, and the credo "Spirit with Humor".

Berlin's oldest comedy club resides in Prenzlauer Berg: The Cosmic Comedy Club Berlin has been occupying a former savings bank on Schönhauser Allee for over two decades and is now the primary destination for English-language stand-up comedy and improv theater in the capital.

The Astrid Lindgren Stage is the children's theater in FEZ-Berlin, located in the Wuhlheide Forest Park. Three stages host plays, puppet theater, children's concerts, and dance, from pieces for two-year-olds to productions for fourteen-year-olds. For many events, the theater ticket also grants access to the rest of the FEZ house program.

The Atrium Youth Art School in Märkisches Viertel is Germany's largest youth art school and the place on this list where children don't just watch, but play theatre themselves. The program includes theatre courses for children aged six and up, dance workshops, and class projects. Additionally, there's an art park with an outdoor stage and a large costume collection.

The small but exquisite Schlosspark Theater in Steglitz offers an entertaining program over Easter 2025.

In Tempelhof, where film classics like 'Metropolis' once originated, today thrives a self-managed cultural center with a true neighborhood heart. The ufaFabrik combines cabaret, variety shows, and satire with an unparalleled awareness for ecology and community in Berlin.

Theater Morgenstern is one of Berlin's children's theaters that has been playing in the same venue for years: in the listed Schlesiensaal of Friedenau Town Hall with up to 200 seats. The ensemble accompanies its productions live with a cello and presents plays for children aged three and up. "Wünsche" is nominated for the IKARUS Award 2026.

At Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin-Mitte, the French Cathedral stands as one of the most beautiful concert venues in the capital. The acoustics of the historic church hall carry Vivaldi, Bach, and Chopin as if they had been composed specifically for it. History, sound, and a touch of grandeur under one roof.

The puppet theater Firlefanz in Sophienstraße in Berlin-Mitte exists since 1982.

On New Year's Eve 2017, the most famous TV sketch Dinner for One will be performed in its very own theatre version at Brotfabrik!

In Weißensee, where Pankow and Prenzlauer Berg meet, the Brotfabrik at Caligariplatz has existed for over 35 years as one of the last multi-genre venues of Berlin's independent scene. Anyone looking for improv theatre in Berlin will sooner or later end up here: The stage is home to two improv ensembles that regularly draw the audience actively into the play.

Charlottenburg's oldest private theater right on Ku'damm: Since 1949, the Vagantenbühne has stood for socially critical spoken theater with a stance that remains close to people. With just 90 seats, a closeness between stage and audience is created that large venues rarely offer.

Since 2016, Raketos Improv Theatre in Prenzlauer Berg has stood for sophisticated improv theatre of the highest caliber. The Berlin ensemble performs long-form formats at BühnenRausch, bringing Shakespeare, dystopias, and horror into the spotlight. No script, no rehearsals, no two evenings are alike.

Since 1985, the Mehringhof-Theater in Kreuzberg has stood for political cabaret with conviction. Whoever takes to the stage here has something to say, whether established stars or aspiring newcomers. The small venue on Gneisenaustraße is one of the most reliable addresses in the German-speaking cabaret scene.