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November's Monthly Lowdown

Ah, November...that in-betweeny month, after the thrills of Halloween and a beautiful Autumn but before the real descent into Winter and the joys of Christmas. What does Berlin have to offer you and your family in the month of November? We can’t promise this is an exhaustive list, but it’s a good starting point for a few suggestions, and we can't take any responsibility for poor experiences for things we mention.. living in Berlin often comes with surprises! Be sure to check the website links in the listings, use your own discretion, and have fun. And if you do any of these activities, please do drop us a line to let us know how it went! Here is a calendar of events, and read more about the colour-coded activities below... 
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​www.berlinforallthefamily.com/misc-info/whatisstmartinsdayFESTIVALS , ETC
 
One of my favorite holidays in Berlin is the St. Martin’s Fest on November 11th. You can read more about it here:  If your child’s school or kita doesn’t have a procession, there are many public ones throughout the city you can join. Here are a few top picks:
 
Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn Sportpark (this is where these three processions end up.)
Here are the starting locations and times:
-Kindergarten Elias (Göhrener Strasse 11) 17:00 Led by St. Martin’s horse!
-Stadtkloster Segen (Schonhauser Allee 161)  16:30 Led by St. Martin’s horse!
-Moritzhof (Schwedter Strasse 90) 17:30 Led by Martins goose! (I am not sure how a goose can lead a parade, but I am curious to find out!)
At the Sportpark, they will have a bonfire, songs, a St. Martin play (3 times!) bratwurst, and warm drinks. They ask for donations.
 
Gorlitzer Bauernhof : This looks great and at the end they will have a donkey and hot chocolate and Weckermännchen (something like a gingerbread man, but more doughy.) This one begins at 17:00 at the Bauernhof and continues to the Emmaus Kirche at Lausitzer Platz 8a, 10997 Berlin-Kreuzberg.
 
Berliner Dom traditional Martinsfest sounds amazing, although I am sure it will be also quite crowded:
Church service with stinging starts at 17:00. Doors at 16:30. Free entry, donations requested, singing-along desired…bring your lanterns. At 18:00 the Procession goes from the Dom to the Gendarmenmarkt.
Am Lustgarten, 10178 Berlin-Mitte.
There is also a St. Martin play at the Dom at 18:00 for those who don’t want to walk over to the Gendarmenmarkt.
 
Find one in your neighborhood here
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 Berlin  Festival Week Nov 4-11 celebrates 30 years since the Peaceful Revolution and fall of the Berlin Wall with many events throughout the city. There will be talks, tours, art installations, exhibits, and music.You can see the entire program here (in English): 

The kinetic art installation “Visions in Motion” at Brandenburger Gate (Nov 5-10th) looks amazing and not to be missed: It is a canopy made up of of thousands of colored bands, spanning over 100 meters from the Gate to the Straße des 17 Juni. .On each band a wish, hope, or memory is written to celebrate freedom and equality.(The artwork is by Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics.) If you visit it on the evening of Saturday Nov 9th, there will be a large stage show at the Brandenburger Tor and the art installation will be lit. See here and it's on 17:00-22:00. 

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Berlin Science Week
Nov 1-10
Various events, exhibits and locations throughout Berlin including: Eufonia Sound Art & Science Festival Nov 1-3 (see below), Some workshops and talks would be suitable for older kids who have a strong interest in science. Download the Program here:

 
Eufonia Sound Art Festival recommend their opening on Saturday Nov 2nd: Atelier Francesco interactive installation as a fun thing to experience for kids, and they can scream and transform it into music. Also both installations on the staircases: do, and Subpac installation as well. The Claudio Puntin concert resonates with children, going on Sunday November 3rd... also, there are Ableton stands to learn music and a video game based on sound, always available to play. Kids under 14 are free.
ACUD Kunsthaus, Veteranstrasse 21, 10119 Berlin Mitte

 
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Christmas Garden
 
The Christmas Lights come on at Botanischer Garten in Dahlem on November 15th. It is pricey but a lovely tradition and great way to kick off the holiday season. See here

Tickets are 17-19€ or with reduced rates from 14,50-16,50 and Family ticket is 53€ (or 47€ reduced) You can purchase the tickets online beforehand to avoid queues. Weekends cost more than weekdays.
There are two entries:
Botanisches Museum, Königin-Luise-Str. 6-8, 14195 Berlin
Botanischer Garten, Unter den Eichen 5-10, 12203 Berlin
 
 
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FOOD
 
 
Martinsgans/GOOSE DINNER-Since St. Martin was found in a goose-sty, this is where the tradition began: from St. Martin’s day and continuing through Christmas, many restaurants throughout Berlin offer a full-course goose dinner. My family has a tradition of going every year to eat goose at the Prater Gaststätte (https://www.prater-gaststaette.de) It’s a great substitute for Thanksgiving because you are not confined to one date, and it is more of a seasonal thing. Kids are welcome, but it’s best if you reserve and go early in the evening.
 
A bit outside Berlin, (I haven’t been yet), the Spargelhof Klaistow (https://www.spargelhof-klaistow.de/unser-hof/) will start their “goose season” November 4th. You can go there to enjoy the buffet or order your own free-range goose to go (cooked or not.) They have a big playground, rides, and petting zoo for the kids. (Note, you can still catch the Pumpkin Exhibit there up to November 3rd.)
 
Or Top10Berlin has a list of other restaurants throughout the city to enjoy the goose feast: https://www.top10berlin.de/en/cat/eating-257/christmas-dinner-and-roast-goose-2865
 
For the non-adventurous, you can order a whole goose dinner to be delivered directly to your home here: https://www.gourmetgaensebraten.de
 
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Some of you  Americans may be homesick for Pumpkin and Pecan Pie. I suggest you check out Humble Pie here. I have been drooling over their food pictures on Facebook for months. They are usually in a food truck, so you would need to check their site to see where they will be next, but  they will be hosting two pumpkin pie making workshops (40€) in at Cookies and Cream in Prenzlauer Berg (Kremmener Strasse 8, 10435 Berlin). Thurs. 07. Nov.  and Wednesday Nov 13th at 19:30.
 
Also check out Democrats Abroad On the Saturday before Thanksgiving (November 23rd), they will be hosting a Turkey Trot in Tempelhof Field in the morning and then a potluck Thanksgiving Dinner where guests should bring a side dish (location TBA-check their website here 
 
Alternatively, Southern Vittles in Pankow is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings. Wednesday November 27th and Thursday November 28th, 5pm-10pm. Book your spot early by phone, email or in person-they sold out last year.
Lychener Straße 6
Berlin 10437
01522 9420749

 
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THEATER/PERFORMING ARTS
 
Sunday November 3rd from 11-11:50
Coq au Vin Circus
Die Geheimnisvolle Truhe und die Zirkusmaus
(The Secret Treasure Chest and the Circus Mouse)
For 3-10 Years Old
50 minutes
Pfefferberg Theater
Schönhauser Allee 176
10119 Berlin Mitte
 
If your kids speak a bit of German, this circus is always fun (Or even if they are just learning, there is a lot of physical humor which they will get.) Self-described as “heartwarming nonsense,” it is an interactive performance where the children have to help a mouse escape. I’ve been to one of their performances and found it very lively, with a homespun artistic aesthetic. Pfefferberg Theater is also a great location, with lots of good restaurants nearby (I recommend i due forni across Schönhauser Allee: it’s kid friendly and has great pizzas.)
 
https://www.coqauvin.de/die-geheimnisvolle-truhe
https://pfefferberg-theater.de/spielplan/kalender/
 
 
Children’s Circus Festival at UfaFabrik
Viktoriastr. 10-18 / 12105 Berlin / Tempelhof
Nov 1,2 & 3 Children who have been training all year at the UfaFabrik will put on a show: Acrobatics, juggling, breakdancing, clowns & more
Fri 11:00h
Sat-Sun 15:00h
Adults: 7 €, Children: 4 €
 
 
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ART CLASSES/WORKSHOPS
 
"The Museum of Things”
Museum der Dinge
Oranienstraße 25
10999 Berlin
Has a free “Workshop of the Thing”
6-99 Years
1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month (Nov 2, Nov 16th)
14:00-17:00
In November they will be making patterns using hammer, nails and threads. You can take your “thing” home with you.
 
 
Creative Wednesdays
Open Atelier at the Berlinische Galerie
Alte Jakobstraße 124-128, 10969 Berlin
Upstairs in the Atelier Bunter Jakob
6-13 Years
Wednesdays (Nov 6th, Nov 13th, Nov 20th, Nov 27th) 15-18:00
This is ongoing and also free. I have been here a few times with my 6-year old son and he loves marching right in and building things with hot glue and recycled materials. Kids can also paint and use all the materials freely. The artist running it is German but she speaks some English.
 
These are from the Jugend im Museum website (https://www.jugend-im-museum.de). They have many things on offer throughout the city for various age groups.
 
 
Little Art
Saarbrücker Str. 6, 10405 Berlin
Little art lab in Prenzlauer Berg will be offering a Parent and Child Lantern Making Workshop November 8th 15:00- 16:00 or 16:30-17:30. Ages 2+ 17€
https://thelittleartlab.com/courses
 
The Kinder Kunst Zentrum
Ganghoferstr. 3
12043 Berlin
in Neukölln
In place of their regular Family Sundays, they have a special Bauhaus workshop for kids from 4+ up. Whatever the kids build or create will become part of the growing exhibit and then can be picked up at the end. This started in October and will continue until the 26th of November. Sundays (Nov 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th ) from 11-17:00. There is no fee and no sign up needed.http://www.kinder-kuenste-zentrum.de/ausstellungen/bauhaus01.html
 
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EXHIBITS/MUSEUMS
 

MachMit! Children’s Museum
Senefelderstraße 5, 10437 Berlin
Visit the awesome Wood Exhibit at the MachMit! Museum in Prenzauer Berg
Kids can hammer and saw and nail their own creation, climb in their Kletterwand, and do various other hands-on art projects.  Check the website program for details: sometimes they have special workshops such as : making your own lanterns, pine soap, candles and buttons. https://www.machmitmuseum.de/index.php?article_id=1
 
 
Martin Gropius Bau
Exhibit: Garden of Earthly Delights
Niederkirchnerstraße 7, 10963 Berlin
Over 20 international artists using the space of the garden as a metaphor for the state of the world, this exhibit looks really amazing and I think kids would really enjoy it as well. Regular entry 16€, Kids under 16 are free. See it here
Through December 1st
Wed to Mon, 10:00–19:00, Tue closed

 
Futurium
Alexanderufer 2, 10117 Berlin
Nov 3,10, 17, 24: 10:00-18:00 Every Sunday is Family Day at the Futurium, a new museum about the Future. The Workshop will be open at their Lab: A 3D printer, laser cutter and robot are available to be tried out by their visitors. They also offer guided tours for primary school kids and general audience.
 
 
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OUTDOORS
 
In early November you should still be able to enjoy some fall colors on the trees. Take a walk around Schlachtensee in Zehlendorf, or visit one of Berlin’s many wonderful parks. For an outdoor excursion, you could take a trip to the Baumkronenpfad at Beelitz Heilstation https://baumundzeit.de where you can literally take a walk in the tops of the trees along a wooden walkway, While there, you could visit the ruins of the beautiful Beelitz Sanatorium, or even get a guided tour in English (for 7 + up.) Note: They will be closed for the winter after November 11th.
 
Or visit FEZ in the Wuhlheide Park. The park is wonderful: heavily wooded with a little train, playgrounds, a trampoline, bikes and scooters to rent, & miniature cars to drive.  If the weather turns, they always have a cool kids exhibit, an indoor playground, and even a swimming pool. On the 2nd and 3rd of November they will have an Astronaut Exhibit to commemorate the 50th Year Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. On November 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th they will have a Fairy Tale Exhibit and on the 23rd and 24th a Puppet Festival.  See website here
 
The Haus für Natur und Umwelt is also in the Wuhlheide Park (same S-Bahn station as FEZ) and it has a petting zoo and playground. The first Saturday of the month, they will open their Märchenhutte (Fairytale Hut), starting November 2nd, with pony rides from 11-12:00 and 14-15:00, and crafts from 13-16:00. Hot cocoa and Glühwein is available.
Entry 3€ adults, 1,50€ Children 5+ up. November 9th, they will have their “Märchen Tag:” while your kids would need to know German for they story-telling, they also offer crafts 11-16:00, pony rides 11-12:00 & 14-15:00, petting zoo tour @ 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00, and baking cookies 11-15:00 (with Frau Holle.) 5€ Adults, 3€ children, 14€ Families.
​Website here
 
Take at the recent BFATF post about the huge sand dune in the Grünewald Forest here, it’s a great place to visit and is just a short walk from Grünewald S-bahn, making the most of this colourful time of year. And best of all, it’s free!
 
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Christmas Markets will be opening soon, with most in full swing by November 25th. Check back for our December listings for some more top picks and suggestions. Until then, have fun and don’t forget to keep us updated with what you get up to on the FB page or here..

Listings by Heather Sinclair
 

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  • Home
  • Visit Berlin
  • Pregnant
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    • Shopping
  • Outside Berlin
  • Family Photography Berlin
  • The Lowdown