Long Night of Museums 2026 at the Nikolaikirche

In der Langen Nacht der Museen wird die Nikolaikirche zur Kulisse für Musik, Verbrechen und spannende Geschichten. – Außenaufnahme vor der Nikolaikirche während der Langen Nacht der Museen mit Publikum

True to this year’s topic, ‘Crime in Berlin’, the museum has a summery mix of culture, crime stories and music in store for you.

In Berlin’s oldest surviving church building, you’ll experience an atmospheric journey into Berlin’s past, blending sound, history and crime.

Organist Jack Day plays famous tunes from film, television and the underworld on the organ – from Hitchcock to the German crime series ‘Tatort’. Guided tours on Berlin’s legal history explore the historic setting for court proceedings and punishment. The ‘criminal case’ of Nikolaikirche’s pastor Paul Gerhardt recounts a bitter dispute between the Church and the state.

A programme brimming with suspense, dark tales and evocative sounds set against a historic backdrop – and an extraordinary journey through Berlin’s criminal and cultural past.

Opening hours: Non-stop from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.!

Tickets and prices: Tickets will be available online from 3 August 2026.
From 3 to 16 August: standard price 15 euros | concessions 12 euros | free for children under 12
From 17 August: standard price 23 euros | concessions 17 euros | free for children under 12

PROGRAMME

6 p.m. + 8 p.m. + 10 p.m. + midnight + 1 a.m. | 30 minutes | at the museum
Music
Crime! Organ Music from Film, Television and the Criminal Underworld
Organist Jack Day invites you to an evening of organ music spanning cinema, TV and the underworld. He will play melodies that every crime drama fan is likely to associate with suspense and mystery – Kurt Weill’s ‘Mackie Messer’, Johann Sebastian Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D minor’ or the title melodies from ‘Tatort’ and ‘Polizeiruf 110’.

7 p.m. + 11 p.m. + 12.30 a.m. | 30 minutes | at the city model
Short guided tours
Between the Pillory and the Gallows
Where the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall) stands today, the old Berlin Town Hall once stood, with the court arbour attached to it. It was here that guilt or innocence was publicly debated; it was here that judgements of life or death were passed. Thieves were chained to the pillory and mocked, whilst others were hanged. Art historian Claudia Wasow-Kania guides visitors through these fascinating stories using the large-scale model of the medieval city.
Language: German

9 p.m. | 30 minutes | Meeting point: Cash desk
Short guided tour
A Lutheran Against the State
In 1613, the Elector of Brandenburg converted from Lutheranism to Calvinism. This divided Berlin between the Calvinist court and a Lutheran population. His grandson and successor sought to impose Calvinism. When he promoted like-minded individuals to the highest offices, Lutheran preachers resisted, including Paul Gerhardt, pastor of St Nicholas’ Church. Art historian Claudia Wasow-Kania talks about the Berlin church dispute, a religious ‘criminal case’.
Language: German

A partnership with Berlin’s museums and Kulturprojekte Berlin

Price info: Valid at all participating museums.

Early bird ticket from 3 to 16 August 2026: 15,00 € / 12,00 €

Children up to 12 years are free of charge. Please book a free children’s ticket for each child and carry it with you during the Long Night of Museums. Children’s tickets are only available online – there in combination with a paid ticket – as well as at the box offices of all participating museums.

Price: €23.00

Reduced price: €17.00

Next date:

• Date Saturday, 29/August/2026 18:00 bis 2:00
• Venue Museum Nikolaikirche
• Address Nikolaikirchplatz, 10178 Berlin-Mitte