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Museum Festival

Music on two stages, open museums, lively squares and a programme for all generations: on 21 June, the Nikolaiviertel will be transformed into a vibrant festival site as part of the Fête de la Musique.

So schön ist das Nikolaiviertel!

So schön ist das Nikolaiviertel!

© Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin | Foto: Alexander Rentsch

Music on two stages, open museums, full squares and a program for all generations: The Nikolaiviertel will become a lively festival area on June 21 as part of the Fête de la Musique. For the second time, the Stadtmuseum Berlin is combining its museum festival with the Fête de la Musique and invites you to experience old Berlin in a new way. The museums open at 10 am, guided tours start at 2 pm, creative activities follow at 3 pm and the stage program begins at 4 pm.

History meets music
Look forward to a varied music program on two stages. Experience the talented singer-songwriter Oranya, rousing sounds from all over the world from various Berlin choirs, music with groove and heart for children from Richards Musikladen or German-language pop from Trille.
You can also discover the historic Nikolai Quarter on exciting guided tours and visit our exhibitions in the Museum Knoblauchhaus, Museum Nikolaikirche and the Museum Ephraim-Palais. Get exclusive insights into our collections, build musical instruments with your children, dance in the breakdance workshop and take part in our museum quiz.
Moderation: Anjouna Novak, Melanie Huber
We are constantly updating the program for you. Details on the bands, creative activities and guided tours can be found at Minor delays on the day of the event are possible.
Program
16:00 - 16:05 | Stage in front of the NikolaikircheOpening of the museum festival by Sophie Plagemann, Artistic Director of the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin
Concerts
16:05 - 16:35 | Stage in front of the NikolaikircheChoir "Women in Harmony"
16:40 - 17:25 | Stage in front of the museum laboratoryRichards Kindermusikladen
17:30 - 17:55 | in front of the NikolaikircheBreakdance workshop on the history of breaking in Berlin with StreetUniverCity
18:00 - 18:30 | Stage in front of the museum laboratoryThe UKULELERS from Glienicke
18:35 - 19:10 | Stage in front of the NikolaikircheThe QuerChorallen Berlin
19:25 - 20:10 | Stage in front of the NikolaikircheORANYA
20:25 - 20:55 | Stage in front of the museum laboratoryRecord Pink
21:00 - 22:00 | Stage in front of the NikolaikircheTrille

Creative offers
15:00 - 21:00 | in front of the Museum Ephraim-PalaisThe big instrument sound workshop
15:00 - 21:00 | next to the Children's Salon of the Museum KnoblauchhausSummer accessories for hot days
3:45 pm - 4:15 pm + 4:45 pm - 5:15 pm + 5:45 pm - 6:15 pm | Schlütersaal, Museum Ephraim-PalaisMuseum quiz
Guided tours
14:00 | Foyer, Museum Ephraim-PalaisFamily tour: A whizz through BerlinZEIT
14:00 - 14:30 + 18:15 - 18:45 | Box office, Museum Knoblauchhaus
Guided tour: "Schmucke Berlinerinnen" - The incredible history of fashion, politics and foundry art
15:00 - 15:30 + 16:15 - 16:45 + 17:15 - 17:45 | Ticket office, Museum Knoblauchhaus
Guided tour: "Vintage furniture from the Biedermeier period?" - A chair model based on a Schinkel design
15:30 | Ticket office, Museum NikolaikircheGuided tour: 60 minutes through the Museum Nikolaikirche
15:30 - 16:00 + 16:30 - 17:00 + 17:30 - 18:00 | Foyer, Museum Ephraim-PalaisGuided tour: Behind the scenes in the elevator - exclusive insights into the Graphic Arts Collection
16:00 - 17:00 + 18:00 - 19:00 | Meeting point on the left in front of the Museum Ephraim-PalaisGuided tour for everyone through the Nikolai Quarter
16:30 - 17:15 | Meeting point on the left in front of the Museum Ephraim-PalaisThrough the neighborhood: Accompanied walk from the museum festival to the Fete am Park × Waisenbrückentag am Köllnischen Park
16:45 - 17:15 | Box office, Museum NikolaikircheGuided tour: Who ruled the city? Church, power and coexistence before 1800.
18:30 - 19:15 | Meeting point at the Fete am Park information stand × Orphan Bridge Day at Märkischer PlatzThrough the neighborhood: Accompanied walk from the Fete am Park × Orphan Bridge Day at Köllnischer Park to the museum festival

The program in detail
Concerts
Choir "Women in Harmony"
16:05 - 16:30Stage in front of the Nikolaikirche
"The Women in Harmony Choir is at the center of Berlin's lively Arabic music scene and emerged from the work of the Arab Music Initiative Berlin e.V.. The choir unites women from diverse backgrounds who bring their personal stories of migration, culture and identity into a common musical expression. Our voices move through the Arabic repertoire - from classical maqamat to contemporary songs - combining traditional embellishments with polyphonic choral singing that requires precision and sensitivity."

Richard's Children's Music Shop
16:40 - 17:25Stage in front of the museum laboratory
"Richards Kindermusikladen is now one of the big names in family-friendly music. His songs are about chaotic everyday family life, little spins and funny discoveries. Music with groove and heart for children and their grown-ups, imaginative lyrics to ask questions and spin on. Organic rhythms, real instruments, no Smurf rubber pop! Behind the project is Richard Haus, who landed the summer hit Görli Görli as P.R. Kantate. He is on stage with his band and always makes common cause with the audience - everyone can join in!"

Breakdance workshop - History of breaking in Berlin
17:30 - 17:55
Dance floor in front of the Nikolaikirche
A dance journey through the history of breakdancing in Berlin. José aka Beatsurfer (City Rockers Crew) gives insights into the beginnings of breakdancing in Berlin from 1983 - with vivid, practical examples from the old school. B-Boy Niven (Got the Flava Crew) will show how breaking has evolved to this day and which styles and techniques characterize the scene in 2026.
The workshop actively invites you to join in. It is aimed at a wide audience - from curious beginners to dance-loving families.
An offer from StreetUniverCity Berlin e.V.

The UKULELERS from Glienicke
18:00 - 18:30Stage in front of the museum laboratory
The UKULELERS were founded three years ago. With ukuleles and vocals, they mainly interpret well-known songs - light, carefree and with a lot of joy in making music together.

The QuerChorallen Berlin
18:35 - 19:10
Stage in front of the Nikolaikirche
The QuerChorallen Berlin are a gay, lesbian and queer choir with around 40 singers. "Whether Orlando di Lasso or Mikis Theodorakis, Fanny Hensel or Queen, folk or contemporary music - we love to sing a cappella out of conviction. Most of the time we sing in four voices, occasionally in eight, from a capital D to a two-stroke g, in German, English, Romance, Slavic and other languages. We sing about spring and the Northern Lights, music and silence and, with great passion, love in all its facets."

ORANYA
19:25 - 20:10Stage in front of the Nikolaikirche
Honest, danceable and dreamy: Berlin singer-songwriter ORANYA combines electronic beats with sensitive lyrics and creates a sound that gets under your skin and onto the dance floor at the same time. Between pulsating synths, warm bass lines and clear arrangements, she unfolds her very own version of German pop.

Record Pink
20:25 - 20:55
Stage in front of the museum laboratory
Record Pink is a sister duo that makes nostalgic, cinematic music. With cheerful guitar sounds, rousing choruses and vocal harmonies, they bring warmth and storytelling to the Berlin music scene. Their sound combines hopeful lyrics with expressive pop-rock tracks.

Trille
21:00 - 22:00Stage in front of the Nikolaikirche
"Trille is back on stage: after his parental leave, the Berlin musician is playing his first concert and performing songs from his latest album 'aus meiner Haut'. Honest, German-language pop between vulnerability, pressure and the attempt to come to terms with oneself."

Creative offers
The big instrument sound workshop
15:00 - 21:00right in front of the Museum Ephraim-Palais
Measuring, sawing, hammering, sanding, drilling, screwing and threading - it gets lively, bustling and loud. Here you can find out what materials are needed to build an instrument and how to do it. Depending on age and time available, more or less elaborate instruments can be built and taken home to make music on. There is a corner for children where they can explore a small world of sound.

Summer accessories for hot days
15:00 - 21:00
Museum Knoblauchhaus, to the left of the children's salon
In our open workshop, young and old can create small historical summer accessories themselves. A Biedermeier barge protects against strong sun rays and provides relaxing shade. A self-folded fan provides a cool breeze on the face - ideal for a long musical summer day. With musical notes, ornaments and playful details, the simple materials are transformed into cheerful companions for the party - a creative greeting from the past that perfectly matches the music of the moment.

Museum quiz
15:45 - 16:15 + 16:45 - 17:15 + 17:45 - 18:15
Meeting point: Schlütersaal, 1st floor, Museum Ephraim-Palais | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Ephraim-Palais on the day of the event.
What is Berlin's heraldic animal? When was the Berlin Wall built? And what was the Stralauer Fischzug? How well do you know Berlin and its history? Whether big or small, beginner or professional - everyone is welcome and can put their Berlin knowledge to the test. No previous knowledge is required. You can take part in various quiz rounds together with friends, family or in spontaneously formed teams. Surprising "aha" moments are guaranteed, and with a bit of luck you could win great prizes!
15:45 - 16:15Family quiz
16:45 - 17:15Quiz for everyone
17:45 - 18:15Quiz for Berlin professionals

Guided tours
A whizz through BerlinZEIT
14:00
Meeting point: Foyer of the Museum Ephraim-Palais | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Ephraim-Palais on the day of the event.
This family offer provides an easy-to-understand and entertaining tour of the permanent exhibition on the history of the city in the Museum Ephraim-Palais. Families can explore Berlin's past in a variety of ways. As they sprint through the centuries, they discover extraordinary objects and amazing stories together. They can try out lots of things and experience them with all their senses.

"Schmucke Berlinerinnen" - The incredible history of fashion, politics and foundry art
14:00 - 14:30 + 18:15 - 18:45
Meeting point: Museum Knoblauchhaus ticket office | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Knoblauchhaus on the day of the event.
A necklace made of iron and yet weighing only 12 grams! What is the secret of this foundry art? Why was valuable gold donated for iron? Was Berlin's iron jewelry just a fashion or a political statement? Our collection curator will tell you stories about the most delicate items ever cast from iron in the cabinet exhibition on Berlin iron.

"Vintage furniture from the Biedermeier period?" - A chair model based on a Schinkel design
15:00 - 15:30 + 16:15 - 16:45 + 17:15 - 17:45
Meeting point: Museum Knoblauchhaus ticket office | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Knoblauchhaus on the day of the event.
What do a winged staff and a snake have to do with a wedding in 1833? What does a red woolen thread under the upholstery nail tell us? Why doesn't the gold shine? And why are there so many confusingly similar chairs? Our restorer and our collection curator talk about their detective work in the museum and provide answers to all these questions.

Behind the scenes in the elevator - exclusive insights into the Graphic Collection
15:30 - 16:00 + 16:30 - 17:00 + 17:30 - 18:00
Meeting point: Foyer of the Museum Ephraim-Palais | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Ephraim-Palais on the day of the event.
From aquatints to drawings
The collection of graphic art contains over 100,000 sheets, covering a period from the 16th century to the present day. Whether city views, portraits, caricatures or wallpaper fragments - the collection not only covers a wide range of motifs, but also demonstrates the breadth of graphic techniques. We provide a glimpse into the depot, explain techniques and motifs using selected examples and give an insight into the day-to-day work of the collection.

In 60 minutes through the Museum Nikolaikirche
3:30 p.m
Meeting point: Ticket office at the Museum Nikolaikirche | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Nikolaikirche on the day of the event.
Guided tour of the permanent exhibition: Immerse yourself in the city's past in a Berlin landmark! What was the significance of Berlin's oldest preserved church building in the past? What do the remains of the foundations of the late Romanesque basilica tell us? What traces did the bombing leave behind? And why is the former church now a museum? You can find the answers to these questions and more here.

The Nikolai Quarter - guided tour for everyone
16:00 - 17:00 + 18:00 - 19:00
Meeting point on the left in front of the Museum Ephraim-Palais | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Ephraim-Palais on the day of the event.Families will meet the Berlin Bear and learn how the rib of a giant came to Berlin. They get to know the Paddenwirt, find out what his name means and make the acquaintance of the "Kaak". A visit to the dragon slayer Georg is also on the program, as is a walk through the shortest street in Berlin.

Through the neighborhood: Accompanied walk from the museum festival to the Fete am Park × Orphan Bridge Dayat the Köllnish Park
16:30 - 17:15
Meeting point on the left in front of the Museum Ephraim-Palais
Two festivals, one path, lots of music. As part of the Fête de la Musique, we invite you to a special walk through Berlin's Mitte district. Join us from the atmospheric museum festival in the Nikolai quarter to the lively party in the park and experience the neighborhood between the banks of the Spree, history and future perspectives. Exciting insights await you along the way: find out more about our locations in the Nikolai Quarter, the Märkisches Museum and the Marinehaus, and discover which visions could shape Köllnischer Park in the future.

Who ruled the city? Church, power and coexistence before 1800.
16:45 - 17:15
Meeting point: Ticket office at Museum Nikolaikirche | Limited number of participants | Please buy a free ticket at the ticket office in the Museum Nikolaikirche on the day of the event.
What was the church for the people who lived around it? The fact that the church was more than just a place of worship in the Middle Ages and early modern times is the theme of a new narrative trail through the permanent exhibition "Berlin's Mitte" - and thus also the theme of this tour. Using seven objects from the permanent exhibition as examples, the church is presented as a place of urban community building and as a place of exclusion. Leon Pschierer, scientific volunteer and curator of the exhibition, introduces the exhibition project and its background.

Through the neighborhood: walk from the Fete am Park x Waisenbrückenfest to the museum festival
18:30 - 19:15
Meeting point at the Fete am Park information stand × Orphan Bridge Day at Märkischer Platz
Two festivals, one path, lots of music. As part of the Fête de la Musique, we invite you to a special walk through Berlin's Mitte district. Join us from the atmospheric museum festival in the Nikolai district to the lively party in the park and experience the neighborhood between the banks of the Spree, history and future perspectives. Exciting insights await you along the way: find out more about our locations in the Nikolai Quarter, the Märkisches Museum and the Marinehaus, and discover which visions could shape Köllnischer Park in the future.
Museums
Our museums in the Nikolai Quarter are open for you during the Museum Festival. Admission is free on this day.

Museum Ephraim-Palais
Museum Nikolai Church
Museum Knoblauchhaus

Venue: Nikolaiviertel, 10178 Berlin
An event as part of the Fête de la Musique
Notes:
During the museum festival, video and photo recordings will be made which will be used for public relations purposes of the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin for an unlimited period of time. By participating, you agree that these recordings may be published. Parking spaces around the Nikolai Quarter are very limited. We recommend arriving by public transport On Rathausstraße, about 150 meters from the museum, there are two public parking spaces for people with disabilities. The bus stop "Nikolaiviertel" is about 150 meters away and the bus stop and subway station "Rotes Rathaus" are about 500 meters away. The paths in the Nikolaiviertel are moderately passable due to the cobblestones. Information on the accessibility of our buildings can be found under "Our museums" for each location. We reserve the right to make changes to the program at short notice in the event of bad weather.

Translated with DeepL

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