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The Berlinale is the only top German film festival, and is attended by Hollywood stars and German starlets alike. Until 1999, the film festival took place all around the Zoo-Palast cinema; today the traditional festival draws thousands of cinema fans to the area around Potsdamer Platz.

The latest in entertainment technology from around the world and high-tech toys for young and old are on show at the IFA (International Broadcasting Exhibition) in the ICC.

Although it has lost some of its original fun, the largest techno-party in the world still attracts a crowd of nearly one million visitors every year to ear-shattering beats in Tiergarten.

This gay parade openly and brashly celebrates alternative lifestyles. At the end of June, up to 500,000 gays and lesbians from around the world boisterously dance, drink and celebrate in the streets of Central Berlin (see Gay & Lesbian Attractions) .

Classical concerts, exhibitions and events organized around a particular theme form the cultural highpoint of the year.

For one night, entrance to many of Berlin’s museums is free. Many institutions also put on special events for that weekend, and the street artists and sellers entertain the public, who normally wait in long queues.

The largest gourmet feast in the world, Green Week is a tasty agricultural and gastronomical fair for everyone. Nowhere else can you enjoy a culinary journey around the world in such a condensed space.

Since 1963, the most interesting theatre productions from around Germany have been performed annually here in Berlin.

Multicultural Berlin celebrates for three days in the colourful Kreuzberg district in a cheerful street carnival parade.

The world’s largest tourism fair offers up-to-date information to the general public, often at elaborately designed stalls. The night-time shows put on by many of the exhibiting countries are especially popular.