May 12-18: XJazz Festival, Chili Fest, Museum Day, and more!
Things to do in Berlin - Week of May 12!
I’ve added a new section to the newsletter called ‘Giveaway for Paid Supporters,’ with the goal of offering free event tickets each week to paid monthly supporters (more details below).
Here's a sneak peek of what’s in store for you this week:
🎷 XJazz Festival Berlin
🖌️ Berlin Design Week
🎧 Âme & Mathew Jonson LIVE at DARK MATTER
🎤 Vyka EP Release Show
🌶️ Berlin Chili Fest: Spring Event
🏛️ International Museum Day
🚀 Startup Survival in the Age of AI
🎫 This Week's Giveaway for Paid Supporters
We have 3 double tickets (3x2 tickets) to the 🌶️ Berlin Chili Fest: Spring Event (event details below) available for 3 paid monthly supporters.
⭐ You can become a Paid Supporter for just €2 euro per month and claim your free ticket. It's first come, first serve, just send us an email.
1. XJazz Festival Berlin
The XJazz Festival is Berlin's largest jazz festival, featuring 80 acts across more than 70 concerts at various venues. The event focuses on the Berlin music scene, with artists based in the city performing in new formations. The program reflects a broad interpretation of jazz, bringing together influences from electronic music, singer-songwriters, and neo-classical styles. Events & Tickets.
💵 €17+
📅 14 May (Wed) - 18 May (Sun)
📍 Various locations in Berlin
2. Berlin Design Week
Berlin Design Week returns with a program centered on design as a tool for social and ecological change. Under the theme "Common Sense," the event brings together designers, artists, companies, and universities to share ideas and explore new approaches. The schedule includes exhibitions, workshops, talks, guided tours, and panels, with a particular focus on sustainable design and communication. More info.
💵 Varies depending on the event
📅 15 May (Thu) - 18 May (Sun)
📍 Various locations in Berlin
3. Âme & Mathew Jonson LIVE at DARK MATTER / SONIC SESSIONS
DARK MATTER presents SONIC SESSIONS, a series of audiovisual club nights. Each event features live electronic music performances paired with real-time light programming using the SKALAR installation, known for its kinetic structure and large-scale visuals. This edition features live sets by Âme and Mathew Jonson, who perform together using improvisation rather than pre-set tracks, focusing on spontaneous interaction and shared energy between artists and audience. More info.
💵 €31
📅 16 May (Fri) / 20:00-01:00
✨ Sponsored event
4. Vyka EP Release Show
An alumna of the Listen to Berlin Compilation, Vyka brings a full band show to one of Kulturbrauerei’s finest live venues, PANDA platforma. Her music is a blend of pop, indie and rock. With honest lyrics and a voice both vulnerable and bold, Vyka presents her new self-produced EP Homesick — a record about belonging, anxiety, self-discovery and love. More info.
💵 €12 online, €15 doors
📅 17 May (Sat)
5. Berlin Chili Fest: Spring Event
Taking place over three days, Berlin Chili Fest returns with a mix of food, drink, and spice-focused programming. You can explore market stalls featuring international hot sauces, fresh chilies, and chili plants, alongside craft beer, cocktails, and food trucks offering both vegan and vegetarian options. The weekend includes live music, comedy, a spicy cabaret show, a kids’ play area, and a chili-eating competition with a guest appearance from Mike Jack, known for his world pepper-eating records. More info.
💵 €6-12
📅 16 May (Fri) - 18 May (Sun)
6. International Museum Day
On International Museum Day, museums across Berlin take part in a global event that highlights the role of museums in cultural and social life. Many will open their doors for special tours, talks, and activities. More info.
💵 Usually free of charge
📅 18 May (Sun)
📍 Selected Museums in Berlin
Submitted Events
7. Startup Survival in the Age of AI: How Smart Cybersecurity Fuels Fast, Safe Growth
This 60-minute webinar breaks down how startups can grow with AI tools while staying secure. Topics include avoiding common cybersecurity mistakes, managing risks tied to tools like ChatGPT, meeting compliance needs without friction, and applying fast, practical solutions like secure access control and dark web monitoring. Ideal for early-stage teams looking to scale without exposing themselves to preventable threats. More info.
💵 Free
📅 13 May (Tue) / 17:00
📍 Online Webinar
❤️ Support the newsletter for just €2 per month and get access to 🎫 free event tickets. 🧉 It's cheaper than the third Club-Mate you didn’t need.
Restaurant Suggestion:
OMONI 오 모 니 - Japanese Restaurant (⭐4/5)
This Japanese restaurant is something of a hidden gem, not the kind you’d stumble upon by chance. The quality of the fish is excellent, and the menu offers a good range of rolls and other Japanese dishes. Prices are slightly higher than your average sushi spot, but the quality makes it worth it. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming.
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Always meant to attend that chilli fest….maybe this is my sign x
I have wanted to visit OMONI since I moved to Berlin, but I could never get a table. 🥹 (I live near it)