CSD and city festival: Two weeks full of celebrations in Berlin!

CSD and city festival: Two weeks full of celebrations in Berlin!

Another exciting weekend is coming up in Berlin! On July 19th and 20th, 2025, Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg will be transformed into the venue for the lesbian-gay city festival, which is celebrating its 31st edition this year. Over 350,000 visitors are expected when the queer community comes together in the heart of the Rainbow Neighborhood to celebrate equality and acceptance. The motto “Equal rights for unequal people – worldwide!” has been upheld for over 30 years and sets an important example against discrimination and inequality. SPD Berlin reports on numerous activities that are offered on both festival days.

The festive atmosphere is underlined by a colorful stage program with numerous queer artists. With performances by Ades Zabel, Stella Rockt, Die Gabys, Antonio Herrera and Coco Lorès, the audience can expect a varied line-up. New this year is the Boxer Stage, which will boast a fetish contest, fashion show and even a puppy dance show. The city festival will be opened on Saturday by the well-known actress Elisabeth Ziemer and the former mayor Klaus Wowereit. You can also look forward to a rich discussion on the “Wild Sofa”, where Gerhard Hoffmann and other guests will have their say.

Festival mile and events

The city festival runs along Motzstrasse, Eisenacherstrasse, Fuggerstrasse and Kalckreuthstrasse and transforms these streets into a lively festival mile. The event is organized by the Rainbow Fund for Gay Innkeepers, which is also providing numerous information stands this year. The Queerspiegel stand on Fuggerstraße will specifically present LGBTIQ offerings, while the stand staff, including deputy editor-in-chief Anke Myrrhe and editor Nadine Lange, will be available to answer questions.

Opening times are on Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., which leaves enough time for all visitors to immerse themselves in the festival exuberance and enjoy the various attractions. The newly introduced boxer stage also promises exciting entertainment and ensures that there is something for every preference. The Daily Mirror emphasizes that the exchange about discrimination and inequalities helps to create awareness and promote a strong community.

After the city festival – the CSD and a park festival

Shortly after the city festival, the big Christopher Street Day (CSD) will follow on July 26, 2025, which will take place in Berlin under the motto “Equal rights for unequal people – worldwide!” will take place. The parade begins on Leipziger Straße and ends on Straße des 17. Juni at the Brandenburg Gate. Truck #47 will also be participating this year, during the SPD Berlin and SPDqueer Berlin are represented with a stand on the corner of Eisenacher Straße and Motzstraße.

And that's not all: Almost two weeks after the CSD, the Queere Parkfest will take place on August 9, 2025 in the open-air cinema in Volkspark Friedrichshain, where SPDqueer Berlin will also have a stand. The wide range of events shows how lively and strong the queer community is in Berlin.

Overall, we have exciting weeks ahead of us in which diversity, color and solidarity will be celebrated. A visit to the city festival and the CSD offers the perfect opportunity to be part of this important and festive movement.