When it comes to partying in Berlin, chances are you think of Berghain, wearing black, and industrial techno. Don’t let that stereotype fool you, though. There’s wayyy more going on in Germany’s capital.
May Day is a prime example of the mad variety you can have a dance to in the city. Taking over Kreuzberg’s streets every year, the day is as much a celebration of music as it is a day for self- and cultural expression.
This year, we teamed up with two local communities to throw a banger and get involved. Here’s why local legends Bipolar Berlin, BLVCKBVLB’s Sosa, and SYN sharpie the May Day celebrations into their calendars every year.
How our local legends got down
What happens when you give Berlin heads a bunch of Soundboks and let them do their thing? The obvious, of course. Here’s how our legendary collaborators got down on May Day.
As well as celebrating electronic music culture, Bipolar Berlin’s party took a stand for the local club scene. In a time where these spaces are increasingly under threat, they aimed to show how essential they are for our communities through an open and inclusive event. Free entry with donations collected to support Berlin-based collectives working to preserve club and music culture, everyone was welcome to get involved.
BLVCKBVLB and SYN brought over 1300 people together, transforming sound into a shared language of resistance, joy, and presence. From day to night, every beat told a story. Blurring borders and genres, the lineup shone a light on the global voices at play. Mad visuals transformed the space, taking dancers on a journey.
Energy, good music, and real community vibes
It’s pretty obvious that you’re gonna hear at least a couple bangers roaming the streets. For a city known for cutting edge music and a party culture that literally never stops, the selection and atmosphere are always on point. With spontaneous parties popping up all over Kreuzberg, finding music to vibe to and people to vibe with is a piece of cake.
But aside from the partying, the day means a hell of a lot to the local community. People from all sorts of backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders unite together on the streets as a single body of energy. It’s a chance to celebrate being a Berliner and all the unique personalities and cultures that make up the city.
Since 1933, May 1st has been a public holiday in Germany. Its roots lie in protest–a tradition that continues to go down today. You get workers across the country demonstrating for their rights and to make their voices heard, as well as local groups marching through the streets to contest issues impacting their neighborhood.
Expect the unexpected
You know what they say: fail to prepare and prepare to fail. Take it from our local experts–getting your shit together is essential. This is way more of a mindset thing than anything else. The Labor Day essentials like hand sanitizer, money, and your edgiest shades won’t hurt to bring, but the best thing you can do is be ready and open for anything.
Spontaneity is the day’s defining characteristic. The first step is to link up with your friends for a pre-game at noon. Once the energy’s up and the drinks are flowing, it’s time to hit the streets. From there, you just gotta go with the flow.
Who knows where you could end up. There are raves that take over the parks, techno demonstrations, club nights, and pop ups at spätis (bodegas that sell drinks and snacks), fast food joints, sandwich shops, and other unexpected places. Wherever you wander, chances are you’re gonna party like never before.
Looks like it’s time to start planning your trip to Berlin next May–you don’t wanna miss what this lot have got lined up.
