Berlin, 2010

Berlin is a true world-class city, offering plenty of attractions, activities and draws for everyone. From art and architecture to theatre, music, and a thriving culinary scene - plus nightlife like no other spot on earth - this is one destination that belongs on everyone's must-see list.

Here's EDGE contributor Abhimanyu Das' list of the hottest happenings in Berlin for 2010:

The seventeenth annual Lesbian and Gay Street Festival takes place June 19th and 20th. Organized by Berlin's Rainbow Fund, it's the largest festival of its kind in Europe, and well worth planning a trip for. Also of interest is Christopher Street Day (June 25th-27th), a fabulous LGBT parade with 50+ floats which, ultimately, spills over into a party that hits half-a-million or so in terms of attendance.

Arts aficionados might as well just move to Berlin! There are no less than eight major music-oriented events taking place in the city during 2010. For classical music fans, the Festival Days at the Staatsoper Under den Linden are an absolute must. Running from March 27th to April 5th, renowned artists converge on Berlin to present two operas and many symphonic pieces. This year's treasures will include Harry Kupfer's production of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde as well as Achim Freyer taking on Tchaikovsky's Eugen Onegin.

Arts...

The Fete de la Musique takes place June 21st, celebrating various forms of European music, with 50 free concerts at venues throughout the city. Soon after, on June 27th, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra will hold an open-air performance at Waldb�hne Amphitheater, so those who decide to make it down for the Fete might want to stick around another week!

Looking for more contemporary music? September 2010 will see the Berlin Music Days (BerMuDa) - four nights of frenzied electronic music performances in the city's best clubs. The 5th annual Berlin Festival takes place on the 10th and 11th of the month, at the historic Tempelhof airport, playing host to a varied line-up of rock bands. (Last year's acts included Jarvis Cocker and Pete Doherty.) The 50th annual Jazzfest Berlin, incorporating American and international ensembles, also occurs around this time - November 5th to 7th.

Inclined towards visual as well as aural delights? Cinephiles rejoice - the Berlin International Film Festival, one of the best programmed cinematic events in the world, is scheduled to begin February 2nd and will continue for three weeks. More than 400 films will be shown, many of which will be European or world premieres. Fans of German expressionism have something special to look forward to - this year's Festival will host the first screening of the restored version of Fritz Lang's classic science fiction film Metropolis.

... and entertainment!

Also of note, the Art Forum Berlin, starting October 7th. One of the most innovative and comprehensive art shows in Europe, this year's fair will take place at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds and will provide a thorough overview of current artistic movements.

Not that anyone needs an excuse to party in Berlin, but for extra incentives (and a whole army of like-minded hedonists), you probably wouldn't want to miss Carnival in Berlin and the Carnival of Cultures, taking place February 14th and May 21st respectively. Both events involve an estimated 1 million participants/spectators, fabulous parades, and a host of floats, musicians, dancers and singers. All this is topped off at the end of the year with a huge party at the Brandenburg Gate, where it's not uncommon for a million Berliners and visitors to turn up for fireworks, dancing and general New Year's revelry.

So what are you waiting for? Get to Berlin!

For even more on Germany, check out 48 (Fabulous) Hours in Berlin and Fabulous Destinations :: Germany's Northern Realm.