Festival Centre
Science, in touch.
From 6–8 November 2026, Berlin Science Week transforms the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW), one of the city's most iconic cultural institutions, into a lively, hands-on hub for science and society.
Over three days, the Festival Centre programme traces this year's theme, In Touch. Science is personal long before anyone explains it to you, and these three days follow it back to the places where it already reaches you, moves you, and changes how you make sense of things. A hormone you’ve never thought about is quietly shaping how good this morning feels. People are talking to AI in ways nobody designed it for, and researchers are working out what that actually does to us. And when the hosts of one of Germany's most popular history podcast take the stage this November, they will make the case that most of what you use without thinking about it got here by detours and accidents, not one bright idea. Whether you're already deep in a field or meeting a subject for the first time, the Festival Centre programme is an invitation to discover how science is personal to you, too.
With more than 100 events all under one roof, the Festival Centre is packed with live talks, workshops, exhibition stands, networking formats, and more, inviting visitors of all backgrounds and ages to connect complex scientific ideas to everyday life, ask questions, exchange ideas, and meet the researchers behind the work.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Live programme: Hear from scientists asking big questions and tackling today’s most pressing challenges.
- Interactive Events: Join participatory formats, dive deep into ideas, and shape the conversation.
- Exhibition Stands: Explore cutting-edge research through interactive and visual storytelling.
- Networking Opportunities: Meet researchers, students, and organisations from across disciplines.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Live programme: Hear from scientists asking big questions and tackling today’s most pressing challenges.
- Interactive Events: Join participatory formats, dive deep into ideas, and shape the conversation.
- Exhibition Stands: Explore cutting-edge research through interactive and visual storytelling.
- Networking Opportunities: Meet researchers, students, and organisations from across disciplines.
3 DAYS & WAYS TO EXPLORE SCIENCE
Over the course of three packed days, the Festival Centre programme traces the ways science moves us, each day with its own focus. Day One asks how science reaches us. Day Two asks how it can be felt and experienced. And Day Three asks how it can shift our view of the world. Together, the three days let you experience the depth and breadth of how science moves through our lives, from the most ordinary questions to the biggest breakthroughs.
HIGHLIGHTS
A few top picks to get you started at the Festival Centre. Please note: events are displayed in the language in which they will take place.
ON THE INSPIRATION STAGE
The Inspiration Stage brings you quick-fire, TED-style talks that showcase the latest discoveries and innovative research across fields, from mathematics and biology to sociology and history. Hear from passionate young scientists as they share bold ideas and projects, with opportunities to ask your own questions and engage directly from your seat.
ON THE INSPIRATION STAGE
The Inspiration Stage brings you quick-fire, TED-style talks that showcase the latest discoveries and innovative research across fields, from mathematics and biology to sociology and history. Hear from passionate young scientists as they share bold ideas and projects, with opportunities to ask your own questions and engage directly from your seat.
EXHIBITION STANDS
Put on an exoskeleton, peer at Saturn's rings through a telescope, or discover how a shrimp's shell becomes a piece of clothing. Here, you can get hands-on, chat with researchers in English or German, and see science at work. The exhibition stands are open every day at the Festival Centre with varying hours:
Friday 6 November: 13:00 – 18:00
Saturday 7 November: 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 8 November: 10:00 – 19:00
NEW IN 2026: FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROGRAMME
For the very first time, Berlin Science Week has a programme built just for kids and families at its Festival Centre. Saturday and Sunday mornings are packed with hands-on activities, book readings, quizzes, and live shows designed to entertain, inform, and inspire the next generation of scientists.
NEW IN 2026: FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROGRAMME
For the very first time, Berlin Science Week has a programme built just for kids and families at its Festival Centre. Saturday and Sunday mornings are packed with hands-on activities, book readings, quizzes, and live shows designed to entertain, inform, and inspire the next generation of scientists.
ART & SCIENCE PROGRAMME
Across talks, performances, and workshops, the Art & Science Programme draws out the rhythms and textures of science, exploring where scientific inquiry meets artistic intelligence. Curious visitors and practitioners alike will find their place here. If you're already working in art-science, follow our Practitioner's Route for keynotes, networking, and hands-on sessions built just for you.
ART & SCIENCE PROGRAMME
Across talks, performances, and workshops, the Art & Science Programme draws out the rhythms and textures of science, exploring where scientific inquiry meets artistic intelligence. Curious visitors and practitioners alike will find their place here. If you're already working in art-science, follow our Practitioner's Route for keynotes, networking, and hands-on sessions built just for you.
GET YOUR FREE FESTIVAL CENTRE PASS
Your 3-Day Festival Centre Pass is free, and it's your key to everything happening across all three days at the Festival Centre. While you're booking, take a moment to reserve a seat for any workshops you don't want to miss. Space is limited, so securing a spot in advance means you're guaranteed a seat rather than hoping for one on the day. Walk-ins are always welcome, but booking ahead gives you priority access and the best shot at the full experience.
HAUS DER KULTUREN DER WELT
The Festival Centre is open for three days, 6–8 November 2026, at Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW).
Address: John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, 10557 Berlin
Opening Hours:
Friday, 6 November: 12:30 - 00:00
Saturday, 7 November: 10:00 – 00:00
Sunday, 8 November: 09:30 – 22:00
HAUS DER KULTUREN DER WELT
The Festival Centre is open for three days, 6–8 November 2026, at Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW).
Address: John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, 10557 Berlin
Opening Hours:
Friday, 6 November: 12:30 - 00:00
Saturday, 7 November: 10:00 – 00:00
Sunday, 8 November: 09:30 – 22:00
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3-Day Festival Centre Pass