October weather: cool, often grey, sometimes bright
| Berlin average (approximate) | October |
|---|---|
| Average high | about 14°C |
| Average low | about 7°C |
| Rainfall | about 35 mm |
Rounded values based on the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) 1991-2020 normals; they vary from year to year, and the first morning frosts are possible late in the month. Early in October the sun sets around 6 pm; after the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October 2026 (at 3 am, one hour back), it sets around 4:40 pm at the end of the month. For the whole season, see Berlin in autumn.
Crowds and prices in October
October still has medium to high demand: the autumn school holidays and the Festival of Lights fill the hotels, especially at weekends. Queues at the major sights are shorter than in summer but real; book your slot for the Reichstag dome in advance. To choose a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Berlin, and to estimate costs, the Berlin travel budget.
October 2026 events
Festival of Lights: 9-18 October
For its 22nd edition, the festival turns landmarks into projection screens every evening, from dusk (around 7 pm) until 11 pm: the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral, the TV Tower. The city route is free; a "Festival of Lights in Concert" strand (light shows and music sets) takes place at the cathedral from 13 to 17 October. The exact programme is on the festival website. See also the Berlin festival calendar.
Saturday 3 October: German Unity Day
3 October is a public holiday across Germany. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday: shops are closed, as on a Sunday; museums and transport run, often on Sunday schedules. For what stays open on closed days, see Berlin on Sundays.
Jazzfest Berlin: 29 October to 1 November
The jazz festival is held mainly at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, with concerts in clubs and at the Memorial Church. The full programme and tickets are on the Berliner Festspiele website; for more music nights, see concerts and shows in Berlin.
Halloween, Saturday 31 October
Halloween is celebrated mostly in the evening, in bars and clubs. 31 October is not a public holiday in Berlin: shops and museums open as usual.
What to wear in October
- Layers: a sweater, a windproof jacket, something warmer for the evening.
- An umbrella or light rain jacket: showers are frequent.
- Comfortable shoes: Berlin is a walking city, and wet leaves make pavements slippery.
- A hat and thin gloves for the Festival of Lights, since you stand outside watching the projections.
The best things to do in October
- Parks in colour: the Tiergarten, the Botanical Garden and Treptower Park are at their best. More ideas in Berlin's parks and gardens.
- Museums: the Museum Island and the Jewish Museum fill a rainy day; see also Berlin when it rains.
- The zoo: Berlin Zoo is open 9 am to 6 pm until 25 October, then 9 am to 4:30 pm.
- Market halls: Markthalle Neun for a sheltered lunch.
- A day trip: Potsdam and its parks in autumn.
October 2026 at a glance
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 3 October | German Unity Day | Public holiday, shops closed |
| 9-18 October | Festival of Lights (22nd edition) | Free in the city, 7 pm to 11 pm |
| 13-17 October | Festival of Lights in Concert | Berlin Cathedral |
| Sunday 25 October | Clocks go back | Shorter evenings |
| 29 October to 1 November | Jazzfest Berlin | Haus der Berliner Festspiele |
| Saturday 31 October | Halloween | Not a public holiday in Berlin |
Further reading
October follows what to do in Berlin in September and precedes what to do in Berlin in November. To compare seasons, read the best time to visit Berlin.
