8 Bernese Highlights in May

Be it at the theatre festival “auawirleben”, the “Repair Café”, or newly opened bars and restaurants: May in Bern is for dancing, repairing, eating, drinking, and spending time with others.

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On stage

The theatre festival “auawirleben” is definitely an event highlight in May – it is culture at its finest. Contemporary plays and performances that you would not be able to see otherwise are coming to Bern to capture the audiences. The programme incorporates current, relevant topics and is surprising and exciting. For example: an Indian performer who lives in Amsterdam does a play at the Dojo Theater at the Reitschule cultural centre. Or: instead of going on stage himself, a writer sends a humanoid robot that is the spitting image of him to Schlachthaus Theater. In short, dear culture aficionados: get your planners out, grab a red marker and circle in the days from 4 to 15 May!

Cultural highlights in Bern

Reopening of Falafingo

If you’re craving exotic delicacies but don’t want to travel far, you can look forward to the reopening of our beloved Falafingo, which will take place presumably on 17 May. The converted kiosk brings a touch of Turkey to the Lorraine neighbourhood. Little colourful bowls contain Anatolian delicacies such as Börek (Turkish filo pie), honeycomb wit Kaymak (Turkish Mascarpone), and fruit, and the traditional peasant’s breakfast “Menemen” with tomatoes, peppers, Sucuk (Turkish dried sausage) and egg is lovingly prepared and served in a small black cast-iron skillet. The food is accompanied by cup after cup of Turkish coffee and tea. If you want to linger for a bit after the hearty breakfast, you can play a game of Tavla or listen to the Turkish music and watch the hustle and bustle of the Lorraine neighbourhood.

Get a sneak peek

Other restaurants and bars that recently (re)opened:

Pop-up restaurant Habibi, Breitenrain neighbourhood
Asian restaurant Lee House, Lorraine neighbourhood
Chinese restaurant Glückskeks, Lorraine neighbourhood
Café Fleuri, Botanical Garden
Rathaus Bar, lower part of the Old City
Pop-up wine bar Flora28, Monbijou neighbourhood

Klangantrisch

In Riggisberg, you can hear more than just the tinkling of cowbells in the spring, when a music festival featuring all kinds of musical styles takes place right in the middle of Gantrisch Nature Park. The fresh mountain air attracts national and international artists who share the stage with local clubs, yodel choirs, and marching bands. Soul star Seven, for example, will be singing songs from his brand-new album “Brandneu” and from the current anniversary album as well as some of his classics – all in an intimate setting and with the wonderful acoustics of the garden of Riggisberg castle. We are definitely looking forward to clapping and dancing to the beats!

Get your tickets now

Japanese culture in Bern

Summer is slowly but surely coming, but the summer holidays are still a long way off and you’re already yearning for faraway places? Then you should go to Bern’s “Japanfest” on 21 and 22 May 2022, where, for two days, visitors get swept away to the land of the rising sun. The fun and diverse activities include trying out different forms of martial arts and letting your creativity take over while folding Origami. In addition to the workshops and guided tours, the exhibition “The Samurai Legend” gives an insight into the world of the Japanese warriors.

When the sun rises in Bern

Laufmeter

Attention all fashionistas: On May 21st, Swiss fashion designers will be presenting their newest collections. But not in Milan, New York, or Paris, no, in the heart of Bern’s Old City! Bernese natives Sabine Portenier and Adrian Reber are two of many designers who will be showing their creations at the outdoor fashion show “Laufmeter – Modeschau uf dr Gass”. Swiss craftsmanship from clean designs to modern interpretations – when it comes to creativity, the sky’s the limit. If you fall in love with one of the garments, you can purchase it right then and there. And one of the great advantages of small Bern: the designers are very approachable and happy to talk about their inspirations, answer questions, and help you with the purchase of your new piece.

Off to the catwalk

Regionally brewed

Saint Peter is being kind to us: Spring is here, and the rising temperatures are ringing in the season of al fresco beers. Because there’s nothing better than a laid-back get-together with friends on a warm, mellow evening! If you don’t want to show up to the BBQ with the same old lager as always, stop by the “Berner Biermärit” (Bernese beer market) in Restaurant Dählhölzli’s beer garden first: On May 21st, 2022, beer connoisseurs have the opportunity to buy special creations from local breweries that are often not available at retail stores. Take your time to discover new beers and to chat and talk shop with the vendors and other visitors. The beers are sold bottled and unchilled. If you get thirsty and want to enjoy a cold drink, order it in the restaurant’s beer garden.

Discover Bern’s beer diversity

Don’t despair – repair!

The “Repair Café” Bern is back! The reparation pros usually work their magic at the old Viktoria fire station in the Breitenrain neighbourhood. But on 28 May 2022, they will set up shop at the iconic PROGR cultural centre in the heart of Bern, attending to all things in need of fixing. So, if your favourite T-shirt has a hole in it or you’ve got a bike in the basement with a broken gearshift, head to Turnhalle at 30 Waisenhausplatz and ask the handypeople what they can do for you on site. Reparations that take a bit longer are done at the workshop in the Breitenrain neighbourhood.

More info

Bicycle trekking in Bern – time to trek

We hope that the cyclists among you have cleaned their bikes, greased the chains, and pumped the tires, because the rising temperatures are making us want to head outside for relaxed e-bike tours and inspiring stories. Bern’s bicycle trekking season has started again – the signposts in the bicycle trekking destination Bern are polished and the benches along the way ready. Be it the many tales and myths of the Gantrisch Nature Park, the characteristic local features around Bern, or the panoramic views from Chutzenturm tower – everything is full of inspiration and ready to be explored.

Time to trek