Long Night of Museums: Crime in Berlin

6 p.m. – 2 a.m. | non-stop | Salon (ground floor)
Mugshot Selfie Station
Here, you’ll become the face of the criminal underworld: take your own wanted poster photo and see how AI turns you into a ‘suspect’! Snapshot, mugshot, printout – your own personal crime moment to take home.
 
6 p.m. – 2 a.m. | non-stop | BerlinZEIT (1st floor, left, ‘Aufbau als Wettlauf’ room)
Hands-on station
On the Run with ‘Pitty’
In keeping with the topic of ‘Crime in Berlin’, a GDR-era ‘Pitty’ scooter is transformed into a selfie station. Take this unique opportunity for a fast-paced snapshot – a picture that will last a lifetime.
 
6.30 pm + 7.30 pm + 8.30 pm | 30 minutes | BerlinZEIT (meeting point: foyer)
Guided tour
The Old Berlin Crime Case
On the trail of crime! Museum curator Gernot Schaulinski leads a tour through the BerlinZEIT permanent exhibition. There, he heads the investigation into artefacts from the early centuries of the city’s history.
Language: German
 
7 p.m. + 8 p.m. + 9 p.m. | 20 minutes | Salon (Ground floor)
Music
Kurt – The Night, the Noise, the Song
Between the demimonde and metropolitan melancholy: singer Melanie Schmidli and guitarist Martino Dessi perform lesser-known songs by Kurt Weill, blending jazz and chanson. They deal with power, loneliness and seduction, with figures of the night and the grey areas of the big city.
 
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. | non-stop | Salon (ground floor)
Music
Sing your Song – Join-in Karaoke!
You can perform crime-themed songs from our extensive karaoke catalogue to suit your taste – from ‘I Fought the Law’ to ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ and ‘Smooth Criminal’. Drag queens Nancy Nutter, Oozing Gloop and Bleach will help you choose your songs and host the event.
Language: English

6 p.m. + 8 p.m. + 10 p.m. + midnight + 1 a.m. | 30 minutes | at the museum
Music
Crime! Organ Music from Film, Television and the Criminal Underworld
Organist Jack Day invites you to an evening of organ music spanning cinema, TV and the underworld. He will play melodies that every crime drama fan is likely to associate with suspense and mystery – Kurt Weill’s ‘Mackie Messer’, Johann Sebastian Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D minor’ or the title melodies from ‘Tatort’ and ‘Polizeiruf 110’.
 
7 p.m. + 11 p.m. + 12.30 a.m. | 30 minutes | at the city model
Short guided tours
Between the Pillory and the Gallows
Where the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall) stands today, the old Berlin Town Hall once stood, with the court arbour attached to it. It was here that guilt or innocence was publicly debated; it was here that judgements of life or death were passed. Thieves were chained to the pillory and mocked, whilst others were hanged. Art historian Claudia Wasow-Kania guides visitors through these fascinating stories using the large-scale model of the medieval city.
Language: German
 
9 p.m. | 30 minutes | Meeting point: Cash desk
Short guided tour
A Lutheran Against the State
In 1613, the Elector of Brandenburg converted from Lutheranism to Calvinism. This divided Berlin between the Calvinist court and a Lutheran population. His grandson and successor sought to impose Calvinism. When he promoted like-minded individuals to the highest offices, Lutheran preachers resisted, including Paul Gerhardt, pastor of St Nicholas’ Church. Art historian Claudia Wasow-Kania talks about the Berlin church dispute, a religious ‘criminal case’.
Language: German

6 p.m. + 8 p.m. + 10 p.m. + midnight | 30 minutes | 1st floor
Music
Lyra Piano
Of spine-tingling moments and the mystery of death: with a dash of irony, pianist Grit Schulze will send shivers down your spine – and that of the historic Lyra piano. During the Long Night of Museums, she will play music from crime films (such as ‘Miss Marple’ and ‘The Third Man’) and pieces by Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin and Edvard Grieg. Come along!
 
7 p.m. + 11 p.m. | 30 minutes | Salon (ground floor)
Guided tour
The Great Silver Theft of 1798
On the evening of 7 January 1798, burglars broke into the Knoblauchhaus. They took everything of value: silver cutlery, gold watches and a great deal of money. Dr Jan Mende, the museum curator at the Knoblauchhaus, will provide the background to this historic crime case.
Language: German
 
9 p.m. + 12.30 a.m. | 30 minutes | Salon (Ground floor)
Guided tour
All That Glitters is Not Gold
Around 1800, there was a great deal of silver jewellery. But what was really in vogue back then? Our jewellery specialist Carolin Haas provides insights into fashion trends and prices from around 200 years ago.
Language: German

Live speakers offer spontaneous mini tours and invite you into conversation. No meeting point. You’ll find the live speakers throughout the exhibition.