Your visit
Get to know our host city, Berlin.
Venues: Colosseum | Pierre Boulez Saal | Holzmarkt 25
as well as Gethsemanekirche and MS Schöneberg (Boat Cruise)
Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a city with a rich history and a dynamic spirit. Its reinventive nature, coupled with relatively affordable real estate and a libertarian atmosphere, has attracted creatives for decades, establishing it as a hotbed for visual arts, film, fashion, and music.
The city is renowned for classical music, earning the title “capital of classical music” by the NY Times. Home to the Berlin Philharmonics, numerous orchestras, three opera houses, and a vibrant off-scene for classical music, Berlin is also a hub for artist agencies, music startups, and record labels. The music scene ranges from classical to minimal techno and global music street parades, showcasing the city’s diverse artistic support both on and off stage.
When visiting for a classical music professionals’ meeting in May 2024, you’ll find abundant accommodation, dining options, and leisure activities. Discover more about Berlin at www.visitberlin.de.
Register
now!
A Classical:NEXT registration gives you access to all Classical:NEXT events including the expo, conference and showcases. Furthermore the Welcome Reception, Opening Ceremony, Innovation Award incl. Reception.
Locations & Venues
Pierre Boulez Saal
Opening (13 May)
The Pierre Boulez Saal, designed by Frank Gehry, opened on March 4, 2017, with a concert by Daniel Barenboim. The hall’s elliptical shape fosters a sense of unity between audience and artists, eliminating the separation between stage and auditorium. As the public face of the Barenboim-Said Akademie, it contributes significantly to Berlin’s cultural life with about 150 events per season.
The Hall presents a diverse range of music, blending classical, romantic, 20th-century, and contemporary pieces, including world premieres. The Boulez Ensemble, founded by Barenboim, embodies this musical diversity. The Hall also serves as a European home for Arab and Persian music, improvisation, jazz, and hosts lecture concerts, talks, and discussions.
Colosseum
Daytime Venue (14–17 May)
Prenzlauer Berg, near the city center, is renowned for Berlin’s post-reunification cultural explosion, making it a global hotspot.
The Colosseum cinema complex in the area is now a state-of-the-art event venue, blending 130-year-old brick walls with modern design. With ten halls for conferences, showcases, and project pitches, an 18-meter high Atrium, and triangular indoor balconies for expos and networking, it’s a diverse and inspiring setting for ClassicalNEXT – a professionals’ meeting on the future of classical music, eliminating endless walking for participants.
Holzmarkt 25
Nighttime Venue (14–17 May)
Holzmarkt 25, a unique urban development complex in Berlin, spans 12,000 square meters along the Spree. This “creative village” houses diverse artists, drawing over 500,000 annual visitors for concerts, theater, workshops, and festivals, embodying Berlin’s vibrant creative scene.
Classical:NEXT’s nighttime “showcase concerts” and “club showcases” will take place in Säälchen and Kater Blau.
The project’s origin is tied to Berlin’s post-Wall history, evolving from a subcultural temporary use project in 2012 into a leading global example of user-driven urban development. Holzmarkt 25 features various event locations, including the renowned “Kater Blau” nightclub, fostering a communal atmosphere among residents and global visitors.
Gethsemanekirche
Nighttime Venue (16 May, 22:00)
Classical:NEXT is a tour de force through recent Berlin history. Right after the Innovation Award in Colosseum our off C:N Showcase “Candlelight Concert – The Richter Scale” will conclude our showcase programme on Thursday night in Gethsemanekirche (just a block away).
This church has become famous for its role in the 1989 peaceful revolution Eastern Germany, when Gethsemanekirche was a gathering place for the opposition, gave shelter to demonstrators chased by police and for concerts, most prominently on 5 November, when the Staatskapelle Berlin played Beethoven’s 3rd resulting in a spontaneous march for more democracy. Four days later, the Berlin wall fell.
Boat Cruise on MS Schöneberg
Daytime Venue (Friday 17 May, be there 10:30!)
To round up Classical:NEXT, we offer a very special treat: a networking boat trip including a talk and session by cultural disruptor David Taylor.
Reserve spot under net.classicalnext.com (log in and go to my events). Capacity is limited!
Preparation Checklist & FAQ
Where will it take place?
Classical:NEXT 2024 will take place in Berlin, Germany from 13-17 May 2024. The main daytime venue is Colosseum, evening showcases will be held at Holzmarkt 25. The opening ceremony will take place at Pierre Boulez Saal. The club showcases will be held at Kater Blau. The Boat Cruise on the river Spree will be leaving from Märkisches Ufer 48 / at the corner with Am Köllnischen Park. The Candlelight Concert will take place at the Gethsemanekirche.
Apply to take part as an artist/speaker?
Every Summer, Classical:NEXT launches an annual Call for Proposals for the showcase and conference programmes, inviting artists, presenters and speakers to apply to take part. Each year, our international, independent jury, review each proposal and from them select the official Classical:NEXT programme.
To be made aware when our next Call for Proposals is announced, sign up for our newsletter or keep an eye on this website or our social media.
Register!
Register now for Classical:NEXT from 13-17 May 2024 in Berlin, Germany via net.classicalnext.com
You can also still register on site.
If you are a journalist – check the requirements for press accreditation.
Journalists play a vital role in the dissemination of music and in keeping the important discourse on this art form alive. Classical:NEXT acknowledges this by offering a reduced rate to media professionals, subject to approval.
If you are a delegate who will attend Classical:NEXT first and foremost in your role as a journalist or as a professional involved in the editorial work of a music media company, you are invited to register for our special Media Rate. Simply complete the delegate registration as normal, and check the “media registration” box when you are entering your personal delegate data – about half way through the registration process – and send a copy of your press credentials to registration@classicalnext.com.
After confirmation from our communications department, you will be granted the discounted media rate registration price.
Press accreditation (including free delegate-level access) to Classical:NEXT 2024 is reserved for a limited number of journalists who report on Classical:NEXT or our showcase artists, subject to approval. Note that accredited journalists are not listed as delegates in the printed guide nor at the online database C:N NET. One accreditation per reporting media only. To apply for a free press accreditation please contact us via email at media@classicalnext.com.
Can you bring a spouse/partner/friend and/or can I buy a one-day entrance ticket?
Entrance to the Classical:NEXT Expo, Conference, Opening and Award Ceremony is reserved only for Classical:NEXT delegates who have registered for the full four-day event. One-day entrance tickets and partner rates are not available. All spouses/friends/partners must be fully registered themselves.
Update your online profile and use the online database
Once registered, access net.classicalnext.com (you should have received a mail with a link to set your login data) and edit your profile. A short bio, maybe an address and most importantly: an email address, so other delegates can contact you.
Please note: These email address will only be visible to other delegates, we will not share it as a bulk email list.
Apply for a mentoring slot!
There are only a few slots left, make a reservation for a roundtable or one-to-one mentoring …
Reserve a seat/place at special events
For some events such as our Opening COncert on Monday or the boat trip on Friday, capacity is limited. Login at net.classicalnext.com and go to “my events” to make a reservation!
Make your itinerary (go through the programme calendar, schedule meetings).
To make a plan for what to visit and schedule individueal meetings around that programme highlights, the following links might come in handy:
- Check our schedule overview (Opening Times etc.)
- Our pocket schedule as a PDF
- A calendar and all programme details in our web app (including ical links, accessible over mobile devices as well as your laptop/desktop)
- Contact people you want to meet using the email contacts you find via the app or our online database
- A map of all Classical:NEXT 2024 venues
At the bottom of the Showcase section of this website we have prepared a calendar of interesting concerts and events happing around Classical:NEXT (first check our showcases, then scroll down). Consider these as well to dive into Berlin’s music scene.
Do not forget to take a stroll through our expo with international exhibitors from all branches of the music industry, music export offices, receptions and more.
Is there an app?
Yes there is a Web App, which you can use via any browser on your Tablet, smartphone and also laptop computer. Your net.classicalnext.com login also works for the app. Information is cached (and thus available offline), to update the data, refresh your browsertab from time to time, while you have internet.
Things to bring and prepare
Make sure to bring any supporting materials or documents to help drive your point home. Furthermore make sure your online presence is in order, your social media or any other online platform up-to-date, and contains all necessary information.
For arts presenters: bring along any promotional material used in the previous years, press clippings and/or past programme schedules.
For artists and artist representatives: think about what will make you stand out from the crowd. If you have footage, bring your computer, charge your batteries and find a corner where you can show people what you’ve got. Bring CDs or cards with download codes to your music/EPKs, DVDs, press clippings, anything you think might help make your case, but remember: less is more. Heavy packages tend to get left behind in the hotel at check out. Instead, a small package that makes it easy for them to look into at home is ideal. Be sure to ask for a card and follow-up a few weeks after you return home.
For labels or publishers: bring along any relevant press materials, records,or cards with download codes to your music/EPKs, both compilations from your catalogue and any individual things you may want to publicise or licence, plus those of the artists you may want to promote for live performances. As a publisher take examples of your sheet music or commissioned projects with you.
For distributors: bring your details, your experience, and even your contracts – you might sign deals right on the spot.
For programmers and journalists: bring proof of your credentials to help convince people that you are the one!
Check the ‘Press/Media’ page for information, hi-res Classical:NEXT photos and logos.
Whatever you do, don’t forget to bring business cards and or have your digital contact data ready.
Where do I get my badge and wristband?
For the Opening at Pierre Boulez Saal (13 May, 19:00) simply show your ID at the entry. Maximum capacity may be reached, so you best reserve a spot in advance for a guaranteed entry (go to net.classicalnext.com online database and go to “my events”).
For our Expo and Conference, starting the next day, Tuesday 14 May at Colosseum daytime venue, you can speed up your check-in by bringing your ID and QR Code we’ve sent you via email (no need to print, showing the mail on your phone suffices). Check-in is possible as early as 9:00, Expo and Conference will start at 12:00 on Tuesday (9–12 is setup time for exhibitors!) and at 10:00 on Wednesday and Thursday.
Free lunch buffet and bus shuttle included in your registration
Is there really nothing like a free lunch as they say? Yes there is!
There will be a free lunch catering (vegetarian) at Colosseum on Wednesday and Thursday 12:30 until 14:30 as well as free coffee, tea and water included in your registration. Yay!
Evening bus shuttle
For a transfer from Colosseum to the nighttime venue Holzmarkt, there will be a free bus shuttle on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving at 18:00 and 19:00 from Colosseum (Classical:NEXT Main Entrance at Gleimstraße).
List of cafés, restaurants and shops around Colosseum (daytime venue)
- LAP COFFEE – conveniently located directly at Schönhauser Allee station
- Espresso House
- Caffè Monelli
- Bar Salumeria Sigismondo
- Spreegold
Food:
- Wen Cheng 1 – expect a queue!
- Spreegold Prenzlauer Berg
- BioBackhaus
- Hello Vietnam Restaurant
- Restaurant Jalla Jalla
Bars:
Grocery Store and Pharmacies:
- budni drogeriemarkt
- dm drogeriemarkt
- Asia Markt
- Rewe and Rewe City supermarkets
Travel & Accommodation
Travel
& Accom-modation
Berlin
All travel information will be updated soon and be published here.
Berlin, Germany’s capital, renowned for its rich history and creative spirit, is a hub for the arts. With affordable real estate, a libertarian vibe, and openness to experimentation, it has drawn creatives for decades. The city excels in visual arts, film, fashion, and classical music – earning the title of the “capital of classical music.” From renowned orchestras to avant-garde classical music venues, Berlin also hosts leading artist agencies, music startups, and record labels.
Beyond classical music, Berlin thrives as a diverse music city, embracing everything from minimal techno to global music street parades. The city offers ample accommodation, dining, and leisure options, making it an ideal destination for the classical music professionals’ meeting in May 2024.
