Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) will open its doors for the Long Night of Science on 6 June 2026, from 5 pm to midnight. Visitors can look forward to 200 exciting science projects at its sites in Berlin-Mitte (Main Building, Anatomical Theatre, Humboldt Labor in the Humboldt Forum, Mori Ôgai Memorial), Adlershof, Dahlem and the Späth Arboretum. Researchers will provide insights into their work through experiments, lectures, guided tours, children’s universities, interactive games, exhibitions and hands-on activities.
The varied programme in the main building in Berlin-Mitte includes mini-language courses, hands-on experiments on fictional democracy-building and guided tours of the art collection. In the Ehrenhof, the Humboldt Big Band provides musical relaxation on the Wiesenbühne, whilst at the Science of Rave, visitors can dance until 11 pm. In Adlershof, children can explore invisible phenomena at a physics dance workshop. Scientists will showcase their research on intelligence and AI and pit autonomous football robots against each other at the RoboCup. Physicists will demonstrate how laser beams can be bent, and there will also be a physics speed-dating session with theoretical physicists for the curious.
The Späth Arboretum, Humboldt-Universität’s 140-year-old collection of trees and shrubs, invites visitors to various guided tours, lectures and hands-on activities, and will open its greenhouse. Anyone wishing to support the arboretum can contribute to the preservation of this green treasure in Berlin by sponsoring a plant.
Tickets for the Long Night of Science are available not only online but also at the box office, in the courtyard of the HU main building, Unter den Linden 6, Berlin-Mitte, on the evening of 6 June 2026.
Selected programme highlights by location
Berlin-Mitte Campus
Let’s talk about religion: A participatory dialogue café
- When: 5.00 pm – midnight, Foyer
- Where: Main building of Humboldt-Universität, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin
How do we talk about religion in a pluralistic society? Why do some conversations feel enriching, whilst others quickly become heated or deadlocked? Visitors move between themed tables and discuss religion, social cohesion, community, conflicts and dialogue in everyday life.
Guided tour of the main building ofHumboldt-Universität
- When: 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm, 11.00 pm – midnight
- Where: Meeting point: Tour desk, main building of Humboldt-Universität, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin
A guided tour behind the scenes of the historic main building. Participants will learn interesting facts about the architecture, history and current use of the building. Advance registration at the stand is required. Places are limited.
Playground or Battleground? Childhood in Conflict: London, Berlin, Belfast
- When: 5.00 pm – midnight
- Where: Exhibition in the Senatssaal, Main Building of Humboldt-Universität, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin
Curated by Master’s students from the Centre for British Studies, this interactive exhibition shows how children’s play persists and adapts in cities shaped by conflict: in London during The Blitz, in divided Berlin after 1961, and in Belfast during The Troubles.
Exhibition: (Un)Approachable Aphrodite. Her famous sanctuary in Idalion (Cyprus)
- When: 5.00 pm – midnight
- Where: Lichthof Ost, main building of Humboldt-Universität, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin
The Berlin-Idalion Archaeological Project, a collaboration between the Institute of Archaeology at Humboldt-Universität and the University of Cyprus in Idalion, is researching the famous sanctuary of the goddess Aphrodite (7th century BC to the Roman Empire) in the centre of the island of Cyprus. Through 3D animations and life-size 3D models, this distant sanctuary can be experienced in Berlin.
Harvesting water, design for the urban water cycle – workshop accompanying the exhibition “On Water”
- When: 6.45 pm – 10.00 pm
- Where: Humboldt Labor at the Humboldt Forum, Schloßplatz 1, 10178 Berlin
The starting point for this open drop-in session is the installation “Cheimarros” by designer Dimitra Almpani-Lekka in the exhibition “On Water. Water Knowledge in Berlin”. The ceramic forms of the work explore how rainwater can be collected and channelled in urban environments. Under the designer’s guidance, visitors will experiment with clay themselves, try out methods of water harvesting and create a small object to take home.
Lecture: Paper theatre (kamishibai). A popular form of entertainment from the Showa era
- When: 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm
- Where: Mori Ôgai Memorial, Luisenstraße 39, 10117
Based on the master’s thesis by the speaker, Miya Gerlich, this talk explores Japanese street paper theatre. It was a popular form of entertainment that captivated children of the urban working class in particular from the late 1920s through to the 1970s. The talk traces its development and presents excerpts from the successful play “The Golden Bat”.
Adlershof Campus
Berry solar cells
- When: 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm
- Where: Center for the Science of Materials Berlin, Zum großen Windkanal 2, 12489 Berlin, Room 2.049, Hands-on experiment
Can berries generate electricity? Children make their own organic solar cells from juices, teas and other natural ingredients. Through mixing, painting and experimenting, they discover how colours from nature capture light and convert it into energy – science that amazes!
A journey through space and time
- When: 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm
- Where: Lise Meitner House, Institute of Physics at Humboldt-Universität, Newtonstraße 15, 12489 Berlin, Rooms 2`101 and 2`102, Experiment and Play
Have you ever wondered what physics sounds like? And what happens when light can do more than we expect in everyday life? Discover how vibrations become audible and how laser beams can influence matter. Join a team of theoretical physicists for interactive experiments and surprising demonstrations that challenge our conventional ideas.
What makes slime slimy and how do you measure it?
- When: 5.00 pm – 10.10 pm
- Where: Emil Fischer House, Institute of Chemistry at Humboldt-Universität, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489 Berlin, Meeting point: Foyer Kamm A, 1st floor, Demonstration and experiment
Mucus acts as a barrier against viruses and bacteria and fulfils important functions in our respiratory and digestive tracts. Its main components are mucins, complex organic compounds made up of proteins and carbohydrates. In some diseases, however, the mucus no longer functions properly. A tour of the laboratory will demonstrate how researchers aim to uncover the molecular basis of mucus function. Key steps, from chemical synthesis through analysis to testing mucus properties, will be presented.
Dahlem Campus
Experience CUBES Circle: Plant, fish and insect production in a circular system
- When: 5.00 pm – 10.00 pm
- Where: Information stand and workshop, Albrecht-Daniel-Thaer-Institut, Research Greenhouse, Campus Dahlem, Lentzeallee 75, 14195 Berlin
Participants will learn about the CUBES Circle system as an integrated production concept for plants, fish and insects. The workshop will demonstrate how material cycles are linked and resources are used efficiently. It invites participants to explore and discuss the interplay between aquaculture, plant production and insect farming.
Baumschulenweg site
Open greenhouse
- When: 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm
- Where: Späth Arboretum, Institute of Biology at Humboldt-Universität, Späthstraße 80/81, 12437 Berlin
A rare glimpse into the small but exquisite collection of tropical plants in the Späth Arboretum’s greenhouse. On display are flowering stones, rare ferns and extraordinary orchids, as well as many other botanical treasures used for teaching botany at Humboldt-Universität.