Berlin's always buzzing with events as cool as its street art and with more of a punch than its spicy bratwursts. We've done you a solid by scoping out the exact spots where you should be scribbling a little star on your calendar:

• Berlin Fashion Week (January) - strut your stuff, or just gawk at others doing it way better. Designers turn the city into a runway for this event, and everyone's dressed to impress.

• Berlinale - International Film Festival (February) - Hollywood's got nothing on this bad boy. Grab some popcorn and schmooze with the cinephiles at one of the biggest film fests in the world.

• Carnival of Cultures (May) - Berlin throws its own Mardi Gras, where the whole world's invited. Expect a riot of colour, music and dance that turns the streets into a global block party.

• Fête de la Musique (June) - make music, listen to music, get down to music. On the longest day of the year, Berlin becomes a free concert where anyone can jump in.

• Berlin Marathon (September) - lace up for a sightseeing tour with a runner's high. It's less about the personal best, and more about the party vibe and the cheering squads.

• Oktoberfest Berlin (September - October) - who needs Munich when you've got massive steins, lederhosen as far as the eye can see, and bratwurst that deserve their own fan club right here in Berlin?

• Festival of Lights (October) - Berlin becomes a canvas for light artists who may or may not have drank a smidge too much espresso. Check it out while historical buildings and landmarks get a glow-up that would make any influencer jealous.

• Berlin Science Week (November) - put on your nerdy glasses and dive into talks, workshops, and exhibitions. It’s like a school science fair, if your school had world-renowned scientists and mind-blowing experiments going on. We're guessing they didn't.

• Christmas Markets (December) - slurp on mulled wine and shop for things you don't need but suddenly have to have. Berlin’s Christmas markets are like fairytales with better snacks.

• New Year’s Eve Party at Brandenburg Gate (December) - Berlin sends off the year with a bang, a beat, and about a million friends you didn’t know you had. The fireworks are just the icing on the pretzel.

Berlin’s nightlife is the stuff of legends – gritty, edgy, and no two nights are ever the same. Ready for a night out that might just turn into a morning? Course you do, you party animal. Get a load of these hotspots:

• Berghain & Panorama Bar - you haven’t done Berlin until you’ve either been rejected by or danced your socks off in this techno temple. It’s the holy grail of clubbing, and no, we don’t have tips to get in. Good luck!

• Watergate - party with a view of the Spree, where the beats are as good as the sunrise you'll end up watching later on. It’s a two-level haven for house and techno aficionados.

• KitKatClub - have a break (we had to) and leave your inhibitions at the door. This club is Berlin’s wild child, where the dress code ranges from latex to… well, imagination.

• Prater Garten - Berlin’s oldest beer garden is more chill vibes than wild nights, but hey - who says a night out can’t be under the stars with a pretzel in hand?

• Tresor - a techno bunker that’s as 'Berlin' as it gets. Expect to lose all sense of time in the maze-like corridors thumping with bass.

• Monkey Bar - want to sip a classy drink while eyeing monkeys? Yep, the zoo's right below. It’s quirky, it’s got one heck of a view, and it's perfect for a tipsy toast over Berlin.

• SO36 - a punk rock joint that’s kept its edge since the 70s. It’s like stepping into a time machine, if time machines were covered in stickers and beer puddles.

• Chalet - housed in a 150-year-old building, this club offers a charmingly dishevelled space to dance the night away surrounded by vintage décor and a fairytale garden.

• Clärchens Ballhaus - waltz into history with a side of schnitzel at this century-old dance hall that's survived wars, walls and the digital age - still serving up top-notch spins and steps.

Berlin’s grub scene is a whirlwind of hearty, comforting flavours that are as unpretentious as they are filling. Here’s the lowdown on what to munch on:

• Currywurst - Berlin’s answer to fast food. It's a steamed, then fried pork sausage, doused in ketchup and crowned with curry powder. Look for the longest queue at any food stall – that's your spot.

• Döner Kebab - not just for a post-drunken snack! It's a bit of a Turkish import, but still massively celebrated in the city. Piled high with meat, veggies and sauce, wrapped in a flatbread - it’s the king of kebabs.

• Berliner Pfannkuchen - don’t say ‘jam doughnut’ around these parts, just sayin'. These are sugary, jam-filled delights dusted with powdered sugar. Perfect for that sweet tooth craving after a long day (or night) out.

• Brezel - not just a Bavarian treat, the Berliner Brezel is twisted, baked and salted with love. And it’s big enough to double as a steering wheel.

• Kartoffelsalat - the German potato salad is a tangy sidekick (no mayo here). We’re talking about a zesty vinegar punch that’ll get your taste buds in a twist.

• Schnitzel - sure, it’s not unique to Berlin, but when in Germany… It's a breaded, fried slice of heaven - usually pork or veal - best enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon and the local Pilsner.

• Bockwurst - a plump, juicy sausage (steady, now) that’s begging to be bitten into - usually accompanied by mustard and a roll. It’s the wurst, which in Berlin, means it’s pretty darn good.

• Käsespätzle - Germany's answer to mac 'n' cheese. These soft egg noodles smothered in cheese and fried onions will have you unbuttoning your jeans in satisfaction.

• Apfelstrudel - a flaky, apple-packed pastry - often served warm with a dollop of cream. It's like a cosy blanket, in dessert form.