Special Olympics Festival
The Special Olympics Festival 2022 has invited to a colorful stage program, varied participatory offers and many other small and large inclusive highlights from 18-24 June around Neptunbrunnen in Berlin.
We are grateful for seven days full of enthusiasm, entertainment and inspiring conversations in the heart of Berlin with more than 450 participants on stage, 21 exhibitors, 5 different workshop offers and unforgettable moments.
All visitors, participants on stage, exhibitors, workshop providers and the partners of the games have made the Special Olympics Festival what it is: a place where cultures, nations, people with and without disabilities come together and inclusion can be experienced.
The Special Olympics Festival will also take place at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, probably between 15 and 25 June. Next year, there will again be various opportunities to participate and actively shape the program. Detailed information will follow in autumn 2022. We are already looking forward to seeing you again next year!
Program
That has been the Special Olympics Festival in the context of Berlin 2022 - 7 days full of music, workshops, activities and much more around Neptunbrunnen in the heart of Berlin.
Our highlights:
On Saturday 18 June, the Special Olympics Festival 2022 opens with its Family Day. Our special program on this day:
- The Berlin Brass Festival
- Werkstatt Utopia – inclusive orchestra brings music for the whole family (15:15-16:15)
- Flame Lighting Ceremony of the National Games 2022 (16:30-17:00)
- Print & Branding station to embellish SO Merchandise products
- The mascot Kroko from LAG with information about dental health
- „Kinder stark machen“ campaign with great activities for kids (BZgA)
On Tuesday 21 June, we welcome Fête de la Musique Berlin on the cultural festival stage. We are excited about diverse artists and music all day long.
The cultural stage
Come by and experience the flame of the National Games 2022, celebrate with us the Fête de la Musique and dance to the music of the Mischa Gohlke Band - this and much more awaits you on the cultural stage of the Special Olympics Festival 2022.
Daniela Ulbing and Andrea Franken will guide through the program.
Start stage program: daily from 2pm.
An overview of the cultural stage program can be found here:
18 June
Grande Fanfare
Berlin Brass Festival
14:00 - 14:45
Werkstatt Utopia - Jazz Ensemble
KulturLeben Berlin
15:15 - 16:15
Special Olympics Flame Lighting Ceremony
16:30 - 17:00
Askanier Rock
Mosaik Berlin
17:00 - 17:45
Kinder stark machen
Bundeszentrale für Gesundheitliche Aufklärung
18:00 - 18:15
Healthy Athletes - Fit Feet
18:15 - 18:30 Uhr
Short Gymnastics Activity
with Yvonne Blankenforth
Verein Fit und Fun Berlin-Marzahn e.V.
18:30-19:00
Beat'n Blow
Berlin Brass Festival
19:15 - 20:00
Mischa Gohlke Band
20:30 - 21:30
RETOLD – NACH:ERZÄHLT
Theather Thikwa
Short performances and dance acts
Daily from 15:00
19 June
Karower Dachse
14:00 - 14:30
Pfeffersport e.V.
14:30 - 14:45
Healthy Athletes - FUNfitness with BGE
14:45 - 15:00
Easy Language - Reading
Dr. Katharina Gernet
15:00-15:30
DJ Chris
16:00-17:00
Elkvilla
17:15 - 18:15
RETOLD – NACH:ERZÄHLT
Theather Thikwa
Short performances and dance acts
Daily from 15:00
20 June
Healthy Athletes – Opening Eyes
14:00 - 14:15
Marvin Holl
14:15 - 14:45
Para Karate - Show
Deutscher Karate Verband
15:00-15:30
Siemese Elephants
16:15 - 17:00
BATUCACA
Pößnecker Werkstätten
17:30 - 18:30
Die Schmetterlinge
Lebenshilfe Nürnberger Land
19:00 - 19:45
Dance performance Centre Talma
Gesellschaft für Sport und Jugendsozialarbeit (GSJ)
20:00 - 20:30
Poetry Slam
Kiezpoeten
20:30-21:30
RETOLD – NACH:ERZÄHLT
Theather Thikwa
Short performances and dance acts
Daily from 15:00
21 June
Alien Grace
Fête de la Musique
14:00-14:45
Handiclapped
Fête de la Musique
15:00 - 15:45
Alexandra Alden
Fête de la Musique
16:15 - 17:00
The New Victorians
Fête de la Musique
17:15 - 18:00
Yetundey
Fête de la Musique
18:30 - 19:15
Link Up Euro Connection
Fête de la Musique
19:45 - 20:30
Leopold
Fête de la Musique
20:45 - 21:30
RETOLD – NACH:ERZÄHLT
Theather Thikwa
Short performances and dance acts
Daily from 15:00
22 June
Healthy Athletes - Health Promotion
14:15 - 14:30
Healthy Athletes - Opening Eyes
Cancelled
14:30 - 14:45
Easy Language - Reading
Andrea Lauer
15:00-15:30
DJ
Healthy Athletes - Health Promotion
14:15 - 14:30
Healthy Athletes – Healthy Hearing
14:30 - 14:45"
Easy Language - Reading
Andrea Lauer
15:00-15:30"
DJ
15:45-16:45
Dance performance Centre Talma
Gesellschaft für Sport und Jugendsozialarbeit (GSJ)
17:15 - 17:45
André Hanelt
17:45 - 18:30
RETOLD – NACH:ERZÄHLT
Theather Thikwa
Short performances and dance acts
Daily from 15:00
23 June
Easy Language - Reading
Spaß am Lesen Verlag
14:00 - 14:30
DJ
14:15-15:15
Award ceremony: Christmas card art price
Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW)
15:15 - 16:00
Healthy Athletes - Special Smiles
16:00 - 16:15
AKONA
AWO Berlin
16:30 - 17:30
Dance- & Gymnasticshow
Lichtenberger Werkstätten (LWB)
with Berliner Turnerschaft
17:45-18:30
Guitar trio "Drei Silben"
18:30 - 19:15
Die Befreiten
Handiclapped
19:30 - 20:15
Prismala
20:30 - 21:30
RETOLD – NACH:ERZÄHLT
Theather Thikwa
Short performances and dance acts
Daily from 15:00
24 June
Bateria de risco
beta gGmbH & Musikschule Béla Bartók Prenzlauer Berg
14:00 - 14:30
The HotSpot
Musikschule Mitte
14:45 - 15:05
Lara Samira
15:30 - 16:00
Healthy Athletes - Strong Minds
16:00 - 16:15"
Choir
Fürst-Donnersmarck-Stiftung
16:15 - 17:00
Behind the Curtains
VIA Berlin
17:15 - 18:15
RETOLD – NACH:ERZÄHLT
Theather Thikwa
Short performances and dance acts
Daily from 15:00
Workshops
In our workshop tent you can get active and creative things yourself.
Get to know new sports at the sports workshop with Pfeffersport, create your own design in the batik workshop with s.Oliver or find out which instruments suit you in the music workshop with the Berlin Brass Festival. Just drop-in, no pre-registration needed.
An overview of our workshop program is available here:
18 June | Percussion- & Brass instruments with Berlin Brass Festival
At the music workshop with the Berlin Brass Festival you will learn more about why brass music increases the joy of life and you can try out the exciting brass & percussion instruments.
18 June | 12-21:30
19 & 20 June | Moving workshop-days with Pfeffersport
At the movement workshops of and with Pfeffersport you can get to know sports like Capoeira or Parkour and also learn why it is important to take a breath and listen to yourself from time to time. You will also learn why inclusion is the most important principle of the association, how Pfeffersport manages to work inclusively and how they convey joy in different kinds of movement.
19 June | 12-18:30 | Parkour, Capoeira and Mindfulness (Awareness through the body)
20 June | 12-21:30 | Parkour und Capoeira
21 & 22 June | Creative Workshop with s.Oliver
This workshop is already fully booked
Let your creativity run free! Become a designer with our premium partner s.Oliver: Personalize a T-shirt according to your ideas in a creative workshop on site - the perfect souvenir of your festival experience.
21 June| 12-21:30
22 June| 12-18:30
23 June | Print-Workshop with Foundation Preußische Schlösser & Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg
An artistic offer on the topic of "Schlossgarten Charlottenburg" awaits you - come by, get creative and take your own print home with you.
23 June | 12:00-16:00
24 June | Neurological rehabilitation - Fürst-Donnersmarck-Stiftung
Learn at different stations what it is like to master everyday situations with neurological impairment. Right after you can take a turn in the wheelchair parcour.
24 June| 12-18:30
Exhibitors and partners
The partners of the Special Olympics and many other organizations, associations & clubs are part of the Special Olympics Festival and bring exciting hands-on activities.
There will be plenty on offer at the festival: Inclusive climbing at the booth of the Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW), autograph sessions, wheels of fortune and much more awaits you. Come by and get to know our exhibitors and partners.
AfB Social and Green IT
During your visit to AfB (Work for People with Disabilities) you can expect a guessing game, a feeling station, a raffle and much more - stop by and learn how inclusion works in an IT company.
18-24 June
Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW)
BGW makes climbing possible for ALL. Be brave and try out a climbing tower over 5m high! The inclusive climbing offer is open to everyone, besides you will get information about other actions and the work of the BGW.
Sat, 18 June | 15:00-20:00 (everybody)
Sun, 19 June | 13:00-18:00 (everybody)
Mon, 20 June | 13:00-15:00 (Workshops, pre-registration), 16:00-20:00 (everybody)
Tue, 21 June | 13:00-15:00 (Workshops, pre-registration), 16:00-20:00 (everybody)
Wed, 22 June| 13:00-15:00 (Workshops, pre-registration), 16:00-18:00 (everybody)
Do, 23.6. | 13-15 Uhr (Werkstätten, Vorabanmeldung), 16:00-20:00 (everybody)
Fr, 24.6. | 13-15 Uhr (Werkstätten, Vorabanmeldung), 16:00-18:00 (everybody)
Coca-Cola
At the Coca-Cola booth, you can try a Coke Zero free of charge. The special feature: your taste experience will be captured in a photo. This way you can take the moment home with you and at the same time your personal festival memory.
18-24 June
Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB)
At the booth of the DOSB there will be small activities for young and old visitors and information in plain language about the DOSB and the common understanding of inclusion of the participating associations. The Buddy Sport Badge, which people with intellectual disabilities and their "buddy" can take, will be presented. Daily changing interviews with interesting guests are planned and with a little luck you can have your picture taken with Trimmy, the life-size mascot of the DOSB. Also represented at the stand will be the Landessportbund Berlin (LSB), the Behinderten- und Rehabilitations-Sportverband Berlin & other member organizations of the DOSB.
18-24 June
- Monday, 20 June, 12:00: Thomas Stephany from Aktion Mensch. Questions about funding from Aktion Mensch in the area of inclusion, sports and accessibility will be answered.
- Monday, 20 June, 12:00 – 16:00: Participation action "Berlin has talent - German motor skills test" with e.g. bag throwing, dumbbell exercises, jumping.
- Thursday, 23 June, 12:00 - 15:00: Johanna Suwelack from the Sportjugend Berlin. Information on participation in sports clubs in Berlin, how to pay membership fees and more.
- Thursday, 23 June, 16:00: Berlin native Lisa Unruh, archer, bronze medalist at the Olympics, pick up an autograph.
- Friday, 24 June: Olympic and world champion in two-man bobsleigh Mariama Jamanka from Berlin (time to be announced at short notice), pick up your autograph.
- The mascots Parapanda & Trimmy, almost daily on site
DJK Sportverband e.V.
Cross-boccia, a round of mini table tennis and other games of skill are available at the joint stand of the DJK Sportverband with Kirche & Sport (Protestant and Catholic sports work), the Archdiocese of Berlin, the Protestant Church of Berlin/Brandenburg and the Protestant Sports Work Berlin-Brandenburg (ESBB).
18-24 June
ERW-IN-Büro der Lebenshilfe Bildung gGmbH
Spin the lucky wheel and try yourself at the educational game at the joint stand of the ERW-IN Büro Lebenshilfe, the Gesellschaft Erwachsenenbildung und Behinderung and Lebenshilfe e.V. as well as the Lebenshilfe Landesverband Berlin.
18-20 June + 23-24 June
Hertha BSC
Come by and meet one of Berlins biggest sports clubs at the festival. You might be lucky and meeth the famous mascot Hertinho, next to that Hertha informs you about their inclusive programs and how to become part.
20-22 June
"Kinder stark machen“ / Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA)
"Kinder stark machen" is a hands-on addiction prevention initiative by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA). Information and join-in activities for the whole family.
18-19 June
Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Berlin zur Verhütung von Zahnerkrankungen e.V.
Learn more about dental and oral health, sugar in food, and don't forget to take a souvenir photo with Kroko, the LAG mascot will also be on hand.
18 June
Senatsverwaltung für Inneres, Digitalisierung und Sport
Together with the organizations of the project series "Inklusion 23", the Senate Department for the Interior, Digitalization and Sport invite you to a round of table football. These projects are participating, meet them and get to know more: Förderband, Grüner Campus Malchow, SMB, Tanzfähig, Sport im Park, Stiftung Preussische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg, Berlinklusion.
18-24 June
s.Oliver
How well do you know the s.Oliver Group? Through our quiz you can test your knowledge and win prizes. Have you become curious? Then come and visit us at our stand! We are sure that there will be new insights for everyone.
21-22 June
Special Olympics Merchandise
Don't miss the chance to take home your souvenir of the Games. You can buy colorful and diverse products in our Special Olympics Merchandise Shop. Many products are made by people with intellectual disabilities in the Berlin region.
18-24 June
Special Olympics Thuringia
As the host country of the Special Olympics National Winter Games 2024, SO Thuringia together with the Thuringia Tourism Office invites you to coconut shy. Come by for a throw, there are great prizes to be won.
18-24 June
Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
As a prelude to the Special Olympics World Games 2023, SO Germany and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) are looking forward to your visit. Here you can mix your own smoothie, and we will provide you with information about the Special Olympics programs and tickets for the National Games.
18-24 June
Sozialverband Deutschland / Landesverband Berlin Brandenburg
A photo campaign and the campaign "How barrier-free is your district" await you at the Berlin-Brandenburg regional association of the Sozialverband Deutschland. Still time? Then come by for a round of "Lively Mensch-ärgere-dich-nicht".
18-24 June
Spaß am Lesen Verlag
At the booth of the publishing house Spaß am Lesen Verlag, you can find out what exactly plain language is, what literature is available in plain language, and much more. To browse, you can retreat directly to the reading corner.
21-24 June
Talking Hands Flipbooks
Learning sign language with flipbooks - Talking Hands simplify communication between children with and without disabilities with their products. Stop by and try it out.
18-20 June
Theater Thikwa
As part of Inclusion 23, Theater Thikwa brings short stories into public space. With specially designed containers and performance theater, the group enriches this year's festival.
18-24 June
Schedule:
Dates | 18 June | 19 June | 20 June | 21 June | 22 June | 23 June | 24 June |
15:00 | 15:30 | 16:00 | 15:45 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:00 | |
17:45 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:45 | 17:00 | |
18:30 | 18:15 | 18:30 | 18:00 | 17:30 | 17:45 | 18:15 | |
20:00 | 19:45 | 19:15 | 19:15 |
Toyota
It's all happening at the Toyota booth: try your hand at various sports stations, meet the Toyota crowd and get an autograph from these top athletes.
Mathias Mester 19–20 June, former Paralympic athlete - disciplines: javelin, discus throw & shot put
Lisa Bergenthal 20-21 June, Paralympic athlete - wheelchair basketball
Nils Ehlers / Clemens Wickler 23 June, Beachvolleyball
18-24 June
Wettbewerbsfreies Angebot (WbfA) / Non-Competitive Sports Program (NCSP)
Whether you are an athlete, a visitor or a family member - the varied stations of the non-competitive sports offer invite you to get to know new sports or to give your best in old familiar disciplines.
18-24 June
Visit Berlin
Great prizes and information about accessibility in tourist Berlin await you at the Visit Berlin booth. With a spin on the wheel of fortune you have the chance to win discounts and tickets for Berlin attractions.
18-24 June
An overview of all participants can be found here:
Street Food
Delicious meals from all over the world are served at our foodtrucks:
- AFTAB Persian Street Food
- Churros namnam
- Coffee-Bike
- Empanadas Mama
- Fabis Esskultur
- Guten Dag
- My Crazy Crepes
- Orange Point - alkoholfreie Cocktails
- Santa Mamma by J&A
- Shalom´chen Berlin
- Tacombi Berlinesa
Accessibility
The presentation of the cultural stage at the Special Olympics Festival will be translated into German sign language. The area is barrier-free accessible and walkable.
Directions and more information about accessibility can be found in German here.
Alexanderplatz
You cannot make it to Neptunbrunnen, but still want to buy tickets for the Games or are interested in information about Special Olympics? Then stop by our info & ticket desk on Alexanderplatz.
Be part of it!
During the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, there will be a Special Olympics Festival again.
If you would like to be part of it, you can apply on our website from autumn 2022 onwards.
Contact
Do you have any questions about the Special Olympics Festival?
Feel free to send us an email to: