What exactly is re:publica?
The republica Berlin 2026 is something like the annual class reunion of the digital society. Here, people from net politics, media, science, activism, startups, culture, and administration meet to discuss the future of our digital lives. Officially, re:publica sees itself as a festival for the digital society – consciously more than “just” a conference: three days of talks, discussions, workshops, art, music, and plenty of encounters.
From AI and algorithms to disinformation, platform economy, and copyright, to climate, feminism, gaming, education, and culture: the program spans a wide range each year. Europe’s largest festival of its kind now attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world who want to network, debate, experiment, and gather inspiration.
When and where will re:publica Berlin 2026 take place?
The re:publica 2026 will take place from May 18 to 20, 2026 at STATION Berlin in Kreuzberg. STATION is a former post office railway station directly at Gleisdreieck, now one of the city’s most exciting event locations – brick, industrial charm, courtyards, and halls that perfectly match the festival character.
The address:
STATION Berlin, Luckenwalder Straße 4–6, 10963 Berlin – right between Kreuzberg, Mitte, and Schöneberg, with subway access (U1/U2/U3 Gleisdreieck) and a short distance to many hotels, restaurants, and bars.
The motto for 2026: “Never Gonna Give You Up” – a wink to Rick Astley, but seriously meant when it comes to commitment to an open, democratic, digital society.
What topics and formats await you in 2026?
The official program list for 2026 is gradually growing, but the framework is clear:
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Conference sessions on several stages – keynotes, panels, lightning talks, interviews
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Workshops & Labs on very practical topics (e.g., tools, code, storytelling, activism, media literacy)
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Art and performance formats, installations, exhibitions
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Meetups & Community sessions, where communities and projects present themselves
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Nightlife & Off-Stage program with concerts, parties, and spontaneous events
Content-wise, it traditionally covers topics such as digital participation, platform power, democracy online, open data, climate justice, AI ethics, media change, education & culture. In 2025, the focus under the motto “Generation XYZ” was strongly on the interaction and conflicts between generations in the digital world – this will be continued in 2026 with “Never Gonna Give You Up,” but with an even greater focus on endurance, activism, and long-term commitment.
Who is re:publica especially for?
In short: for everyone who is professionally or privately involved with digital topics, media, or society – and is eager to broaden their horizons.
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Communicators, journalists, social media teams
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Employees from startups, agencies, NGOs, foundations
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Developers, designers, product people
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People from politics, administration, and civil society who work on digital transformation
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and of course students, activists, creatives, and the curious
The range is huge: on the grounds, you’ll meet hackers, city administrations, climate initiatives, large media houses, one-person newsletters, and international organizations alike. This very mix is what makes it charming – and ensures that after three days, you’ll definitely leave with more questions, but also many answers.
What’s a typical day like at re:publica?
In the morning, you pick up your festival wristband, grab the schedule (or the app), and mark a few sessions you definitely don’t want to miss. Then it starts: you hop between Stage 1 with big keynotes, smaller stages with niche topics, workshops in side rooms, and the outdoor area, where installations, food trucks, and smaller activities often await.
In between, you constantly meet people you know from the internet, linger at booths, continue discussions in the courtyard, or end up in a session you knew nothing about five minutes ago. In the evening, the mood shifts: music, drinks, performances – re:publica is consciously also a festival where networking doesn’t stop after the last panel.
A tip: consciously plan for gaps. The best moments often happen in transition – in the courtyard, on the stairs, at the coffee stand, or in line for food.
Stay at the Little BIG Hotels
STATION is super central – and this is where your three hotels come into play, conveniently located for re:publica:
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the YARD: A stylish boutique hotel right between Kreuzberg and Mitte, from which you can walk to Gleisdreieck or reach STATION by subway in a few minutes. Perfect if you’re in the conference bubble during the day and want to go to restaurants, bars, or the Landwehrkanal in the evening.
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LINDEMANN´S: Your urban basecamp on Potsdamer Straße – with direct connections to Gleisdreieck and a short distance to both City West and the city center. Ideal for those who want to combine re:publica with a bit of big city vibe, galleries, and nightlife.
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fjord hotel berlin: Quietly located on a side street, but just a short walk from Potsdamer Platz and thus not far from STATION. Here you can sleep soundly, sort emails in peace after the sessions – and still quickly get back into the conference hustle and bustle.
No matter which hotel you choose: All three locations score with short distances to STATION Berlin, good public transport connections, and exactly the mix of comfort and casualness that you truly appreciate after three days of input marathon.
In addition, we’ll provide you with an accommodation deal: With the code LBH_RE26, you save 5% on all overnight stays between May 17 and 21, 2026.
How do you plan your re:publica visit – tickets, travel, tips?
Tickets are available directly via the re:publica website. Ticket sales for 2026 will start in early November 2025, according to the organizer; there are different categories for private individuals, companies, NGOs, education, and often discounted “Early Bird” contingents.
For travel, the train is a good option: Berlin Hbf is well connected to long-distance transport, from there you can reach STATION by S-Bahn and U-Bahn in about 20–25 minutes. If you’re already in the city, it’s best to go directly to U-Bahnhof Gleisdreieck (U1/U2/U3) and walk the last few meters. Bicycles are of course always an option in Berlin – there are plenty of parking spaces around STATION.
A few more practical tips:
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Filter the program beforehand, but don’t overpack it – FOMO is part of re:publica, but you don’t have to experience everything.
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Pack a power bank & water bottle, the grounds are large and the days are long.
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Plan your networking: Update LinkedIn & Co., have business cards or a QR code ready, and follow up specifically after the three days.
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Plan an extra day, if possible: Enjoy Berlin a bit before or after re:publica – whether it’s Museum Island, Tempelhofer Feld, or just a Späti bench with a view of the neighborhood.
This way, re:publica Berlin 2026 will be more than just a conference for you: an inspiring, sometimes exhausting, but very rewarding festival from which you’ll return with new ideas, contacts, and plenty of momentum for your own digital projects.
