Summer Festival of the Freie Universität Berlin & Campus Run

FU Berlin and Dahlem

The Freie Universität Berlin, founded in 1948 as a democratic response to the SED-dominated Humboldt University, is now one of the largest and most renowned universities in Germany. Its main campus is located in the Dahlem district of Berlin (Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough), between villa streets, the Botanical Garden, and the historic Domäne Dahlem. The annual summer festival on the forecourt of the Holzlaube is an important date in the academic year — the transition from the summer semester to the exam period, winding down before the lecture-free time.

Holzlaube as a Festival Site

The Holzlaube — the joint humanities library, designed by Florian Nagler and opened in 2015 — is one of the FU's youngest architectural highlights with its striking wooden facade. Its forecourt on Fabeckstraße is ideal for the summer festival: large enough for several thousand visitors, with shade under trees, and within walking distance of the S-Bahn.

Campus Run — Running in the Park

The Campus Run starts at 5:15 PM and follows a marked route through the university grounds — past the cafeteria, library, Henry-Ford-Bau, lecture halls, and through the small park areas of the campus. Four distances: 2.5 km (for beginners), 5 km (for hobby runners), 7.5 km (for experienced runners), 10 km (for athletes). Before that, a 1 km children's run starts at 4:30 PM — popular with FU staff and their children.

What Happens Around the Run

From 4 PM, food trucks, cocktail stands, and games open around the Holzlaube. A DJ spins records, and later live bands perform — mostly student acts or Berlin indie bands selected by the university sports team through open calls (applications by March 1st). Table football, cornhole, beer pong, and table tennis tables are available free of charge.

Awareness and Safety

Like many Berlin university festivals, the FU Summer Festival has its own awareness team — recognizable by yellow vests with the awareness logo. They provide support for experiences of harassment and discrimination. The code word 'Wo ist Louisa?' (Where is Louisa?) at the bar or to an FU staff member signals an emergency situation and brings quick help.