Zug der Liebe (German for "Train of Love") is Berlin’s annual techno parade with a purpose. Unlike the commercial mega-raves, this event is explicitly a political demonstration that uses booming beats and dancing crowds to send a message of compassion, inclusivity, and social action. Founded in 2015 by a collective of music lovers and activists, Zug der Liebe was created to bring people together through music while advocating for social good. Now in 2025, the 10th anniversary edition, tens of thousands of ravers are expected to hit the streets on August 30 to celebrate "10 Years of Love" and rally for positive change.

The Goal of Zug der Liebe 2025

This year’s Zug der Liebe carries special significance as a decade milestone. The official motto for 2025 "10 Years of Love – Together for a Fairer Future". Over the past ten years, the parade has shown what’s possible when people unite their voices for a more just, solidaric society, achieving real impacts in Berlin’s community. At the same time, organizers emphasize that the work isn’t finished. The 10th Zug der Liebe is both a celebration of progress and a rallying cry to keep pushing forward.

Central causes highlighted in 2025 include some of Berlin’s most urgent issues. Better public transportation and environmental policy, social justice initiatives, and affordable housing are front and center on the agenda. The idea is to shine a spotlight on these challenges and demand a fairer, more livable city for everyone. In the spirit of the motto "Bässe verbinden" ("Bass connects"), the parade shows how music can unite diverse people toward common goals. It’s a loud, joyous call for compassion and community.

Everyone is welcome to join in, people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities. The organizers explicitly distance themselves from hate or extremism, making it clear that bigots, far-right agitators, and conspiracy ideologues are not welcome at this demonstration.

Zug der Liebe Route and Schedule for 2025

Zug der Liebe 2025 takes place on Saturday, 30 August 2025. The parade will follow a now-traditional route through Berlin, covering about 11 km across several districts. The whole thing kicks off at 13:00 with an opening rally at the Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg (Bernauer Straße 48, near the Mauerpark flea market entrance). After a short welcome and speeches, the music trucks will start rolling and the crowd will depart Mauerpark in the early afternoon.

From there, the parade procession winds its way through the city. The route heads down Danziger Straße through Prenzlauer Berg into Friedrichshain, then along the broad Landsberger Allee and Karl-Marx-Allee past Strausberger Platz toward Mitte. Ravers will pass by the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz and dance across the historic center. Going down Karl-Liebknecht-Straße and Unter den Linden near Museum Island and Friedrichstraße. Finally, the parade crosses into Kreuzberg via Axel-Springer-Straße and ends around Oranienstraße 125 (near Moritzplatz) in the early evening. By the time the last truck comes to a stop (expected around 20:30–21:00), the "Train of Love" will have traversed multiple neighborhoods and sent a signal for change.

For those joining along the way, keep in mind the parade moves slowly (approx. 2 km per hour) with planned stops. If you arrive late, you can catch up at any point on the route! No tickets or registration are required to join, just show up and move with the music. And yes, it’s completely free to participate, since this is a volunteer-organized political demonstration (not a commercial festival).

Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and don’t forget earplugs if you’re sensitive to loud music!

Trucks / Collectives

One of the unique features of Zug der Liebe is its community of trucks and collectives, each paired with a social cause or non-profit. In 2025, 15 trucks will roll out, hosted by a variety of local crews, clubs, and initiatives. Each truck essentially becomes a mobile party, blasting its own flavor of electronic music. 

Overview of confirmed trucks.

  • #1 Kein Hass nur Bass: Lineup to be announced.
  • #2 Love & Bass Truck: Diaz-Soto, Concept, DJ Quien, Tommy Lexxus, Dark Zenith, Wizzet, Soultrain MC.
  • #3 TFB: Extekksy, Der Beschrenkte, Abrizzkid, Ecydo, Lmntrx, Lokführer, Adventum, Frost, Mump3l.
  • #4 Der Weiße Hase: Lineup coming soon.
  • #5 Nova: Zwei’E.
  • #6 Tanz dein Glück / Technobst: Daniel Kirchner, Joel, Tobi Meyerhof.
  • #7 Kollektiv Kauz: Daxler, Kimban, TechNovaBader, Semptex, Stockiz, Rumbalotte.
  • #8 SUBLIME: Lineup not yet announced.
  • #9 Diskolusion: Lineup not yet announced.
  • #10 Slust e.V.: Lineup to follow.
  • #12 Fhainest: Lineup to follow.
  • #13 Vorwärts Musik & Beenoise Records: Liam Williams, Hackfreed, Chicano, Manilo, DJ Tribe, Theo M, Luke.
  • #14 Volume Berlin Records: Drauf & Dran, Felix Reichelt, Felix Wehden, Cat Vermillion, Fabian Girard, Kaminka Merel, MYPD, bonq, Dark Lizz.
  • #15 Authentic Streetfood e.V.: Moritz Biebl, Martha O., Acid Mo, Sika Akis, Michi Lipp, Joshua Liebe, Germán Martinez, Asphalt Angel.

Zug der Liebe Afterparties

After dancing all afternoon for love and solidarity, the night is still young! As evening falls on August 30, many participants will be asking: Where’s the party after the parade? The good news is Berlin’s club scene will be buzzing with options that Saturday night. Practically every club in the city will have something going on. Here are our top afterparty picks, so you can keep the celebration going:

  • Unleashed.Berlin @ Insomnia – Our sex-positive top pick. Unleashed.Berlin is throwing a spectacular party at Insomnia Club (Alt-Tempelhof 17-19) starting 22:00 on August 30. This is an independent event timed perfectly for Zug der Liebe ravers who want to continue with an open-minded twist. In fact, as of mid-August, Unleashed’s party is the only sex-positive event listed in Berlin for that night! Expect two dancefloors (one pumping peak time techno, one in the intimate downstairs dungeon for harder and darker sounds) and an international DJ lineup spanning four continents. Unleashed is known for its inclusive, LGBTQIA+ and fetish-friendly atmosphere, so dress wild. Come with an open mind and respect for others. Their recent afterparty following Berlin’s CSD (Pride) parade was a huge success, with packed dancefloors until morning, and they aim to recreate that magic after Zug der Liebe. If you’re looking to celebrate "10 years of love" by dancing freely into the dawn, Unleashed.Berlin at Insomnia is the place to be. 
  • Ritter Butzke – The organizers’ own afterparty will take over Ritter Butzke in Kreuzberg, kicking off around 9 PM. You can expect multiple floors of house and techno, with some of the Zug der Liebe crew’s favorite DJs playing. Ritter Butzke’s industrial charm and outdoor courtyard make it a great spot to cool down after the street heat while still dancing up a storm.
  • 4Q4 Fehler @ Kater Blau – Over at the famous riverside club Kater Blau, the resident party series "4Q4 Fehler" will be in full swing from Saturday night into Sunday. Kater is known for its quirky, artsy vibe and quality electronic music. If you want an afterparty that captures a bit of that old-school Berlin club magic by the Spree, this is a solid option.
  • Berlin Atonal: Night IV @ Kraftwerk – For something completely different, the legendary Berlin Atonal festival is running this week, and Night IV falls on Aug 30 at Kraftwerk. This event is part of a larger experimental music and art festival, featuring avant-garde electronic live acts and DJs spread across the cavernous Kraftwerk power plant venue (plus Tresor and OHM clubs inside it). It’s not an "afterparty" per se, but it will go late and is perfect for those who want a more futuristic, immersive music experience after the parade.
  • Other Club Nights Across the City – Of course, Berlin on a summer weekend offers countless parties. On August 30 you’ll also find events like Barghain Club Night, the Toy Tonics Jam open-air at Æden, and many others ranging from disco to hardcore. For a comprehensive list of parties happening that night, check out our Berlin party calendar

No matter where you end up, the afterparties are an extension of Zug der Liebe’s energy – a chance to let loose and celebrate everything that makes Berlin’s nightlife special. Whether you go for a sex-positive rave, a classic techno club, or just an intimate bar with friends, the main idea is to keep sharing the love and positivity that the day inspired.

Live Parade Tracking: Find Us on Telegram

Worried about losing the parade in the big city? We’ve got you covered. Starting from 13:00 on the day of Zug der Liebe, Berliner.party will be sharing the live location of the parade in real-time, just like we did last year, via our Telegram channel. As the parade moves from Prenzlauer Berg all the way to Kreuzberg, it might be tricky to figure out where the party has moved. By tuning into our Telegram, you can see exactly where the trucks are and catch up with minimal hassle.

Join our Telegram here: t.me/berlinerparty. We’ll be out there on the streets too, dancing and reporting, so our goal is to make sure no one misses out due to logistics. Just bring your phone, follow the live location, and you’ll find the "Train of Love" no matter where it goes.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

  • When and where does Zug der Liebe 2025 take place? – It’s on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The parade starts at 13:00 (1:00 PM) in Mauerpark. We recommend arriving on time or even a bit early to hear the opening speech and see all the trucks before they depart. The event typically ends by around 9:00-10:00 PM in Kreuzberg.
  • How many people and trucks are expected? – Organizers anticipate tens of thousands of participants in 2025. In recent years, crowds have easily been 20,000+ strong if the weather is good. There will be 15 sound trucks this year, each with its own DJs and themes.
  • Does it cost money? Do I need a ticket? – No, it’s completely free! Zug der Liebe is a registered political demonstration, not a commercial festival, so there is no entry fee at all. 
  • Can anyone join the parade? – Absolutely yes, everyone is welcome to walk along, dance, and take part in the demonstration. The event is open to all ages (you’ll see everyone from young ravers to older activists in the crowd). Just be aware it is a loud techno parade. So if bringing kids or pets, use appropriate ear protection and caution. Also, because this is a demonstration promoting love and inclusion, the only ones not welcome are those spreading hate. The organizers explicitly disinvite participants with racist, antisemitic, sexist, or otherwise extremist views. In short: come in peace and you’re good to go!
  • What should I bring or not bring? – You don’t need much to enjoy Zug der Liebe. Just comfortable clothes/shoes for walking, some water, sunscreen if it’s sunny, maybe a snack, and good vibes. It’s wise to bring earplugs since you’ll be near very loud speakers for hours. Berlin demos allow drinking on the street, so you might see people with beers, etc.,  
  • Is Zug der Liebe the "new Love Parade"? – Not exactly. While both involve electronic music and dancing in the streets, Zug der Liebe is much smaller scale and explicitly non-commercial. The organizers make a point that this is a political demonstration first and foremost, not just a giant party. In contrast to the old Love Parade (or the new Rave The Planet parade) which draw hundreds of thousands and big corporate sponsors, Zug der Liebe runs on volunteer energy, DIY spirit, and focuses on community causes over pure party. 
  • What’s the afterparty situation? – Tons of afterparties take place all over town – see the section above for our recommendations. You can essentially take your pick of Berlin’s nightlife offerings, from the Unleashed.Berlin sex-positive rave at Insomnia to mainstream club nights. If you plan to attend an afterparty, check whether the venue sells tickets (some, like Atonal at Kraftwerk, require tickets in advance, whereas others like Kater Blau you can pay at the door).

Got more questions? Feel free to reach out via our Telegram. Zug der Liebe is all about community, so experienced Berlin ravers and parade veterans are usually happy to help newcomers. Now charge your phone, tell your friends, and get ready to hit the streets. We’ll see you at Zug der Liebe 2025, dancing for a good cause! Love, bass, and unity await on August 30th.