On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Berlin together with nearly 60 cities worldwide will once again become part of an extraordinary global cultural event: the World Hat Walk will take place for the third time – simultaneously connecting nearly 60 cities across six continents in a stylish, creative, and community-driven movement.

What began in 2024 as an international initiative has evolved into the world’s largest coordinated hat parade. Professional milliners, designers, vintage enthusiasts, students, collectors, cosplayers – and even hat-wearing four-legged friends – come together to make the art of millinery visible and jointly set a sign for individuality and creative expression.

Participation is free of charge. The focus is on connection, exchange, and joy – as well as supporting the work of the German Heart Foundation.

Each city designs its route individually, reflecting its own cultural character. In Berlin, the walk leads through the historic heart of the city, bringing together fashion, craftsmanship, performance, and social engagement.

Berlin stands like hardly any other city for cultural diversity, an independent creative scene, and social openness. It is precisely here that the World Hat Walk 2026 unfolds a special radiance.

Since 2026, the World Hat Walk has continued under the new leadership of Tatiana Ashakova Turko, sustainable fashion curator, milliner, and philanthropist based in Berlin. She is the founder of the Berlin label BeretkAh…, which is part of Fashion Council Germany, and combines traditional craftsmanship with sustainable design and social commitment.

Founded on family values such as curiosity, care, and dedication, Tatiana Ashakova brings beauty and connection into the world through the art of hats, while her husband, Dr. Paul Turko, a pioneering neuroscientist at the Charité, dedicates his career to researching and treating neurological disorders. Together, through their complementary work, they unite art and science in a shared mission: to make the world a better and more compassionate place.

Under Tatiana’s leadership, the World Hat Walk is further developing into a platform for international collaboration, independent designers, and sustainable fashion initiatives – with Berlin as a vibrant driving force and also a place where social engagement creates positive change.

With the digital campaign #HutAbFürEmpathie, the World Hat Walk connects cultural symbolism with social responsibility. In cooperation with the German Brain Foundation/die deutsche Hirnstiftung, a publicly visible sign is being set for greater understanding toward people living with invisible neurological conditions.

At the center is a simple yet powerful gesture: consciously tipping one’s hat – historically a sign of respect, today reinterpreted as an expression of recognition for the invisible.

Personalities from media, culture, public life, and science are invited to set an example through a simple gesture: consciously tipping their hat – as a modern symbol of respect and compassion toward people with invisible neurological conditions.

The campaign will be shared via Instagram and TikTok and aims to motivate many others to join. With every post using the hashtag #HutAbFürEmpathie, the visibility of the initiative grows.

On May 10, 2026, at 12:00 pm at Pariser Platz, the World Hat Walk will form the highlight of the initiative. Participants will tip their hats simultaneously – a visible, quiet moment of solidarity that brings the message of #HutAbFürEmpathieinto the public sphere and supports the work of the German Brain Foundation. The program will continue until 17:00 in Heckmannhöfe, creating an inspiring gathering, fostering a joyful atmosphere, and distributing gifts from sponsors.

Fans who cannot attend in person are warmly invited to support the campaign via the official channel of the German Brain Foundation.
LINK to the charity.

We hope that even more cities will participate next year. For more regular updates follow @worldhatwalk on Instagram.