Did you know that there are an astonishing 150 Christmas markets held in Berlin throughout Advent each year? Among them well-known classics, sustainable markets, and cosy, neighbourhood-y wonderlands.
Naturally, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of our 25 favourite markets especially for you. Enough to keep you drunk on Glühwein until the new year, and then some. Because, why else would you be living in Berlin?
The Classics
Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt at Gedächtniskirche
While Children enjoy themselves on the small carousels, parents can drink a mulled wine or homemade eggnog. And, of course, buy handmade Christmas decorations and other festive trinkets.
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Charlottenburg | 25.11.-5.1., Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri+Sat 11am-10pm, 25.+26.12. 1pm-9pm, 31.12. 11am-1am, 1.1. 1pm-9pm
Directions: S- and U-Bahn station Zoo
Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus
A few steps from Alexanderplatz, Rotes Rathaus and Marienkirche make for a picturesque Christmas market setting, complete with an ice rink around Neptunbrunnen that can be used for free(!). From the ferris wheel you can see almost the entire city. And there’s carousels and a choo-choo train that leads through a ‘fairy-tale forest’ for children.
Address: Rathausstraße 15, Mitte | 25.11.-6.1., Mon-Fri 12pm-10pm, Sat+Sun 11am-10pm, 25.+26.12., 6.1. 11am-9pm, 24.12+31.12. closed, entry €1
Directions: S- and U-Bahn station Alexanderplatz
Nordic Märchenweihnacht
Between the snow queen, her funny trolls, acrobats and jugglers, the estate at Schloss Britz is transformed into a fairy-tale Christmas market. Sled dogs, a Viking ship, and the little train make for a real adventure. Plus old handicrafts and Scandinavian specialities.
Address: Alt-Britz 81, Gutshof Schloss Britz, Neukölln | 29.11.-22.12., Fri 2pm-9pm, Sat+Sun 11am-9pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Parchimer Allee
Weihnachtsmarkt at Gendarmenmarkt
Framed by the French and German cathedrals on Gendarmenmarkt, this is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Berlin. Stage performers entertain visitors, exquisite examples of craftsmanship can be found at the stalls, and star chefs spoil visitors in the tents with gourmet snacks.
Address: Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte | 25.11.-31.12., daily 11am-10pm, except 24.12. 11am-6pm, and 31.12. 11am-1pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Stadtmitte
Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Charlottenburg
Located in front of the palace in Charlottenburg, this market has an almost olde-worlde aura — and almost didn’t happen this year. The organisers received their permit only at the very last minute. Various handmade products are available here, plus entertainment in the fairy-tale tent.
Address: Spandauer Damm 10, Charlottenburg | 25.11.-26.12, Mon-Thu 2pm-10pm, Fri-Sun 12pm-10pm, 25.+26.12. 12pm-8pm, closed on 24.12.
Directions: S- and U-Bahn station Jungfernheide
Design + sustainable Christmas markets
Advents-Ökomarkt at Kollwitzplatz
Visitors can find a large selection of sustainable and ethically-produced textiles, arts & crafts, or toys at this eco-market. The edible treats are all organic, and children can enjoy a ride on the back of a pony.
Address: Kollwitzplatz, Wörter Straße, Kollwitzstraße to Knaackstraße, Prenzlauer Berg |
Directions: U-Bahn station Senefelderplatz
Adventsmarkt at Domäne Dahlem
On the weekends of Advent, all manner of arts & crafts can be found at the market in Dahlem’s former manor. If you’re keen to get creative, you can draw candles or make Christmas ornaments in workshops. And there’s more! Roast goose legs, mulled wine and waffles are on offer, while for ambience and entertainment there are carriage rides and a brass quartet.
Address: Königin-Luise-Straße 49, Zehlendorf | Sa+So 30.11.+1.12., 7.+8.12., 14.+15.12., 21.+22.12., 11am-7pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Dahlem-Dorf
Advent Lichter Genuss
At Giardino Segreto, all around the water tower, in front of the old carriage depot and the admin building, you can buy handmade products at this market. Light installations and a programme for children and grown-ups offer attractions and fun for everyone.
Address: Prellerweg 49, Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände, Schöneberg | 30.11.+1.12., Sat 3pm-8pm, Sun 12pm-6pm
Directions: S-Bahn station Priesterweg
Alt-Rixdorfer Weihnachtsmarkt
Charities offer handcrafted products made from wood, wax, metal and ceramics. Neukölln’s mayor will also be in attendance, along with the Three Wise Men and their camels. Choirs and music groups set the vibe, and there are rumours that Father Christmas might pop by.
Address: Richardplatz, Neukölln | 6.12., 5pm-9pm, 7.12. 2pm-9pm, 8.12. 2pm-8pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Karl-Marx-Straße
Christmas Avenue
From Cologne to the capital: the queer community’s Christmas market has moved from the Rhine to Nollendorfplatz. With crafts, decorations and delicious cocktails, as well as a stage programme and drag bingo.
Address: Nollendorfplatz 5, by Metropol, Schöneberg | 15.11-23.12., Mon-Thu 3pm-10pm, Fri-Sun 12pm-10pm, closed on November 17th and 14th
Directions: U-Bahn station Nollendorfplatz
Heissa Holzmarkt
You can eat, drink, and bake here — and there’ll be good music, too. It is Holzmarkt, after all! Fairy tales and Bavarian curling in a christmassy atmosphere, what more could you want?
Address: Holzmarktstraße 25, Friedrichshain | 29.11.-22.12., Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat+Sun 2pm-10pm
Directions: S-Bahn station Ostbahnhof
Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt
Back to the middle ages: there will be Feuerzangenbowle (think mulled wine, but more theatrical), while acrobats and jugglers perform fire tricks and displays(!) accompanied by historical music. Small visitors can explore the manually-operated wooden carousel.
Address: Revaler Straße 99, RAW, Friedrichshain | 21.11.–22.12., Mon-Fri 3pm-10pm, Sat+Sun 12pm-10pm, closed November 24th
Merry Markthalle
Crafted products from young manufacturers. To wear, furnish, arrange, eat –— and to give as presents.
Address: Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstraße 42-43, Kreuzberg | 29.+30.11., 6.+7.12., 13.,14.+15.12., 20.,21.+22.12., Fri 12-6pm, Sat+Sun 10am-6pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Görlitzer Bahnhof
Weihnachtsmarkt at Königlichen Gartenakademie
Besides Christmas decorations and various presents, you can buy books here, too. And your Christmas tree! To relax from all that shopping, take a break and enjoy delicious treats from the café.
Address: Altensteinstraße 15a, Steglitz | 16.11-22.12., Tue-Sat 10am-5.40pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Dahlem Dorf
Weihnachtsmarkt at Klunkerkranich
Combine the view from the Neukölln-Arcaden rooftop with handmade products like jewellery, clothes, arts & crafts, and a children’s disco and readings.
Address: Karl-Marx-Straße 66, Neukölln | 30.11.+1.12, 7.+8.12., 14.+15.12, 21.+22.12., 2pm-10pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Rathaus Neukölln
Weihnachtsmarkt at Späth’schen Baumschulen
Over 100 stalls with crafts, toys, and Christmas ornaments old and new are set up at the tree nursery in Baumschulenweg for your exploring and shopping pleasure. There’s also five different kinds of Glühwein made from various fruit wines. Enjoy them alongside other christmassy treats by a bonfire. This year, they’ve also built a magical blue hut in the gardens, where the Hexenberg Ensemble, a theatre company specialised in fairy tales, found their temporary home. Spectacular: the fire show in the evenings.
Address: Späthstraße 80/81, Treptow | Sat+Sun 30.11.+1.12., 7.+8.12., 14.+15.12., 11am-8pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Blaschkoallee
Weihnachtsmarkt at Bröhan Museum
Organised by the neighbourhood group Kiezbündnis Klausenerplatz e. V. , the Christmas market at Bröhan-Museum is all about arts & crafts: all those exhibiting their handmade creations here are based in Charlottenburg.
Address: Schloßstraße 1a, Charlottenburg | 7.+8.12., 1pm-6pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Richard-Wagner-Platz
Weihnachtsrodeo Design Market
Plenty of room to forage for special gifts over five floors. On offer: edgy design, products from local labels, as well as a small street food market.
Address: Luckenwalder Straße 3, Kühlhaus, Kreuzberg | Sat+Sun 30.11.+1.12., 7.+8.12., 14.+15.12., 12pm-8pm
Exciting for children
Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt
Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden present their musical, craft, and culinary traditions at this market. The Swedish fire logs and mobile Sauna on site are classics. And Santa Claus visits every day at 5pm.
Address: Knaackstraße 97, Kulturbrauerei, Prenzlauer Berg | 25.11.-22.12., Mon-Fri 3pm-10pm, Sat+Sun 1pm-10pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Eberswalder Straße
Museumsdorf Düppel
The medieval mud huts of the open-air museum Düppel invite visitors to cosy get-togethers inside: there’ll be cooking, carving and various other kinds of crafting — and live music, of course. The village square shines beautifully in the warm glow of the blacksmith’s shop, and other fiery trades.
Address: Clauertstraße 1, Zehlendorf | Sat+Sun 14.+15.12., 10am-8pm
Directions: S-Bahn station Mexikoplatz
Weihnachten im Tierpark
For the first time this year, the zoo of East Berlin, Tierpark, will be transformed into a small Christmas wonderland. For €15 entry (Fri+Sat €17), there will be elaborate light installations and a small ice-skating rink. If that’s too expensive, there’s still the small Christmas market in front of Friedrichsfelde Palace to get you in the holiday mood.
Address: Am Tierpark 125, Schloss Friedrichsfelde, Lichtenberg | 21.11.-6.1., 5pm-10.30.pm, closed on 25.11.+26.11., 2.12.+3.12., 24.12., 31.12.
Directions: U-Bahn station Friedrichsfelde
The whole world in a Kiez
A Very British Christmas
At the Christmas fair in the gardens of St George’s, the Anglican church in Berlin’s Westend, the decoration is inspired by Charles Dickens‘ Victorian England. Crafted products are available, as well as Christmas carols to sing along to.
Address: Preußenallee 17-19, St George’s Anglican Episcopal Church, Charlottenburg | Sat 7.12., 2pm-6pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Neu-Westend
Danish Christmas market
Home-sewn things, salted liquorice and gnomes: the Danish community’s Julebasar at Christianskirken has a selection of Danish products on offer — and insights into the Christmas traditions of Germany’s Scandinavian neighbour.
Address: Brienner Straße 12, Wilmersdorf | Sat 30.11. 12pm-7pm, Sun 1.12. 12pm-6pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Fehrbelliner Straße
KiezWeihnacht
Across more than 30 stalls you’ll find designer jewellery, toys or Christmas decorations. Most vendors are from the neighbourhood, the Samariterkiez, themselves — which is part of the concept. Additionally, there’ll be concerts and readings at the church.
Address: Samariterstraße 14, Friedrichshain | Sat+Sun 7.+8.12., 14.+15.12. 1pm-8pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Samariterstraße
Märchenhafter Weihnachtsmarkt in Grunewald
Jagdschloss Grunewald forms a magical backdrop each year, when fairy-tale figures such as Mother Hulda, Cinderella, or the evil stepmother appear between stalls filled with arts & crafts at one of the most enchanting Christmas markets in Berlin. Children can also hear spellbinding tales from the storyteller.
Address: Hüttenweg 100, am Grunewaldsee, Jagdschloss Grunewald, Zehlendorf | Sat+Sun 7.+8.12., 11am-7pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Oskar-Helene-Heim
Schwedischer Weihnachtsbasar
Another of Berlin’s Scandinavian Christmas markets: discover traditional Nordic products here — and Lucia, or St. Lucy, the ‘queen of lights’, will visit every day at 5pm.
Address: Landhausstraße 26-28, Schwedische Victoriagemeinde, Wilmersdorf | Sat 30.11., 10am-7pm, Sun 1.12. 12pm-6pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Berliner Straße
Translated by Aida Baghernejad
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