Christmas Markets in Berlin
From nostalgic to action-packed, there are so many different christmas markets in Berlin that everyone can choose their favourite one. You’ll find (almost) everything here: from Scandinavian and Japanese Christmas markets to markets with names like Lichterzauber, Glühwald, LGBTQIA Winterdays and Merry Markthalle. In the run-up to Christmas, Berlin is about indulging all your senses. So which market is the right one for you? That’s a very personal choice. Here’s a selection of pre-Christmas tips from ARCOTEL:
ELEGANT
Weihnachtszauber at Gendarmenmarkt | Bebelplatz
Over a thousand shining Christmas baubles and lights create a festive holiday atmosphere here between the State Opera House, the law faculty of Humboldt University and the Hotel de Rome. Music, acrobatics and handicrafts make for a promising programme of supporting events.
MAJESTIC
Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace
Come Christmas, the palace grounds are transformed into a festive holiday ensemble hosting one of the city’s most popular and beautifully lit Christmas markets. Gingerbread and mulled wine are beautifully accompanied by live Christmas music performed on the main market stage. In the afternoon, the little ones will enjoy the many attractions and rides at the Winter Forest, including a Ferris wheel and a carousel.
TRADITIONAL
Old Town Spandau
One of the most traditional Christmas markets in Berlin awaits you in Spandau. Every year, the large Christmas tree in the old town is surrounded by a festive holiday atmosphere with up to 400 market stalls, a nativity scene with live animals, a medieval market and a varied entertainment programme.
HISTORICAL
Christmas Market at Spandau Citadel
When in Spandau, a visit to Spandau Citadel is a must. In keeping with the atmosphere of this Renaissance-era fortress, visitors can expect to find nostalgic market stalls and historical attractions. This is your chance to enjoy a carriage ride across the citadel grounds, visit the nativity scene with live animals or listen to the trumpeters in medieval dress as they blare their Christmas tunes from the balconies and galleries.
SCANDINAVIAN
Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei
The magical Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei is an especially cosy and intimate experience that is all about Nordic folklore. For many Berlin locals, this is one of the most popular Christmas markets in town. Here you will find a charming atmosphere with Scandinavian handicrafts sold in quaint red-and-white wooden stall, plus Swedish glögg and mobile saunas to warm you up. Children can whisper their wishes into Santa’s ear and snack on original kanelbullar cinnamon buns.
ECO-FRIENDLY
Organic Christmas Market at Kollwitzmarkt
The eco-friendly Adventsökomarkt at Kollwitzplatz entices visitors with healthy treats made using fairly traded organic ingredients. The eco market is your go-to place to shop for handmade wooden toys, enjoy an organic steak, and warm up with a cup of mead and a whole-grain waffle in hand.
MULTICULTURAL
Christmas Market in Karlshorst
On the second weekend in December, the people of Karlshorst in south-eastern Berlin set up their stalls with all the usual gingerbread, mulled wine and handicrafts. But what makes this place truly special are the international options, as the market aims to provide insights into the Christmas celebrations of other cultures.
MEDIEVAL
Christmas Market at the RAW Cultural Centre
God bless ye merry gentlemen! From November to December, this market is a chance to escape the stress of Christmas shopping with a journey back to the Middle Ages. Hungry knights and thirsty damsels in distress can fill their bellies with traditionally prepared foods such as flatbread and roast meat while quenching their thirst with hot mead, mulled beer and Feuerzangenbowle, a traditional drink of spiced wine with rum-soaked sugarloaf.
OPEN-MINDED
LGBTQIA Winterday Nollendorferplatz
Berlin’s gay and lesbian community celebrates Christmas in the German capital with LGBTQIA Winterdays and Christmas Avenue at Nollendorfplatz in Schöneberg. Protected from the wind and rain under the roof of the elevated railway, Christmas Avenue has long since established itself as a popular meeting place during the holiday season. The market stalls entice visitors with decorative items, artisanal crafts and fashionable accessories, accompanied by colourful Christmas lights, a boisterous party mood and a selection of hot cocktails and culinary treats.
TASTEFUL
Berliner Glühwald
The Glühwald holiday market at Mercedes Benz Square offers a cosy atmosphere accentuated by the fragrance of fir trees, open fires, cinnamon and mulled wine, with a wide variety of hot drinks and Christmas fare to be found.
WITH ALL THE SENSES
BIKINI BERLIN
Berlin is a shopper’s paradise – especially during the holiday season. And the Bikini Berlin concept mall is one of the best places for an extensive shopping spree. At Bikini Berlin, architecture meets history and culinary delights, and visitors don’t just stop by to go shopping, but to rediscover the lost art of strolling – all the while enjoying the mall’s historic past and modern design.
From art and fashion to rodeo
CHRISTMAS RODEO
The popular Christmas Rodeo Design Market is held at the KühlhausBerlin event location. The stunning brick building dating back to 1901 will be festively staged for the indoor Christmas market with more than 3,500 m² of space. From fashion and jewellery to regional delicacies and unique handicrafts, the Christmas Rodeo offers visitors a relaxing setting in which to discover the exhibitors’ creative, high-quality products while enjoying a festive atmosphere with an urban lifestyle experience.
The largest chocolate house in the world
SWEET ADVENT
The Rausch Chocolate House at Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin-Mitte is all about indulgence, with three floors and over 1,500 m² of space devoted to the world of fine chocolates. A paradise for chocoholics from far and wide. Every Saturday during the Advent season, the chocolate shopping experience is sweetened even more with laid-back live music.
