The 10 great Christmas market in Berlin

In Advent, the German capital is rolling out its traditional markets all over the city. Here is our non-exhaustive selection of Christmas market in Berlin outside Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz, which are very touristy.

The smell of fir trees mixed with the scent of mulled wine, cinnamon and curry wurst… the scent of the holidays. In this city eight times the size of Paris, the Christmas market (Weihnachtsmärkte) offer a friendly and festive atmosphere. capitalers meet up with friends and colleagues in the midst of tourists, regardless of the weather. The cold? You can forget about it with a glass of mulled wine (Glühwein)!

Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace

• Open: From 21 November to 26 December. Monday-Thursday from 2pm to 10pm; Friday-Sunday from 12pm to 10pm; 25 and 26/12/2019 from 12pm to 8pm. Closed on 24 December. Free admission.
• Ad: Spandauer Damm 20-24 (in front of Charlottenburg Palace)
• Things to do in the area: Visit Charlottenburg Palace (closed on 24 and 25 December), the Bröhan Museum and Villa Oppenheim.

Under the gaze of Frederick William I of Brandenburg, in the courtyard of the former residence of the Prussian kings (which you should not miss, as well as its gardens), a series of wooden chalets offer a pleasant journey back in time and tradition. The poetic lighting (it gets dark very early in the winter in Berlin!) adds a fairy-tale aspect to this baroque ensemble. Next to it, a crowd of tents invites you to enjoy a four o’clock meal or a festive meal with specialities from different German regions.

The Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market

• Open: Every day from 11am to 10pm; 24 December until 6pm, 31 December until 1am. Admission: €1. Free for children under 12 and also Monday to Friday from 11am to 2pm
• Ad: Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte, 10117 Berlin
• To do in the vicinity: the “Palace of Tears”, Checkpoint Charlie

The Gendarmenmarkt is most popular Christmas market in Berlin, with a classic atmosphere. It’s on a cobblestone square between the buildings of the Deutscher Dom, the Konzerthaus and the Französische Dom, a huge Christmas tree dominates a sea of beautifully decorated marquees. They are home to around 150 craftsmen, restaurateurs and artists. Every day, there is a concert, a choir, a juggling show or a fire-eating show… You won’t be alone. Some 600,000 people attend this market every year.

Weihnachtsrodeo Design Market

• Ad: Kreuzberg district, Kühlhaus Berlin
• Three weekends: 03 & 04, 10 & 11, 17 & 18. December. From 12:00 – 20:00. Admission: 5 €.
• More info: weihnachtsrodeo.de or kuehlhaus-berlin.com/de
• Things to do in the area: walk in the Park Am Gleisdreieck, shopping and visiting art galleries on Potsdamerstrasse.

On the edge of the Schöneberg district and a stone’s throw from the fashionable Potsdamerstrasse, this Christmas market is a symbol of the Berlin spirit. For the past three years, it has been held at the Kühlhaus Berlin in a former neo-Gothic warehouse from the early 20th century. Covering 4,000 m2 and five floors, each with a theme (graphic design, South American and Japanese Christmas…), this market invites you to find objects by young designers (from fashion to accessories and furniture) in the midst of small exhibitions and workshops (Origami gift wrapping, Christmas decoration…). The top floor has a street food area.

Lucia Christmas Market (Kulturbrauerei)

• Open: 21 November to 22 December. Monday to Friday from 3pm to 10pm, Saturday-Sunday from 1pm to 10pm. Free admission.
• Three entrances: Knaackstrasse 97, Sredzkistrasse 1, Schönhauser Allee 36-39.
• Further information: www.lucia-weihnachtsmarkt.de and www.kulturbrauerei.de
• Nearby: Museum in the Kulturbrauerei with a presentation of “everyday life in the GDR”.

This market is named after the goddess St. Lucia, who, according to Nordic tradition – brings light. There is plenty of light here. It looks like hundreds of stars – sometimes shooting out to encourage wishes when they are not being whispered in Santa’s ear (between 5 and 6 pm). Set up in the courtyards of a former 19th century brewery, this market has retained a warm and intimate feel.

Scandinavian atmosphere from A to Z, from music to crafts, snacks and meals. The open fires keep the chilly ones warm and they can also try out a fun piece of art called Open-Air-Mantel-Heizung. Then you have to “settle” into the fur coats, warmed by an old-fashioned wood stove. Special evening on 13 December in honour of Saint Lucia.

Dahlem Christmas Market 

• Open: Four weekends: 30 November-1 December, 7 and 8 December, 14 and 15 December, 21 and 22 December. From 11 am to 7 pm. Admission: 3 €, children 2 €.
• Ad: Domäne Dahlem, Königin-Luise-Strasse 49
• More info: www.domaene-dahlem.de

Dahlem is located in the south-west of Berlin, a little off the beaten track, and has a “city in the country” feel to it. It is on the grounds of a manor house dating back to 1560 that this friendly Christmas market is held. There is a farm with animals and an eco-museum. If the snow is there, you will be transported to a landscape that is reminiscent of Father Christmas’ country. For children, workshops, pony rides (from noon and depending on the weather), a small fire show…

Vegan Christmas Market at Fehrbelliner Platz

• Ad: Fehrbelliner Platz, Wilmersdorf
• Open: From 27.11 on all four Advent weekends | 12-20 hrs.

Since 2018, probably the most “Berlinish” Christmas market has been taking place on Fehrbelliner Platz: Vegan organic burgers, plastic-free Christmas decorations and no disposable tableware for miles around. You’ll also find small and large gifts for your environmentally conscious loved ones in the form of regional handicrafts or vegan natural cosmetics.

The historical Christmas market on the RAW grounds

• Ad: Revalerstrasse 99, Friedrichshain
• Open: 17.11.-22.12 | Monday – Friday: 15-22 h, Saturday & Sunday: 12-22 h
• Price: Monday – Wednesday: free admission, Thursday – Sunday: 2 Euro, reduced 1 Euro

For six years now, medieval fans have had something special to look forward to this Christmas season. Jugglers, acrobats, classic arts and crafts and medieval food like hot mead await you at the Historical Christmas Market on the RAW grounds in Friedrichshain. Of course, there will also be the classics Glühwein and Feuerzangenbowle. Come and see us!

Spandau Christmas Market

• When: 21 November – 22 December
• Monday – Thursday: 2pm – 9pm, Friday 2pm – 10pm, Saturday: 12pm – 10pm and Sunday 12pm-9pm
• Where: Oldtown of Spandau

One of the more traditional Christmas markets, this one is found in the charming old town of Spandau in the west of Berlin. The Christmas market Spandau is the largest in the city with over 250 stalls. It’s often considered the best and most beautiful in Germany’s capital.

There’s a stage on Marktplatz with live music, including festive sing-alongs with Santa Claus himself. On Saturdays before Christmas, there are karaoke sessions, and on Fridays, you’ll find popular ‘Christmas Meets Rock and Roll’ concerts! Head to the small courtyards away from the main thoroughfare for the most authentic-feeling parts of this market.

Berliner Weihnachtszeit (Christmas Market at City Hall)

• Ad: Rathausstraße 15, 10178 Berlin
• Opening: Monday to Friday: 12 noon to 10 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11 am to 10 pm, 25th & 26th December: 11 am to 9 pm, closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
• Admission Fee: free admission to the Christmas market, ice skates rental €4

Also known as the Berliner Weihnachtszeit, this Christmas market in Berlin takes place between the Rotes Rathaus (Berlin City Hall) and St Mary’s Church. It’s one of the oldest markets in Berlin. Features include a large ice-skating rink around Neptune Fountain, a 50-meter high Ferris wheel and unique 19th-century style chalets.

At the foot of the iconic TV Tower, from where you can get an amazing view of Berlin, you’ll find a funfair with vintage carousels and merry-go-rounds. Welcoming market stalls overflow with handicrafts, “handbrot” (stuffed bread) and glühwein (mulled wine). There’s even a medieval Christmas market section around St Mary’s Church with steaming mugs of hot mead and medieval-style bread.

Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market

• Date: 2 – 4 December
• Ad: Richardpl. 18, 12055 Berlin
• Opening hours: Friday 5pm – 9pm, Saturday 2pm – 9pm & Sunday 2pm – 8pm

As every year, the Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market invites you to a nostalgic Christmas stroll to the Bohemian Village on the second weekend of Advent. Framed by historic buildings dating back to 1737, the glow of numerous paraffin lamps makes Richardplatz shine with the charm of times gone by.

Here, more than 150 charitable organisations, clubs and associations offer handicrafts, homemade toys and jewellery, self-made decorations made of wood and metal, candles, honey and much more for sale – the proceeds of which go to various charitable projects!

If you still have some time, why not combine your visit to the Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market with a detour to the museum in the Bohemian Village?

In fact, there are more than 60 Christmas Market throughout the city but not all markets are alike. One thing is for sure, you are bound to have the best time no matter which one your choose Christmas market in Berlin!