This is the perfect time of year to warm up with some Glühwein and explore the amazing Christmas markets that Germany excels in. Berlin, in particular, is an excellent city for holiday fun. You can hop from one Christmas market to another, sampling all the delicious treats and drinks, and then maybe visit a few museums. Berlin’s Christmas markets are plentiful, giving you a wide variety to choose from!
Some markets are conveniently located, while others boast unique themes. For example, the Adventsökomarkt at Kollwitzplatz and A Very British Christmas in Preußenallee. Some reflect the local vibe, like the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market with its baroque illuminations or the Weihnachtsmarkt at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche, near the shopping haven of Kurfüstendamm.
Winter also means more time for museums. When we visited Berlin the last weekend before Christmas, the city was practically tourist-free, meaning no long lines at the many museums we toured. If you’re not keen on strolling through cold, rainy streets, consider buying the Museumspass. It offers 3-day access to 50 museums for just 24€ and is available at Berlin Tourist Infos or the Pergamon Museum.
Back to the Christmas markets: With fewer tourists around, these festive spots were primarily filled with Berliners enjoying the season. We managed to visit five markets and can share insights on three that capture Berlin’s diverse atmospheres. Berlin is a city of contrasts due to its rich history of cabarets, wars, and cultural shifts. Here’s a peek at our top three Christmas markets that reflect this diversity:
1. Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt at the Kulturbrauerei: Located in Prenzlauer Berg, this market is dedicated to Nordic-Scandinavian traditions. The setting is a charming historic complex with courtyards that exude an old-world Christmas feel. The market has 60 stalls, Swedish fire torches, punch stands, and nostalgic carousels, all set to quiet Nordic-Scandinavian music.
2. Berliner Weihnachtszeit: Set in front of the iconic red brick City Hall, this market is hard to miss with its 50-meter high ferris wheel. It’s designed like old Berlin from a century ago, and the Neptunbrunnen fountain turns into a round ice rink. Skating is free if you bring your own skates, or you can rent a pair for 5€. Plus, there are heated mulled wine bars, a petting zoo, and century-old carousels, making it enjoyable for all ages.
3. WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt: One of Berlin’s most beloved markets, set in the historic Gendarmenmarkt. It features a mix of traditional delicacies, fancy dining, and stage performances from 2-9 PM. Though there’s a small entry fee of 1€, it’s free on weekdays from 11 AM to 2 PM. The perfectly organized market looks stunning when the historic buildings light up in the evening.
Enjoy the festive season with some Glühwein and tasty treats. Take a break on cozy benches inside temporary restaurants, gaze at the beautiful decorations, and soak in the holiday atmosphere. This magical market runs until New Year’s Eve, so there’s plenty of time to visit!
If you happen to be traveling around Germany during this festive season, make sure to check out other Christmas markets, especially the ones in Lübeck, known as the Christmas capital of the north.
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