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11 plus 1 spectacular Berlin Christmas light displays

Discover Berlin’s stunning Christmas lights this festive season

Weihnachtsdekoration am Kurfürstendamm
© Getty Images, Foto: amirage

Berlin Christmas markets may be off the menu for 2020. But the city still has plenty of treats in store for the upcoming festive season. Magnificent light displays will bring light and colour to the city’s streets for this very special Berlin Christmas. Wrap up warm, grab a mask and a flask of something comforting and see how Berlin landmarks and local spots alike are transformed by festive lights!

Please show responsibility, wear your masks and follow the hygiene rules of the organizers. Only with your support will Berlin - by far - remain the best!

Tip 1: Spread out and enjoy the spectacle at Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate with Christmas tree_Berlin
Brandenburg Gate with Christmas tree © Getty Images, Foto: golero

Of all the Berlin landmarks, Brandenburg Gate might be the city’s ultimate symbol of togetherness. And that’s no different this year, even though we’re apart. The iconic spot has been a meeting place for many Berliners over the years. A gigantic Christmas tree bedecked with lights is set to bring festive cheer to the imposing Pariser Platz square in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Meanwhile, the star attraction itself will be bathed in a stunning light display. And it’s easy to social distance here during this Berlin Christmas like no other – after all, there’s plenty of space to spread out.

Where: Brandenburger Tor, Mitte

Brandenburger Tor

Tip 2: Soak up Berlin Christmas spirit on historic Unter den Linden

Unter den Linden im Winter
© Archiv Mazuhn Veranstaltungen

Tree-lined Unter den Linden runs from the Brandenburg Gate to the former City Palace, encompassing plenty more Berlin landmarks along the way. This impressive avenue has seen its fair share of upheaval over the years. It’s sure to remain unfazed by this extraordinary Berlin Christmas. With a stunning light display stretching from Pariser Platz to Universitätsstrasse, Unter den Linden is creating a Christmas spirit all its own. Take a walk along this storied boulevard and put the year’s events in perspective.

Where: Unter den Linden, Mitte

Unter den Linden

Tip 3: Explore fantastic Friedrichstrasse in full festive swing

Friedrichstadt-Palast
© Friedrichstadt-Palast, Foto: Bernd Brundert

Friedrichstrasse is a major Berlin thoroughfare with a history all its own. It spans the hip districts of Mitte and Kreuzberg and is home to theatres, shops and restaurants. You’ll find some of the best-known Berlin landmarks here, too, including Checkpoint Charlie – a reminder of times past when Berliners have been kept apart. So it makes sense that Friedrichstrasse would play a pivotal role in bringing festive spirit to the city this year. Towers of fabulous Christmas lights will illuminate the length of the street between Johannisstrasse and Zimmerstrasse. Take a tour of the city in just one street – spanning its fascinating past, vibrant present and festive future.

Where: Friedrichstraße, Mitte

Friedrichstraße

Tip 4: See Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Platz in a brand-new light

Weihnachtsbeleuchtung im Christmas Garden
© © Dept

Iconic square Potsdamer Platz is a busy hub at the heart of the action in Berlin. It’s better known for iconic architecture and hustle and bustle than warmth and hospitality. But all that changes at this time of year. That’s when Potsdamer Platz lights up with festive cheer. Stop by this famous spot and see how shooting stars and illuminated Christmas trees cast their festive glow from the Mall of Berlin on Leipziger Platz all the way to Piano See Platz.

Where: Potsdamer Platz, Tiergarten

Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Platz

Tip 5: Spend a starry night at Dom Aquareé

Christmas tree
© GettyImages, Bild: Hoxton Tom Merton

Dom Aquarée is home to a modern mix of shops, restaurants and tourist attractions in the heart of Berlin’s lively Mitte district. Home to popular Berlin attractions like the AquaDom and Berlin Dungeon, some of its sparkling outlets may have gone dark in these extraordinary times. But this year, the complex is lighting up with a sea of magnificent blue and yellow stars – symbolising festive cheer and a brighter 2021. Stop by on your way to explore Berlin landmarks and see for yourself.

Where: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße, Mitte

Berliner Dom

Tip 6: Brighten up your Christmas shopping with a walk along Ku’damm

Weihnachtliche Beleuchtung in Berlin City West
© visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

It’s that time of year again. If you’re enjoying a Berlin Christmas, chances are you’ll take a walk down Kurfürstendamm. Together with Tauentzienstrasse, the street it joins at Breitscheidplatz, it forms Berlin’s most famous shopping boulevard. Thousands of shoppers flock here every year to pick up gifts for their loved ones. And this year it’s no different – give or take a little social distancing. Stop by Ku’damm to pick up your presents and see the street in all its festive finery. Around 500 illuminated Christmas trees and millions of lights will bathe this iconic avenue in their festive glow. Some things never change.

Where: Kurfürstendamm, Charlottenburg

Kurfürstendamm

Tip 7: Reichstrasse lights up the local area

Gift boxes at the Christmas market
Gift boxes at the Christmas market © GettyImages, Bild: Astrakan Images

This extraordinary Berlin Christmas, Reichstrasse is getting in on the act with its own light display. This handsome street is stepping up to offer the residents of the district of Charlottenburg in West Berlin some much-needed Christmas cheer to round off 2020. Grab a cup of mulled wine and stroll down the street to take in the bright lights and local charm.

Where: Reichsstraße, Charlottenburg

Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

Tip 8:  Stroll around Spandau’s stunning market square

Adventsmarkt auf dem Mehringplatz
© visitberlin, Foto: Chris Martin Scholl

2020 has been a year of ups and downs. The historic Berlin district of Spandau is taking things to new heights as it rounds off the year with a very special festive season. Twenty additional Christmas trees will brighten up the town centre, while local planners hope to put up two more trees in Metzer Platz and Földerichplatz squares. Head over to Spandau for a stroll around its stunning Old Town and soak up the Berlin Christmas atmosphere, brighter and better than ever before.

Where: Altstadt Spandau, Spandau
Spandauer Altstadt

Tip 9: See the bright lights in Steglitz-Zehlendorf

Weihnachtsgeschenk
© GettyImages, Bild: Emilija Manevska

The chic district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf will have Christmas light displays in many of its smartest spots, on Schlossstrasse, from Grunewaldstrasse to Forum Steglitz, at the ‘Das Schloss’ shopping centre, all the way to Boulevard Berlin, as well as on Teltower Dam, Berliner Strasse and Clayallee (between Mühlenstrasse and Winfriedstrasse).

Where: Schloßstraße, Steglitz

Steglitz-Zehlendorf

Tip 10: Take a Christmas Promenade

Lichter
© GettyImages, Bild: Elias Vetter/EyeEm

Outside an ice-cream café might seem an unlikely spot for sprinkling Christmas cheer. But this year, the square outside local business La Gondola on Marzahner Promenade is doing just that. Stop by the square for a Berlin Christmas treat with all the toppings: a 10-metre-tall, decorated Christmas tree and festive decorations all along the shopping arcade.

Where: Marzahner Promenade, Marzahn
 

Tip 11: Lights on the line in Lichtenberg

Weihnachtssterne im Tierpark Berlin
© visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

For the first time, the Berlin district of Lichtenberg will light up for the festive season all along Weitlingstrasse, between Lichtenberg S-Bahn station and the stunningly decked-out Münsterlandplatz square.

Where: Weitlingstraße, Lichtenberg

Lichtenberg

Tip 12: Enjoy a Christmas like the good old days in Köpenick old town

Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Köpenick
© visitBerlin, Foto: Enrico Verworner

Enjoy a Berlin Christmas reminiscent of times past in Köpenick old town, where Christmas lights will brighten the Schlossplatz, Alt-Köpenick and parts of Grünstrasse just as they have done for many a year. Take a stroll along these old streets and share in their Christmas cheer.

Where: Schlossplatz Köpenick, Köpenick

Köpenicker Altstadt

 

Catrin Linde

Catrin

lives in Berlin for over 20 years and loves to travel the city. Preferrably by bike, she discovers the most exciting and interesting sides of Berlin. Across the city, across country and also off the beaten track. All posts