The snow trickles quietly. Or unfortunately not. But it's clear that Christmas is just around the corner again this year. Often sooner than some people think. Others can hardly wait. For both groups, Berlin at Christmas offers plenty of great ways to get into the Christmas spirit: from festive and contemplative to classic and upbeat. We recommend 11 atmospheric concerts and wish you a happy Advent season.
Tip 1: NoonSong: Festive music for Advent
A musical devotion at lunchtime, that is the NoonSong, which the eight-member vocal ensemble "sirventes berlin" has brought to life. On Saturdays, the church on Hohenzollernplatz opens its doors at 12 noon - admission is free. Romantic choral music will be performed for you on 30 November, Advent sounds from Jewish and Christian traditions will be played for you on the Second Advent, and contemplative Renaissance music from Italy will follow on the Third Advent.
When: 30th November, 7th and 14th December 2024, 12pm-1pm,
Where: Kirche am Hohenzollernplatz, Hohenzollerndamm, Wilmersdorf
Tip 2: Swan Lake
One of the most beautiful ballets of all time will be performed by the Staatsballett Berlin at Christmas time: Swan Lake. The music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky and the choreography by Patrice Bart will enchant you by bringing the tragic story of the swan princess Odette and the longing of Prince Siegfried to life in a breathtaking blend of romance and magic.
When: 14th, 19th, 26th, 28th and 30th December 2024, 7.30 pm
Where: Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Unter den Linden 7, Mitte
Tip 3: Romantic harp melodies for Christmas
Castle battlements, defence towers, a moat. At Spandau Citadel, one of the oldest building ensembles in the city, it feels like the Middle Ages were only just at home yesterday. A really great setting for a Christmas concert! The perfect setting for a special concert is therefore the Gothic hall at Spandau Citadel, where the musicians of the Berlin State Orchestra present Tchaikovsky's festive Nutcracker ballet. With its enchanting melodies, the concert will put the whole family in a festive mood and bring the magic of Christmas to life.
When: 8th December 2024, 11.30 am-12.20pm or 3pm - 3.50pm
Where: Spandau Citadel - Gothic Hall, Spandau
Zitadelle Spandau Weihnachtskonzert
Tip 4: Advent concert with the children's choir of the State Opera
The children's choir of the State Opera also has a lovely treat in store for young and old. Its popular Advent concert has become a firm fixture in Berlin's Christmas concert calendar. This year, the choir will perform festive music by Dan Forrest, John Rutter and Gabriel Fauré, bringing the Christmas season to life with atmospheric sounds. Under the musical direction of Vinzenz Weissenburger and accompanied by Justine Eckhaut on the piano, the concert will be a special experience. These masterful compositions are sure to put even the biggest Christmas grouch in a festive mood.
When: 11th December 2024, 7pm
Where: Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Unter den Linden 7, Mitte
Advent Concert Children's Choir of the Staatsoper
Tip 5: Christmas atmosphere in the most famous church in the city
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in City West is one of Berlin's most famous sights. After its destruction in the Second World War, part of the ruins were left standing - as a reminder against the war. A modern church ensemble was built around it and consecrated in 1961. Several concerts in the church accompany the Advent season, including, of course, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, which creates a special pre-Christmas atmosphere with its festive music.
When: Dates vary depending on the event
Where: Gedächtniskirche, Breitscheidplatz, Charlottenburg
More about Events in christmas time in Berlin
Tip 6: Bach's Christmas Oratorio: classical, festive, simply beautiful!
The Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach is a timeless masterpiece for orchestra, choir and soloists and is probably the most popular piece of music in Germany at Advent. The well-known melodies should not be missing from any Christmas carol collection. There are also numerous performances in Berlin. In addition to concerts by the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and the Thomanerchor Leipzig, which perform the work on several evenings in the atmospheric Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt, the Christmas Oratorio can also be heard in the Hephatha Church. Here, the piece is presented in an equally festive setting that touches the hearts of the audience during the Advent season.
The dates vary depending on the event
Christmas Oratorio in the calender
Tip 7: Swing into the Christmas season!
Are you in the mood for a special kind of Christmas? With A Swinging Christmas, Tom Gaebel and his orchestra bring the sparkling sounds of Christmas straight to the stage. Instead of traditional monotony, you can expect energetic classics like "Jingle Bells" and modern hits like "Driving Home for Christmas". Let the rousing show put you in the festive mood - with glitz, glamour and a touch of Las Vegas! Perfect for shaking off the stress of everyday life and celebrating the anticipation of Christmas.
When: 1st of December 2024, 6pm
Where: A Swinging Christmas, Admiralspalast, Mitte
Tip 8: Pure Christmas Joy: Family Concert: "Queen of Christmas"
Are you in the mood for a very special Christmas special? Sarah Willis, the "Queen of Christmas", and her colleagues from the Berliner Philharmoniker invite you to an evening full of festive music. With atmospheric horn sounds and the impressive organ of Sebastian Heindl, you can expect a concert that will inspire you and put you in the Christmas spirit.
When: 14th of December, 3pm / 15th of December, 11am
Where: Philharmonie, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, Tiergarten
Tip 9: Christmas and miracles: a concert full of magic
Fancy a musical winter wonderland? Then don't miss this special concert! Engelbert Humperdinck's touching prelude to Hansel and Gretel brings Christmas magic straight to the heart. Maurice Ravel's imaginative Ma mère l'oye brings fairytale worlds to life, and Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite becomes a real experience for young and old with Timo Brunke's eloquent poetry. With Matthias Foremny at the conductor's desk, you can expect an evening full of magic, nostalgia and creative surprises. Grab your loved ones and immerse yourself in this wonderful mixture of music and fairy tales!
When: 15th of December, 11am
Where: Philharmonie, Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, Tiergarten
Tip 10: The Berlin Christmas concert
The Rundfunkchor Berlin's Christmas concert traditionally takes place in Berlin Cathedral. Once again this year, the magnificent church provides the setting for a contemplative evening with a special a cappella programme. The Rundfunkchor will perform works by Anton Bruckner and some of his favourite motets for a cappella choir in the powerful acoustics of Berlin Cathedral. Conducted by Yuval Weinberg, this year's Christmas concert promises to be another highlight of the season!
When: 22nd of December 2024, 8pm-9.30pm
Where: Christmas concert by the Rundfunkchor in Berlin Cathedral, Am Lustgarten, Mitte
Tip 11: Celebrate the Christmas season with soul and passion!
Are you looking for a special highlight that will put you in a real Christmas mood? Then come to the Harlem Gospel Nights in the beautiful St Paul the Apostle Church! Donna Brown & The Golden Gospel Pearls radiate pure energy and touch your heart with their soulful voices. Whether "Amazing Grace" or festive Christmas medleys - the rousing mixture of spirituality and joie de vivre is simply unique. Immerse yourself in a wave of emotion, rhythm and warmth that will carry you through the entire Advent season.
When: 29th of November to 28th of December 2024,
Where: Apostel-Paulus-Kirche, Grunewaldstraße/corner of Akazienstraße, Schöneberg
