Be enchanted by Berlin's Christmas markets. Many of the markets are also open on Christmas Eve and over the Christmas holidays. Whether you want to shorten the waiting time for the Christ Child with the kids at the Christmas hustle and bustle or are planning a particularly Christmassy excursion during the holidays. These Christmas markets will make your time in Berlin a very special experience.
Tip 1: Experience the magic of Christmas at Gendarmenmarkt on Christmas Eve
Finally back - and more beautiful than ever: until the end of the year, the WeihnachtsZauber am Gendarmenmarkt attracts visitors with over a thousand lights, fine arts and crafts, exquisite cuisine and an international cultural programme. Stroll through the heated tents where glassblowers, goldsmiths, candlemakers and many other artisans present their treasures. On the culinary front, you'll find everything from bratwurst to tents from top Berlin restaurants.
On New Year's Eve , the glamorous market bids farewell with DJs, a party and a spectacular firework display.
Tip: Be sure to visit St Hedwig's Cathedral when you visit the Christmas Magic. It invites you to get in the mood for Christmas Eve at 3 pm and 4 pm with music and carols to sing along to. You can find the whole programme here.
When: until 31 December 2025, Sunday to Thursday 12 - 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 12 - 11 pm
Christmas Eve: 12pm - 6pm
New Year's Eve: 12-24 h
Admission: 2 euros (New Year's Eve programme 9 euros)
Christmas magic at Gendarmenmarkt
Tip 2: Shorten the wait for Christmas with ice skating
You can sweeten the wait for Christmas Eve at the Zehlendorf Christmas market. The atmospheric neighbourhood market is open until 4 pm on 24 December. Stroll through beautifully decorated wooden huts, snack on roasted almonds and get in the mood for Christmas with a mulled wine. The visit is doubly worthwhile for families: the artificial ice rink provides winter fun and in the Kinderland, young guests can do handicrafts, bake or listen to Father Christmas (depending on the programme).
Our tip: Combine your visit to the market with a trip to the nearby Botanical Gardens - the Christmas Garden is one of the most atmospheric light experiences in the city.
When: until 30 December 2025, Sunday to Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am - 10pm
Christmas Eve: 11am - 4pm
Where: Dorfanger Zehlendorf
Christmas market in Zehlendorf
Tip 3: Go tobogganing in the centre of Berlin on Christmas Eve
If you don't get a white Christmas this year, you can still indulge in winter sports at the Christmas market on Potsdamer Platz you can still indulge in winter sports. The highlight is the 12-metre-high toboggan run, where you can whizz down into the valley without any snow at all. Just a few steps away, a winter paradise with a large ice skating rink awaits in the centre at Potsdamer Platz - covered, central and with a rental service. This turns a Christmas stroll through Berlin's city centre into a real winter adventure.
When: until 31 December 2025, daily 11 am - 10 pm
Christmas Eve: 11 am - 4 pm
Where: Potsdamer Platz, Mitte
Christmas market at Potsdamer Platz
Tip 4: Toast with friends in the centre of Alex on Christmas Eve
At the Christmas market on Alexanderplatz, urban city flair meets festive tradition. Here you can meet up for a mulled wine in the centre of the city on Christmas Eve. The highlight and unmissable meeting point is the largest Erzgebirge pyramid in Europe, whose glittering lights illuminate the entire square. Mulled wine and bratwurst tempt visitors on the ground floor, while the tower brass band creates a festive atmosphere upstairs.
Opening times: until 26 December 2025 daily 11 am - 10 pm, pyramid "PartyTreff" until midnight, party house from 12 noon
Christmas Eve: 11 am - 6 pm
Where: Alexanderplatz, Mitte
Christmas market on Alexanderplatz
Tip 5: Shop for last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve and visit the Christmas market at KaDeWe
You can buy last-minute presents at KaDeWe until 2 pm on 24 December. A glittering market with old-fashioned flair and plenty of treats awaits you right next to the legendary department stores' in the West. In each of the stylishly decorated pagoda tents, you will find a wide variety of Christmas specialities, from chestnuts and Christmas stollen to decorations and arts and crafts.
Tip: For our Berlin Unboxed podcast episode"What does Christmas mean in Berlin today", we visited Alex Kaiser, who wants to revive old Berlin traditions with the Christmas market at KaDeWe.
When: until 31 December, Sunday to Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am - 10pm
Christmas Eve: 11am - 3pm
New Year's Eve: 11am - 3am
Where: Wittenbergplatz, City West
These Christmas markets are open on both public holidays
Tip 6: Enjoy a punch in front of a royal backdrop after a winter walk
In front of the splendidly illuminated palace façade, one of Berlin's most romantic Christmas markets invites you to enjoy the festive season. The scent of wood-fired bread, candied apples and mulled wine lingers over the Christmas holidays. Over 100 international exhibitors present fine arts and crafts and carousels make children's eyes light up. Take a Christmassy winter walk through the large castle park and then warm up with punch or mulled wine at the Christmas market.
Opening hours: until 28 December, Monday to Thursday 1 - 10 p.m.; Friday to Sunday 12 - 10 p.m
Christmas holidays: 12 - 10 pm | Closed on Christmas Eve
Where: Spandauer Damm 22, Charlottenburg
Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace
Tip 7: Berlin's winter dream for all those who love action
If you're in the mood for action during Advent, the Berlin Winter Dream is the place to be. One of the most spectacular highlights is the 85 metre high Free Fall Tower, which offers a clear view over wintry Berlin - before getting your pulse racing. There is also a Ferris wheel, rollercoaster, 40-metre chain flyer, bumper cars and numerous other carousels. Perfect for families, adrenaline fans and anyone who wants to combine Christmas spirit with thrills.
Tip: Lichtenberger Winterzeit is also open for you on the Christmas holidays.
Opening hours: until 28 December 2025, Monday to Thursday 2 pm - 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 2 pm - 11 pm
Christmas holidays: 1 pm - 9 pm | Christmas Eve closed
Where: Schnellerstraße 145, Treptow
Tip 8: Christmas market & funfair on Alice-Salomon-Platz
Experience festive fun and frolics in the heart of Hellersdorf! The Christmas market on Alice-Salomon-Platz offers a colourful mix of rides, games of skill and a maze. Of course, there is also punch and Christmas treats - ideal for the whole family. For action lovers, there are numerous rides, from children's carousels to faster attractions. The fairground atmosphere is accompanied by Christmas music, cheerful announcements and the typical scent of roasted almonds, mulled wine and punch. Those who prefer a quieter atmosphere will find entertaining alternatives in the games of skill or the maze.
When: until 28 December, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Christmas holidays: 11 am - 9 pm | Closed on Christmas Eve
Where: Alice-Salomon-Platz, Hellersdorf
More about the Christmas market
Tip 9: Skate around the Neptune Fountain during the Berlin Christmas season at Rotes Rathaus
A market with historical flair, unique stalls and culinary treats awaits you between the Rotes Rathaus and St Mary's Church. Take a spin on the ice rink at the Neptune Fountain or enjoy the view from the panoramic Ferris wheel. Another highlight for children is Father Christmas, who flies over the market three times a day on his sleigh.
When: until 30 December ( 12-21 hrs), Monday - Friday 12-22 hrs, Saturday - Sunday 11-22 hrs
Christmas holidays: 12 - 10 pm | Christmas Eve closed
Where: Spandauer Straße, Mitte
Christmas time at the Rotes Rathaus
Tip 10: Enjoy a hot Feuerzangenbowle at the winter film festival in the Nikolai quarter
This market not only offers Christmas spirit, but also a winter cinema experience! In addition to warming punch, you can watch the classic film "Die Feuerzangenbowle" and immerse yourself in the nostalgic Nikolaiviertel. The cult film starring Heinz Rühmann is shown several times a day and, of course, the traditional Feuerzangenbowle must not be missed. Prepared in a large copper kettle, the caramelised rum sugar drips from burning sugar loaves into the hot spiced wine - an experience as iconic as the film itself.
When: until 28 December 2025 Monday - Thursday 12pm - 9pm, Friday - Sunday 12pm - 10pm
Christmas holidays: 12 - 21/22 hrs | Closed on Christmas Eve
Where: Spandauer Straße, Mitte
More about the Winter Film Festival
Tip 11: Try real mulled wine in a festive backyard
Those who like to enjoy the Christmas spirit in a small, cosy setting will find a real feel-good address in the Schöneberg Christmas market. Sommelier Serhat Aktas has selected seven mulled wines from German wineries for his small, refined market: White, red, rosé and non-alcoholic varieties. The wine bar, which also serves hearty Christmas specialities, is open at the same time. Tip: Book in advance.
When: daily 3pm - 10pm (cash only)
Christmas holidays: 3 pm - 10 pm | Christmas Eve closed
Where: Kolonnenstraße 62, Schöneberg
Admission: free, cash only Wednesday to Monday from 3 pm to 10 pm.
Christmas market in Schöneberg
Also open on the Christmas holidays
Marvel at the light installations at the Schlossplatz winter market at the Humboldt Forum
The Schlossplatz winter market combines a historic atmosphere with modern winter staging. Stroll through over 150 artistically designed stalls, enjoy Christmas treats and be enchanted by the winter light installations in the Schlüterhof. although the market itself is closed on Christmas Eve, you can still enjoy Berlin's Christmas spirit here over the Christmas holidays and between the years.
When: until 4 January 2026, daily 11 am - 10 pm
Christmas holidays: 11 am - 10 pm | Closed on Christmas Eve
Where: Schlossplatz, Mitte
Take a tour through the Christmas Garden Berlin
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in a sparkling winter wonderland in the Botanical Garden! Magical light installations await you on a 1.5-hour circular route , enchanting young and old alike. Stalls offer mulled wine, hot chocolate, röstis and quark balls for refreshment.
When: until 11 January, daily from 4.30 pm (tickets best bought online in advance)
Christmas holidays: 4.20 pm - 8 pm | Closed on Christmas Eve
Where: Königin-Luise-Straße 68, Steglitz
Visit the light figures at Christmas in the Tierpark
Experience Tierpark Berlin in a magical sea of lights! A two-kilometre circular trail leads you past sparkling light installations that transform the wintry landscape into a magical wonderland. Festively decorated food stalls with savoury and sweet treats await you along the way.
When: up to and including 10 January 2026
Christmas holidays: 4.20 - 8.20 pm | Closed on Christmas Eve
Where: Bärenschaufenster, Am Tierpark 125, 10319 Berlin
