In Berlin, the Christmas market season starts in early November. While the true Christmas market season is not officially allowed to start before Remembrance Sunday (22 November 2026) numerous winter markets are already welcoming visitors for a cozy gathering on the first cooler autumn evenings. Enjoy sweet waffles, warm up with a hot cup of punch and get in the mood for the winter and Christmas season. Here you can find a list of the Christmas markets that open first.
At the end of October, you can get into the winter spirit here:
From 31 October: Lichtenberger Winterzeit
To make sure the wait for Christmas doesn’t drag on too long, Lichtenberger Winterzeit invites you to enjoy the colourful hustle and bustle at the fairground on Landsberger Allee. From the Ferris wheel to the ‘Wilde Maus’, there are plenty of rides here, which, as darkness falls, are lit up in a riot of colours to entice you into the pre-Christmas festivities. Look forward to bratwurst, roasted almonds and all sorts of other treats. Wednesday is Family Day!
When: 31 October to 27 December 2026
Where: Landsberger Allee 300, Lichtenberg
From November 2026, the following markets open
Ab 4. November: The LGBTQIA* Winter Days and Christmas Avenue
As is tradition, Berlin’s queer community invites everyone to come together at Nollendorfplatz from November onwards for the LGBTQIA* Winterdays. Until the end of November, the party hut will be reserved for initiatives from the queer scene. Do pop along, have a chat and show your support for the community. This year you will find the Winterdays and Christmas Avenue in front of the Metropol, around the Nickelmann Fountain on Nollendorfplatz.
- Winterdays: 4 November to 22 November 2026 (closed on 15 and 22 November)
- Christmas Avenue: 23 November to 23 December 2026
Glide through a sea of lights at WINTERLIGHTS
Once again this year, Berlin-based light artist Christopher Bauder is transforming DARK MATTER ’s TRANSFORMATOR art gallery into a winter wonderland. More than 600 fir trees hover above your heads, whilst over 300,000 dancing points of lightmake the space sparkle and glow.
Taking centre stage is an ice rink, even larger this year, which for the first time forms part of the art installation itself. Thousands of lights integrated into the ice make colours, patterns and animations light up right beneath your skates . Accompanying this is a specially composed soundscape by the Dutch musician Chris Kuijten. Every 45 minutes, a new choreography of light, movement and music unfolds.
You can hire ice skates on site. Anyone wishing to stay on after skating can warm up with mulled wine or non-alcoholic punch.
When: 4 November 2026 to 14 February 2027, Tuesday to Thursday 2 pm–10 pm, Friday 12 noon–11 pm, Saturday 11 am–11 pm, Sunday 11 am–10 pm
Where: DARK MATTER, TRANSFORMATOR Art Gallery, Köpenicker Chaussee 46, Rummelsburg
Discover the cozy indoor Christmas Market on the EUREF Campus Berlin! Illuminated huts, music, Christmas trees, delicious food, and warm drinks will get your team in the Christmas spirit. Available for small or large teams.
From 6 November: Glühwald at Uber Platz
The scent of pine and the delight of mulled wine: right opposite the East Side Gallery, a little pine grove awaits you at Uber Platz, complete with covered mulled wine huts and fire pits. Here, after a day of sightseeing, you can get into the festive spirit in cosy surroundings.
When: 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Uber Platz, Friedrichshain
From 12 November: The Historic Christmas Market on the RAW site
Fire pits and fantastic light and art installations turn the historic Christmas market on the RAW site into a wonderful pre-Christmas spectacle for the whole family. Look forward to food and drink, fire shows and a festive experience inspired by medieval customs.
When: 12 November to 22 December 2026
Where: Revaler Straße 99, Friedrichshain
From 13 November: Christmas market at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche
The traditional Christmas market at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche is a real highlight amongst Berlin’s Christmas markets. Enjoy the aroma of Feuerzangenbowle and a sea of lights above the more than 100 stalls in the heart of City West.
When: 13 November 2026 to 1 January 2027
Where: Breitscheidplatz 1, City West
More about the Christmas market
From 13 November: Winter World Grünau
Ice skating, tobogganing and roasting bread on a stick over an open campfire : during the cold season, Grünau Lido draws visitors to the beach with its Winter World. The stalls offer hearty and sweet treats, and alongside the toboggan run and ice rink, there’s also a large indoor play area nearby where the little ones can let off steam and warm up.
When: 13 November 2026 to 14 February 2027
Where: Sportpromenade 5, Grünau
From 16 November 2026: Christmas on the Spree
From 17 November, the all-inclusive Christmas market on the Spree opens. For a flat fee (from 29.90 euros), you can drink as much mulled wine, punch and hot chocolate as you like, and tuck into bratwurst, spätzle and other treats. There’ll also be fire pits, seating areas and activities such as curling and tree-nailing. And all with a direct view of the Spree.
When: 16 November to 30 December 2026
Where: Stralauer Allee 2b, Friedrichshain
From 18 November 2026: Schlossplatz Winter Market | Humboldt Forum
The winter market on Schlossplatz in front of the Humboldt Forum transforms the historic setting, with views of the Lustgarten and Berlin Cathedral, into an atmospheric spot for the run-up to Christmas. Here you’ll find high-quality craft stalls and festive specialities such as roasted almonds, Baumstritzel and Feuerzangenbowle. Historic fairground rides, interactive arts and crafts such as glassblowing, pottery and woodcarving, as well as a colourful programme of activities for children and families amidst the Baroque façades surrounding the Schlüterhof, round off the programme.
When: 18 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Where: Schlossplatz | Humboldt Forum, Mitte
From 18 November 2026: The Christmas Garden at the Botanical Gardens
Every year, the Botanical Garden is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. And it has been doing so since 2016. Modelled on London’s ‘Christmas at Kew’ at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Berlin’s Christmas Garden invites visitors to take a contemplative stroll; with its fairy-tale light installations, it offers plenty of wonderful opportunities for a festive family photo.
When: 18 November 2026 to 10 January 2027
Where: Königin-Luise-Straße 68, Steglitz
From 20 November: Christmas at the Tierpark
Sparkling lights adorn the zoo in the run-up to Christmas. Although the illuminated trail doesn’t take you past the enclosures – to protect the animals – there are still a few animal-themed light installations to look forward to. The walk at Christmas at the Tierpark is around two kilometres long. Along the way, there are stalls selling hot chocolate, punch and treats.
When: 20 November 2026 to 9 January 2027
Where: Am Tierpark 125, Lichtenberg
On 23 November, Berlin officially kicks off the Christmas market season 2026
The Gendarmenmarkt WeihnachtsZauber (Christmas Magic)
Look forward to the Weihnachtszauber at Gendarmenmarkt, taking place in one of Berlin’s most beautiful squares. Set against a historic backdrop between the Konzerthaus and the French and German Cathedrals, you can look forward to special gift ideas and unique works of art in the 1,000 m² arts and crafts marquee, a varied programme of stage performances, and high-quality indoor and outdoor dining. A festive experience brimming with art, culture and indulgence!
When: 23 November to 31 December 2026
Wo: Gendarmenmarkt, Mitte
Spandau Christmas Market in the Old Town
Stroll through the cosy streets of the Old Town and discover Berlin’s traditional Christmas market in Spandau. During Advent, the whole of the Old Town is festively decorated, providing an atmospheric backdrop for arts and crafts and Christmas concerts. Of course, there’s plenty of food and drink on offer too.
When: 23 November to 22 December 2026
Where: Kammerstraße 6, Spandau
Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace
Where Queen Sophie Charlotte once resided, Berlin’s most romantic Christmas market takes place during the festive season. Illuminated by colourful lights, Charlottenburg Palace towers above the festively decorated wooden huts and pagoda tents. The Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace is a real crowd-puller every year.
When: 23 November to 27 December 2026
Where: Spandauer Damm 22, Charlottenburg
Lucia Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei
The Lucia Christmas Market on the Kulturbrauerei site combines Nordic tradition with festive cheer: The cosy wooden huts are filled with the aroma of Scandinavian specialities such as elk goulash, reindeer salami, salmon and potato soup or Finnish waffles – and, of course, Swedish glögg. For younger visitors , there’s a nostalgic chain carousel, a star-shaped ladder, and craft workshops where children can make their own gifts. Every day, Father Christmas visits the market to take children’s wishes. A special cultural highlight is the Lucia Festival on 13 December.
When: 23 November to 22 December 2026
Where: Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg
The Winter World & Christmas Market at Potsdamer Platz
When the toboggan run is set up at Potsdamer Platz in autumn , the Christmas market season in Berlin is officially open. From November onwards, you can glide down into the winter fun from a height of twelve metres right in the heart of Berlin – even without any snow. Alongside the toboggan run, you’ll find numerous stalls, sausage grills and mulled wine stands.
Christmas Market: 23 November to 26 December 2026
Where: Potsdamer Platz, Mitte
Christmas market at Alexanderplatz
“Something new is taking shape…” this Christmas at Alexanderplatz. The Christmas market here is being redesigned around the Fountain of Friendship between Nations. Warm lighting and subtle sandy tones are set to characterise the market and create a peaceful contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city all around.
In keeping with the international character of Alexanderplatz, the World Time Clock also plays a special role. Where the times of various continents are usually displayed, traditions from Germany and other countries meet new ideas in the run-up to Christmas.
When: 23 November to 26 December 2026
Where: Alexanderplatz, around the Fountain of Friendship between Nations and the World Time Clock, Mitte
More about the Christmas market
From December onwards, the Advent and Christmas market season in Berlin is officially open. Find our comprehensive guide to the most beautiful Christmas markets in Berlin here.
