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Top 11 Tips For Christmas in Berlin

Merry Christmas

Weihnachtszeit am Brandenburger Tor
© visitBerlin, Foto: Enrico Verworner

What could be better than going on fantastic journeys together on long winter evenings? Fairy tales, stories and time spent together make the pre-Christmas season that little bit more magical. We have put together some of the most beautiful Christmas events for the whole family. We wish you a wonderful Christmas season!

Tip 1: Take a Christmas Tour with a Historic Steam Engine

Güterdampflok ELSE der Dampflokfreunde Berlin im Bahnbetriebswerk Schöneweide
Güterdampflok ELSE der Dampflokfreunde Berlin © Foto: DLFB/Bajohra

With lots of steam and loud whistles, a historic locomotive will once again rattle through Berlin as a Christmas train this year. From various starting points and on different routes, it will travel through Berlin districts, along the Ringbahn railway, to Potsdam or to Lübbenau. There is a real sense of nostalgia in the historic railway carriages. Each train has a dining car where you can enjoy home-style cooking, pastries and mulled wine.

When: 25 November, 2, 3 and 16 December at various times 
Where: Various stations

Historic Christmas train

Tip 2: Let the Stars in Concert – Christmas-Special take you into a Winter Wonderland

02_Stars in Concert_Marilyn Monroe
© Stars in Concert

At Stars in Concert things glitter and shine a little more at Christmas. The stage is transformed into a magical winter wonderland as the superstars perform their greatest hits as well as the most beautiful American Christmas songs. Look forward to a Christmas special with Elvis, Madonna, Cher, Luis Armstrong and many more show stars.

When: 2 to 26 December
Where: Estrel Hotel & Convention Centre, Sonnenallee 225, Neukölln

Stars in Concert

Tip 3: Be Amazed by the Acrobats at the Roncalli Christmas-Circus

Zirkusmanege
© iStock.com/Sturti

Every year the Tempodrom is transformed into a backdrop for magical Christmas moments. For the Roncalli Christmas Circus, the Tempodrom is festively decorated while acrobats twirl and snowflakes dance in the crowd. Look forward to a breathtaking circus performance with Christmas poetry and let yourself be enchanted.

When: 21 December to 4 January
Where: Tempodrom, Möckernstraße 10, Kreuzberg

Roncalli Christmas Circus

Tip 4: Get into the Christmas spirit with songs by Rolf Zuckowski

Plätzchen ausstechen
© GettyImages, Eye Em, Foto:Przemyslaw Klos

When we see this picture, we all have "The Christmas Bakery" by Rolf Zuckowski immediately in our ears. The Christmas musical at the Theater des Westens is named after this evergreen of German children's music. While adults reminisce, children immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas and are allowed to sing along loudly. 

When: 24 November to 27 December, several performances per week
Where: Stage Theater des Westens, Kantstraße, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

To the Christmas Bakery

Tip 5: Immerse yourself in the surreal winter landscape of Dark Matter

Dark Matter Winterlights 2023
© DARK MATTER

Adults and children alike will be wide-eyed when they immerse themselves in Dark Matter's fascinating light installation. Pack your camera and take some unique souvenir photos. You might even want to use them for this year's Christmas cards or personalised gifts.

When: 16 November to 7 January
Where: Dark Matter, Köpenicker Chaussee 46, Lichtenberg

Dark Matter Winterlights

Tip 6: Get in the mood for christmas at the Open House with Winterfest

Laughing young family shopping for candy and Christmas presents
© GettyImages, Bild: RgStudio

Small but wonderful, the Open House with Winter Festival at Silent Green in Wedding offers a varied programme for the whole family. Fairy tale readings and craft workshops, films, concerts and DJ sets: There is something for every age group. In addition, there will be beautiful and handmade items at the market, historical guided tours and all kinds of treats.

Tip: Check out our Christmas market page for lots more great markets for the whole family.

When: 2 December 2 to 8 pm and 3 December 12 to 6 pm
Where: silent green, Gerichtstraße 35, Wedding

Winterfest at Silent Green

Tip 7: Go ice skating with the whole family

Berliner Weihnachtszeit
© visitBerlin, Foto: Dagmar Schwelle

Glide across the glistening ice while colourful lights fly past you. Ice skating is a classic winter and Christmas activity that appeals to young and old alike. For beginners on the ice, there are usually aids to hold on to. We have put together the most beautiful ice rinks in Berlin for you.

11 cool ice rinks in Berlin

Tip 8: Enjoy a oriental fairytale brunch at Madi - Zelt der Sinne

Moroccan Mint Tea
Moroccan Mint Tea © Getty Images, Foto: viennetta

On two Sundays in Advent, the velvet curtains open in the Madi - Tent of the Senses (Madi - Zelt der Sinne) for a fairytale journey into the world of stories from the Thousand and One Nights. Listen to well-known and lesser-known fairy tales and stories, framed by graceful belly dance performances - and of course the most delicious delicacies from the brunch buffet.

When: 26 November, 3 and 17 December
Where: Bernhard-Lichtenberg-Platz 1, Reinickendorf

Oriental fairytale brunch

Tip 9: Experience The Magic Flute in a different way at the Schiller Theatre

Komödie am Kurfürstendamm im Schiller Theater
Theater and Comedy at the Kurfürstendamm at the Schillertheater in Berlin © Foto: Michael Petersohn

You can experience the famous opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the Schiller Theatre in a spectacular production by Barrie Kosky. This mixes shadow play elements with video projections and the aesthetics of silent films from the 1920s. The result is hypnotising visual worlds reminiscent of a music video on MTV. The fresh look appeals to young people and brings them closer to the world of opera.

When: 30 November, 3 and 20 December
Where: Schillertheater, Bismarckstraße 110, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

The Magic Flute at the Schiller Theatre

Tip 10: Listen to ancient stories at the Märchenhütte (Fairytale Hut)

Märchenhütte
© Fotograf: Jochen Zink

Wintertime is fairytale time: and from the end of November you can experience the age-old stories and adventures again in the unique atmosphere of the Märchenhütte (Fairytale Hut). Here, two people bring the characters to life and tell the fairy tales as closely as possible to the original. The Wednesday and Thursday morning performances are particularly suitable for children. 

When: from 24 November to 11 January
Where: Fairy Tale Hut, Monbijoustrasse 3B, Mitte

Märchenhütte

Tip 11: Attend the Christmas Eve nativity play at Ballhaus Ost

Weihnachtsmarkt Späth´sche Baumschulen
© Daniela Incoronato

What would Christmas be without presents? But someone forgot to send the little Raven Sock's wish list to Father Christmas. And how is Santa supposed to know what the little raven wants? Help Sock and his friends to get a nice present after all and join in this magical guest performance by the Kammerpuppenspiele Bielefeld.

When: 24 December, at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
Where: Ballhaus Ost, Pappelallee 15 A, Pankow

Nativity play at Ballhaus Ost 

You can find even more tips for events on the holidays in our calendar

We wish you happy holidays and a wonderful christmas.