It’s that time of year again – Advent is here and Christmas is just around the corner. The Christmas markets are opening up and the first skaters are appearing on the ice. And as always, you can find out what’s going on this weekend in our weekend tips.
Tip 1: Christmas markets on the first Sunday of Advent
It’s the season for Christmas markets, but some of them are only open this weekend for you to spend some time browsing their delights. Whether it’s fairy tales and Gotland sheep at the Christmas market in the Natur-Park Schöneberger Südgelände, Smørrebrød and Glögg at the Danish Christmas Market in Wilmersdorf, or Christmas lights and festive specialities at the Lichtenrader Lichtermarkt on Sunday, there’s something to suit every taste!
More information about Christmas markets in Berlin
Tip 2: French Film Week
What could be better than a pleasant evening spent watching a French film? That’s right – a whole week full of French films. Until 4 December you have the choice of over 40 films to enjoy at various cinemas around Berlin. Why not sip a nice glass of Pinot Noir while you watch?
When: 27 November to 4 December 2019
Where: various venues
More information about French Film Week
Tip 3: Family fun at the Bolle Festsäle
Once again the Bolle Festsäle invite you to enjoy the magic of Advent with your family. The fun for young and old alike includes a reindeer rodeo, live Christmas music and a mountain sleigh ride. Give yourself a treat, because there are plenty of culinary delights on offer too.
When: 1 December 2019
Where: Bolle Festsäle und Spreebogen, Alt Moabit 98, Mitte
More information about Familienzauber
Tip 4: Festive food on the first Sunday of Advent
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, time to get together with friends and family to ring in the festive season and of course to light the first candle. What better way to do that than with a tasty meal? Berlin has a huge choices of places where you can feast to your heart’s desire.
When: 1 December
Where: At a restaurant of your choosing
More information about restaurants in Winter time
Tip 5: Ice skating
Whether you like sports or not, ice skating is as much a part of winter as Christmas food. Because Berlin has so many indoor and outdoor ice rinks, there’s no excuse not to get your skates out and do a few laps on the ice!
Where: various places
More information about Winter sports in Berlin
Tip 6: Nutcracker on Ice
If you’d rather leave the pirouettes to the professionals, you’re on safe ground with a fairy tale on ice. Immerse yourself in the fabulous world of the Nutcracker, get in the mood for the coming Christmas season and be enchanted by more than 180 figure skaters.
When: 30 November to 1 December
Where: Erika-Heß-Eisstadion, Müllerstraße 185, Mitte
More information about Nutcracker on Ice
Tip 7: A visit to Köpenick palace
Schloss Köpenick is a fairy tale too. Go back to the days of the Great Electors and admire the island palace with its magnificent heraldic room and famous silver buffet. You can combine your visit with a stroll through the historic centre of Köpenick, which is only a stone’s throw away from the palace and is definitely worth a visit.
When: Monday to Sunday
Where: Alt-Köpenick 1, Köpenick
More information about Köpenick palace
Tip 8: Advent concert at the FEZ
The Advent concert by the brass band of Germany’s Federal Police Orchestra at the FEZ is just the ticket to get people of all ages into the festive mood. And this ticket also gives you free use of all the other leisure facilities in the building after the concert.
When: 1 December
Where: Straße zum FEZ 2, Köpenick
Tip 9: Plattenladenwoche
Vinyl is booming! Ever since 2009, Germany’s record store week has been celebrating the culture of music and gladdening the hearts of vinyl lovers. More than 100 stores in various cities around the country are taking part, so there’s certainly something for every musical taste.
When: 25 to 30 November
Where: various venues
More information about Plattenladenwoche
Tip 10: Harlem Gospel Night
It’s now an annual tradition that on the first weekend of Advent, the Golden Gospel Pearls from Harlem fill the Apostel-Paulus-Kirche in Schöneberg with pure joy and energy. Be there when spiritual songs like “Oh Happy Day” get everyone dancing and singing along and “Oh Holy Night” gives everyone in the church goose bumps.
When: 30 November
Where: Apostel-Paulus-Kirche, Akazienstraße 18, Schöneberg
Tip 11: Brücke-Museum
After construction work, the Brücke-Museum in Grunewald is reopened. So now you can see the impressive collection of paintings of the artists group Brücke again. The works of Kirchner, Schmidt-Rottluff and convey a fascinating impression of the modern attitude to life at the beginning of the 20th century and inspire with their intense colours and clear forms.
When: Wednesday to Monday, 11am - 5pm
Where: Brücke-Museum, Bussardsteig 9, Zehlendorf
Mehr Information about Brücke-Museum
For even more information about what’s on, you can always check our day-by-day tips on Berlin’s biggest event calendar.
