Which Berlin Christmas market suits you best?

Tips for every taste

The countdown to Christmas begins - discover Berlin’s most exciting and atmospheric Christmas markets with these handy tips for your visit. Berlin’s Christmas markets. open from early November to spread festive cheer throughout the city. There is a wide variety of markets, with a range of themes, goods and entertainment. Find out which market in Berlin suits you best! The following 10 should cater well to all tastes:

1) The Elegant: Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt | Bebelplatz

Due to a construction site on the Gendarmenmarkt, this year the nearby Bebelplatz shines in the festive glow of Christmas lights. Over a thousand shining Christmas baubles will create a festive atmosphere between the State Opera House, the Law Faculty of Humboldt University and the Hotel de Rome. Musicians, fire artists and acrobats will provide spectacular performances and international handicraft artists such as comb makers and wood carvers will present their works of art. Culinary delights include exceptional snacks and entire gourmet menus, which can also be eaten under the shelter of the specially erected gastro tents. In the arts and crafts tent you will find fine handicrafts and beautiful gifts.

Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt | Bebelplatz

2) The Majestic: Charlottenburg Palace

Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin

Charlottenburg Palace, festively illuminated for the Christmas season, sits grandly overlooking this market. Vendors sell a variety of craft items, while the smell of mulled wine and freshly-baked German treats such as stollen and marzipan adds to the charming atmosphere. For the little ones, there are two carousels and a small Ferris wheel. Special guided tours of the Christmas traditions of the Hohenzollerns in Charlottenburg Palace and the neighbouring palace park are also offered during the Christmas market.

Christmas Market Charlottenburg

3) The Traditional: Spandau

During the Christmas season, Spandau’s old town transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with a towering tree. This historic market is set up around the St. Nikolai church and with up to 400 stalls, it's a feast for the senses. The entertainment programme, including sing-alongs with Santa, makes this a great market for families.

Christmas Market Spandau

4) The Idyllic: Dahlem Domain (Domäne Dahlem)

It certainly won't be boring on the extensive grounds: on all Advent weekends you can enjoy Christmas treats and discover handicrafts in the magical idyll around the estate. Tractor and carriage rides let you explore the domain. Children can ride ponies and go on a carousel. A colourful family programme guarantees the best entertainment with live Christmas music. Highlights are the play "Hansel and Gretel" and the fire show!

Advent market at Domäne Dahlem

5) The Tolerant: LGBTQIA Winterdays and Christmas Avenue

With a diverse stage programme and sheltered under the roof of the Hochbahn, Christmas Avenue has long established itself as a popular scene meeting place in the run-up to Christmas. Here you can experience the diverse life of the capital's LGBTQIA community live on site.

LGBTQIA+ Winterdays and Christmas Avenue Berlin

6) The Adventurous: Nordic Christmas Market at Britz Castle

Gather around the flickering fireplaces while food and drinks at the rustic stalls are steaming and sizzling. The showmen seem to have stepped out of a bygone era. Find traditional handicrafts as well as costumes for the little ones. With many details and handcrafted figures and installations, the Cocolorus Budenzauber transforms the historical setting of the 300-year-old manor house into a Christmas adventure world with Nordic flair every year.

Nordic Christmas Market at Schloss Britz

7) The new one: Christmas market around the Humboldt Forum

Humboldt Forum Berlin, north facade of the Schlüterhof

For the first time, a Christmas market will be held around the Humboldt Forum in 2023. After a visit to the museum, stroll through the rows of Christmas-lit stalls in Berlin's historic centre. Marvel at handicrafts and Christmas decorations and warm up with mulled wine, chestnuts and other delicacies. Historic rides will make the hearts of little Christmas market visitors beat faster. By the way: In earlier years, a Christmas market with a Ferris wheel also took place around the ruins of the palace. Perhaps some of you still remember it?

When: 1 December to 7 January

Wintermarkt Schlossplatz mitte

8) The Eco-friendly Christmas Market: Kollwitzplatz

Everything for sale at the Adventsökomarkt (Advent Eco Market) at Kollwitzplatz is eco-friendly and produced under fair social conditions. Items include Christmas trees, textiles and toys, while the organic food is provided by local farmers, making this an ideal market for the socially-conscious.

Eco-friendly christmas market Kollwitzmarkt

9) The Crafty: Advent at Karl-August-Platz

If you are still looking for a special gift, you should definitely stop by the Kunsthandwerklicher Advent on Karl-August-Platz. Here you will find genuine originals, high-quality handicrafts, jewellery, ceramics and art prints.Centrally located between the Wilmersdofer Straße underground station, Bismarckstraße and the Deutsche Oper, the Kunsthandwerklicher Advent am Karl-August-Platz is easy to reach; at the same time, however, you can stroll to KaDeWe or the Christmas market around the Gedächtniskirche in around 20 minutes.

Advent at Karl-August-Platz

10) The Scandinavian: The Kulturbrauerei

Dedicated to the Nordic goddess of light, Lucia, this Christmas market focuses on all things Scandinavian. Located at a former 19th-century brewery, it boasts traditional Scandinavian food, handicrafts and entertainment. Log fires keep visitors warm, while little ones can enjoy a trampoline, carousel and knight's castle.

Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei

Tip: Plan your Christmas evening programme now

Give yourself and your family another very special moment of anticipation for Christmas in Berlin with a glittering Christmas show or a festive concert. We have the most beautiful Christmas events for you. Plan an extraordinary evening after your visit to the Christmas market.

Christmas Events in Berlin