Christmas markets have a long history of warming wintry city streets with holiday decorations, cheerful music, and cozy stalls selling crafts and gifts. The traditional Christmas markets originated in Germany and date back to the late Middle Ages. Today, Germany still hosts many of the world’s largest Christmas markets, attracting millions of visitors per year. The capital of the country, Berlin, has an impressive amount of Christmas markets—over 70 markets open in the city annually from late November to late December! There are plenty of other things you can do alone, but if you’re planning a visit during the holiday season, use this list of the top Christmas markets in Berlin, Germany, to help narrow down your itinerary.
Winter in Berlin:
- According to The Official Website of Berlin, you can expect a snowy Christmas in Berlin, so be sure to pack layers so you can bundle up and stay warm as temperatures average from -2°C (29°F) to 5°C (42°F).
Popular ice skating rinks in Berlin
- Eissporthalle Charlottenburg: This rink is perfect for beginners and experts. The indoor rink is free to access, and I'd love to try out skiing here!
- Erika-Hess-Eisstadion: The outdoor ski rink is a magical spot to spend the day.
Christmas traditions in Germany
According to deutschland.de, Christmas is a holiday that’s enjoyed by families across the country - religious or not! Some Christmas traditions include:
- Putting up a Christmas tree
- Celebrations on the 25th and 26th of December
- Unwrapping presents after an early evening meal
- Savoring a traditional dinner of roast goose, potato dumplings, and red cabbage
If you’re spending Christmas in Berlin, you’re in luck! You can enjoy one of the many Christmas markets in the city. And if it’s your first time going to a Christmas market, check out our one-stop guide so you know what to expect before going!
Christmas markets in Berlin
1. Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt
The Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt is centrally located in a beautiful square. Flanked by the German and French Churches and the Konzerthaus concert hall, the historic architecture combined with the Christmas decorations creates a magical atmosphere.
The Christmas market has hundreds of artisanal gifts to choose from, like wood carvings, belts and dresses, and photography prints. You can also try traditional German food and drinks from one of the many heated food stalls. Entertaining performances like jugglers, choirs, and even fire-eaters add to the festive atmosphere. It seems to me like the perfect place to explore with the family.
Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt
Address: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of Berlin.
Website: Christmas market at Gendarmenmarkt
Market highlights: Neuburger Rahmbrot (bread with melted cheese), Kaiserschmarren (sweet pancake strips), mulled wine, decorative items on sale.
Stay close to this market: Budget - Space Night Capsule Hostel; Luxury - Regent Berlin, an IHG Hotel
2. Spandau Christmas Market
The Spandau Christmas market is usually located in the Old Town of Spandau, a neighborhood of Berlin where you will feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Old and new buildings line the alleys and streets in their medieval layout. It’s the perfect setting for a traditional Christmas market., and I’m pretty sure history enthusiasts will love it here.
At the center of the square is a towering tree surrounded by warmly decorated gift and food stalls. You’ll also find entertainment from musicians walking around the market, and at the main stage, where sing-alongs with Santa take place! The family-friendly atmosphere and its location outside of downtown Berlin make this market a great choice for those with young children.
Spandau Christmas market
Address: Marktstraße 10, 13597 Berlin
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit Berlin’s official website.
Website: Spandau Christmas market
Market highlights: International goods: perfumes, alpaca wool clothing, Polish Christmas decorations and more.
Stay close to this market: Budget - ibis Hotel Berlin Spandau; centrovital Hotel Berlin
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“It is a market that is decorated with Christmas motifs. Each stand sells typical German foods, souvenirs, gifts, and drinks.” - by Google reviewer, Graciela
Berlin Tour Guide
Asaf Leshem
My name is Asaf and I am a professional tour guide. I hold a Ph.D. in Dark Tourism and interpretation of history. In Berlin I guide tours on such topics as the Cold War, the Third Reich, Berlin's Jewish Heritage, Berlin and Brandenburg's Prussian History, and more. I also guide in Potsdam, and I am certified to guide in the Memorial and Museum Sachsenhausen. I am also an enthusiastic runner a... Read more
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Berlin Tour Guide
Tina
Born and raised in Australia, I studied psychology at the University of Queensland but had always loved reading modern history books. I came to Berlin for a nerdy history vacation in 2017, fell in love with the city and decided to make it home. I offer tours of Berlin and its surrounds which are rich with history and packed with energy. I don’t just show my guests Berlin's sights; I also exp... Read more
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Berlin Tour Guide
Matti Geyer
I was born in Berlin the year before the wall fell and thus had the fortune and privilege to grow up in a city that was growing up itself. In 2008, I decided to turn my passion for this amazing city into a career by becoming a tour guide. Both my parents lived in East Germany: My dad became a teacher, until refusal to join the Communist party ended his career, whilst my mom worked as a tour gui... Read more
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3. Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace
The magnificent Charlottenburg Palace is the perfect backdrop for a Christmas market! The biggest palace in Berlin is decked out for the holiday with lights and decorations. I would probably take a lot of photos if I were visiting here.
Parts of the grounds are transformed into a small amusement park where children can ride on a Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds, and little roller coasters. The rest of the market is filled with 250 vendors displaying their Christmas wares like nativity figures and tree decorations.
Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace
Address: Spandauer Damm 20-24, 14059 Berlin, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit Berlin’s official website.
Website: Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace
Market highlights: Traditional sweets and savory treats such as stollen, spritz biscuits, and marzipan loaves available.
Stay close to this market: Budget - K&S Apartments; Lux Apartment in Charlottenberg
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Every year Christmas market holds in this area with many stalls selling Gluhwein, fries, waffles etc. You can go there and just chill out,and sometimes take photos particularly at night.” - by Google reviewer, Narges Arfa
4. Christmas market at Alexanderplatz
The Christmas market at Alexanderplatz has a unique mix of shopping, entertainment, and activities. There are over 100 craft vendors selling traditional Christmas gifts like pottery and figurines, as well as delicious food stalls where you can pick up some bratwurst or mulled wine.
Aside from shopping, children can enjoy fairground rides and both kids and adults can hop on the Ferris wheel overlooking the market. If you’re looking for more festive activities, take a skate on the ice rink, or enter the walk-in Christmas pyramid at the center of the market, which has several stories to climb!
Christmas market at Alexanderplatz
Address: Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit Berlin’s official website.
Website: Christmas market at Alexanderplatz
Market highlights: Largest walk-in Christmas pyramid in Europe.
Stay close to this market: H2 Hotel Berlin-Alexanderplatz; Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Great Christmas market, plenty of interesting foods, drinks and crafts. Open fires to try and get warm around and a nice atmosphere.” - by Google reviewer, John Knights
5. Lucia Christmas market at Kulturbrauerei
The Lucia Christmas market is one of the more unique ones in Berlin, and is definitely worth a visit! Named for the Nordic goddess of light, the whole market is Scandinavian-themed, from the handicrafts, to the food and drinks, to the performances. The unique aspects of this market are designed to keep visitors warm, like Swedish fire logs, heated art installations, and an “open-air coat heater”—a wood-fired oven that heats up coats for visitors to wear.
Kids can also keep toasty by bouncing on a bungee trampoline, exploring a castle, or riding the swing carousel.
Lucia Christmas market at Kulturbrauerei
Address: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit Berlin’s official website.
Website: Lucia Christmas market at Kulturbrauerei
Market highlights: Saint Lucy’s Day celebrations.
Stay close to this market: Budget - MEININGER Hotel Berlin Alexanderplatz; Luxury - Hotel Oderberger
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Very nice place, I visited it in December and there was a very nice Christmas market. The market had do many small shops of old and classic food, drinks and woollen items. I loved it. It is situated very close to Mitte and easy to access.” - by Google reviewer, Sohaib Bodla
6. Christmas market at Berlin City Hall
With its location outside of an important government building, it makes sense that the Christmas market at Berlin Town Hall would pay tribute to traditional German culture. Entertainers dressed in historic costumes perform present life as it would have appeared a hundred years ago.
The square is also full of historic carousels and stalls selling traditional German foods like roasted almonds and gingerbread. Children will especially love this market, where they can ride a small train into a fairytale forest or see Santa Claus as he rides in on his sleigh three times per day for pictures.
Christmas market at Berlin Town Hall
Address: Rathausstraße 15, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit Berlin’s official website.
Website: Christmas market at Berlin Town Hall
Market highlights: Giant Ferris wheel, ice rink, traditional eatables including gingerbread, Glühwein, roasted almonds.
Stay close to this market: Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz; Hotel Nikolai Residence
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Superb Christmas market, my favorite among the many I visited in Berlin. With its ice rink, the majestic illuminated Ferris wheel, its numerous stands of sweet and savory food and Christmas decorations, it is the most complete market in my opinion. Not to mention that it is nestled in the heart of a square offering a 360 view of various must-see monuments such as the town hall, the old church, the television tower, while being quite close to Alexanderplatz and the Alexa mall.” - by Google reviewer, Tina LC
7. Christmas market at Gedächtniskirche
The Christmas market at Gedächtniskirche in west Berlin is near the city’s legendary shopping boulevard, the Kurfürstendamm. This street is full of stores where you can buy everything you could need, whether at the Europacenter mall or the famous KaDeWe department store.
The Gedächtniskirche Christmas market’s location makes it a great place to get your holiday shopping done: start at the Kurfürstendamm for trendy or high-end gifts, and end at the Christmas market for thoughtful, handmade goods. After a long day of shopping, enjoy a hot chocolate from a vendor, a musical performance, or rides with the kids.
Christmas market at Gedächtniskirche
Address: Breitscheidplatz, 10789 Berlin, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit Berlin’s official website.
Website: Christmas market at Gedächtniskirche
Market highlights: Bronze art, toys, and food items such as candied fruit, and mushroom stir-fry.
Stay close to this market: Budget - Riu Plaza Berlin; Motel One Berlin-Upper West
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Definitely one of the best Christmas markets ever. Do not miss their wonderful —and big— hot dogs.” - by Google reviewer, Lec
8. Winter World on Potsdamer Platz (Tiergarten)
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Christmas market at Potsdamer Platz is called Winter World because it has a fun mix of traditional events and exciting, new activities. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking for a Christmas market that has a fun-filled and festive atmosphere.
For those seeking a traditional Christmas market experience, a crafts market is held in picturesque wooden stalls, where you can stock up on handicrafts and watch the craftspeople while they work. For those who are a little more active, hop on the toboggan run or skate on the large ice rink. The weekends are even more of a party, with live music and an après-ski atmosphere!
Winter World on Potsdamer Platz
Address: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit Berlin’s official website.
Website: Winter World on Potsdamer Platz
Market highlights: Unique gifts, Christmas decorations, toys.
Stay close to this market: Budget - Select Hotel Berlin The Wall; Crowne Plaza Berlin - Potsdamer Platz, an IHG Hotel
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“…during winter time they set up a Christmas market with a slide, Glühwein and more fun stuff.” - by Google reviewer, Hans Farias
Be a part of Christmas history
Few things can get you in a festive spirit like strolling around a German Christmas market. It is heartwarming to think of the Christmas markets that have taken place over hundreds of years, bringing people together through good times and bad over a shared love of food and drink, entertainment, and gift-giving. Berlin is the heart of Germany and one of the best places to experience classic Christmas markets that are also fun and new! There are a lot of non-touristy things to do in the city as well, so make your way to Berlin for an exciting winter.
History
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