Discover Why Berlin Is The World’s Greatest Place For Christmas Markets
Why is Berlin the undisputed capital of Christmas markets? Could it be because it has more than 80 different holiday markets that attract nearly one million visitors to Berlin every year. From new additions, to timeless favorites, here are some great Christmas markets in Berlin that you won’t want to miss this season.
There’s always something to discover in Berlin – including new Christmas markets.
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What’s New
Check out Berlin’s Queer Winter Wonderland where the city’s queer community gathers at “Gestrandet” on Jannowitzbrücke to celebrate the season. Queer artists will also be selling items at the Pride Wintermarkt im ehemaligen Frauengefängnis in Lichterfelde. A great way to liven up a grey Berlin winter is with the Caribbean flair at the YAAM on Ice Christmas Market. This unique market heats things up with a mixture of fire and light shows, DJ skating parties and Jamaican street food.
Sunset over Berlin City with Christmas Market, Fernsehturm and Alexanderplatz, Berlin, Germany.
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The Classics
Berlin’s classic Christmas markets are always a perennial favorite. One of the most lavish and lovely is the WeihnachtsZauber. Heated tents showcase arts and crafts and traditional cuisine. The main attraction of the Berliner Weihnachtszeit at the Rotes Rathaus is the 160-foot high Ferris wheel. Also be sure to check out the medieval market at St. Marienkirche and romantics won’t want to miss the Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace. Over 100 international exhibitors have been selling jewellery, nativity figures and foodie favs here since 2007.
Christmas time is the season of lights
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The Sparklers
The Christmas Garden Berlin is truly a magical place. Visitors can enjoy the illuminated botanical garden until 14th January. You can also get into the Christmas spirit with the Winterlights in Dark Matter. The light and sound installation features 200 hanging Christmas trees and more than 80,000 lights that makes for a perfect symphony of moving light, color and music on a winter night.
The international Christmas markets in Berlin provide insight into a wide variety of cultures.
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International Markets
Explore Christmas traditions of other countries around the globe with Berlin’s international Christmas markets. The Japanese Christmas market in Festsaal Kreuzberg serves up delicious sake and sushi instead of gingerbread. The creative workshops and the dance and sumo performances are croud-pleasing highlights. Why not discover the Scandinavian version of Christmas? Go to the Lucia Christmas market at the Kulturbrauerei in the Prenzlauer Berg district. It is dedicated entirely to Nordic folklore and you can enjoy elk meatballs, salmon potato soup and Finnish waffles or mulled wine in 20 flavours.
Traditional cuisine is also at the centre of the Norwegian Christmas Market where visitors can try dishes like reindeer ragout, fish meatballs, smørbrød with shrimp or warm waffles. Immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit of Charles Dickens at the very British Christmas at St. George’s Church in Westend on December 9. Take a Christmas trip around the world – in the centre of Berlin – with unique gifts from every continent at the Christmas bazaar in the atrium of the Federal Foreign Office.
Of course, a sustainable city like Berlin also has sustainable Christmas markets.
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Sustainable Markets
Berlin is especially proud of its sustainable Christmas markets. The brand new Zero Waste Xmas Market offers a chance to showcase sustainable Berlin brands. Held at the Atelier Gardens, guests can see how the former film studio was transformed into a campus for ecological and cultural events. The Wilmersdorf Christmas Village sells sustainable items like vegan cosmetics, clothing and food. The Environmental Christmas Market on Sophienstraße is an award-winning event that features more than 80 fair-trade retailers. The Dicke Linda Christmas Market on Neukölln Kranoldplatz on 16th December is also a sustainable event.
Berlin’s designer Christmas markets are hip, cool and unconventional.
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Especially Creative
During the Neukoelln Xmas Flow event on December 10th, more than 50 emerging local designers and small labels will showcase a range of items, including fashion accessories, leather and wooden goods, porcelain and jewelry. Additionally, on December 10th and 17th, Merry Markthalle invites you to explore exquisite gifts, furnishings and clothing in a festively adorned hall in Kreuzberg. Oberschöneweide also hosts a designer Christmas market.
Berlin even has Christmas markets for dogs
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Unique Markets
Berlin really does have a Christmas market for everyone on your list, including man’s best friend! At the Berliner Hundeweihnachtsmarkt “Sirius”, dog lovers will find the perfect gift for their beloved four-legged friends.
