Berlin is a magical place to visit during the Christmas season. This is largely due to the many Christmas markets that are held in the area.
Christmas markets are more than just a destination for getting unique goods and tasting delicious foods. They are attractively lit and fill the city with a sense of magic.
Germany is responsible for launching some of the oldest Christmas markets in the world and many of them are located in its capital city and chief urban center of Berlin. Here are some of the markets you will want to check out when you visit for the holiday season.
Nordic Fairy Tale Christmas Market at Britz Palace
This market takes place on all Advent weekends of the Christmas season. It is set against Britz Palace, an 18th century building that makes a romantic backdrop for the event. The artists of the traveling theater Cocolorus Budenzauber do their part to transform the site into a fairy tale landscape and perform a heartwarming Christmas program for visitors.
There are over 50 Christmas stalls to visit, and many activities are hosted including dog sled rides, pony rides, archery, crossbow shooting, a wooden water wheel, large Viking boats that can be climbed upon and a large hand operated music box known as Dragon’s Hammer.
Guests will walk away with unique gifts, and they can dine on exquisite ethnic treats including apple doughnuts, crepes, langos, garlic bread, flatbread, skewers and grilled meat. Adult beverages like red and white mulled wine, medieval spec wine, hot quince meat and the Scandinavian mulled punch Glogi are served. Hot elderberry punch is available for the children.
Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbraerei
The Lucia Christmas Market is named for the Nordic goddess of light. It is located at a former 19th century brewery, and it focuses on goods and foods from Scandinavia. It is hosted from late November to late December and it’s a great place to find Scandinavian handicrafts, food, drinks and entertainment.
The Market has a terrific atmosphere characterized by the festively decorated stalls that sit against the backdrop of the old brewery. Music from Scandinavia fills the air along with the smell of Scandinavian and German food and drink.
While the air may be cold, hosts of the market do their best to keep guests warm. Many Swedish fire logs form an art installation that counters the low temperatures. Guests can also slip on coats that have been warmed in a wood fired oven.
Children’s activities at the market include a bungee trampoline, a small knight’s castle play area and a swing carousel. Santa will be on hand as well.
Christmas Market at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
The Christmas Market at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church features 100 beautifully decorated stalls, 70 fairground rides and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Children can enjoy the petting zoo and the homemade Christmas biscuits and gingerbread. Santa will be on hand giving out special treats as well.
Adults will enjoy shopping for the unique goods and food being sold. There are plenty of tree ornaments, handmade toys and works of art available. Delicacies are sourced from Austria and Germany and include Germknodel, Schmalzkuchen grilled steaks and sausages, various flavors of mulled wine, egg punch and hot chocolate.
Christmas Market in Spandau
The old town of Spandau transforms for the Advent season offering a marketplace and renaissance fair. Locations throughout the town may change. In 2021, the market will be held at the Spandau Citadel. It runs from late November to late December.
The historical town provides a unique backdrop for the market which features a tall, festively decorated Christmas tree. Vendors sell a variety of goods including Christmas decorations, food and gifts. A stage program featuring singalongs with Santa makes for terrific childhood entertainment.
Christmas Market at Berlin Town Hall
The Christmas Market at Berlin Town Hall fills guests with a sense of nostalgia. It offers a Ferris wheel in front of the mayor’s seat, Old Berlin style market alleys, a circular ice rink and ethnic delicacies. There are organ grinders and musicians that replicate a city that existed a hundred years ago.
The Ferris wheel will take you up 50 meters providing excellent views of the illuminated city below. There is also a historic carousel and a train ride that takes riders through a snowy fairy tale forest. Guests can take a turn around Neptune Fountain when skating at the ice rink.
Visitors will enjoy drinking the mulled wine and eating the roasted almonds, bratwurst, freshly baked bread and gingerbread. Santa and his reindeer will be making an appearance as well.
Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Palace makes a majestic backdrop for this market that runs from late November to late December. Guests can shop over 250 vendors to find unique gifts and edible goods. There are also children’s rides available.
The castle grounds are festively illuminated for the event. Visitors can enjoy traditional German holiday treats such as stollen, spritz, biscuits and marzipan. There’s also plenty of gingerbread, mulled wine and freshly baked breads. The Royal Market offers treats the little ones will love.
Children will also enjoy the many fairground rides including the big wheel, the merry go rounds and the mini rollercoasters.
Whether you’re seeking luxury accommodations or cozy boutique hotels, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to explore the charming markets and create beautiful memories in Berlin’s winter wonderland.
- Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin: Located near the Brandenburg Gate Christmas Market, this luxury hotel offers elegant rooms and a prime location for exploring the festive market.
- The Westin Grand Berlin: Situated close to the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market, this hotel provides comfortable rooms and easy access to the market’s charming stalls.
- Regent Berlin: Just steps away from the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market, this five-star hotel boasts luxurious accommodations and a central location in the heart of Berlin.
- Titanic Gendarmenmarkt Berlin: Offering contemporary rooms and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views, this hotel is conveniently situated near the popular Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market.
- Hotel de Rome: Located near the atmospheric Berliner Weihnachtszeit Christmas Market, this five-star hotel occupies a historic building and offers elegant rooms and top-notch amenities.
- Hotel Palace Berlin: Situated within walking distance of the Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz Christmas Market, this upscale hotel provides modern rooms and a convenient location for exploring the market’s attractions.
- Casa Camper Berlin: Nestled near the charming Christmas market at Kollwitzplatz, this boutique hotel offers stylish rooms and a trendy atmosphere in the vibrant Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood.
- Hotel Zoo Berlin: With its proximity to the Wintertraum am Alexa Christmas Market, this boutique hotel provides chic accommodations and easy access to the festive market’s activities.
- Hotel Oderberger: Located near the atmospheric Lucia Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei, this unique hotel occupies a former historic swimming pool building and offers a memorable stay.
- Hotel Indigo Berlin – Alexanderplatz: Situated within walking distance of the Alexanderplatz Christmas Market, this modern hotel features comfortable rooms and a rooftop bar with stunning city views.
- Adina Apartment Hotel Berlin Hackescher Markt: With its proximity to the Christmas market at Hackescher Markt, this apartment hotel offers spacious accommodations and a central location in the trendy Mitte district.
- nhow Berlin: Situated near the vibrant Christmas market at Warschauer Straße, this stylish hotel combines music and design, offering a unique experience for visitors.
- The Circus Hotel: Located near the atmospheric WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt, this boutique hotel provides cozy rooms and a warm ambiance in the bustling Mitte neighborhood.
- Hotel Zoe by Amano Group: With its proximity to the atmospheric Adventszeit auf dem Roten Rathaus, this trendy hotel offers comfortable rooms and a lively atmosphere in the heart of Berlin.
- The Weinmeister Berlin-Mitte: Situated near the Nikolaiviertel Christmas Market, this boutique hotel features sleek rooms and a central location close to various attractions and markets in Berlin.
Christmas is a great time to visit Berlin. It’s many markets fill the city with a vibrant air providing a unique experience for guests and residents alike. Which of these are you most excited to check out?
