Each year, Berlin hosts over a hundred Christmas markets. Follow Off2Roam’s itinerary to discover the city’s best markets and make the most of the season.
For a general Berlin itinerary, click here.
Route Map & Itinerary
Where to Stay
Ideal for first-time visitors, Mitte is at the heart of Berlin. It hosts iconic landmarks like Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, and Alexanderplatz. The area also offers great transportation links and dining options.
Tree-lined streets, cozy cafes, and a family-friendly atmosphere make Prenzlauer Berg an excellent choice for a relaxed stay while still being close to the city’s attractions.
Booking.comItinerary
Day 1: Charlottenburg Palace , Breitschiedplatz and Potsdamer Platz
Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market
Dates: November 27 – December 31 2023. Closed on December 24
Times: 12PM to 10PM
Begin your Christmas Market Crawl at the iconic Charlottenburg Palace—undoubtedly the perfect starting point.
The majestic palace backdrop, which you enjoy for free, makes this market well worth the visit. Explore over 250 stalls, whether you’re window shopping or indulging in traditional German Christmas sweets such as spritz biscuits and marzipan loaves.
The Royal Christmas Markets also offer numerous fair rides and attractions, that are sure to keep both children and adults thoroughly entertained.
Breitscheidplatz Christmas Market
Dates: November 27, 2023 – January 07, 2024
Times: 11 AM to 9 PM. Christmas Eve from 11 AM to 2 PM. 25 and 26 December from 1 PM to 9 PM. New Year’s Eve from 11 AM to 8 PM. New Year’s Day from 1 PM to 9 PM.
The Kurfürstendamm shopping district, affectionately known as Ku’damm to locals, draws both locals and tourists on a regular day.
However, during the Christmas season,the boulevard transforms to host 100+ beautifully decorated stalls. The Kaiser Wilhelm Church stands proudly as a striking backdrop to the festive scene.
Brace yourself for dazzling Christmas light displays and carousels that might make you dizzy if you stare at them for too long.
Potsdamer Platz Christmas Market
Dates: Winter World: 28 October 2023 to 1 January 2024
Christmas Market: 27 November to 26 December 2023
Times: Winter World: 11 AM to 10 PM. 24 December 11 AM to 2 PM
Christmas market: 10 AM to 10 PM. 24 December from 10 AM to 4 PM
Our final stop for the day is the Potsdamer Platz, where tradition and winter sports merge flawlessly.
Here, the highlight is the 12 metre high toboggo run. Other activities to partake in include iceskating and curling. Admission to the market itself is free but expect to pay €2.50+ for partaking in sport activities.
As night falls, live music and DJs turn the market into a lively dance floor.
Day 2: Alexanderplatz, Berlin City Hall & WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt
Alexanderplatz Christmas Market
Dates: November 27 – December 26 2023
Times: 11 am to 10 pm
Alexanderplatz is home to one of the busiest Christmas Markets, located right in the heart of the city.
Immerse yourself in the classic Berlin Christmas market atmosphere set against an urban backdrop and a view of the iconic TV tower. With numerous stalls, rides, and attractions, there’s plenty to keep you engaged for a couple of hours.
The star of the show is the giant rotating Christmas pyramid adorned with over 5000 lights – Europe’s largest walk-in Christmas pyramid. and a view of the iconic TV tower.
Explore the food stalls for authentic German cuisine e.g. currywurst and bratwurst. Alternatively (or additionally), treat yourself to traditional Christmas specialties such as hot chocolate and Glühwein.
Berlin City Hall Christmas Market
Dates: November 27 2023 – January 07 2024
Times: 12PM to 10PM
Closed on Christmas Eve. 25, 26 December and 1st Jan 11 AM to 8 PM.
Located a short stroll from Alexanderplatz, Berlin City Hall Christmas Market combines the charm of a fair with the variety of a market, appealing to visitors of all ages.
The market’s famous giant Ferris wheel provides an excellent birds eye view of Berlin’s festive lights and displays. There are carousels, miniature trains and a snowy fairytale forest that are certain to keep the little ones (or those young at heart) delighted.
Another popular highlight of this market is the 600 square metre ice rink where skaters can circle around the impressive Neptune Fountain.
Keep an eye out for a spontaneous show featuring Santa and his reindeers soaring across the sky!
WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt
Dates: November 27 2023 – December 31 2023
Times: Sun – Thu: 12 PM to 10 PM. Fri – Sat: 12 PM – 11 PM
Christmas Eve: 12 PM to 6 PM
New Year’s Eve celebration: 7 PM – 1 AM
Wrap up Day 2 with a visit to the WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt. Although one of the few Berlin Christmas Markets that charges an entrance fee (€2), the experience is well worth it given the sheer elegance and variety it offers.
Roam through the stalls to spot unique handcrafted items. Stop by the main stage as it comes alive with various performances. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned skater, strap on your skates and glide across the ice rink.
Explore hidden corners with snow-covered trees and extravagant decorations, ideal for the perfect Instagram shot.
Day 3: Optional Berlin Christmas Markets
Our last day presents a delightful dilemma—choose from three distinct Christmas markets, each with its own enchanting charm.
Christmas Avenue Berlin
Dates: November 10 2023 – December 23 2023
Times: 4 PM to 10 PM
Since 2019, Christmas Avenue Market has enchanted visitors in Schöneberg, Berlin’s vibrant gay quarter.
As the city’s premier, if not only, LGBTQ+ Christmas market, it offers an alternative festive scene, complete with activities like drag bingo. The market also features playful Christmas gift options, such as sex toys and phallic-shaped items.
Similar to other markets, Christmas Avenue Market offers an array of food and drinks. There are also daily stage performances, with an abundance of local performers from Berlin’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
Medieval Christmas Market
Dates: November 16 2023 – December 22 2023
Times: Mon – Fri 3 PM to 10 PM. Sat – Sun 12 PM to 10 PM
Transport yourself to the past at the Medieval Christmas Market. Admission is usually €3 but entry is free on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Try your luck at activities such as axe throwing and archery. Then, gather around the warming fire pits to recharge. Explore the medieval-inspired stalls featuring unique items like shields, axes, horns and armor available for purchase.
What’s a medieval knight’s favorite type of music? Joust-in Timberlake! Experience the entertainment, featuring juggling, bard songs, and puppet shows that wouldn’t be out of place in an episode of The Witcher.
Winterzauber Berlin
Dates: November 03 2023 – December 23 2023
Times: Mon – Thu: 2 PM to 9:30 PM. Fri – Sat: 1 PM to 11 PM. Sun 12 PM to 9 PM
Closed on December 24
Welcome to Winterzauber, the Christmas fair on the city’s edge that’s bursting with rides, arcade games, and fun for both kids and grown-ups! Picture this: vibrant lights, the sweet scent of Christmas, and a ton of adventurous rides that make Frankfurter Allee the place to be in Lichtenberg. Covering a whopping 20,000 square meters, it’s a winter wonderland filled with attractions and stalls.
But here’s the real deal – it’s not just your typical fair. Sure, you’ll find a few shopping spots and some yummy food stalls, but the real star of the show? Brace yourself for scary rides that’ll get your heart pumping.
The Chat
Kat: Germany truly owns the Christmas Markets scene.
Sim: What makes a German Christmas Market so special?
Kat: They love Christmas… you can feel it!
Sim: *snickers*
Kat: No, seriously! They make sure to cater to everyone’s Christmas.
First of all, you’ve got your traditional markets; always with an unexpected attraction thrown in! But then, there’s also a whole variety of contemporary and themed markets. From LGBTQ+ markets with drag performances to medieval markets featuring axe-throwing and firepits.
Sim: Are these markets free to enter?
Kat: Most of them are. However, I did pay €3 euros for the Medieval Market and €2 for Weihnactszauber.
Sim: I braved Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and nearly froze. How does this compare?
Kat: You won’t freeze here. There are usually heated cabins all around. Well, except for the Medieval one, which sticks to its theme and has several fire pits.
Sim: Any standout Christmas gifts you came across?
Kat: Model trains, hand-carved chopping boards, penis pens, battle axes and so much more. It’s truly a showcase for local artisans to shine.
Leave a Reply