The best Christmas markets in Berlin: what to do and when to go
With markets, it happens like with Christmas movies: they are shown earlier each time and, no matter how many times you have seen them, you can't help but fall into tradition. In Berlin, it's not Christmas until Professor Snape rushes out of the Nakatomi Building and you drink Glühwein beyond your means. Or when else is it acceptable to drink wine reheated with sugar and spices?
While is true that our thermal sensation differs a bit from the German one (try asking for a VERY cold beer in a bar or ask your co-worker, subway or library colleague to close the window because it's snowing and the room has already been ventilated), we will all agree that this typical drink of the winter months is reserved for a very specific time and place: the Weihnachtsmarkt or Christmas market.
People say that there are more than 50,000 throughout Germany and, in Berlin alone, more than 50. In all of them you can taste this comforting concoction and, even more, pair it with **some specialties of German gastronomy (sausages, of course, or the colorful Lebkuchenherzen gingerbread hearts) **, Swiss, Austrian, Hungarian, French, Polish...
You can take it alone or accompanied (mit Schuss) with an extra rum, amaretto or any other sweet liquor. And remember that you can get back the extra price you paid for the mug (pfand) when you return it.
Berlin at Christmas
With the beginning of Advent, Berlin also marks the beginning of the season of markets that are distributed throughout all the neighborhoods that make up the city. Almost all agree on the essentials, but some differ on the essentials. By location, by decoration and above all, by tradition, these are the best:
THE GENDARMENMARKT MARKET
Aside, the french cathedral (Französischer Dom) ; the other, the german cathedral (Deutscher Dom) and there in front of him, the Konzerthaus , home of the Berlin Symphony Orchestra.
This square, considered the most beautiful in the city, marked the meeting point between French Huguenots and German Lutherans in the times of Frederick I of Prussia and, today, houses one of the most well-cared markets in the capital.
The entrance costs one euro and is restricted by security measures, but the illuminated location offers a postcard image. Even more so if you admire it from the French dome: it costs 3 euros and 284 steps.
Where? Gendarmenmarkt square. (Nearest subway: Stadmitte) .
When? From November 25 to December 31, 2019, every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. except December 24 (until 6 p.m.) and December 31 (until 1 a.m.).
Entry: 1 euro. Children up to 12 years free. You cannot enter with a dog, nor with large backpacks or suitcases.
A unique location
THE MARKET IN FRONT OF THE CHARLOTTENBURG PALACE
Perhaps it is the least frequented by tourists, and therefore, the favorite of the Berliners. Even so, you have to be prepared for a crowd bath. In the middle of the esplanade in front of the Charlottenburg Palace , the lighting of the facade is a majestic contrast with the wooden sheds: as if it were a small town at your feet.
With a merry-go-round and numerous activities for children, adults are entertained crafts, gastronomic specialties and mulled wine with or without Schuss. That is, an extra alcohol.
Where? Spandauer Damm, 10. (Nearest metro: Sophie-Charlotte-Platz or Richard-Wagner-Platz)
When? From November 25 to December 26, 2019. Monday to Thursday from 2 pm to 10 pm and Friday to Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm. On days 1 and 2 from 12 to 8 p.m. and on December 24 it will remain closed.
Free entry
locals favorite
THE ALEXANDERPLATZ MARKET
In the epicenter of the Berlin capital, There are more who go through it without realizing it than those who choose this market to feed their Christmas spirit.
It is highly recommended for short breaks since its easy access allows you to stop on the tourist route right between the TV Tower and the World Clock.
It lacks none of the typical elements, but neither is the influx of visitors joined by people coming and going to the adjacent malls and shops.
Where? At Alexanderplatz (Nearest subway: Alexanderplatz)
When? From November 25 to December 26, 2019. Every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., except December 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free entry
Christmas in Berlin
THE CITY HALL MARKET
A few meters from the Alexanderplatz flea market, an illuminated Ferris wheel indicates the exact point where tourists wait in line to see a panoramic view of the city while others put on their skates to launch into the makeshift ice rink next to the Neptune fountain.
On it, three times a day (at 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.), Santa Claus flies over the city and greets children from his sled suspended in the air.
Where? Between the Marienkirche church and the square of the Rotes Rathaus. (Nearest subway: Klosterstr.)
When? From November 25 to January 6, 2020. Monday to Friday from 12 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. December 25-26 and January 6, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. december.
Free entry
The spectacular Ferris wheel of the City Hall market
THE ALT-RIXDORFER MARKET
This market is not like all the others, It is organized by neighbors and neighborhood associations for social and solidarity purposes. In their stalls you can find very diverse products.
From crafts and Christmas decorations, to sweets or homemade prepared dishes that compete with the classics of German fast food. Namely, döner, kumpir or turkish stuffed baked potato or currywurst (sausage with tomato sauce spiced with curry) .
Of course, the traditional Glühwein, but also games and activities. With the proceeds raised, the Neukölln neighborhood has financed numerous projects and probably the only drawback is that it lasts only one weekend.
Where? Richardplatz, 28. (Nearest metro Karl-Marx-Straße)
When? From December 6 to 8. On December 6 from 5 to 9 p.m., on December 7 from 2 to 9 p.m. and on December 8 from 2 to 8 p.m.
Free entry
The Alt-Rixdorfer flea market has solidarity purposes
THE SOPHIENSTRASSE SUSTAINABLE MARKET
Along with the techno scene, Berlin is world renowned for your ecological offer. you will not find more vegan, vegetarian, organic and/or sustainable alternatives in (almost) no other European capital.
Normal that they have dedicated a Christmas market to organic products in a small street in the heart of the Mitte neighborhood.
Very close to the historic courtyards of Hackesche Höfe, this market combines tradition and modernity through design items from local artists, natural gastronomic products and other fair trade products.
Where? Sophienstraße. (Nearest subway: Weinmeisterstr.)
When? Weekends from November 30 to December 22, 2019: Saturdays from 12 noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Free entry
The most sustainable Christmas market in Berlin
KAISER WILHELM MEMORIAL CHURCH MARKET
Tragically remembered for the 2016 bombing, it used to stand as the one for the collapsed Gedächtniskirche church, which stands as a reminder of the WWII bombing next to the Kurfürstendamm shopping avenue.
A few meters, a huge 20-meter fir tree with more than 8,000 decorations indicates the entrance to the stalls –now surrounded by a small wall– where the most remarkable is undoubtedly the Swiss booth that serves raclette . Because yes, because it's Christmas and at Christmas the truth is told.
Where? Kurfürstendamm, 237. (Nearest subway: Zoologischer Garten, Wittenbergplatz or Kurfürstendamm)
When? From November 25 to January 5, 2020. From Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. December 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., December 25 and 26 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., December 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and January 1 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Free entry
Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Flea Market
THE LUCIA DE KULTURBRAUEREI MARKET
The only one in which, in addition to Christmas, is celebrated Saint Lucia's day as in the Nordic countries, with a parade of angels accompanied by a choir. This takes place on December 13, coinciding with the equator of Advent.
An old carousel, a mobile sauna that refers to the Scandinavian tradition and daily visits from Santa Claus (from 5 to 6 p.m.) complete the list of particularities of one of the markets preferred by the youngest.
Partly because it is located in the busy neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg and partly because this old brewery converted into a cultural center is also home to cinemas and Franz Club nightclub.
Where? Schönhauser Allee, 36. (Nearest subway: Eberwalder Str.)
When? From November 25 to December 22, 2019. Monday to Friday from 3 to 10 p.m. and weekends from 1 to 10 p.m.
Free entry
Lucia de Kulturbrauerei Flea Market