Berlin Christmas Market Guide (Map + Dates 2023)

A complete guide to the best Christmas markets in Berlin in 2023 (+ a map with the exact locations, opening dates and the best hotels to stay).

December is a magical month! And this is especially true for Germany, thanks to its Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte). Although today you can find these Weihnachtsmärkte across all of Europe, they are, in fact, an old German tradition. Their history can be traced back to the 14th-16th century.

The Christmas markets are street markets dedicated to Christmas. In the past, their main role was to help people prepare for the coming holidays. You were able to buy meat, vegetables and all kinds of spices. Nowadays, it’s more about fun than practicality.

Berlin, with its 80 Weihnachtsmärkte spread out all over the city, is the capital of the German Christmas markets. And you won’t find two identical ones. Each of them has its own atmosphere and speciality. No matter if you look for a nostalgic, bio or urban Christmas market, you will find it here, in Berlin.

Choosing which winter markets to visit can be tough, but my blog is here to help you. This guide will take you through the most famous Christmas markets in Berlin. Read on to find out why you should visit them and what to do in Berlin at Christmas.

Berlin Christmas market guide 2023

There are about 80 Christmas markets in Berlin. Most of the small and run only during weekends, so in this guide, I’ll focus on the most popular ones. There are about 10 big markets, that shouldn’t be missed.

Almost all of the main markets are located in the Mitte district, which is right in the city centre. Yet, to get from one to another you’ll have to use public transport, as the distances are big. The easiest way to do this is by using the S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains (the German metro system).

When does the Berlin Christmas market start?

The Christmas markets start at the end of November and continue during the four weeks of Advent. There are only a few that you can visit after Christmas or in January.

Berlin Christmas market dates 2023

From 27 November to 26 December 2023
Every day from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Between 26 and 31 December – only the markets at Gendarmenmarkt, City Hall, Potsdamer Platz and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church will be open
Between New Year’s Eve and 7 January – only the market at the City Hall

For more details check each market’s opening times (below in the post).

Is there any market open after Christmas?
Yes, the Christmas markets at Gendarmenmarkt, City Hall, Potsdamer Platz and Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church will stay open till 31 December. The market at the City Hall will continue one week after New Year’s Eve.

Tips about Berlin Christmas market

Accommodation – the markets attract thousands of visitors each year, so make sure to book your hotel ahead of time.

My favourite place to stay in Berlin (for Christmas markets): COSMO Hotel Berlin Mitte
Why: walking distance to 3 markets, easy access to the rest (red metro line U2)
What I like: spacious comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast, great sauna

Best time to visit – go on weekdays during the day, when there are fewer people. You can return in the evening for mulled wine and to experience the festive atmosphere. It’s better to avoid the weekends if you can, as they are the busiest times.

Map – find here a map with the exact locations of all popular markets.

Sightseeing – Visiting Berlin for the first time? Then check out my guide on how to spend 3 days in Berlin, which covers all the must-see attractions (plus how to skip the lines).

Best Christmas markets in Berlin

Visiting all 80 Christmas markets would likely take weeks. However, there are a few that you must see, so make sure to add them to your list.

Best Christmas markets in Berlin 2023

• Gendarmenmarkt
• Weihnachtsmarkt at Charlottenburg Palace
• Alexanderplatz Christmas Market
• Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Christmas Market
• Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus
• Winter World on Potsdamer Platz
• Spandau Christmas market
• Opernpalais Nostalgic Market
• Lucia Christmas Market

Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market

Although it’s hard to choose the best Weihnachtsmarkt from more than 80, there is one that really stands out. The WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt is the most popular Christmas market in Berlin. And it’s also the most visited one (it tends to get a bit crowded during peak hours).

The market is located on a charming square framed by the impressive buildings of the Concert Hall, and the German and French Churches. It is also the nearest Weihnachtsmarkt to Checkpoint Charlie.

Besides the location, there is a gigantic Christmas tree and a stage with live choir performances. It is really magical at night when everything is festively lit up.

The wooden stalls offer unique handmade products by artisans. This is the place if you’re looking for gifts and souvenirs. In addition, you’ll also find gourmet treats and hot beverages. Don’t miss to try some fine wines at the WeihnachtsZauberBar.

The market ends at New Year’s Eve with a DJ party and a large fireworks display.

Yet, there is a tiny downside. Although most of the Weihnachtsmärkte are free, this one charges an entrance fee of €1. If you want to save money, visit it between 12 PM and 2 PM. At this time the admission is free (only weekdays, except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December). On New Year’s Eve, the ticket costs €6.

Please note that no luggage is allowed in the market.

WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmark
From 27 November to 31 December
Daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
24th December – from 12:00 PM to 06:00 PM
31st December – from 12:00 PM to 01:00 AM
Address: Gendarmenmarkt, 10115 Berlin 
In 2023, the market will be relocated to the Bebelplatz at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden
WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmark official website

Charlottenburg Palace Christmas market

If you’re into palaces, you’ll love this market. Located in the shadow of a gorgeous 18th-century Baroque palace, it’s a real fairy tale!

The spectacular backdrop of the palace is lit up with changing coloured lights. This creates a truly romantic atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cup of warm Glühwein with your loved one. In addition, you’ll find a winter open-air restaurant, a petting zoo and free nostalgia carousels.

As far as it concerns food, you won’t be disappointed, too. More than 250 local and international exhibitors offer culinary treats and unique crafts.

Don’t miss to visit Charlottenburg Palace itself. This beautiful palace once served as a private residence of Sophie Charlotte, the first Queen consort in Prussia.

Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg
From 27 November to 26 December
Monday to Thursday – 02:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Address: Spandauer Damm 20-24, 14059 Berlin
Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg official website

Alexanderplatz Christmas Market

To combine the Christmas villages with some shopping, visit Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Alexanderplatz. The market is set under the iconic TV Tower, right between the Galeria Kaufhof department store and the Alexa shopping mall.

There is an open-air ice rink, a fairground ride and a Santa Claus party house. Yet, the heart of the market is a large Christmas pyramid. In fact, this is the largest Ore Mountain pyramid in Europe (with more than 5000 lights).

Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Alexanderplatz
From 27 November to 26 December
Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
24th December – from 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM
Address: Alexanderplatz 4, 10178 Berlin

Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus

You’ll find this medieval Christmas market on the square between the City Hall (Rotes Rathaus) and St. Marienkirche. Travel back to the Middle Ages while enjoying hot mead in a clay jug and medieval delicacies.

However, the main attraction is the 50m high Ferris wheel. Take a ride for panoramic views of the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz. You’ll also find a 600 square-meter ice rink and a petting zoo with donkeys, sheep and ponies.

The little ones have a chance to see Santa Claus, flying through the skies on his sleigh. He appears daily at 04:30 PM, 06:30 PM and 08:30 PM.

Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus
From 27 November 2023 to 7 January 2024
From Monday to Friday – 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Address: Platz vor dem Roten Rathaus
Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus official website

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Christmas Market

This Weihnachtsmarkt is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. It is the closest market to the Berlin Zoo. The 25-foot-high Christmas tree and festively decorated stores will put you in the right holiday mood.

More than 170 wooden stalls offer handmade tree ornaments and toys. It’s a great place if you are looking for gifts and souvenirs. I bought a lovely Christmas ornament in the shape of an angel from here.

On New Year’s Eve, there is a fireworks display at 06:00 PM, 08:00 PM, 10:00 PM and midnight.

Weihnachtsmarkt an der Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche
From 27 November to 31 December
Sunday to Thursday – 11:00 AM – 09:00 PM
Friday and Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
24th December – 11:00 AM to 02:00 PM
25th and 26th December – 01:00 PM to 09:00 PM
New Year’s Eve – till 08:00 PM
New Year’s Day – 01:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Address: Breitscheidplatz, 10789 Berlin

Winter World on Potsdamer Platz

Every year Potsdamer Platz turns into an Alpine winter world, featuring all kinds of fun activities. The highlight is the giant toboggan run with a view of Brandenburg Gate. In addition, there is a 500 square meters open-air ice rink.

And if you’re hungry, try some Austrian delicacies in Schmankerl or Salzburger Stiegl Alm wooden huts.

Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz
From 27 November to 31 December
Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
24th December – till 02:00 PM
Address: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin

More Xmas markets in Berlin

If you plan to spend more time at Christmas in Berlin, don’t miss to check out the Weihnachtsmärkte below. You can also take a look at the official website of VisitBerlin for more local markets.

Spandau Christmas Market

The largest Christmas market in Berlin takes place in the charming Old Town of Spandau. There are more than 250 stalls during the weekdays and over 400 on the weekends. Thousands of twinkling lights create a festive and joyful atmosphere. And at the heart of the market, you’ll find a large fir tree and a nativity scene with live animals.

Wednesdays are family days and this is the time to go if you want a photo with Santa Claus. Every Friday there is a rock concert, starting at 06:00 PM.

Spandau is a suburb on the city’s outskirts. It may look far on the map, but you can easily reach it from Alexanderplatz (or Zoologischer Garten) with the S-Bahn.

Spandauer Weihnachtsmarkt
From 27 November to 23 December
Sunday to Thursday – 11:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Friday and Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Address: Altstadt Spandau 1, 13597 Berlin

Opernpalais Nostalgic Christmas Market

A nostalgic Weihnachtsmarkt takes place every year on Bebelplatz. More than 200 wooden booths are set up in front of the beautiful backdrop of St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. Craftsmen from all over the world sell wooden toys, candles, lanterns and Christmas ornaments.

Stop for a glass of mulled wine after dark. Everything is festively lit up and the aroma of roasted almonds and chestnuts drifts in the air.

Nostalgischer Weihnachtsmarkt am Opernpalais
the market won’t be held in 2023

Lucia Christmas Market

If you are looking for a unique experience, consider visiting the Lucia Weihnachtsmark. It’s a Nordic Christmas market, named after Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia is a goddess of light, worshipped in the Nordic countries.

Besides the classic Christmas treats, here you’ll also find Nordic and Scandinavian culinary delights. This includes Swedish Glögg, Finnish honey, moose goulash, reindeer bratwurst and many more.

Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt
From 27 November to 23 December
From Monday to Friday – 03:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday – 01:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Address: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin
Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt official website

Must buy tickets in advance

If you’re planning to do some sightseeing, there are two attractions, for which you should secure tickets in advance.

Berlin TV Tower – is the city’s most popular attraction with over 1.2 million visitors a year. Buy a fast-track entrance ticket to skip the long lines (you’ll have to choose a time slot).

Pergamon Museum – with more than 2,200 visitors daily, this is the most visited museum on Museum Island. The lines are huge even in the winter, so book your ticket in advance here.

Berlin WelcomeCard – it’s a great deal if you plan to use public transport a lot. The card offers free public transportation (including to Potsdam and Brandenburg Airport) and discounts at 200 attractions. See more details and reviews here.

Where to stay in Berlin for Christmas markets

Most of the popular Christmas markets are located in the southeast part of Mitte district. To be more specific this is the area between Brandenburg Gate (to the west), Alexanderplatz (to the east) and Checkpoint Charlie (to the south).

Given this, the best area to stay in Berlin for the Christmas markets is in proximity to Gendarmenmarkt. This area not only hosts the most famous market but is also conveniently connected to all the markets through the nearby U2 red metro line. For direct access to even the farther Christmas markets, opt for a hotel close to Mohrenstraße, Hausvogteiplatz, or Spittelmarkt stations.

In addition, this location is perfect for sightseeing, as you’ll be within walking distance of Checkpoint Charlie and Museum Island. Find more information in my complete guide to where to stay in Berlin.

NH Collection Checkpoint Charlie – Best mid-range

Guest rating: 8.3 | 7,820+ reviews

Perfect location, within walking distance to 3 Weihnachtsmärkte. Moreover, the Friedrichstraße shopping street and a metro station (direct access to the rest of the markets) are just a short stroll away.

Why book – 5min away from Mohrenstraße metro station, nice Spa, awesome breakfast

TITANIC Gendarmenmarkt – Best luxury

Guest rating: 8.5 | 5,180+ reviews

Situated just steps away from the Gendarmenmarkt market, this hotel offers a perfect location for a winter getaway. Easy access to the rest of the markets (via the red metro line U2), the famous Unter den Linden Boulevard and Friedrichstraße shopping street. The hotel’s restaurant Beef Grill Club by Hasir features a show kitchen, while the Schinkel Bar offers live music frequently.

Why book – 5min away from Hausvogteiplatz metro station, great Spa with Turkish hammam and dry sauna

What to do in Berlin at Christmas

Visit an ice bar

Berlin Icebar offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy a nice cocktail in one of the coolest bars in the city. Everything here is made of ice, including the walls, chairs and even the glasses.

Book your Icebar tickets in advance here.

Address: Spandauer Str. 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany

Visit the Christmas garden

Every winter from mid-November to mid-January, the Botanical garden is transformed into a magical fairytale. Over 30 light installations are set amidst the diverse nature of the garden, creating stunning visual spectacles. Immerse yourself in a vast sea of lights and twinkling stars while strolling through the garden.

The Christmas Garden is one of the most popular winter activities, so book your ticket in advance here.

Christmas Garden Berlin
From 17 November 2023 to 14 January 2024
Closed on 20, 21, 27, 28 November and 24, 31 December
From Sunday to Thursday: 04:30 PM – 09:00 PM (last admission at 07:30 PM)
Friday and Saturday: 04:30 PM – 10:00 PM (last admission at 08:30 PM)
Address: Königin-Luise-Straße 68, 14195 Berlin

Dinner with a view

Enjoy fantastic views of the festively decorated city from the Sphere restaurant. The restaurant occupies the iconic TV tower, situated right in the heart of the city. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the sparkling city lights while you dine.

It’s advisable to book tickets for the Sphere restaurant in advance.

Christmas shopping

There are almost 70 shopping centres in Berlin. It’s heaven for every shopping lover, especially during the Christmas sales.

The most popular stores are Alexa Shopping Center, Mall of Berlin, Friedrichsstraße and Kaufhaus des Westens. In fact, Kaufhaus des Westens is one of the biggest department stores in Continental Europe.

Berlin Christmas markets food

All I can say is prepare for a feast! Grilled sausages, gingerbread cookies, mulled wine – there are so many delicious temptations to choose from. And the best part is that the food is not expensive at all.

Glühwein

I know it’s Germany but forget about the beer (at least for an hour or two). It’s freezing cold and you need something to warm you up! So try the Glühwein.

Glühwein is mulled red wine with various spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, cloves, citrus and sugar. Usually, the markets offer variations such as cherry or blueberry mulled wine. You can also find Glühwein mit schuss, which means mulled wine with a shot of liquor in it.

Glühwein comes in a decorated mug. You have to pay a few euros deposit additionally for the mug. So don’t wonder why you’re charged more than the price you see.

You can keep the mug as a souvenir or return it to get your deposit back. Every market has a different mug. Thus take a look around and find your favourite one before buying.

Eierpunsch

Eierpunsch is also very popular. It’s a winter egg-based alcoholic drink, similar to egg nog.

Stollen

It’s a sweet bread with dried fruits covered with powdered sugar. Stollen comes in different variations such as Poppyseed stollen, Nut stollen, Marzipan stollen.

Lebkuchen

This is the German version of gingerbread. It is round or in the shape of a heart covered with dark chocolate. Usually, the decoration includes coloured icing inscriptions.

Schmalzkuchen

These are small German doughnuts. They are usually served in a paper cone and covered with powdered sugar.

Bratwurst

There were so many different types of sausages, but if you have to try only one, go with the Bratwurst. It’s a grilled sausage usually served in a bun with optional ketchup and mustard. This is one of the most popular foods at the Christmas markets.

How to get to Berlin Christmas markets

By train

The Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) is in the Mitte district, right in the city centre. It’s well-connected by public transport to every part of the city. Check timetables and book tickets online at Deutsche Bahn official site.

By air

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is located 18km southeast of the city. You can easily fly from Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, Newcastle and many other European cities.

The airport is connected to the city centre by the S-Bahn lines S9, and S45 and the express trains FEX, RE7 and RB14 (see all connections here). 

Christmas markets near Berlin, Germany

Potsdam

Potsdam is a great option to escape the hordes of tourists and enjoy more authentic Christmas markets. In fact, there is not one, but several markets in Potsdam.

The biggest one, Blauer Lichterglanz, is held in the Old Town, stretching all the way down Brandenburger Straße. The market starts on 27 November and continues till 29 December.

There is also a Bohemian Christmas Market in Babelsberg, a Polish market on the Kutschstallhof and a Dutch market in the Dutch Quarter (see more info about the Potsdam Christmas market here).

And while you’re in Potsdam, don’t miss to visit the royal palace Sanssouci and Neues Palais. For more information take a look at my complete guide for one day in Potsdam.

To get to Potsdam just take the S-Bahn and you’ll be there in less than an hour.

Faqs about Berlin Christmas market

Pin for later