The temperature's dropping below zero, the heating’s been on for weeks and it's dark at four...there’s no escaping the fact that we are on the chilling descent into winter. I find there is only one way to counter the gathering gloom: a glass (or bucket) of glühwein, enjoyed at leisure during a visit to one of Berlin’s vast array of Weihnachtsmarkts. Although essentially the same deal, each one has a slightly different atmosphere, ranging from totally commercial and a bit icky (see Alexanderplatz) to the quaint and traditional (see Alt-Rixdorfer), but whichever ones you decide to try, you can be sure of sparkly fairy lights, bratwurst, gifts galore and enough glühwein to shake a candy cane stick at.
This is not a completely exhaustive list, as there are literally dozens of markets going on, but I’ve tried to pick out the more family friendly ones, including some of my favourites. The list starts with those which have begun in the last few days, followed by the others in chronological order. All are free to enter unless otherwise stated. Go Forth and be Festive!
This is not a completely exhaustive list, as there are literally dozens of markets going on, but I’ve tried to pick out the more family friendly ones, including some of my favourites. The list starts with those which have begun in the last few days, followed by the others in chronological order. All are free to enter unless otherwise stated. Go Forth and be Festive!
Winterworld at Postdamer Platz (until 26th December)
Smack bang in the middle of Potsdamer Platz is this Austrian themed market. The ‘authentic’ Salzburger Schmankerl-Hütt’n offers typical regional fare, while elsewhere crowds huddle together, drinking beer and mulled wine, as the kids gorge themselves on a multitude of sugary snacks. The highlight of this otherwise fairly mediocre market is the 70 metre long, 12 metre high toboggan run, which, at €1.50 a go, is worth the trip alone. Follow the trail of little stalls down Alte Potsdamer Strasse towards the huge Christmas Tree, to find the ice-skating rink and curling area.
Address: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin
Public Transport: U or S-Bahn station Potsdamer Platz
Opening times: 10am – 10pm
Weihnachtszauber at Gendarmenmarkt (until 31st December)
Located on one of Berlin’s most impressive squares, squeezed in between the grand trio of the German and French Cathedrals and Schinkel's Konzerthaus, this certainly feels like one of the classier markets the city has to offer. The tree is magnificent, the shopping is more sophisticated than most and the food tends to be a bit more expensive. This is also the only central market to charge an entrance fee. I’m including it because it’s jolly pretty, and the kids can enjoy watching a multitude of different acts on stage.
Address: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117, Berlin
Public transport: U-bahn Stadtmitte
Opening times: Daily 11am – 10pm
Admission: €1
Alexanderplatz Christmas Market (until 26th December)
The Christmas Market at Alexanderplatz is one of the busiest in Berlin, due to its central location, certainly not because it’s the best. Vendors sell traditional crafts, food and drinks and there are attractions for the kids, including a ferris wheel and an ice rink, usually manned by particularly belligerent Berlin dudes. At the heart of this market is the Christmas pyramid which you can walk up to the top of for a good view of the whole square, but you will be fighting through the tourists to get anywhere.
Address: Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin
Public Transport: U or S-Bahn station Alexanderplatz
Opening times: 10am – 10pm
Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market (until 26th December)
This market wins hands down for the splendour of it’s location, with the castle providing a stunningly illuminated backdrop. The scale of this market is quite extraordinary, with stalls, restaurants, huts and tents seemingly going on for ever and there’s a dedicated children’s section with nostalgic fair ground rides in front of the Orangery. Well worth a visit despite being one of the more popular tourist markets.
Address: Schloss Charlottenburg, Spandauer Damm 20-24, 14059 Berlin
Public transport: Bus,:Klausenerplatz/Schloss Charlottenburg 309, M45
Opening times: Mon - Thur 2pm - 10 pm, Fri - Sun from 12pm - 10 pm
Gedächtniskirche in Charlottenburg (until 6th January)
Conveniently located just off the main Kurfürstendamm shopping street, this market offers prettily decorated wooden huts and booths containing all the trimmings of the quintessential Christmas market. Santa even makes an appearance on weekends, handing out gifts from his grotto next to the Christmas tree.
Public transport: U-bahn Kurfürstendamm
Opening times: Sun – Thur 11am – 9pm, Fri – Sat 11am – 10pm
Lucia Christmas Market at the KulturBrauerei (until 23rd December)
Tucked into the superb red-bricked location of a 19th century brewery in Prenzlauer Berg, this Scandinavian market is named after the Nordic goddess of light and as such offers the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Scandi market with plenty for the kids to enjoy.
Address: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin
Public transport: U-bahn Eberswalder Strasse
Opening times: Mon – Fri 3pm – 10pm, Sat & Sun 1pm – 10pm
Spandau Old Town Christmas Market (until 23rd December)
This one is first on my list to visit this year as I haven't made it over there before – the characterful cobbled streets of the Old Town turn into a medieval market with performances, live music, a nativity scene with real animals, live music, oven-smoked hot fish, a superb fir tree and a guaranteed ‘gemütlich’ atmosphere.
Address: Markt 1, 1359 Berlin
Public Transport: U-bann Altstadt Spandau or Rathaus Spandau
Opening Times:Sun – Thurs 11am – 8pm, Fri & Sat 11 am – 10pm
RAW Historic Christmas Market (until 22nd December)
Known more for it’s clubs than child-friendly markets, the RAW site undergoes a pretty impressive make-over in time for Christmas, putting on a medieval market in the heart of Friedrichshain. Highlights include pony riding, a wooden carousel and ferris wheel, fire-shows and acrobatics, archery, music, a Knight’s Castle and a troll forest.
Address:Revaler Strasse 99, 10245 Berlin
Public transport:S and U-Bahn, Warschauer Strasse
Opening times:3pm to 10pm
Rotes Rathaus Christmas Market (until 30th December)
If you haven’t managed to locate Santa yet, then you’ll find him here, being pulled by his trusty reindeer, three times a day, out in front of Berlin’s historical Town Hall. If this isn’t enough to keep your little ones happy, then maybe the 50 metre high ferris wheel, enchanted forest train or the enormous ice rink will do the trick. The superb setting makes this central market choice a bit more special, although the building work near the town hall itself can be a bit off-putting.
Address: Karl –Liebknecht Strasse 8, 10178 Berlin
Public transport: U-bahn Klosterstrasse
Opening times: Mon to Fri 12pm – 10pm, Sat and Sun 11am – 10pm
Tucked into the superb red-bricked location of a 19th century brewery in Prenzlauer Berg, this Scandinavian market is named after the Nordic goddess of light and as such offers the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Scandi market with plenty for the kids to enjoy.
Address: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin
Public transport: U-bahn Eberswalder Strasse
Opening times: Mon – Fri 3pm – 10pm, Sat & Sun 1pm – 10pm
Spandau Old Town Christmas Market (until 23rd December)
This one is first on my list to visit this year as I haven't made it over there before – the characterful cobbled streets of the Old Town turn into a medieval market with performances, live music, a nativity scene with real animals, live music, oven-smoked hot fish, a superb fir tree and a guaranteed ‘gemütlich’ atmosphere.
Address: Markt 1, 1359 Berlin
Public Transport: U-bann Altstadt Spandau or Rathaus Spandau
Opening Times:Sun – Thurs 11am – 8pm, Fri & Sat 11 am – 10pm
RAW Historic Christmas Market (until 22nd December)
Known more for it’s clubs than child-friendly markets, the RAW site undergoes a pretty impressive make-over in time for Christmas, putting on a medieval market in the heart of Friedrichshain. Highlights include pony riding, a wooden carousel and ferris wheel, fire-shows and acrobatics, archery, music, a Knight’s Castle and a troll forest.
Address:Revaler Strasse 99, 10245 Berlin
Public transport:S and U-Bahn, Warschauer Strasse
Opening times:3pm to 10pm
Rotes Rathaus Christmas Market (until 30th December)
If you haven’t managed to locate Santa yet, then you’ll find him here, being pulled by his trusty reindeer, three times a day, out in front of Berlin’s historical Town Hall. If this isn’t enough to keep your little ones happy, then maybe the 50 metre high ferris wheel, enchanted forest train or the enormous ice rink will do the trick. The superb setting makes this central market choice a bit more special, although the building work near the town hall itself can be a bit off-putting.
Address: Karl –Liebknecht Strasse 8, 10178 Berlin
Public transport: U-bahn Klosterstrasse
Opening times: Mon to Fri 12pm – 10pm, Sat and Sun 11am – 10pm
30th November
Merry Markthalle (Fri – Sun, until the end of Advent)
Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg is famous for its' excellent famer’s market and at this time of year they turn their large space into a cosy Christmas market. All indoors, this is a good one for bad weather, with a small children’s play area, plus cheese fondue, gifts and crafts, their philosophy is “Things that make life more beautiful. To eat, to serve and to decorate, to wear and to give away”. This Sunday there is a biscuit making workshop and their Merry Breakfast Market is on December 16th.
Address: Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstrasse 42/43, 10997 Berlin
Public Transport: U-bahn Gorlitzer Bahnhof U1 and U3
Opening times: Fri noon–6pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 16 Dec, 10am-4pm
Klunkerkranich (Fri- Sun, until end of Advent)
If you haven’t already ventured up to Klunkerkranich, then this is a good time to go. Located on the roof of Neukölln Arcade, this charming café and bar hosts what is probably the highest Christmas Market in Berlin, with all the usual festive fare, and the added bonus of one of the best views over the city. Their "Kranichküken" on Sundays offers a cinema, puppet theatre and other acts for children, performed by Entourage Berlin, plus a kids disco and craft-making.
Address: Rooftop, Neukölln Arcade, Karl-Marx-Strasse 66, 12043 Berlin
Public Transport: U8 or S-Bahn Rathaus Neukölln
Opening times: Friday to Sunday until end of Advent
Holzmarkt Christmas Market (Fri - Sun, until 23rd December)
With both indoor and outdoor activities, including a cinema, bouncy castle, biscuit baking and a clown show, as well as gift bazaar and food stalls, this is definitely one I’m going to check out this year. They even provide childcare on a Sunday so mum and dad can have a moment to enjoy the riverside view, neck an eggnog and discuss their Amazon wishlists. For the full programme of events go to http://www.holzmarkt.com/
Address: Holzmarktstrasse 25, 10243 Berlin
Public transport: S and U-bahn Jannowitzbrücke
Opening times: Fri from 4pm, Sat and Sun from 2pm
Schloss Belvedere Christmas Market (30th November until 2nd December)
Ok, so this one isn’t strictly in Berlin, but the city’s prettier neighbour, Potsdam, is well worth a day trip, especially while its 19th century castle is hosting its Christmas market, complete with all the trimmings.
Address: Schloss Belvedere, Great Weinmeistersttrasse 43b, 14469 Potsdam
Public transport: Train from Berlin Hbf to Potsdam Hbf (about 30 mins) then tram 92 or 96
Opening times: Friday 3pm – 9pm, Sat and Sun 11am to 7pm
Merry Markthalle (Fri – Sun, until the end of Advent)
Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg is famous for its' excellent famer’s market and at this time of year they turn their large space into a cosy Christmas market. All indoors, this is a good one for bad weather, with a small children’s play area, plus cheese fondue, gifts and crafts, their philosophy is “Things that make life more beautiful. To eat, to serve and to decorate, to wear and to give away”. This Sunday there is a biscuit making workshop and their Merry Breakfast Market is on December 16th.
Address: Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstrasse 42/43, 10997 Berlin
Public Transport: U-bahn Gorlitzer Bahnhof U1 and U3
Opening times: Fri noon–6pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 16 Dec, 10am-4pm
Klunkerkranich (Fri- Sun, until end of Advent)
If you haven’t already ventured up to Klunkerkranich, then this is a good time to go. Located on the roof of Neukölln Arcade, this charming café and bar hosts what is probably the highest Christmas Market in Berlin, with all the usual festive fare, and the added bonus of one of the best views over the city. Their "Kranichküken" on Sundays offers a cinema, puppet theatre and other acts for children, performed by Entourage Berlin, plus a kids disco and craft-making.
Address: Rooftop, Neukölln Arcade, Karl-Marx-Strasse 66, 12043 Berlin
Public Transport: U8 or S-Bahn Rathaus Neukölln
Opening times: Friday to Sunday until end of Advent
Holzmarkt Christmas Market (Fri - Sun, until 23rd December)
With both indoor and outdoor activities, including a cinema, bouncy castle, biscuit baking and a clown show, as well as gift bazaar and food stalls, this is definitely one I’m going to check out this year. They even provide childcare on a Sunday so mum and dad can have a moment to enjoy the riverside view, neck an eggnog and discuss their Amazon wishlists. For the full programme of events go to http://www.holzmarkt.com/
Address: Holzmarktstrasse 25, 10243 Berlin
Public transport: S and U-bahn Jannowitzbrücke
Opening times: Fri from 4pm, Sat and Sun from 2pm
Schloss Belvedere Christmas Market (30th November until 2nd December)
Ok, so this one isn’t strictly in Berlin, but the city’s prettier neighbour, Potsdam, is well worth a day trip, especially while its 19th century castle is hosting its Christmas market, complete with all the trimmings.
Address: Schloss Belvedere, Great Weinmeistersttrasse 43b, 14469 Potsdam
Public transport: Train from Berlin Hbf to Potsdam Hbf (about 30 mins) then tram 92 or 96
Opening times: Friday 3pm – 9pm, Sat and Sun 11am to 7pm
1st December
Schöneberger Südgelände Natur Park Advent Lights Market (1st and 2nd December)
As if this gorgeous nature park isn’t good enough reason in itself to visit, for the first advent weekend, the park is transformed into a light-strewn Christmas village, with candles and light installations on and around the landmark 50 metre high water tower. There will also be a few friendly Gotland sheep on site plus plenty of interesting craft stalls and the usual festive snacks and drinks.
Address:Prellerweg 47-49, 12157 Berlin
Public transport:S-bahn Priesterweg
Opening times: from 3pm
Fee: €1
Domäne Dahelm Advent Market (1st December until 23rd December)
Set in the grounds of an old country manor house in the former ancient village of Dahlem, this peaceful place has been a farm for over 800 years, and at this time of year, it’s the perfect venue for a Yuletide market, with stalls offering arts and crafts, plus Christmas delicacies such as gingerbread, marzipan and other locally produced treats. There are the usual Domäne workshops such as pottery, spinning and weaving available, plus tractor and pony rides going on throughout.
Address: Queen Louise Street 49, 14195
Public transport: Dahlem Dorf U-bahn
Opening times: 11am – 7pm
Fee: €3 for adults
Adventiamo at FEZ (1st December to 23rd December)
This creative Christmas market is one of the only ones designed especially for children, offering them the opportunity to make gifts, sew a teddy bear, bake biscuits, take part in workshops, learn about Christmas around the world and of course, meet Santa. For more info on the full programme of events, take a look here http://www.fez-berlin.de/
Address:An der Wuhlheide 197, 12459 Berlin
Public transport: S-bahn Schöneweide
Opening times: from 12pm
Fee: various, check site
Christmas Rodeo (1st December to 16th December)
This is heralded as Berlin's Indoor Design Christmas Market, and this year takes place in the Kühlhaus Berlin, over five floors and a staggering 3500 square metres. There are 200 creative exhibitors plying their design, fashion, jewellery and art wares, ensuring you will find that special something for that special someone. It is pram-friendly and indoors, so if it’s a shopper’s paradise you’re after, and your offspring are still young enough to lie/sit in a pram happily, then this is your bag.
Address: Luckenwalder Str. 3, 10963 Berlin
Public Transport: U-bahn Gleisdrieick
Opening times: Sat & Sun 12pm – 8pm (1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th December)
Swedish Christmas Bazaar (1st and 2nd December)
Moose sausage anyone? The non-profit Swedish (and Norwegian) bazaar offers not only this meaty delicacy , but also those divine cinnamon buns that are so good, even Lucia, Swedish Queen of Lights pops over at 4pm to have a taste. Various stalls selling jewellery, textiles and other handicrafts complete this cosy little market.
Address: Landhausstrasse 26-28, 10717 Berlin
Public transport: U-bahn Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Park
Opening times: Sat 10am – 7pm, Sun 12pm – 6pm
Fee: €1
Späth Nurseries Christmas Market (until 16th December)
This market offers a 100 lovingly decorated gift stalls, live bands, a packed children’s programme and a unique opportunity to walk through the nursery’s pine forest to choose your very own Christmas tree to take home. Not bad for an inner city market.
Address: Späthstrasse 81, 12437 Berlin
Public transport:S-bahn Baumschulenweg, U-bahn Blaschkoallee
Opening times: Sat and Sun 11am - 8pm (weekends only)
Fee: €5 for adults, under 16s free
7th December
Alt-Rixdorfer (7th – 9th December)
My absolute favourite market is this fairytale-esque one in Alt-Rixdorfer, Neukölln, set on a pretty historical square dating back to 1360, and beset with the twinkliest of lights. You’ll find live music, a real working blacksmith, hand carved gifts and the smell of gingerbread and cinnamon wafting through the air.
Address: Richardplatz, 12055 Berlin
Public transport:U-bahn Karl-Marx Strasse orU/ S-bahn Neukölln
Opening times:Fri 5pm – 9pm, Sat 2pm – 9pm, Sun 2pm – 8pm
8th December
Japanese Christmas Market (8th and 9th December)
Fancy a bit of sumo and sushi with your glühwein? Then head along to the Japanese Christmas market, which does a tremendous job of celebrating Japanese culture and community in Berlin. The superb Malzfabrik building (old malt factory) is this year’s location, and it’s full to the brim with all thing Japan, including workshops, food, gifts and entertainment. This is a must-do for a welcome break from the norm.
Full programme at http://www.japanischerweihnachtsmarktberlin.com/
Address: Malzfabrik, Bessemerstrasse 2-14, 12103 Berlin
Public Transport: Südkreuz S-Bahn, Bus 106, Erusbegstrasse
Opening times: Sat and Sun 12pm - 9pm
Fee: Family ticket is €9 for two adults and two children under 12, €5 for entry plus a hot sake
Fairy-tale Christmas market at Jagdschloss Grunewald (8th and 9th December)
This market is set at a Renaissance Palace in the middle of Grunewald Forest where for just one weekend only, regional craftsmen ply their wares and fairytale characters such as Hansel and Gretel mix with the visitors. You don’t get more festive than that.
Public Transport: Bus 115, X10 or X83 to Clayallee then 15 minute walk
Opening Times: 11am – 7pm
Admission: €3 (kids under 6 free)
A Very British Christmas
For those wanting a little taste of home, look no further. The church promises mince pies, mulled wine, children’s activities and best of all, proper Christmas carols to sing loudly and slightly out of tune to. I must say, I miss that.
Address: St George’s Anglican Episcopal Church, Preussenallee 17-19, 14052
Public transport: U-bahn Neu Westend, S-bahn Heerstrasse
Opening times: 2.30pm – 6pm
14th December
Nordic Fairytale Christmas at Schloss Britz (14th – 16th and 21st – 23rd December)
As well as the lovely location, what makes this market extra special for the kids is the touring theatre Cocolorus Budenzauber performing various tales throughout the fair in full costume, including shadow and puppet shows and a fire display at the end of each evening. There is also a large Viking boat to climb aboard, ponies to ride, plus axe and knife throwing to marvel at. See www.cocolorus-diaboli.de for more info.
Address:Old Britz 81, 12359 Berlin
Public Transport: U-bahn Parchimer Allee
Opening times:Fri 2pm – 9pm, Sat and Sun 10pm – 9pm
Fee: €3, free under 6 years old
Alt-Rixdorfer (7th – 9th December)
My absolute favourite market is this fairytale-esque one in Alt-Rixdorfer, Neukölln, set on a pretty historical square dating back to 1360, and beset with the twinkliest of lights. You’ll find live music, a real working blacksmith, hand carved gifts and the smell of gingerbread and cinnamon wafting through the air.
Address: Richardplatz, 12055 Berlin
Public transport:U-bahn Karl-Marx Strasse orU/ S-bahn Neukölln
Opening times:Fri 5pm – 9pm, Sat 2pm – 9pm, Sun 2pm – 8pm
8th December
Japanese Christmas Market (8th and 9th December)
Fancy a bit of sumo and sushi with your glühwein? Then head along to the Japanese Christmas market, which does a tremendous job of celebrating Japanese culture and community in Berlin. The superb Malzfabrik building (old malt factory) is this year’s location, and it’s full to the brim with all thing Japan, including workshops, food, gifts and entertainment. This is a must-do for a welcome break from the norm.
Full programme at http://www.japanischerweihnachtsmarktberlin.com/
Address: Malzfabrik, Bessemerstrasse 2-14, 12103 Berlin
Public Transport: Südkreuz S-Bahn, Bus 106, Erusbegstrasse
Opening times: Sat and Sun 12pm - 9pm
Fee: Family ticket is €9 for two adults and two children under 12, €5 for entry plus a hot sake
Fairy-tale Christmas market at Jagdschloss Grunewald (8th and 9th December)
This market is set at a Renaissance Palace in the middle of Grunewald Forest where for just one weekend only, regional craftsmen ply their wares and fairytale characters such as Hansel and Gretel mix with the visitors. You don’t get more festive than that.
Public Transport: Bus 115, X10 or X83 to Clayallee then 15 minute walk
Opening Times: 11am – 7pm
Admission: €3 (kids under 6 free)
A Very British Christmas
For those wanting a little taste of home, look no further. The church promises mince pies, mulled wine, children’s activities and best of all, proper Christmas carols to sing loudly and slightly out of tune to. I must say, I miss that.
Address: St George’s Anglican Episcopal Church, Preussenallee 17-19, 14052
Public transport: U-bahn Neu Westend, S-bahn Heerstrasse
Opening times: 2.30pm – 6pm
14th December
Nordic Fairytale Christmas at Schloss Britz (14th – 16th and 21st – 23rd December)
As well as the lovely location, what makes this market extra special for the kids is the touring theatre Cocolorus Budenzauber performing various tales throughout the fair in full costume, including shadow and puppet shows and a fire display at the end of each evening. There is also a large Viking boat to climb aboard, ponies to ride, plus axe and knife throwing to marvel at. See www.cocolorus-diaboli.de for more info.
Address:Old Britz 81, 12359 Berlin
Public Transport: U-bahn Parchimer Allee
Opening times:Fri 2pm – 9pm, Sat and Sun 10pm – 9pm
Fee: €3, free under 6 years old
