Have you have ever visited Berlin in December? It’s glühwien season, my favorite time of year! In Germany, just a week before December 1st, all the Weihnachtsmarkts open! I go all Christmas Market crazy as soon as I smell those roasted chestnuts and mulled wine! There are a lot of markets in Berlin, and you want to make the right choice. Here is a list of the most magical Berlin Christmas Markets!
What makes a magical Christmas Market? Christmas shopping? The food? The amusement park rides? Everyone has a different reason for visiting a Christmas market in Berlin! If you are a dedicated reader of mine, you know what gets me there… it’s the food!
Most Magical Berlin Christmas Markets
Some of the best markets are only open for a very short time, while others open from late November till a few days in the new year! All these markets can be easily reached by public transportation! This Christmas season make your bucket list all about German Christmas Markets!
Best Tips for all Berlin Christmas Markets:
- Cash- Most of the markets operate on a cash-only basis
- Coins for the toilets- You are in Europe, and you must pay to use the bathroom. Have 50 cent coins ready to go!
- Deposits on glassware. Any beverage that comes in a glass has a deposit on it that you will get back when you return to the vendor. *You can also keep the glass if you like it!
- Come hungry for junk food. Some markets have more selection than others, but in general, this is not the place for healthy food.
- If possible, go early, and during the week. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out these markets are crazy busy on the weekends. Go at 4 pm if possible!
Largest Berlin Christmas Markets
Of all the German Christmas Markets in Berlin, these are the biggest:
#1. Alexanderplatz Christmas Market
Daily opening times are 10 pm – 10 pm starting on beginning of December 2020 – 27th of December 2020
This market is located in Berlins’ Alexanderplatz and is definitely the busiest one. Easily reach this market by public transportation and get your fill of gingerbread, glühwein, and bratwurst here. I don’t find this market to be all that aesthetically pleasing; it’s sort of the Las Vegas of Christmas Markets, in my opinion.
Even though I don’t find this market to be the most magical Christmas market in Berlin, it’s popularity had to be mentioned. If you have visited Berlin during the Christmas season, chances are you have walked through this market.
#2. Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus
Daily opening times are Monday – Friday 12 pm – 10 pm & Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 10 pm. Starting beginning of December 2020 – 4th of January 2021
This is the German Christmas market with all the action and the largest Christmas trees! Within the center of the market, there is an ice skating rink, as well as a large Ferris Wheel. This is also the place you will find Santa and other live performing artists.
Still located within Alexanderplatz, just on the other side of the TV tower. This market has great food such as amazing homemade garlic potato chips, and some tasty jumbo pretzels!
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#3. Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market
Daily opening times are Monday – Thursday 2 pm – 10 pm & Friday – Sunday 12 pm – 10 pm. CANCELLED 2020
This is by far the largest German Christmas market in Berlin. If you are looking for secrets to this magical Berlin Christmas market, come around 4 pm! It will be less crowded so you will be able to enjoy a little Christmas shopping without the lines.
You won’t find any amusement park rides here, but you will find the most beautiful backdrop of all the markets: the Charlottenburg Palace.
Prettiest Christmas Market Berlin
#4. Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt
Canceled in 2020
If you are looking for Berlin’s most beautiful Christmas market, it can be found here at Gendarmenmarkt. Easily reached by public transportation, this market is located in Gendarmenmarkt square. The Berlin Concert Hall really comes to life in the Christmas season.
The Christmas shopping booths are idyllic white tenants tops with star lights. It is a truly magical market with fairytale-like characters walking around spreading sparkle dust. There is an entrance fee to this market of 1 euro which is well worth the cost.
The secret of this delightful market is the käse spaetzle and homemade soups that can be purchased at a booth located in the center of the market. You can also purchase a lovely glass of wine if you have had your fill of the glühwein.
Most Magical Berlin Christmas Market
#5. Lucia Christmas Market
Daily opening times are Monday – Friday 3 pm – 10 pm & Saturday – Sunday 1 pm – 10 pm. Cancelled 2020
The Lucia market is my absolute favorite in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood of Berlin! It is also referred to as the Scandinavian Christmas market. I make it a point every Christmas season to visit this magical German Christmas market!
Located on the grounds of the Kultur Brauerei, an old brewery of Berlin now turned into shopping and entertainment. The dark wooden market booths and the red brick bldg exterior give this market a wonderful ambiance.
My favorite food in this market is the flammkuchen! You can find it at the lively booth located directly under the Lucia sign! Other Scandinavian food fares can be found here, as well as hot mead! A little tip…the mead goes down very easy, so pace yourself, it’s VERY STRONG!
Most Historical Christmas Market Berlin
#6. Historic Christmas Market Friedrichshain
Daily opening times are Monday – Thursday 3 pm – 10 pm | Friday and Saturday – 12 pm – 10 pm| Sunday 12 pm – 7 pm. Starting the beginning of December – 22nd of December 2020
This historical Christmas market on the RAW-grounds in Friedrichshain. It is an extra magical market experience in a medieval setting, complete with jugglers and acrobats.
Stroll around the many stalls of crafts such as wood carvings and blacksmithing. This market has an old hand-operated wooden carousel and the wooden Ferris wheel for children.
The food at this market is also medieval-themed offering sweet and hearty food, “Glühbier”, (mulled beer), and mulled wine.
Most Unquie Christmas Market Berlin
#7. Heissa Wood Market Christmas Market
Opening times COMING SOON to Fridays from 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 pm to 10 pm
This weekend only market unlike most of the other markets that are open daily. If you visited Berlin, there is a chance you may have been to the Holz market to take photos. It is a very unique place.
When it comes to my favorite German Christmas Markets, it’s a toss up between the Holz Market and the Lucia Market in Prenzlauer Berg. Save some of your Christmas shopping so you can buy up some of the unique handmade gifts here. Enjoy delicious food, a funky atmosphere, and maybe a dance under the disco ball.
There are indoor and outdoor activities on-site, great music, and a really cool vibe only found in Berlin. It is a bucket-list-worthy experience for sure!
Limited Time Berlin Christmas Markets
These magical Christmas markets are available only at limited times.
Fairy Tale Christmas Market at Jagdschloss Grunewald
Opening times 11 am – 7 pm on Coming Soon!
Christmas Market at Schlossplatz in Köpenick
Opening times coming soon!
Christmas Market in Alt-Rixdorf in Neukölln
Cancelled 2020
Vegan Christmas Market at Fehrbelliner Platz
Cancelled 2020
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Retha the Roaming Nanny says
I’m 90% sure that’s the same Ferris wheel they usually have at Oktoberfest every year. I want to ride it at Christmas time too!
Erin says
I concur with your point about mead – it does go down easy! I know from experience hehe. Thanks for this in depth post! I love Europe’s Christmas markets.
Kathy says
I’ve never been to a European Christmas market but after reading this post I need to add this to my bucket list. Thanks for all the detailed information. This will be very helpful when planning a trip here.
Sharon says
I had not idea Berlin has so many choices for Christmas Markets. Mulled wine sounds heavenly! I hope to make it to Germany’s Christmas markets one of these years!
pattimorrow says
I haven’t been to a Christmas market in Europe, but these look like so much fun! Magical!
Aswani says
Love these! Would love to visit a few next year!
Patricija says
I always visited Berlin in the summer, but this makes me wanna go there for Xmas really badly! Looks super cozy 🙂