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Traveling to Germany this holiday season to hit up some of the best Berlin Christmas Markets?
Since I have the advantage of having lived in Berlin for nearly 4 years, I created this post to help you skip right to the good stuff.
Not all Berlin Weihnachtsmarkts (X-Mas Markets) are actually worth visiting. And since I bet you have limited time, I wanted to spill the glühwien on which markets you can skip!
This post can help you decide exactly what Christmas markets you should prioritize based on what they offer.
Don’t Waste Your Time At These Xmas Markets in Berlin
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Berlin to experience the charm and magic of the Christmas markets Berlin offers. If you want the advice of a local, don’t bother visiting the Christmas Markets at Alexanderplatz or Potsdamer Platz!
Both markets are just loud, busy, and not all that impressive. We often don’t have enough time when traveling so don’t waste any of it at those markets!
Don’t have time to read this post? Here is the list of the most popular Christmas Markets in Berlin, Germany:
Quick List of the Best Markets
- Christmas Market on Alexanderplatz (Ugliest 😅 )
- Roten Rathaus (Largest)
- Charlottenburg Palace (Most Prominent)
- Gendarmenmarkt (Prettiest)
- Lucia Christmas Market (Scandinavian)
- RAW-Gelände (Most Historical)
- Heissa Wood Market (Most Unquie)
- Spandau Old Town Market (Most Authentic)
- Christmas Lights at Spandau Citadel (Closed for 2023 😢 )
- Japanese Christmas Market (Limited Times)
- Potsdamer Platz (Winter Wonderland)
Berlin Christmas Market Dates
Berlin Christmas market dates vary each year, but they typically begin in late November and run until the end of December. Specific dates & times are included below.
Berlin Christmas Market Map! Save time by 📲 Downloading the FREE Google Map here! All Markets are pre-pinned for easy use.
What You Can Expect at the Berlin Christmas Markets
You can expect a few things at every Christmas Market in Berlin.
- In some markets, you must pay to get in, and you must have cash
- Select markets are only open on the weekends and not all-day
- Some markets appear only a couple of times during the month, so be sure to save the date
- Not all markets have “healthy food options”
- Most markets make you pay to use the toilet
When Do The Christmas Markets in Berlin Open?
The Christmas markets in Berlin start popping up at the end of November. The larger markets do stay open till the last day of December.
What Makes German Christmas Markets Worth Visiting?
A good German Christmas Market has a variety of shops, food and let’s not forget, glühwein.
Now, not all Christmas markets are created equal! Some markets are for the masses and others are very eclectic and unique.
You can expect a festive spectacle of Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas Markets) in every neighborhood in the city.
Personally, I go to these markets for the food and the holiday vibes!
Best Tips for Visiting Berlin Holiday Markets in 2023
- Cash– Most of the markets operate on a cash-only basis
- Coins for the toilets– You are in Europe and 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 food stalls have more selection than others, but generally, 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 that these markets are crazy busy on the weekends. Go at 4 pm if possible!
Largest Christmas Market in Berlin
Of all the German Christmas Markets in Berlin, these are the biggest:
#1. Alexanderplatz Christmas Market
Address: Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin
- Daily opening times: 10 am – 10 pm
- Dates: November 27 – December 26, 2023
- Admission: Free
This market is located in Berlins’ famous Alexanderplatz and it’s my least favorite one. It is so popular because of its location.
Easily reach this market by public transportation and get your fill of gingerbread, glühwein, and bratwurst here.
The Alexanderplatz Christmas Market is not that aesthetically pleasing; it’s 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, its popularity has to be mentioned.
If you have visited Berlin during the Christmas season, chances are you have walked through this market.
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Private Christmas Market Tour
Go on the ultimate 3-hour walking tour with a private guide to the best Christmas Markets in Berlin!
#2. Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus
Address: Spandauer Straße 10178 Berlin
- Opening Times: Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm, Saturday – Sunday 11am – 10pm, closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day 11am – 10pm.
- Dates: 27 November to 30 December 2023
- Admissions: Free
Living just a hop, skip, and jump away from Alexanderplatz, I practically lived at the Christmas market by the Rotes Rathaus during the holiday season!
Talk about a winter wonderland – this place had the biggest and brightest Christmas trees I’ve ever seen.
Right smack in the middle of all the holiday hustle and bustle, there was this super cool ice skating rink, surrounded by twinkling fairy lights.
And oh, let’s not forget the gigantic Ferris Wheel! Riding up high, you could catch killer views of the city all decked out in its festive best and watch the sea of happy faces soaking up the Christmas joy.
This is also the place where you will find Santa and other live-performing artists.
Still located within Alexanderplatz, just on the other side of the TV tower.
Oh, and come hungry! I urge you to find the stand selling amazing homemade garlic potato chips! Just sniff around, you can smell it from a mile away, yum!
🥨 Berlin has really great places to eat! Here are some of the best restaurants in Berlin.
The Neptune Fountain can be found here along with the large ice-skating rink and huge Ferris wheel.
Christmas Market by Bike Tour
This tour by Fat Tire Tours takes you to the Gendarmenmarkt, Rotes Rathaus, Neptunrunnen for ice skating, and the Nicholas Quarter!
#3. Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market
Address: Spandauer Damm 22 14059 Berlin
- Opening Times: Daily 12 – 10 p.m.
- Dates: 27 November to 31 December 2023 (closed on 24 December)
- Admissions: Free
This is by far the most prominent German Christmas market in Berlin. It is also the most crowded! My advice would be to get here EARLY, think 4 pm!
I like to drink my gluhwein without the hoards of crowds and kids, but that’s just me.
You won’t find any amusement park rides here, but you will find the most beautiful backdrop of all the markets: the Charlottenburg Palace.
📲 Downloadable Map of Berlin Christmas Markets
📍 Download my pre-pinned Google map of all the best locations in this post!
My favorite restaurants, bars, hotels and top sights are all saved and ready to use!
Prettiest Christmas Market Berlin
#4. Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt
Address: Gendarmenmarkt 2 10117 Berlin
- Opening Times: Sunday to Thursday from 12pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 11pm, Christmas Eve from 12pm to 6pm, New Year’s Eve from 12pm to 1am
- Dates: 27 November to 31 December 2023
- Admissions: €2, Free entry for children under 12, and Monday to Friday from 12am – 2pm free entry for all
Looking for Christmas magic? It is found here at Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s most beautiful Christmas market.
Easily reached by public transportation, this market is located in the city center, in Gendarmenmarkt Square. The Berlin Concert Hall really comes to life during the Christmas season.
The Christmas shopping booths are idyllic white tents with starlight toppers.
It is a truly romantic Christmas market with fairytale-like characters walking around spreading sparkle dust.
There is a small admission 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.
The Gendarmenmarkt is definitely one of the most famous Christmas Markets in Berlin.
If you are only able to visit a few, I would put this one high on the list!
Berlin Christmas Market Food Tour
This is probably the best tour you can take at Christmastime in Berlin! Visit 3 Christmas Markets and try traditional food & Glühwein.
Most Magical German Christmas Market
#5. Lucia Christmas Market
Address: Schönhauser Allee 36 10435 Berlin
- Opening Times: Monday – Friday 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday – Sunday 13:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Dates: 27 November until 22 December 2023
- Admissions: Free
The Lucia market is my absolute favorite in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood of Berlin!
It is also referred to as the Scandinavian Christmas market. Every Christmas season, I make it a point to visit this market a couple of times.
Located on the grounds of the Kultur Brauerei, an old brewery in Berlin now turned into shopping and entertainment.
The dark wooden market booths and the red brick bldg exterior give this market a wonderful ambiance. It’s the unique vibes and food that keeps me coming back to this market above the others.
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 easily, so pace yourself; it’s VERY STRONG!
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Most Historical Market Berlin
#6. Historical Christmas Market Friedrichshain
Address: Revaler Straße 99 10245 Berlin
- Opening Times: Monday – Friday 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Dates: 16 November to 22 December 2022, closed on 26 November 2023 (Dead Sunday)
- Admissions: Monday – Wednesday free, Thursday – Sunday €2, reduced (children from 6-16 years & those in historical costumes) €1, for children under 6 years admission is free of charge.
This Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt is on the RAW Cultural Center Grounds in Friedrichshain. It is an extra magical market experience in a medieval setting, complete with jugglers and acrobats.
Stroll around the many crafts stalls, such as wood carvings and blacksmithing. This market has an old hand-operated wooden carousel and a 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 Unique Christmas Market Berlin
#7. Heissa Wood Market Christmas Market
Address: Holzmarktstraße 25 10243 Berlin
- Opening Times: Friday from 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 2 pm
- Dates: 23 November to 23 December 2023
- Admissions: Free
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 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 unique handmade gifts here. Enjoy delicious food, a funky atmosphere, and maybe a dance under the disco ball.
There are on-site indoor and outdoor activities, great music, and a cool vibe only found in Berlin. It is a bucket-list-worthy experience for sure!
Most Authentic Christmas Market
#8. Spandau Christmas Market
Address: Marktstraße 10 13597 Berlin
- Dates: November 27 – December 26, 2023
- Admissions: Free
This is one of the largest and most enchanting Christmas markets in Berlin, Germany.
Located in the historic old town of Spandau, the market is filled with traditional wooden stalls, twinkling Christmas lights, and festive Christmas decorations.
You can explore a wide variety of handcrafted gifts, savor delicious German treats, and enjoy live bands performing, including carol singers and dance groups.
With its unique blend of history, culture, and seasonal charm, the Spandau Christmas Market offers an unforgettable holiday experience for locals and tourists alike!
#9. Spandau Citadel Christmas Market
Closed for 2023
Spandau Christmas Market at the Citadel should not be confused with the Spandau Christmas Market.
The only reason is it is not higher on the list due to the distance from the city center. It can take almost an hour to reach with public transit.
It might not be the most convenient market to visit depending on how where you are staying in Berlin.
The Spandau Citadel Christmas Market is hosted within the stunning historical fortress of the Spandau Citadel in Berlin, Germany. Unlike the bustling Christmas market in Spandau’s old town, this market provides a more intimate and magical setting, surrounded by the ancient walls and moats of the citadel.
It is pretty cool to wander through a selection of artisanal stalls selling handcrafted gifts and seasonal delicacies, all while enjoying the unique backdrop of one of Europe’s best-preserved Renaissance military structures.
The combination of the citadel’s architectural beauty with the warmth and festivity of the Christmas market makes it a must-visit destination during the holiday season.
#10. Japanese Christmas Market
Address: Am Flutgraben 2 12435 Berlin
- Opening Times: Not Announced Yet
- Dates: 26 November 2023
- Admissions: 13.50 euros, children and young people under 15 5 euros
The Japanese Christmas Market in Berlin is a unique and vibrant event that brings a touch of Japanese culture to the traditional German Christmas market scene.
Focused on Japanese arts, crafts, and cuisine, visitors can explore a range of authentic stalls offering everything from sushi and ramen to traditional Japanese crafts and handmade gifts.
Entertainment often includes Japanese-themed performances such as Taiko drumming and traditional dances.
This market provides a fascinating blend of two distinct cultures, offering a fresh and exotic take on the festive season in the heart of Berlin.
#11. Potsdamer Platz Christmas Market
Address: Potsdamer Platz 10785 Berlin
The Potsdamer Christmas Market might not be the quaint, storybook market some dream of, but the market holds on to its festive spirit even after December 25th.
The Winter World and Christmas Market at Potsdamer Platz is a great spot to grab mulled wine. Sip while walking along the magic of twinkling lights towards the iconic Brandenburg Gate.
Check out the Winter World with its 12-meter-high toboggan run! On weekends there are DJs who are setting the vibe with the holiday music.
Opening Times: Winter World: October 28, 2023 to January 01, 2024
Christmas Market: November 27 to December 26, 2023
Opening Hours: Winter World: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., December 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed on November 19 and 26
Christmas Market: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., December 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission Fee: Free, toboggan run fee €2.50
FAQs For Visiting Markets in Berlin at Christmas
I fell in love with the Christmas Market in Berlin at Gendarmenmarkt. It has the most beautiful aesthetic and is set in the Gendarmenmarkt square.
Christmas Markets in Berlin open as early as Berlin Christmas Markets, 21 November, and most stay open until 02 January.
Yes, the Berlin Christmas Markets are absolutely worth the trip for the magical atmosphere alone. These Weihnachtsmarkts are more than just markets; they’re a cherished Berlin tradition that’s not to be missed.
Conclusion: Visiting Xmas Markets in Berlin, Germany
As our festive foray through the best Christmas markets in Berlin comes to a close, I hope I’ve helped you narrow down your list of markets to put on your wish list.
I urge you to download the Google Map I provided with all the markets pre-saved for you.
And remember, if you’ve got a question or need a bit of advice for your trip, just ask—I’m here to help!
So grab your map and let the joyful planning begin.
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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!
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.
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.
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!
I haven’t been to a Christmas market in Europe, but these look like so much fun! Magical!
Love these! Would love to visit a few next year!
I always visited Berlin in the summer, but this makes me wanna go there for Xmas really badly! Looks super cozy 🙂