Berlin at Christmas time is the pinnacle of European Christmas. Come December, the city transforms into a winter wonderland. Twinkling lights illuminate historic squares. The scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine fills the air. The cheerful buzz of holiday shoppers echoes through cobblestone streets.

Berlin’s Christmas markets (or Weihnachtsmärkte) are legendary, and for good reason, and are well worth the trip. So, where to go?

Well, there’s plenty on offer, so to help you choose, today we’re taking a look at the 10 must-visit Christmas markets to suit all tastes, whether you’re looking for something classic, modern, historic, or from traditional crafts and gourmet treats to ice skating, live entertainment - it’s all here.

Grab your warmest coat, charge your phone for all those Instagram-worthy moments, and let’s explore the very best Christmas markets Berlin has to offer in 2025.

Source: Unsplash

1. Breitscheidplatz Christmas Market

German: Weihnachtsmarkt an der Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche

English: Christmas Market at Kaiser-Wilhelm Memorial Church

Source: Berlin.de

If you only have time for one Christmas market in Berlin, make it this one.

Located in the heart of West Berlin at Breitscheidplatz, this market is the city’s most iconic and internationally renowned festive destination.

With over 170 historical stands surrounding the striking ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a powerful symbol of Berlin’s post-war resilience, this market beautifully blends history, tradition, and holiday cheer.

Drawing over one million visitors each year, Breitscheidplatz offers everything you’d expect from a world-class Christmas market: traditional carousels for the kids, giant illuminated figures perfect for photos, and a spectacular 400-meter “carpet of light” that transforms the sky above the market into a shimmering canopy.

The atmosphere here is electric yet intimate, bustling yet cosy. Exactly what the holidays should feel like.

Source: Goout.net

And here’s some exciting news for tech enthusiasts: UGREEN will be hosting a special brand booth at Breitscheidplatz in 2025, complete with giveaways and a limited-edition blind-box experience.

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What to know

• Dates: November 24, 2025 – January 4, 2026
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11:00-21:00, Friday-Saturday 11:00-22:00 (special hours on holidays)
• Admission: Free
• Location: Breitscheidplatz 1, 10789 Berlin
• Transport: U2/U9 to Zoologischer Garten; S3/S5/S7/S9 to Zoologischer Garten; Buses M45, M46, 100, 200
• Official website

Pro tip: Visit during “Blue Hour” (around 17:00-17:30) when the festive lighting is most spectacular. And don’t miss the charitable mulled wine day in early December, where proceeds support Berlin’s homeless community.

2. Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market (Weihnachtszauber)

German: Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt

English: Christmas Magic at Gendarmenmarkt

Source: home-in-berlin.de

If Breitscheidplatz is Berlin’s most famous Christmas market, Gendarmenmarkt is its most elegant. Set against the stunning backdrop of three architectural masterpieces, the German Cathedral, French Cathedral, and Konzerthaus Berlin, this market has earned its reputation as Germany’s most sophisticated yuletide celebration.

After three years at Bebelplatz due to construction, Weihnachtszauber returns to its original home at Gendarmenmarkt in 2025, and it’s more spectacular than ever.

The market features over 100 national and international exhibitors housed in elegant white tents, creating an upscale atmosphere that feels more like a winter festival than a traditional market.

Source: berlin.de

What sets Gendarmenmarkt apart is its emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. Inside the heated Arts & Crafts tent, you can watch live demonstrations from glass blowers, goldsmiths, candle makers, and wood carvers.

The food here is equally impressive, with gourmet restaurant tents offering everything from Kaiserschmarren and Käse Spätzle to fine wines and champagne at the WeihnachtsZauberBar.

Classical music performances fill the square daily, and the market’s lighting, over 1,000 sparkling Christmas baubles and twinkling lights, creates an enchanting ambience that’s perfect for romantic evening strolls or special celebrations.

What to Know

• Dates: November 24 – December 31, 2025
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 12 noon to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 11 pm, Christmas Eve from 12 noon to 6 pm, New Year’s Eve from 12 noon to midnight.
• Admission: €2 (children under 12 free); FREE Monday-Friday 12:00-14:00 (except December 24 to 26 and 31)
• Location: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin
• Transport: U2/U6 zur Stadtmitte; Bus 147 to Französische Str.
• Official website

3. Alexanderplatz Christmas Market

German: Weihnachtsmarkt am Alexanderplatz

English: Alexanderplatz Christmas Market

Source: berlin.de

For those who like their Christmas markets with a side of carnival excitement, Alexanderplatz delivers in spades. Located directly beneath Berlin’s iconic TV Tower in the heart of the city, this is where traditional Christmas charm meets urban energy and a touch of funfair fun.

The star of the show is the largest Erzgebirge pyramid in Europe, a multi-level Christmas structure decorated with over 5,000 lights.

You can grab mulled wine and Thuringian bratwurst on the ground floor, enjoy tower brass band performances on the second level, and take in panoramic views from the top platform. It’s essentially Christmas in architectural form.

Beyond the pyramid, Alexanderplatz offers 100 stalls, a roller-skating rink with beginner courses and roller disco events, antique carousels, and the “Partyhaus vom Nikolaus”, a covered, heated venue where German hits and pop music keep the party going.

This market perfectly captures Berlin’s ability to blend old and new, traditional and contemporary.

What to know

• Dates: November 24 – December 26, 2025
• Hours: 11:00-22:00 daily (Party zones until midnight)
• Admission: Free (skating rink €5-10)
• Location: Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin
• Transport:
• U-Bahn: U2, U5, U8 to Alexanderplatz station
• S-Bahn: S3, S5, S7, S9 to Alexanderplatz station
• Buses: M48, 100 to S+U Alexanderplatz Bhf/Memhardstr. or S+U Alexanderplatz Bhf/Grunerstr. stops
• Trams: M2, M4, M5, M6 to Alexanderplatz or U Alexanderplatz (Tram) stops
• Official website

4. Potsdamer Platz Winter World

German: Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz

English: Winter World at Potsdamer Platz

Source: Berlin.de

While most Berlin Christmas markets stick to tradition, Winterwelt at Potsdamer Platz takes a more adventurous approach. This market combines classic Christmas stalls with genuine winter sports, creating a unique experience that appeals to families, adrenaline seekers, and anyone looking for something a bit different.

The centrepiece is an impressive toboggan slope where visitors can zoom down on sledges. Yes, actual sledging in the middle of downtown Berlin.

There’s also ice skating (with rental equipment available), curling lanes, and a dedicated children’s slide zone. Between runs, you can warm up with mulled wine and hearty German food at the traditional market stalls.

Opening as early as late October, Winterwelt is one of Berlin’s earliest winter celebrations. Its location at Potsdamer Platz, a symbol of the city’s post-reunification rebirth, makes it particularly meaningful, standing at the intersection of Berlin’s complex history and its modern, forward-looking character.

What to know

• Dates: October 31, 2025 – December 31, 2025 (The Christmas Market is November 24 to December 26, 2025.
• Hours: 11:00-22:00 daily
• Admission: Free entry (ice skate rental from €5, toboggan slope €2-4 per ride)
• Location: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin
• Transport: U2 to Potsdamer Platz; S1/S2/S25/S26 to Potsdamer Platz; Buses M41, M48, 200
• Official website

5. Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market

German: Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg

English: Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace

Source: berlin.de 

Imagine sipping mulled wine in front of an 18th-century Baroque palace, its façade illuminated by changing colored lights, while classical music drifts through the winter air. That’s the magic of Charlottenburg Palace’s Christmas market, widely considered one of Berlin’s most romantic and photogenic festive destinations.

This market truly feels like stepping into a fairy tale.

The palace provides a stunning backdrop, especially as evening falls and the artistic lighting projections begin. Candle-lit stalls sell high-quality handmade crafts, jewellery, and decorations, while traditional treats like roasted almonds and gingerbread keep you warm and satisfied.

Horse carriages clip-clop through the palace grounds, adding to the old-world atmosphere, and live classical music performances create the perfect soundtrack for your visit.

It’s intimate without being small, elegant without being stuffy, and absolutely perfect for couples, photographers, or anyone seeking that quintessentially European Christmas experience.

What to know

• Dates: November 24 – December 28, 2025 (closed December 24)
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 13:00-22:00, Friday-Sunday 12:00-22:00
• Admission: Free
• Location: Spandauer Damm 20-24, 14059 Berlin
• Transport: U7 to Richard-Wagner-Platz (10-min walk); S5/S7/S75 to Westend; Bus M45 to Luisenplatz/Schloss Charlottenburg
• Official website

6. Spandau Old Town Christmas Market

German: Spandauer Weihnachtsmarkt in der Altstadt

English: Spandau Old Town Christmas Market

Source: visitberlin.de

Step back in time at one of Berlin’s oldest and most authentic Christmas markets. With roots stretching back to the 14th century, the Spandau Old Town market feels like walking into a medieval Christmas village, complete with cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and that unmistakable old-world charm that’s becoming increasingly rare.

Unlike the more tourist-focused markets in central Berlin, Spandau is beloved by locals who appreciate its relaxed atmosphere and genuine community feel.

The entire old town transforms during the holiday season, with wooden huts lining narrow streets, warm lights glowing against church spires, and the scent of roasted almonds and traditional German sausages filling the air.

The market features Santa parades and live brass band performances as signature highlights, and prices here tend to be more reasonable than at the big-name city centre markets.

If you’re looking for affordable handcrafted gifts and an authentic, unpretentious Christmas experience, Spandau delivers.

What to know

• Dates: November 24 – December 23, 2025
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Tuesday, 23 December 2025, until 6 p.m.)
• Admission: Free
• Location: Altstadt Spandau, Marktplatz area, Berlin
• Transport: S3/S9 to Spandau station (10-min walk); U7 to Altstadt Spandau; Buses M45, M49, X33
• Official website

7. Lucia Christmas Market in the Kulturbrauerei

German: Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt in der Kulturbrauerei

English: Lucia Christmas Market in the Kulturbrauerei

Source: berlin.de

For something completely different, head to Prenzlauer Berg’s Kulturbrauerei for Berlin’s only Scandinavian-themed Christmas market. Named after Lucia, the Nordic “Goddess of Light,” this indie-style market has been a favourite among young locals and design enthusiasts since the 1990s.

Housed in a former brewery complex, the Lucia market offers a refreshing alternative to traditional German Christmas fare. Here you’ll find Swedish glögg mulled wine, reindeer sausage, Norwegian goat cheese, and other Nordic specialities that you won’t encounter elsewhere in Berlin.

The market emphasises artisan crafts and unique handmade items, making it perfect for finding one-of-a-kind gifts.

Source: berlin.de

Live Nordic folk music creates an intimate, cosy atmosphere that feels worlds away from the larger, more commercial markets. If you appreciate craft culture, indie vibes, and want to experience Christmas traditions from beyond Germany’s borders, this is your spot.

What to know

• Dates: November 24 – December 22, 2025
• Hours: Monday-Friday 15:00-22:00, Saturday-Sunday 13:00-22:00
• Admission: Free
• Location: Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee, Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
• Transport: U2 to Eberswalder Straße (3-min walk); S8/S41/S42 to Schönhauser Allee; Buses M1, M12
• Official website

8. LGBTIQA+ Winterdays & Christmas Avenue Berlin

German: LGBTIQA Winterdays und Christmas Avenue Berlin

English: LGBTIQA+ Winterdays and Christmas Avenue Berlin

Source: visitberlin.de

Berlin’s most inclusive and vibrant winter celebration brings a bold, colourful twist to the traditional Christmas market concept. Located in Schöneberg’s historic LGBTQ+ district around Nollendorfplatz, this market has quickly become one of the only officially endorsed LGBTQ+ Christmas celebrations in Europe since its launch in 2019.

What makes this market special is its unique blend of traditional holiday charm and contemporary party culture. Rainbow light installations illuminate the streets, live DJ performances and charity shows take centre stage, and the atmosphere is electric with acceptance and celebration.

Source: visitberlin.de

This is Christmas with an edge. Festive, fun, and unapologetically fabulous.

Beyond the entertainment, you’ll find excellent food and drink options, community-driven charity booths, and an atmosphere of warmth and welcome that truly embodies Berlin’s spirit of openness.

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, this market offers a refreshingly different way to experience the holiday season.

What to know

• Dates:  5 November to 23 December 2025 (Winterdays 5 to 22 November, Christmas Avenue 24 November to 23 December)
• Hours: Monday to Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 3 to 10 p.m.
• Admission: Free
• Location: Nollendorfplatz and Motzstraße, Berlin-Schöneberg
• Transport: U1/U2/U3/U4 to Nollendorfplatz (1-min walk); Buses M46, M19
• Official website

9. Nordic Fairy Tale Christmas at Britz Palace

German: Nordische Märchenweihnacht auf Schloss Britz

English: Nordic Fairy Tale Christmas at Britz Palace

Source: berlin.de

If you’ve ever wanted to experience Christmas in a Viking village (or as close as you’ll get in 21st-century Berlin), this is your chance. The Nordic Fairy Tale Christmas at Britz Palace is unlike any other market in the city, combining medieval Nordic traditions with immersive theatrical entertainment.

Set on the grounds of the 300-year-old Schloss Britz estate, the market features vendors dressed in period costumes, blacksmith demonstrations, fire shows, and traditional Nordic and medieval crafts.

Children (and adults) can try their hand at archery, axe throwing, and crossbow shooting, or watch fascinating demonstrations of candle making, gingerbread decorating, and woodcarving.

Source: visitberlin.de

The evening culminates in the spectacular Araga Mysteria Fire Show, and throughout the day, fairy-tale performances and live Nordic music create an enchanting atmosphere.

The food and drink lean heavily into medieval and Nordic specialities, including spiced wine, hot quince mead, and glögi—a Scandinavian mulled punch that’s become the market’s signature drink.

This market runs for several weekends in late November and December, making it more of a special destination event than an everyday market. It’s perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a truly unique Christmas experience.

What to know

• Dates: Select weekends in November-December 2025 (check official dates)
• Hours: Varies by weekend (typically afternoon-evening)
• Admission: €3-5 (children free)
• Location: Schloss Britz, Alt-Britz 73, 12359 Berlin-Neukölln
• Transport: U7 to Parchimer Allee (12-min walk); Bus 181 or M46 to Alt-Britz
• Official website

10. Winterquartier Berlin

German: Winterquartier Berlin

English: Winter Quarters Berlin

Source: winterquartier-berlin.de

Berlin’s newest Christmas destination brings a fresh, contemporary twist to traditional holiday markets. Located in the trendy Friedrichshain district at the Napoleon Komplex, a converted Deutsche Bahn workshop complex, Winterquartier combines a classic Christmas market with an impressive array of winter activities.

The outdoor market features winter-decorated huts selling handmade gifts, crafts, and all your favourite Christmas treats, roasted almonds, chestnuts, and plenty of hearty German food.

But what sets Winterquartier apart is its indoor entertainment: a massive 1,000-square-meter ice skating rink, seven curling lanes, and regular Ice Disco and Rave on Ice events that bring serious party energy to the winter sports scene.

Families will appreciate the Christmas shows held every Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 5 PM, while night owls will love the extended hours on  Friday and Saturdays.

The market operates on a donation-based entry system, making it accessible to everyone, though activities like ice skating and curling cost extra.

This is Berlin Christmas for the Instagram generation, hip, energetic, and designed for both wholesome family fun and wild Saturday night parties. It’s the perfect finale to our list, representing the city’s ability to honour tradition while fearlessly embracing the new.

What to Know

• Dates: November 29 – December 31, 2025 (closed December 24-25)
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 15:00-22:00, Friday 15:00-23:00, Saturday 12:00-23:00, Sunday 12:00-22:00
• Admission: Donation-based entry (ice rink and curling cost extra)
• Location: Napoleon Komplex, Modersohnstraße 49a, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain
• Transport: S+U Warschauer Straße (7-min walk); S-Bahn Ostkreuz (9-min walk); Bus 147
• Official website

How to Make the Most of Your Berlin Christmas Market Experience

Berlin’s Christmas markets are more than just shopping and snacking—they’re cultural experiences that reveal different facets of this endlessly fascinating city.

From the glamorous elegance of Gendarmenmarkt to the party vibes of Alexanderplatz, from the royal romance of Charlottenburg to the Viking adventures at Britz Palace, each market offers its own unique flavour.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most of your Christmas market adventures:

• Stay charged: Winter days in Berlin are short, and you’ll want your phone ready for photos, maps, and staying connected. Pack a reliable power bank - UGREEN’s portable chargers are perfect for all-day adventures.
• Dress warmly: Berlin winters can be brutal. Layer up, wear waterproof boots, and don’t forget gloves, you’ll be outdoors for hours.
• Get a Berlin Welcome Card: If you’re planning to visit multiple markets, the Berlin Welcome Card transportation pass will save you money and hassle as you navigate the U-Bahn and S-Bahn systems.
• Try the specialities: Don’t just stick to mulled wine, branch out and try Feuerzangenbowle (flaming mulled wine), Germknödel (sweet yeast dumplings), or regional specialities at markets like Lucia (Nordic treats) or Britz Palace (medieval fare).
• Visit during the week: Weekends can get extremely crowded, especially at popular markets like Breitscheidplatz and Gendarmenmarkt. Weekday evenings offer a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Keep the mug: Most markets charge a deposit (€3-5) for mulled wine mugs. You can return them for a refund, but many visitors keep them as souvenirs and each market has unique designs.

Across the city, Berlin’s Christmas markets run from late November through December, with some extending into early January, meaning there’s plenty to explore and so much time to do it, whether you’re from Germany or travelling especially for the festive magic.

And there really is something for everyone. So bundle up, charge your devices (what’s the point in having a phone with a great camera if you can’t use it!), and get ready to experience the magic of a Berlin Christmas. Frohe Weihnachten und happy market hopping!