Visiting Berlin’s Christmas markets this year? With more than 80 markets throughout the Advent season, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Here are 9 of the best Christmas markets in Berlin to get you started!
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A Note From Claire …
During the holidays, Berlin is often overlooked in favor of cities like Dresden, Nuremberg, or Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which are known for their long-standing Christmas traditions and markets. However, Berlin absolutely deserves a spot on your Christmas bucket list!
With more than 80 (!!) Christmas markets in Berlin, there’s plenty to keep you busy in December. Not all 80 markets run simultaneously, of course. There are a handful of large markets that run throughout the Advent season, but many of the smaller markets pop up just for a day or two.
It’s tough to choose the absolute best Christmas markets in Berlin because I haven’t visited all 80+ of them (yet!). But since moving here in 2019, I’ve managed to visit a fair few and have compiled my list of top favorites in this post.
Here’s everything you should know about the best Christmas markets in Berlin, including practical information like the exact locations and opening hours as well as what makes each market unique!
Happy Advent! ~Claire
PS. Not sure what route to follow to see most of the Christmas markets? My Berlin Christmas Market Itinerary covers three festive days in Germany’s capital city. You’ll see Berlin’s top attractions as well as NINE Christmas markets!
Map of the Christmas Market Locations
A Few Quick Tips for Planning Your Visit
When do Berlin’s Christmas markets start?
Not all of the Christmas markets in Berlin open at the same time! This year, most of the larger markets will open on November 23rd. The two exceptions are the Potsdamer Platz Winter Wonderland (which opens very early in the season on October 31st) as well as the medieval Christmas market at the RAW Compound which opens on November 12th.
Do any Christmas markets stay open after Christmas Day?
Some of the markets will remain open after Christmas but pretty much all close by New Year’s Eve.
Where should I stay in Berlin to visit the Christmas markets?
To make getting around a breeze, I suggest staying in Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, or along the Kurfurstendamm (near-ish Zoologischer Garten station).
- Budget: easyHotel Berlin Hackescher Markt and B&B HOTEL Berlin-Mitte.
- Mid-range: Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz and TITANIC Gendarmenmarkt Berlin.
- Upscale: NH Collection Berlin Mitte Friedrichstrasse and Meliá Berlin.
Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Rotes Rathaus (Most Traditional)
📆 Dates: November 23, 2026 – January 3, 2027
📌 Location: Between the Rotes Rathaus and St. Marienkirche (near Alexanderplatz)
⏰ Opening Hours: Monday – Friday noon to 10 pm, Saturday – Sunday 11am to 10pm (reduced hours on December 25, 26, and 30)
No trip to the Berlin Christmas markets is complete without stopping by the market at the Rotes Rathaus! It’s impossible to miss thanks to the 50-meter high ferris wheel that towers over the market.
This is the most traditional Christmas market in Berlin that I’m sharing in this post. At the heart of the market is the “Old Berlin Market Lane” that features stalls with facades based off of real Berlin houses from the early 1900s.
The Rotes Rathaus Christmas Market has a distinct Old Berlin flair that sets it apart from the other markets in the city. What makes it unique is the aforementioned ferris wheel, which has an incredible view of the market (ride it at night to see all the lights!).
There’s also an ice skating rink that wraps around the Neptune Fountain, and the food options are diverse. Expect lots of traditional Christmas market foods, like raclette, bratwurst, candied nuts, and grilled meat sandwiches.
Claire’s Tip: This Christmas market is within walking distance of the more touristy market at Alexanderplatz. Don’t confuse the two! The one at Alexanderplatz is NOT a favorite of mine.
Domäne Dahlem Christmas Market (Rustic Farmyard Charm)
📆 Dates: All four advent weekends (Saturdays & Sundays only)
📌 Location: Domäne Dahlem
⏰ Hours: 11am – 9pm
💶 Entry Fee: 4.50 Euros (2 Euros reduced; kids 12 and under are free)
There’s SO much to do at this lovely Christmas market at the historic Domäne Dahlem estate. In addition to the market itself, the small entry fee grants you access to the onsite museum, the fields behind the estate, and all of the farm animals kept on site (they’re not for petting, though!). There are tractor and carriage rides, a kids’ carousel, a reading lounge for the littles, and even a kids’ fire show.
The food here is pricier than Berlin’s other Christmas markets, but that’s because everything is organic. We tried the bratwurst, potato pancakes, and various drinks during our visit, and everything was delicious!
As for the goods for sale, it’s all local and all handmade. Think: jewelry, candles, knitwear, kids’ clothing, carved wooden kitchen utensils (being carved on site!), ornaments, and Christmas decor.
Claire’s Tip: This is a super family-friendly Christmas market, so expect lots of kids to be running around. It’s not just for families, though (it’s actually one of my personal top 3 favorite Berlin Christmas markets!).
Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market (Most Picturesque)
📆 Dates: November 23 – December 27, 2026 (closed December 24th)
📌 Location: In front of Charlottenburg Palace
⏰ Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 1pm to 10 pm, Friday – Sunday noon to 10pm
The Christmas market is held in front of Charlottenburg Palace and hosts more than 250 vendors. The inner courtyard is the hidden gem of this Christmas market. It’s here that you’ll find handcrafted gifts and ornaments, and a wind ensemble is stationed within the courtyard as well. Throughout the night you can hear the ensemble playing Christmas songs from your childhood.
The Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market has some of the best food options of all of the Christmas markets in Berlin. There’s a stall selling Flammlachs, which is salmon grilled over an open fire. I also enjoyed a Schokokuss (chocolate-covered marshmallow) at this Christmas market, which is a treat I’ve only ever seen in southern Germany.
Be sure to visit this Christmas market at night, if you can! The market is built out of white tents that light up at night, and a light show is projected onto the facade of the palace. The combination of colors and lights makes it feel like you’re walking through a fairytale Christmas market!
Claire’s Tip: Looking for even more things to do in Charlottenburg? Check out my full guide to Berlin’s prettiest neighborhood!
Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market (Magical Ambience)
📆 Dates: November 23 – December 31, 2026
📌 Location: Gendarmenmarkt
💶 Entry Fee: 2 Euros (Free entry Mondays to Fridays from 12 to 3 pm)
⏰ Opening Hours: Sundays through Thursdays 12pm to 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 12pm to 11pm
Officially called WeihnachtsZauber am Gendarmenmarkt (Christmas Magic at Gendarmenmarkt), the star-topped white tents of this Christmas market definitely live up to its name.
This is one of the more unique Christmas markets in Berlin. For one thing, you have to pay to enter the market (just 2 Euros!). For another, there are very few mass-produced goods for sale at this market. Instead you’ll find an array of locally-made jewelry pieces, art prints, sweaters, candles, ornaments, and so much more.
The focus of this market is the handmade arts and crafts, making it the Berlin Christmas market to visit if you need gifts for loved ones.
There’s also a stage in the center of the market that hosts live performances throughout the day. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Christmas characters wandering around the market, like the Ice Queen and the nutcracker on stilts!
🧸 Guide to the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market: Handmade Arts and Crafts in the Heart of Berlin ❄️
Historic Christmas Market at the RAW Compound (Medieval Flair)
📆 Dates: November 12 – December 22, 2026 (closed November 22nd)
📌 Location: RAW Gelände
⏰ Hours: Monday – Thursday 3 to 10 pm, Friday 3 to 11pm, Saturday noon to 11 pm, Sunday noon to 10pm
💶 Entry Fee: Free entry on Monday, Tuesday – Friday 3 Euros (1.50 Euros reduced), Saturday – Sunday 4 Euros (2 Euros reduced)
The seventh annual medieval Christmas market at the RAW Compound is not to be missed! If you love Renaissance fairs, you’re going to adore this atmospheric Christmas market in the hip Friedrichshain neighborhood.
Come hungry so you can fill up on Ye Olden dishes such as warm mead, mulled wine, grilled sausages, stews, and soups.
After eating your fill, be sure to leave plenty of time to watch performances from fire performers, jugglers, and acrobats. Littles will want to ride the hand-operated wooden carousel and Ferris wheel!
🎄 Guide to Berlin’s Medieval Christmas Market at the RAW Compound 🍻
📆 Dates: November 23 – December 22, 2026
📌 Location: KulturBrauerei (Schönhauser Allee 36)
⏰ Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 3pm to 10pm, Saturday – Sunday 1pm to 10pm
Named after the Nordic goddess of light, the Lucia Market in Prenzlauer Berg is held in the courtyard of a former brewery (a complex that’s now called the KulturBrauerei). This is one of the more romantic Berlin Christmas markets, with its Scandinavian flair and cozy setting.
The market is lined with rustic wooden stalls selling warming foods like Glögg (Swedish mulled wine), Finnish waffles, elk goulash, and more. The Glögg sold at this market is my favorite mulled wine in all of Berlin; I’m not sure what goes into Swedish mulled wine, but it has a richer, more botanical flavor than German mulled wine. It’s utterly delicious!
On cold nights, warm up next to one of the log fire pits or snuggle inside one of the pre-warmed fur coats that have been hung over a radiator (yes, really!).
Nordic Fairytale Christmas Market at Britz Castle (Historic Charm)
📆 Dates: 2026 Dates TBD (usually takes place on the first three Advent weekends)
📌 Location: Schloss Britz
⏰ Hours: Friday 2pm – 9pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am – 9pm
💶 Entry Fee: 5 Euros (2 Euros reduced and kids get in free)
Tucked away in one of Berlin’s southernmost neighborhoods, the Nordic Fairytale Christmas Market at Schloss Britz is a hidden gem that’s frequented mostly by locals. It’s fairly small, with a medieval ambience, and since it flies under most people’s radars it never gets too busy.
What I love most about this charming Christmas market is its focus on local artisans. There were candles galore for sale last year, as well as tin figurines, handmade ornaments, spice and tea blends, crocheted scarves and toys, and more.
There aren’t many food options here, but what’s for sale is GOOD. Definitely visit the bakery stall, which sells cheese breads and sausage and cheese wrapped in bread (kind of like a big pig in a blanket). There’s also a stall that sells the best Apfel Krapfen I’ve ever eaten (essentially apple donuts).
And the activities! There’s archery and a craft tent for the kiddos, a fortune teller, a Snow Queen who wanders periodically through the market, and a center stage where local bands, dance groups, and fire jugglers perform throughout the day.
Claire’s Tip: If you like the medieval market at the RAW Gelände, this is an even more “local” and cozy version of that Christmas market.
Artisan Christmas Market at Mexikoplatz (Best for Buying Gifts)
📆 Dates: Each Sunday of Advent
📌 Location: Mexikoplatz
⏰ Hours: 11am – 6pm
The Christmas Market at Mexikoplatz isn’t like any of the others mentioned in this guide. For one thing, it’s not really decorated — there are just stalls lined up from the Mexikoplatz S-Bahn station and all the way down the street. For another, there’s not much to eat here (and all of the food options are clustered together at the farthest end of the street, away from the S-Bahn station).
But what this market lacks in food and decor, it more than makes up with arts and crafts! There are TONS of stalls selling everything from lavender sachets to knitwear to fine jewelry to ceramics. If you prefer buying loved ones truly unique gifts for Christmas, this market has everything you could possibly want, and then some.
When you first get off the S-Bahn, you might be tempted to turn right back around due to the crowds. Keep walking down the street, away from the S-Bahn, and pretty soon the crowd will thin out and you’ll be able to peruse the Christmas market stalls at your leisure.
Claire’s Tip: You can pair the Mexikoplatz Christmas Market with the one at Domäne Dahlem for the perfect Advent Sunday.
Grunewald Hunting Lodge Christmas Market (Magical Market Hidden in the Forest)
📆 Dates: December 5 – 6, 2026
📌 Location: Jagdschloss Grunewald
⏰ Hours: Friday 2pm – 9pm; Saturday & Sunday 11am – 9pm
💶 Entry Fee: 3.50 Euros (2 Euros reduced and kids under 6 are free)
Sometimes I crave the hustle and bustle of the larger Christmas markets in Mitte and Charlottenburg, and other times all I want is to wander into a tiny local market that looks like it was plucked from a Hallmark movie. The Christmas Market at the Grunewald Hunting Lodge is precisely that!
The Hunting Lodge is the oldest surviving castle in Berlin, and it provides a gorgeous backdrop for the small but mighty market that focuses on local and handmade products. This is by no means a “fancy” market with lots of lights and decor, but it’s incredibly atmospheric and charming nonetheless.
I suggest buying a glass of the homemade non-alcoholic apple punch (a tasty alternative to the Kinderpunsch that most Christmas markets sell) and taking it to the banks of the lake to sip it slowly while you enjoy the view.
Claire’s Tip: You can’t buy tickets online, so to avoid the long line at the cash register plan on arriving when it’s still light outside (the market fills up near dusk). Your ticket also grants you access to the hunting lodge, but you can only enter on a guided tour.
Excited for Christmas Market Season?
As I already mentioned, these are just some of the best Christmas markets in Berlin — but hopefully now you can see why I count Berlin as one of the best Christmas market destinations in Germany!
As I continue to visit all 80+ of the city’s Christmas markets, I’ll add to and amend this list as needed. In the meantime, please leave me a comment below if I’ve left your favorite Christmas market off of this list!
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