The holiday season is upon us, and the atmosphere in Berlin couldn’t be more unique and lively this time of year, thanks to the gorgeous Christmas markets sprawled across the city. These markets give our city a distinctive spirit during the holidays, and there’s a lot more to them than Glühwein (not to understate Glühwein though; we seriously wait all year for that stuff). Whether you’re in search of the perfect gift or just want to be a part of the festivities, it goes without saying that Christmas markets are a fundamental part of the German holiday tradition. From one end of Berlin to the other, you will find a profusion of markets in various sizes with varying products. So how do you choose the ones worth visiting? If you’re lucky enough to be in Berlin this time of year, market hopping is a must, so we’re giving you a run down of the top Christmas markets to check out; some classics, some exciting new concepts. Find our selection of Christmas markets and special events after the jump.
Weihnachtszauber at the Gendarmenmarkt
This massive Christmas market located in the heart of Berlin-Mitte is more like a spectacle of sorts. Here you can find manufacturers from all over the world, bringing their handcrafted art and culinary delicacies to Berlin (which you can often sample—so come on an empty stomach). This annual market attracts many tourists, but also brings the Christmas spirit to Berlin; with it’s giant Christmas tree, daily plays, elaborate decorations and concerts. So if you’re looking for the traditional, family-style market experience, Weihnachtszauber at the Gendarmenmarkt is a must-see, presenting you with a picturesque welcome for the holidays.
November 24 – December 31 2014, open daily from 11:00 – 22:00 (Dec. 24th from 11:00 – 18:00)
Admission: 1€ for the stage program, free from Mon to Fri 11:00 – 14:00
The Winter Food Market at Audi Quattro Lounge
This market is probably one of the nicest and most carefully decorated Christmas markets you will come across this season. The Winter Food Market and the Audi quattro lounge look like a snow globe full of Christmas spirit and cosyness from the outside – and there is actually a real big snowglobe inside. The lounge inside the globe tent has a lot of warm and comfortable seating to enjoy your food and drinks and outside you have some of the best street food vendors in town includng Mogg&Melzer with their delicious pastrami sandwhiches, MariaMaria Arepas with some South American flavours, Cicciolina bringing you some Italian delicacies, Suppkultur with some Holiday soups, as well as roasted almonds, chestnuts and of course, lots of Glühwein, all freshly prepared with spices and fruits. Yum! More info and impressions on this one here.
December 12th – December 21st, open weekdays from 15:00 – 21:00h and weekends from 13:00 – 21:00h
Oranienburgerstr. 60-63.
Holy Heimat // Weihnachtsmarkt @ Neue Heimat
Friedrichshain has always longed for a Christmas market, far from the “funfairs and tourist traps” of the traditional markets. No kitschy crafts and fast-food massacres here – Holy Heimat is a colourful, beautifully presented, high quality street-food, design, art and Christmas market, with their own ice rink in the midst of it all. Look out for readings, concerts (every Thursday), performances, parties and other special events before and after the market as well! And if you want to win some lovely gifts you should follow their Facebook page as they will do an Advent calendar special from December 1st-24th with great prizes.
November 27 – December 21 2014, Thursdays – Sundays, 15:00 – 24:00h
Neue Heimat, Revaler Straße 99, corner of Dierschauer Str.
Nowkoelln Weihnachtsmarkt im Umspannwerk Kreuzberg
Ironically enough, the Christmas market hosted by Nowkoelln Flowmarkt will be stringing lights and setting up its stalls at the grand Umspannwerk hall in Kreuzberg. Fashion, jewelry, design, food and drinks (think Glühwein, waffles and Christmas treats) will fill the stalls as selected local musicians grace the stage with their unique sounds. 2 floors with over 100 artists make this market a promising stop if you’re looking for a market with traditional aspects and contemporary flair. Falling on the four Advent Weekends, the Nowkoelln Weihnachtsmarkt is sure to be filled with Neukölln and Kreuzberg locals perusing the exciting events and searching for those last-minute gifts.
Saturday December 20th 2014 from 11:00 – 22:00, and Sunday December 21st 2014 from 10:00 – 19:00
Admission: 3€
Umspannwerk Kreuzberg, Ohlauerstraße 43.
The Green Christmas Market 2014
Vegan with a sweet tooth? Count on Berlin to have you covered this holiday season. Opening its doors for the first time on November 30th and then continuing every Advent Sunday thereafter, The Green Christmas Market will be the first ever Vegan and Vegetarian Christmas market in Berlin. Located on the idyllic Spree at Arena Glashaus, this market will bring a new Christmas experience, offering some of the best artisan vegan, vegetarian and organic holiday treats from Germany all presented in a beautiful space. On top of that, expect musical performances to keep you entertained while you stroll through the independent boutique stalls.
Sundays, November 30th – December 21st 2014, from 14:00 – 22:00h
Glashaus, Eichenstraße 4.
Weihnachtsrodeo VI – Berlin’s Indoor Designweihnachtsmarkt
Weihnachtsrodeo (the “Christmas Rodeo”) is back in its 6th year, featuring over 170 exhibitors in fashion, street-food, jewelry, design and art. What used to be a department store in Mitte will again be transformed into an expansive design market with 3 floors for us to feast our eyes (and wallets.) Explore the historic architectural gem that is Kaufhaus Jandorf and look forward to plenty of cool, useful, creative and beautiful gift ideas for your friends, your family, and most importantly, yourself.
December 13&14 and 20&21, 2014, from 12:00 – 20:00h
Kaufhaus Jandorf, Brunnenstraße 19.
Hallesches Haus Holiday Market
Looking for unusual and unique gifts? Pop by the premiere of the Hallesches Haus Holiday Design Market, opening for two weekends in December in the historic Postamt 61 at Tempelhofer Ufer 1, in anticipation of their general store and restaurant launch in Spring 2015. Sip on a glass of Glühwein as you stroll through the stands filled with carefully selected, festive, innovative and inspiring gift ideas (suitable even for your picky friends) from a beautiful assortment of contemporary Berlin designers and international design brands.
December 13 & 14 and December 20 & 21, 2014, from 12:00 – 20:00h
Hallesches Haus, Tempelhofer Ufer 1
Klunkerkranich Weihnachtsmarkt
The highest Christmas market in Berlin, Klunkerkranich offers us a market with a view. And no need to worry about the cold—they’ve got you covered with heating and weatherproof roofing. So check out this cleverly situated Neukölln market and browse through tents filled with homemade goods, Native Indian textiles, clothing, accessories, chocolate, cookies, sauces and much more. This year, they’re also welcoming artists and musicians jamming out everything from deep disco sounds to soul, funk and electro. The Christmas market spans 4 weekends (from the last weekend of November until the weekend before Christmas day), they’ll be hosting a food market the 4 Fridays before Christmas, and a flea market on a certain Weekends as well.
Every weekend in December 2014. Saturdays from 10:00 – 01:30h, Sundays from 12:00 – 01:30h
December 16th – December 21st, 18:00 – 01:30
Klunkerkranich, Karl-Marx-Straße 66.
Voodoo Market is setting out to bring you a Christmas market with their own eccentric flair. This refined selection of independent designers and creative participants are bringing gift ideas, anything-but-ordinary party outfits, beauty products, décor and just about everything else to Voodoo Market at Urban Spree. They’ll also be kicking the unconventional Christmas market approach up a notch with a food corner consisting of treats both sweet and savory, and a beauty corner with natural cosmetics, a hairdresser and two tattoo artists! Check out their list of selected designers here.
Saturday, December 6th 2014 from 12:00 – 20:00h
Admission: 1€ – free for kids
Urban Spree, Revaler Straße 99.
Japanischer Weihnachtsmarkt // Japanese Christmas Market
Get a taste of Japan in Berlin! This year, there will be plenty of food, music, entertainments and arts & crafts celebrating Japanese culture in Berlin, all under one roof at Urban Spree. There will be no shortage of entertainment, and a ridiculous amount of fun things you’ll want to buy but don’t really need. Expect an eating competition, sumo wrestling, fashion, Sake, tons of food and some cool Japanese DJs.
Sunday, December 7th 2014, from 12:00 – 21:00h
Urban Spree, Revaler Straße 99 corner of Warschauer Str.
Our/Bloody Merry X-Mas Edition #2
Join Our/Berlin Vodka as they host the second round of Our/Bloody Merry X-Mas, a competition set out to find the best Bloody Merry cocktail recipe. Basic ingredients will be provided, and competitors are always welcome to bring their own “secret ingredients.” There will be lots of prizes to be won, and of course, a lot of vodka. Whether you attend as a guest or a participant, mark your calendars in red and get ready for a Bloody Merry X-Mas.
Friday, December 12th 2014, from 19:00h
Our/Berlin Vodka, Am Flutgraben 2.
HOLY.SHIT.SHOPPING – Die Jubiläums-Tournee 2014
Passing through Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Berlin, this Christmas design platform combines cool lifestyle products like fashion, jewelry, accessories, furniture, art, photography, literature and delicacies, all set to the beats of great DJs at Kraftwerk Berlin. On December 6th and 7th, celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Holy.Shit.Shopping with a raffle for a piece created by Berlin Pop Artist Jim Avigon, made during a live performance, live performances by Miss le Bomb and Neoangin, and a street-food market to satisfy your holiday appetite and round off the anniversary.
December 6 & 7th 2014 , Saturday 12:00 – 22:00, Sunday 12:00 – 20:00
Kraftwerk Berlin Mitte, Köpenicker Straße 70
Anders Weihnachten — Naschmarkt im Advent
Mark your calendars and satisfy your sweet tooth at this special market popping up for a day at Markthalle Neun. For the Christmas edition of the Naschmarkt (a dreamy gathering of artisanal sweets), you can sink your teeth into gingerbread, cookies, chocolate, cakes, pies, tarts, macarons, Cakepops and more, all lovingly made by hand without chemicals, and sourced from Berlin and Brandenburg. There will also be an award ceremony, in which the best Berlin sweets will be crowned the “Food Snail 2014.”
December 7, 2014, 12:00 – 18:00
Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstr. 42/43, 10997 Berlin
And if you want to find the right market near your subway stop, this map we found on anamea.de can be quite helpful. Klick here to see the map in big.