Gendarmenmarkt, photo: Michael Setzpfandt
Although this year it may feel like the Christmas Markets season came exceptionally early – with still no traces of snow and surprisingly mild temperatures, the festive frenzy is upon us – and we’re excited for all the Glühwein, Plätzchen and proper Christmas shopping. In this year’s guide, we’re reacquianting you with some places from last year and presenting others that are happening for the very first time.
When it comes to Christmas events, Berlin’s just as versatile as you might have expected – you’ll find a few traditional markets, some really design-oriented events, a film festival and even a masked ball.
KNOK STORE Christmas Pop-up with Hallesches Haus
Another very special Christmas pop-up store is organized by the dedicated Korean design shop KNOK STORE and general store Hallesches Haus. The opening event will take place at Hallesches Haus Thursday, November 24th between 18-22h. A must-go for fans of Korean made design home, fashion, and beauty products, the pop-up gallery will continue until December 24th.
Opening: November 24, 18:00 – 22:00
Hallesches Haus, Tempelhofer Ufer 1, 10961 Berlin-Kreuzberg
photo: iHeartBerlin
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Start off this year’s advent at the Blogfabrik, where you’ll be introduced to the new/old project – KvisKalender, the rebirth of the Kreuzbergkalender. It’s an innovative idea aiming at making the before-Christmas waiting period much more exciting. Apart from solving various questions, you and your family members, friends, or colleagues get to relive last year’s highlights. Find out more and get into the quiz spirit at the launch party with drinks and treats at the Blogfabrik.
Wednesday, November 30th, 2016, 19-23:30h
Blogfabrik, Oranienstr. 185, Aufgang 5, 2. Stock, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg
photo: KvisKalender
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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 21st – December 31st 2016, open daily from 11-22h (Dec. 24th from 11-18h)
Admission: 1€ for the stage program & charity, free from Mon to Fri 11-14h, unfortunately no dogs allowed
photo: Michael Setzpfandt
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Offering a vast array of attractions for older and younger visitors alike, all accompanied by live music, this is the market to go to with the whole family. The huge space of around 3 000 square meters is definitely a great opportunity to get to celebrate the German way – with loads of food and mulled wine.
November 24 – December 23, 2016; Thu & Fri 16-23h, Sat & Sun 11-23h
Haubentaucher, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain
photo: holyheimat
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Held in the cool event space of Spreewerkstätten, the fourth edition of the night christmas flea market promises three levels of holiday shopping, live music, different culinary products and some festive drinks.
Saturday, Dezember 3rd, 2016, 16-23h
Admission: 3 Euro (kids are free)
Spreewerkstätten, Am Molkenmarkt 2, 10179 Berlin
photo: Nachtflohmarkt X-Mas Edition
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Your Space Christmas Market Shebang
This event, remaining in some opposition to the usual stricte commercial focus of the Christmas Markets, invites you to slow down a bit. Take the chance to relax with your friends when you still can (before the holiday craziness starts for real). You’ll be surrounded with slings out of elastic fabric installed by Le Bonbond, kelims provided by Wild Heart Free Soul, and selenite crystal lamps from CHACA mandala.
Saturday, Dezember 3rd, 2016, 12-18h
Admission: 5 Euro (kids are free)
Your Space, Prenzlauer Allee 26, 2. backyard, 3. floor, 10405 Berlin
photo: Your Space
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On its tour throughout Germany, the eigenART creative market is coming for the third time to Berlin. It’s a must for anyone interested in hand-made, one of their kind gifts, like jewelry, photography, illustrations, or upcycling products crafted by artists from the whole country. The event is held in the beautiful Orangery in the Schloss Charlottenburg.
Sunday, Dezember 4th, 2016, 11-18h
Admission: 5 Euro (students – 3 Euro)
Große Orangerie Schloss Charlottenburg, Spandauer Damm 22, 14059 Berlin
Photo: Deine eigenART Kreativmarkt
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Japanischer Weihnachtsmarkt 2016
The famous Berlin Japanese Christmas Market features all the various aspects of the Japanese culture, like music, dance, sumo wrestling, sake, kendama, curiosities, antiques, handcrafts, arts, illustration, and painting. You can find its complete programm here. It’s recommended to get a ticket in advance in order to avoid the queues on the day of the event.
December 3/4, 2016, 12-21h
Admission: 3,28 Euro (kids under 12 free)
Arena Berlin, Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin
photo: kokoyamada
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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. This is definitely the right place to find some great Christmas presents.
December 3/4, Saturday 12-21, Sunday 12-20
Admission: 5 Euro
Kraftwerk Berlin Mitte, Köpenicker Straße 70, Berlin-Mitte
photo: Holy Shit Shopping
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This unique M4rk3t is a place where you have a huge chance to find self-produced geeky stuff. Get your friends and family unique items from the internet, 3d-printed characters, home-brewed experimental video games, board games, digital toys, robots, a selection of love songs on USB sticks, all kinds of wearables,#turboprint t-shirts, postcards from VR, magazines, fanzines, comics, illustrations, paintings, books, clothes, food, drones, cosplay stuff, retro-hardware, retro-games, arcade elements, cyber drugs, LEDs, micro controller components, and fun.
December 4th, 2016, from 12-20h
Admission: 3 Euro
Urban Spree, Revaler Str. 99, Berlin-Friedrichshain
photo: Jens Keiner
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Outlined as a nice event for the whole family rather than just a shopping option. Apart from hand-crafted art and design, the programme is offering a Christmas bakery and Christmas stories reading for children, and even live music along with sound and light installations in the evening.
December 10/11th, 2016, from 12-20h
KAOS Berlin, Wilhelminenhofstr. 92, 12459 Berlin
Photo: Oberschönes WeihnachtsKAOS
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Weihnachtsrodeo VIII – Berlin’s Indoor Designweihnachtsmarkt
Weihnachtsrodeo (the “Christmas Rodeo”) is back in its 8th year, featuring over 180 exhibitors in fashion, street-food, jewelry, design and art. This year, just like the last one, the design market will be at Postbahnhof at Ostbahnhof – another interesting historic architectural gem that turns into a spectacular and unique christmas market with plenty of cool, useful, creative and beautiful gifts.
December 10th & 11th, and 17th & 18th, 2016, from 12-20h
Postbahnhof am Ostbahnhof, Straße der Pariser Kommune 8, 10243 Berlin-Friedrichshain
Weihnachtsrodeo 2012 at Stadtbad Oderberger Strasse, photo: Dennis Day
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The Anti-Christmas Market, described as Berlin’s alternative holiday market, may not the that anti-Christmas after all. You still get the chance to buy designer products – the bottom line is that this market is cruelty free and all foods are vegan. And you’re supporting local manufacturers!
December 11th 2016, 13-18h
Admission: 1 Euro
ESDIP BERLIN, Grünbergerstr. 48b, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain
photo: Anti-Christmas Market
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The Artist Is Broke X-Mas Edition
This is the Christmas Edition of the Conceptual Photoprint Flea Market of the Platform “The Artist is Broke” – where artists sell their exhibition prints and other work to a like minded audience and give art enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase works from their favorite artists for an affordable price. So just the right opportunity to find a beautiful photo gift for friends and family!
December 17th, 14-22h, December 18th, 14-20h, 2016
Blender&Co, Boddinstrasse 32, 12053 Berlin-Neukölln
photo: Martin Petersen
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The Green Market Berlin – Winter Edition 2016
Vegan with a sweet tooth? Count on Berlin to have you covered during the holiday season. Returning for the second time this unique Vegan Christmas market brings a totally different Christmas experience, offering some of the best artisan vegan and organic holiday treats from Germany. On top of that, expect musical performances and a cooking show to keep you entertained while you stroll through the independent boutique stalls.
December 17th & 18th, 2016, open 12-22h
Admission: 2 Euro – free for kids under 12
Agora Rollberg, am Sudhaus 2, (ehemalige Kindl Brauerei), 12053 Berlin-Neukölln
photo: Pauline Bossdorf
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Basalt Nacht Basar: Xmas Edition
The underappreciated Wedding gets into our guide with a really cool Christmas Market alternative. Hosted in the bar Basalt, the “bazaar” is advertised as Berlin’s greenest christmas market, where you can buy gifts for people and also spin the wheel of fortune for a good cause.
December 17th 2016, 17-01h (Bar will be opened all night)
Basalt, Utrechter Str. 38, 13347 Berlin-Wedding
photo: Basalt Bar
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Urban Spree Christmas Masked Ball
For those of you true Berliners who need a party on their schedule, there’s a very special event hosted by the Urban Spree. As described in the Facebook event, it’s going to be a “wild christmas masked celebration of music, art and alternative culture in Berlin, along with a discreet celebration of our fourth birthday in urban spree style as our celebration of you”. Sounds definitely merry!
December 17th & 18th 2016, Open 20-06h
Urban Spree, Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain
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At the Moviemento Cinema in Kreuzberg, you’ll get to experience all sorts of Christmas spirits thanks to the Germany’s first Weihnachtsfilmfestival (Christmas Film Festival). The organizer states that the “6 feature and 65 short films from over 25 different countries will show that Christmas is more than Santa Claus, Christmas trees, kitsch and consumption”.
Dezember 24th – 26th, 2016 (the program in the FB event description)
Kino Moviemento, Kottbusser Damm 22, 10967 Berlin-Kreuzberg
photo: Weihnachtsfilmfestival 2016
