There are roughly 100 Christmas markets in Berlin (no joke) and this post covers some of the top markets in Berlin for 2023.
Bratwurst and roasted almonds – that’s the typical smell of a German Christmas market.
The more Northern in Germany you are, the earlier dusk comes and a German Christmas Market is most beautiful in the evening.
As Germany is the country of Christmas markets, Berlin is the capital of them. There are over 100 Christmas Markets in Berlin, both big and small.
Most Christmas markets will open at the end of November. So there is everyone for both local visitors and tourists alike.
In general, Berlin Christmas markets are open until 8 pm, and many close by December 23.
As Christmas Eve, December 24, is the main holiday of the season in Germany, many markets will be closed or will close early that day, and some open again after the Christmas holidays for a few more days.
Some markets open early like the RAW-Gelände in Friedrichshain opens on November 23 and 24 as well.
For winter sports fans and kids who can't wait, the Winterwelt (Winter World) am Potsdamer Platz will be set up on November 2.
It has an ice skating rink, a hill for sleigh riding, and Bavarian curling on ice.
Here is a helpful overview of the best Christmas markets. You might also like to visit the more alternative Christmas markets.
1. Weihnachtsmarkt am Alex
- November 17 until December 26, 2023
- Entrance is free for all.
- Map
At Alexanderplatz, you find the regular, traditional Christmas market with many stands where you can buy Christmas gifts,
Glühwein, snacks like Bratwurst or potato dumplings and sweets.
Here, you'll will also find the Neptune Fountain, as well as a sizable ice-skating rink and a massive Ferris wheel.
Admire the XXL Ore Mountain carvings like a huge pyramid (a nativity scene in many tapered floors that turns like a carousel).
And party with Nikolaus (Santa) in his Party Hut.
2. Weihnachtsmarkt am Roten Rathaus (Christmas Market at Red City Hall)
- November 27 until December 30, 2023
- Entrance is free for all.
- Map
This market with traditional arts & crafts stands, an ice rink, and a huge Ferris wheel is situated between the TV tower and the Medieval Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church).
For the nostalgic, they offer historic fun rides, some about 100 years old. And listen to an iconic Berlin organ grinder.
This market is one that re-opens after Christmas, too, on December 25-30.
And twice per hour, Santa and his reindeer will fly across the market.
3. Weihnachts-Rummel an der Frankfurter Allee
- November 3 until December 30, 2023
- Entrance is free for all.
- Map
This Christmas fair, also known as Winterzauber, is just a 10-minute U-bahn ride from Alexanderplatz.
This is more country fair or country show than a traditional Christmas market and spreads over 20,000 square meters.
Expect bumper cars, roller coasters, large slides, and a Ferris Wheel, just to name a few of the rides.
Read our Full Post about the Weihnachts-Rummel an der Frankfurter Allee.
Enjoy the fun rides, but do it before you indulge in roasted almonds, German Bratwurst, mulled wine (“Glühwein”), and sweets.
This is your chance to enjoy roller coasters and other rides in a wintry atmosphere with your gloves and hat on.
4. Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt
- November 27 until December 31, 2023
- €2 for all 13 and older.
- Map
On Berlin’s most beautiful square, historic Gendarmenmarkt, you find “Christmas Magic”, or the Christmas Market on Gendarmenmarkt.
It offers an exclusive selection of arts and crafts, drinks, and food from the fine restaurants nearby.
The stands are in white tents decorated with Moravian stars and there is classical music for entertainment.
The market charges EUR 2.00 for admission.
5. Weihnachtsmarkt und Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz
- October 28, 2023 until January 1, 2024
- Christmas Market (Nov 27 - Dec 26)
- Free for all to enter. (€2.50 for Toboggan run)
- Map
At Potsdamer Platz, the motto isn’t Christmas but winter.
There is a snow-tubing mountain that is 12 meters high and 70 meters long.
There's also an ice rink, where coaches help little kids to skate and look for possible Olympic athletes in the center of the market.
What else? Glühwein, Bratwurst, roasted almonds.
6. Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt an der Gedächtniskirche
- November 27, 2023 until December 31, 2023
- Free for all to enter.
- Map
Go to the center of the old West Berlin, near S-Bahn Bahnhof Zoo and you find a large traditional Christmas market, the Christmas Market on Breitscheidplatz.
This is the market to choose when you plan to shop on Kurfürstendamm.
The organizers claim they have the biggest lighting in Berlin and they don’t take any chances: The lighting and Christmas decorations are done by a professional artist.
Children can enjoy the merry-go-rounds while grown-ups have the choice among 10 varieties of Glühwein.
7. Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg
- November 27 until December 31, 2023
- Free for all to enter.
- Map
Not exactly in Berlin’s center, but with the most beautiful scenery possible: the Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace.
A highlight are the light illuminations of the castle and park.
Roughly 250 vendors come from all over Germany and some European countries.
Enjoy the international food and music, with specials in Austrian cuisine this year, as well as marzipan, stollen and many more delicacies.
This market is closed on December 24 but open on December 25 and 26, too.
8. Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei
- November 27 until December 22, 2023
- Free for all to enter.
- Map
Nestled into the cultural art center of the Kulturbrauerei complex in Prenzlauer Berg, center of "hip-Berlin", this market is considered one of the most popular Christmas markets among families and couples alike.
This market, named after the Nordic godess of light, focuses on Christmas Skandenavian-style.
It has merry-go-rounds for the small children and trampolines for the bigger kids as well.
Not to mention all the traditional German winter food and different type of mulled wines.
9. Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem RAW-Gelände
- November 16 until December 22, 2023
- Free for all to enter (Monday-Wednesdays)
- €2 for adults (Thurdays-Sundays)
- Map
The Medieval Market at the RAW Compound is certainly a change from Berlin's usual Christmas markets.
Jugglers, archers, and acrobats are aplenty. There are also woodcarvers, blacksmiths, and other handworkers plying their trades making Christmas-themed souvenirs.
This market is located near Warschauer Strasse and is the closest market to the Friedrichschein district.
10. Nordische Märchenweihnacht Schloss Britz
- Open on First Three Advent Weekends (December 01-03, December 08-10, December 15-17)
- €3, reduced price €2, free entry for kids under the age of 6
- Map
This popular Christmas market features well-known wintry fairytales, a fire-spitting dragon, puppet shows, and magicians.
Children can go for a ride with ponies, sled dogs or practice crossbow, and of course enjoy the many food stalls with delicious sweets and snack.
There are over 100 Christmas markets in Berlin. Explore the full list of markets here.
Check out our walking tours of Berlin, so you can walk off the many sweets and treats.
