The beloved Christmas Garden Berlin, closed due to the pandemic in 2020, returned in 2021, for its magical, illuminated journey through the Botanical Garden Berlin. Enjoy a photo and video tour of the 2021 trail of lights and music.

Every year since 2016, Berlin’s Botanical Garden is transformed into a magical, illuminated Christmas journey that delights and enchants locals and tourists alike. Closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, Christmas Garden Berlin 2021 opened with new COVID safety protocols in place for its annual festival of lights that runs through early January. The Christmas Garden events in nearly 20 other German and European venues also instituted requirements compliant with local regulations.

Even behind masks, the frequent muffled gasps of joy at seeing sparkling Christmas lights and spectacular illuminations were proof how much happiness the Christmas Garden brings. We felt it too, immediately upon entering as we walked down the blue “snowfalls” illumination with a quiet Christmas melody playing in the background. It is impossible not to smile and feel a sense of peace and, dare I say, romance in this winter garden oasis.

Strict COVID safety protocols enforced

In 2021, tickets had to be purchased online and timed entries were limited to every 30 minutes to control crowd size. Additionally, ticket or not, only those individuals who were vaccinated or recovered were allowed to enter — digital proof of vaccination or recovery was required along with ID. We were able to show our California state-issued digital proof of COVID vaccination along with IDs to gain entrance.

Face masks had to be worn, and there were security personnel stationed around the 2-kilometer (1.25-mile) trail ensuring masks stay up and on – except when eating or drinking at the various gluhwein (mulled wine) and snack stations. The trail in 2021 was also designed as a one-way loop, although we did note various folks walking the opposite direction at times to return to an illumination they perhaps especially enjoyed (or to find straggling friends and family).

Limiting the number of people entering also kept jostling crowds to a minimum I noticed … far less than the numbers we experienced at the Christmas Garden 2019.

30 light installations at the Christmas Garden 

Even though this is an annual event at the Botanical Gardens in Berlin, the light installations change each year, to keep it fresh and interesting. Some clear crowd favorites were back this year, like “Ice World” with its foggy mist and laser beams, and “Glockenspiel,” with illuminated chains of lights and Christmas bells you walk through.

But many others are new, fascinating, wonderful, and quite splendid. The “Field of Lights” was particularly enchanting. My favorite was “A Water Fairy Tale” with a 3-minute story of a ship at sea, getting caught in a storm, sinking, and then becoming part of a magical and colorful ocean world projected onto the water spray of a fountain in the middle of a lake and reflected wonderfully in the water. Though I will admit I’m still trying to determine how, exactly, this relates to Christmas.

It takes, on average, about 90-minutes to enjoy the entire loop – more if you make a mandatory stop for warming gluhwein and perhaps a snack. Even more if you are taking photos, as we were. Of course, all Christmas Gardens are outdoors, so dress warmly and come prepared for any kind of weather. Annual Christmas Garden events are usually open from just after sunset til late in the evening. For example, the 2021 Christmas Garden Berlin was scheduled to be open from 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. through Jan. 9, 2022. Be sure to check the website for any admission rule alterations, changes to the schedule due to COVID safety, or possible cancelation due to changing COVID situations (as occurred in Dresden in 2021).

A photo and video tour of Christmas Garden Berlin 2021

Travel with us as we take you on a short visual journey through our favorite bits of the Christmas Garden this year – be sure to watch the short video. We’re already eagerly anticipating returning in 2022.

Italian Garden and the entrance to the trail loop.

Fun illumination on the trail itself which visitors can become part of.

Moonlit Meadow with a gluhwein cabin glowing in the distance.

Field of Lights

Magic Galaxy

Arch Walk

Another fun illumination to walk through.

Glockenspiel — always a favorite and such fun to walk through.

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