Best Berlin Christmas markets: Gendarmenmarkt, Lucia & 10 more

When it comes to enjoying Christmas in Berlin, there are dozens of Christmas markets to head to – so many that it can be challenging to choose. Here are our top picks of the best Berlin Christmas markets to experience -- guaranteed something for every taste.

Therese has fond memories of the Christmas season in Germany when she was an exchange student in a smaller town. There was just something magical about great Christmas markets with their smells of hot mulled drinks, gingerbread, and roasted chestnuts combined with the sounds of clinking glasses, holiday music, and giggling children.

Since those days, we have spent time exploring so many of the best Christmas markets in Berlin. There are dozens of them – so many that it can be difficult for us to choose the best market in the Berlin area.

Together, we’ve discovered that many of the markets in Germany’s capital have their own character, flair, or special theme. If somebody tells us that “Market A” is the best Christmas market in Berlin, we might agree, but we might like “Market B” better. Why choose? Just head out to explore when you are traveling in Berlin to figure out which Christmas market you like best. They are all, frankly, pretty enchanting experiences.

No matter how long or when you happen to be in Berlin between about mid-November and late December, you will be able to find at least a few dozen markets to choose from. Some are open every day the entire season until at least Dec. 25 or 26 (often opening before “first Advent,” which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas). Some only take place on weekends or even just on a particular weekend or two, or an evening or two.

Some Christmas markets in Berlin are indoors, while many are outdoors. Some are oriented more toward dining, while some have a community and family or amusement park emphasis. Many have higher security measures these days, too, so avoid taking large packs and be prepared to submit to a search of your bags. A few have small admission fees, usually to offset entertainment.

Here, then, are some of our favorite Christmas markets in Berlin that run the entire season. If you have a particular interest – e.g., medieval times, nostalgia, or amusement rides – you can also peruse the Visit Berlin listing of the best Christmas markets in Berlin. Oh, and one last tip – always check before you go, as construction projects and renovations, or other unseen events, can cause a Christmas market to be canceled, moved temporarily, or shuttered.

Red City Hall market (Rotes Rathaus) in Berlin viewed from the base of the Berlin TV Tower.

Remember, although charming at night when lights are aglow, most Christmas markets in Berlin are also open by noon or in the afternoon, so you can always stop in earlier. (Of course, sunset in Berlin in December is about 4 p.m., so “afternoon” is a bit relative!)

HITT Tip: If you plan to hop around the city one evening, consider buying a day pass for the metro system. Controllers will be lurking to check for tickets. There is another ticket for “small groups” (“Kleingruppen”) up to five persons who are traveling together, which is normally a great deal. You can buy them at the machines in the stations or online. Remember, these day passes are not 24-hour tickets but one-day tickets, so they are valid from the time you buy and stamp them until 3 a.m. the following day. If you have a Berlin Welcome Card, you can use the accompanying transit pass, too.

Friedrichstrasse Christmas market — small but quite cozy and friendly, with more locals than tourists.

Weihnachtsmarkt am Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse (Christmas market at Friedrichstrasse station) – Let’s start small. This is a cozy affair on a small square near the Friedrichstrasse station that didn’t start until 2018. Although in the center of town, it has a more neighborhood feel. No big shows, no Santa appearances, no amusement rides. People seem to come to hang out with friends, have a nibble and a sip to enjoy the season’s cheer. There are a few covered niches to sit in that are heated, too, so it's definitely a place to contemplate life a bit. Don’t miss the curling sheet for a friendly match or a little entertainment while you are enjoying your mulled wine.

Santa Claus flies overhead three times each evening at the Red City Hall Christmas market.

Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Rotes Rathaus (Berlin Christmas time at Red City Hall) – Not to be biased or anything, but we really love this market. It is large enough to offer a nice selection of food and less-kitschy artisan goods, as well as several nightly appearances by Santa in an overhead sled spouting fireworks! Still, it feels cozy, neighborhood-y, and nostalgic, with a hint of a medieval theme. The circular ice-skating rink is open to all between performances and is great entertainment with mulled wine in hand. Admittedly, the huge Ferris wheel with a fantastic view over the city, St. Mary’s Church, and the TV Tower overhead offer a certain flair. It doesn’t hurt that the market is quite central and very easy to access from the Alexanderplatz S-Bahn and U-Bahn, among others.

HITT Tip: Every market (and sometimes different stands in a market) will take a deposit on the mugs and cups in which you get your mulled drinks, wine, or beer. These glasses are often quite colorful and can make fun souvenirs, making the small 1-3 Euro deposit a small price to pay to keep them as a memento of visiting the best Christmas markets in Berlin. But pace yourself: Do you really want a mug from every market you attend?

The Christmas market at the base of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Breitscheidplatz offers history and charm.

Weihnachtsmarkt am Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis Kirche (Christmas market at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church) – This top Christmas market in Berlin remains one of the most traditional and most popular, usually even staying open into the first week of January if you need more of a festive fix. Artisans and booths are traditional and rustic, and since they surround the breathtaking Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, which you can visit in the evening, it is all the more special. Despite its festive air, this market is where the terrorist attack occurred in 2016, killing 11 and injuring dozens. Nevertheless, do come to “Breitscheidplatz,” and also take a minute at the permanent memorial on the church steps that is sure to gather more flowers this time of year.

Memorial to the 2016 terrorist attack on Breitscheidplatz Christmas market.

HITT Tip: Head across the street to the Bikini Mall and upstairs to the outdoor terrace area for a great (free) viewpoint and photos of one of the best Christmas markets in Berlin. You’ll likely have the terrace to yourself if you are there in the evening, since it’ll be too cold for most folks to loiter.

Angels on stilts at the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market in Berlin

Weihnachtszauber am Gendarmenmarkt / Bebelplatz (Christmas magic at Gendarmenmarkt) – This market in general is a bit -- how shall we say it? – finer with high-end entertainment, enclosed dining areas with seating (reservations recommended), gourmet cuisine, and fine wine. For that, you will also pay a tiny admission fee (1-2 Euro), and security is high with bag checks and no large bags allowed. Nevertheless, we had a great time watching the street artists interact with kids with the famed and architecturally exquisite churches and concert hall on the square in the background. You won’t find as many cute trinkets here as you will premium arts and crafts, and you will pay a bit more for your mandatory mulled wine. This market is open through Dec. 31 with fireworks to ring in the New Year.

The Christmas market in Spandau’s old town is festive.

Spandau Altstadt Weihnachtsmarkt (Spandau Old Town Christmas Market) – Despite being one of Berlin’s largest markets, it feels adorable since its entertainment, booths, and food are spread throughout the Old Town area as well as outside the old town. The outer areas are more modern, but once you make your way into the cobbled city pedestrian area, you’re in for a treat – the wooden huts centered around the historic St. Nikolai Church are beautiful, the old town is partly illuminated, and a nativity scene has live animals. You’ll find an entertainment stage and rides for small children – very family-oriented, and a bit less expensive than the glam markets in certain areas. We had one of our best homemade meals there, from a man who took personal pride in what he cooked for us. If you come earlier in the day, you can also combine this with a visit to Spandau’s old town or even the Renaissance-era Spandau Citadel fortress.

The World Clock in front of the Christmas market on Alexander Square. This Christmas market, just minutes from the Christmas market on Red City Hall, has an entirely different feel.

Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Alexanderplatz (Christmas market on Alexander Platz) – Alexander Square remains a gathering point for people since its days as the heart of East Berlin. Particularly appealing is the World Time Clock that has appeared in many hundreds of Instagram posts. This market combines the modern with the rustic flair, with traditional games and food booths in both trailers and huts, plus modern amusement rides. The setting is on a large square surrounded by chain stores and a mall so you can always pop through the market before and after some shopping. There is a large wooden Pyramid where you can sit on the bottom floor to enjoy your beverages. Lots to do with more of a modern feel.

At Kulturbrauerei (Culture Brewery), the courtyard of the historic brewery buildings fills with booths, small amusement rides, cozy seating areas, and fire pits for the Lucia Christmas market.

Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt at Kulturbrauerei (Lucia Christmas Market at Culture Brewery) -- Cozy and quietly festive would be the perfect way to describe this Scandinavian-themed Christmas Market tucked into the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg. The Kulturbrauerei was once a 19th-century brewery and now houses cultural offerings in the historic buildings. And while you can get a beer, the focus for the market in the courtyard is more on Swedish Glogg, mulled wine, and other libations of a holiday nature. Open fire pits provide lovely gathering places to warm the outside while you sip on liquids to warm your insides. Very family- and neighborhood-oriented with small-scale amusement rides attractive to kids.

Historische Weihnacht Christmas market in Friedrichshain has a medieval flair and feels quite secure.

Historische Weihnacht at RAW Gelände (Historic Christmas at RAW Cultural Park) -- In Berlin Friedrichshain, there sits a Christmas market that’s a bit of a throwback to medieval times and decidedly family-focused. You won’t find flashy illuminations or plastic Santa Claus imitations here. What you will find are potters, blacksmiths, woodcarvers, and children’s rides – a wooden carousel and Ferris wheel -- that are hand-powered. Yes, there’s also a pony ride. And while it’s not usually a great idea to hand children sharp objects to play with, there are axe-throwing, archery, and crossbow shooting ranges for youngsters, under tight supervision, thankfully. Naturally, there are also plenty of opportunities for adults to enjoy hot mead, mulled wine, and more while sitting around fire pits and warming lanterns. This market also has a small admission fee, which will be less if you buy in advance online.

The snowless toboggan run at Potsdamer Platz’s Christmas market is a huge hit with everyone.

Potsdamer Platz Winterwelt (Winter World at Potsdamer Platz) — Potsdamer Platz is arguably one of Berlin’s most famous squares and a favorite destination any time of the year for tourists. At Christmas, the plaza transforms into a winter wonderland with a decidedly Austrian theme. Take, for example, the "Schmankerl Hut" constructed of ancient wood, decorated inside with skis and farm tools, with an historic tiled stove – it looks and smells like being in an Austrian mountain hut as you snack on delicacies. If more action is your desire, then head to what is billed as “Europe’s largest mobile toboggan run,” i.e., a no-snow-needed slide. And of course, there are loads of shops with stalls filled with goodies, Christmas decorations, toys, and plenty of gift ideas. Leans more toward adult meetups, but a centrally located Berlin Christmas market for all.

The historic Christmas market at the hunting lodge in Grunewald is an excellent treat on Berlin’s outskirts.

Märchenhafter Weihnachtsmarkt at Grunewald Jagdschloss(Fairy Tale Christmas Market at Grunewald Hunting Lodge) -- We love this Christmas market on the outskirts of Berlin! A short, peaceful walk through the woods leads you to the historic Jagdschloss Grunewald (Grunewald Hunting Lodge) -- the oldest surviving castle in Berlin. In this castle, you leave behind all thoughts of being in a big city and lose yourself in a land of fairy tales and Christmas fun. There are exhibitors offering regional handicrafts, and the air is filled with the smells of gingerbread, hot candied almonds, and mulled wine. Very child-friendly, this market features outstanding performances of Hansel and Gretel, Mother Holle (a popular German fairy tale), Cinderella, and more. Great fun for the family and a fun, outdoorsy Berlin Christmas market.

An intimate Christmas market retreat in historic Nikolaiviertel with a special winter drink called Feuerzangebowle and a movie.

Winterzauber im Nikolaiviertel (Winter Magic in Nikolaiviertel) -- This could be Berlin’s smallest Christmas market, but there’s a reason it’s on our favorites list. It’s just so dang cute, cozy, and very laid-back. And not just because of the Feuerzangenbowle traditionally served there. That, by the way, is a high-proof hot beverage created by hanging flaming sugar cubes soaked in hot rum that drip melted sugar into a concoction of red wine and spices sitting in a large copper bowl. Delicious, dangerous, and sweet doesn’t even begin to describe it. With a cup of Feuerzangenbowle drink in hand, cozy up to watch Germany’s classic Christmas movie from 1944, “Die Feuerzangenbowle,” that streams on the big screen television there.

Weihnachtsmarkt vor dem Schloss Charlottenburg (Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Castle) -- Every year since 2007, in the shadow of the former residence of Queen Sophie Charlotte, the Charlottenburg Christmas Market is very much a royal Christmas world. There are reportedly more than 250 international exhibitors hawking traditional handicrafts, jewelry, Christmas decorations, candied apples, wood-oven baked bread, and more (sorry, we didn’t count). This Christmas market is a sensory overload of light, smell, and sound. An overlook provides a fantastic view of the most impressive marketplace.

HITT Tip: At most mulled wine booths, you will see a sign or be asked if you want a “schuss” or “shot.” That means they add a shot of some schnapps to the hot wine for an extra kick. Careful, the sweetness of mulled wine goes down easily as it is, so the added schnapps could result in the onset of a state you didn’t intend.

And that's a wrap -- for now. No doubt we'll be adding more or removing some as we keep visiting Christmas markets in Berlin. Hey, we take our work seriously, and if we're being really truthful, we LOVE mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. While they are not Christmas markets in the traditional sense, two other Christmas lights and winter fun destinations you should put on your Berlin visit calendar are the Christmas Garden Berlin and Christmas at the Tierpark.

Please take a look here at our story about the largest Christmas Markets in Europe. If you're still a little rusty on your German, you'll want to take a peek at our short language guide to the food and drinks you will find at most of the German Christmas markets. Roasted chestnuts (“Maronen”), yum, and hot mulled wine (“Glühwein”), double yum!

Would you like to recommend Christmas markets that we might have overlooked? Let us know in the comments section below.