In Berlin, the winter fun starts at the end of October. The first festively decorated stalls with fragrant waffles and hot punch are already beckoning on the cooler autumn evenings. For the time being, they are still called winter markets, as the Christmas market season is not officially allowed to start before the Sunday of the Dead, which falls on 26 November this year. Nevertheless, there are numerous winter markets that already invite you to enjoy a cosy get-together and set the mood for the winter and Christmas season with festive lights.
We have compiled a chronological list of the markets which open first.
Christmas market start 1: On 28 October opens ...
The winter world & Christmas market at Potsdamer Platz
The toboggan run has been open since the end of October. So you can slide into winter fun from a height of twelve metres in the middle of Berlin, even without snow. In addition to the toboggan run, numerous stalls, sausage roasters and mulled wine stands await you.
When: 28 October 2023 to 1 January 2024
Where: Potsdamer Platz, Mitte
Winter Wonderland at Potsdamer Platz
Christmas market start 2: On 3 November begins ...
The Winterzauber & Weihnachtsrummel on Landsberger Allee
With its many carousels and rides, the Winterzauber on Landsberger Allee makes children's hearts beat faster. Although not the official name, this colourful market has become known among Berliners as the Weihnachtsrummel. You will also find cosy seating areas and fire pits. And, of course, Father Christmas also drops by.
When: 3 November to 30 December 2023
Where: Landsberger Allee 300, Lichtenberg
Winterzauber & Weihnachtsrummel
Christmas market start 3: On 4 November begins...
The Berliner Glühwald
Just opposite the East Side Gallery, the Glühwald is a cosy place to get together with hot drinks. A nice meeting place when it gets dark outside earlier. If the curling lanes are full or it gets too cold, you can have a quiet game at the Bowling World right next door.
When: from 4 November
Where: Mercedes Platz 1, centre
Christmas market start 4: On 10 November open ...
The LGBTQIA* Winterdays & Christmas Avenue
The queer community in Berlin traditionally invites people to get together on Nollendorfplatz from 10 November with the LGBTQIA* Winterdays. Until 25 November, the party hut will also be reserved for initiatives from the queer scene. Drop by, exchange ideas and support the community.
When: 10 November to 23 December 2023
Where: Nollendorfplatz, Schöneberg
LGBTQIA* Winterdays & Christmas Avenue
Christmas market start 5: Opening on 15 November ...
The Queere Winterwonderland
The queer winter wonderland, which will take place for the first time at Gestrandet an der Jannowitzbrücke in 2023, will kick off with a big opening party. It starts at 4 pm. On the other days, you can discover art and shop for unusual gifts. All items are from queer producers. In addition to mulled wine and punch, there will also be other creative winter cocktail creations.
When: 15 November to 23 December
Where: Rolandufer 4 at the Jannowitzbrücke, Friedrichshain.
Christmas at the Tierpark
Twinkling lights cover the zoo in the run-up to Christmas. The illuminated path does not take you past the enclosures - to protect the animals - but a few animal light installations do await you. The tour is around two kilometres long. In between, there are stands with cocoa, punch and treats.
When: 15 November 2023 to 14 January 2024
Where: Am Tierpark 125, Lichtenberg
Winterworld Grünau
Attention ice skating fans. For the winter season, the Grünau lido is transformed into a glittering winter wonderland with ice skating, ice disco, decorated stalls and campfire romance.
When: Date: From 15 November 2023 to 25 February 2024 (closed on 24 December)
Where: Sportpromenade 5, Grünau
Christmas market start 6: Opens on 16 November ...
The historic Christmas market on the RAW site
Fire bowls and fantastic light and art installations make the historic Christmas market on the RAW site a wonderful pre-Christmas spectacle for the whole family. Look forward to food and drink, fire shows and other spectacles inspired by medieval customs.
When: 16 November to 22 December 2023
Where: Revaler Straße 99, Friedrichshain
Historic christmas market on the RAW site
Christmas market start 7: On 17 November start ...
The Family Wonderland
With rides and colourfully illuminated carousels, the Family Wonderland in Spandau is a wonderful addition to the historic Christmas market in the old town. The little ones can let off steam here. So the time until Christmas won't be so long.
When: 17 November 2023 to 1 January 2024
Where: Klosterstraße 38, Spandau
The Christmas Garden at the Botanical Garden
Every year, the Botanic Garden is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Based on the London model "Christmas at Kew" in the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Berlin Christmas Garden invites you to take a contemplative stroll, which offers many wonderful opportunities for a Christmas family photo with its fairytale light installations.
When: 17 November 2023 to 14 January 2024
Where: Königin-Luise-Straße 68, Steglitz
Christmas market start 8: Open on 20 November begins ...
The winter film festival in the Nikolai quarter
The Winter Film Festival in the Nikolai Quarter kicks off the Christmas season with the classic German movie "Feuerzangenbowle". The classic film starring Heinz Rühmann will of course be accompanied by hot punch from the copper kettle. The programme is rounded off with nostalgic hits
When: 20 November 2023 to 01 January 2024
Where: Nikolaikirchplatz, centre
The Christmas market on the Spree
The Christmas market on the Spree also starts on 20 November. For an all-inclusive price (from 24.90 euros), you can drink mulled wine, punch and hot chocolate and savour bratwurst, spaetzle and other delicacies. There are also fire barrels, seating areas and action with curling or tree nailing.
When: 20 November to 23 December 2023
Where: Stralauer Allee 2b, Friedrichshain
Christmas market start 9: 23 November is the start of ...
Heissa Holzmarkt
With a village of huts, fire installations and various shows, the Holzmarkt also heralds the start of the Christmas season. You will find beautiful handicrafts and the odd hip gift idea here. Of course, there will also be plenty of food and cosy seating areas with warming fireplaces.
When: 23 November to 23 December 2023
Where: Holzmarktstraße 25, Friedrichshain
The Christmas market at Wilmersdorfer Straße
The pedestrian zone in Wilmersdorfer Straße will be adorned with festive lights from 23 November. Here you can get in the mood for Christmas shopping with a mulled wine and festive treats.
When: 23 November to 23 December 2023
Where: Wilmersdorfer Straße, Wilmersdorfer
Christmas market at Wilmersdorfer Straße
Christmas Market Start 10: On 25 November opens ...
The traditional Advent bazaar at the Finland Centre
With its opening dates on the last weekend in November, the Finnish Advent Bazaar is an exception. This is because the other markets are closed on November 26. But that's not the only reason why it's worth a visit. The culinary offerings, with traditional Finnish Christmas dishes such as loimulohi (flamed salmon) and poromakkaraa (reindeer sausage), are quite unique in Berlin. The stalls sell hand-embroidered woollen gloves, hats and warm winter socks.
When: 25 and 26 November 2023
Where: Schleiermacherstr. 24A, Kreuzberg
Finnish Advent bazaar
Christmas market start 11: Advent & the official Christmas market season begins now
And from December, the Advent and Christmas market season in Berlin is officially open. Find our large overview of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Berlin here.
