Guide to the Best 2023 Berlin Christmas Markets

Where are the Christmas Markets in Berlin

German Christmas markets are in a league of their own.

Every year I venture to a new European destination to experience the magic of their Christmas markets. First, it was the elegant Christmas markets in Paris, then it was the authentic Christmas markets in Portugal. This year was Germany!

Living in Berlin made it easy. But I also spent the day at Dresden Christmas markets and that was a real highlight. As were the markets in Frankfurt.

And, after visiting the markets in Dresden, Frankfurt and of course, Berlin that bar is set very high. I’m not sure how I will ever top it in the years to come.

With over 80 Christmas markets in Berlin, there’s a Japanese Christmas market and even a Berliner Hundeweihnachtsmark for your dog! With that many markets, it will be impossible to visit them all!

I narrowed down my list to the most popular Christmas markets and visited as many as I could to share only the best ones with you.

If you are only visiting Berlin for a few days, there will not be enough time to do this full list. Use my handy quick reference chart of the Christmas Markets to find the right ones for you.

About the Berlin Christmas Markets 2023

Weihnachts Zauber Gendarmenmarkt an der Staatsopper

Let’s start with my favourite. If you were only to visit one Christmas Market in Berlin this is my pick!

This is a local’s favourite too. Berliners shop for their holiday gifts here. Meet up with friends over glühwein. Sing along with live music being played.

This market is best experienced at nighttime, not only is it more festive but it’s the prettiest under the glow of twinkle lights.

While most markets in Berlin will offer food, this one offers restaurants. Large heated tents with full kitchens can be found here. There are several to choose from, each offering traditional German food with varying degrees of charm.

We choose to dine at the fanciest. It was alpine chic with long communal tables with cozy sheepskins, and candlelit, large wreaths hung from ribbons from the ceiling. Spätzle and schnitzel for us and we enjoyed every bite.

• 📍 Berlin Bebelplatz on Unter den Linden boulevard (2022 to 2024 relocated from Gendarmenmarkt due to construction) in Mitte District
• 📆November 27, 2023 to December 31, 2023
• 🕒 Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 11 pm, with exceptions:
  • December 24 from 12 pm to 6 pm
  • December 31 from 12 pm to 1 am
• €2, free entry for children under 12 and Monday to Friday from 12 pm to 2 pm

Kaiser Wilhelm Church on Breitscheidplatz Christmas Market

You can find this Christmas Market at one of Berlin’s most incredible landmarks- the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. A grand Christmas tree in front of this ruined church makes this a beautiful sight!

This is one of Berlin’s largest Christmas markets and the most decorated too! Large pre-lit trees, bears and reindeer can be found scattered around making fun winter wonderland photo ops! Lights lined down Kurfürstendamm street make this a market to come and see at nighttime.

Delicious market stalls full of food vendors from my favourite Kartoffelpuffer (potato cakes) to Thüringer Bratwurst to glühwein. Don’t miss the market stalls as you walk towards Berlin’s favourite department store KaWeDam!

• 📍Kurfürstendamm, 237 in the Charlottenburg District
• 📆November 27, 2023 to January 7, 2024
• 🕒Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, with exceptions on these dates:
  • December 24 from 11 am to 2 pm
  • December 25, 26 December from 1 pm to 9 pm
  • December 31 from 11 am to 8 pm
  • January 1 from 1 pm to 9 pm
• Free admission

Berlin Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace

What I loved the most about this German Christmas market was the beautiful backdrop of Charlottenburg Palace. It is incredibly majestic, and romantic!

Enter the palace gates and walk along historic cobblestones with your mulled wine. This market looks very regal under the elegant white tents.

There’s a large mobile shop with vendors selling glass ornaments and honey products and I couldn’t resist getting honey mustard and body butter.

• 📍Spandauer Damm, 20 in the Charlottenburg District
• 📆November 27, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (closed on December 24)
• 🕒Monday to Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm
• Free admission

Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei

I fell in love with this Scandi-inspired Christmas Market! Set amongst the historic redbrick buildings that were once a large Berlin brewery, now turned cultural hub.

This Christmas market stands out as one of the most unique in Berlin. With its Nordic vibes. Vendors from Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden offer a bit of a twist on the food, drink and gifts being offered.

It’s super quaint and cozy and has a great neighbourhood feel. It’s the hidden gem of all the Christmas markets in Berlin.

Families bring their kids here and it’s reflective of the boho vibes of this neighbourhood. We had a spiked apple cider with an edible cup (kinda tasted like a waffle cone), whereas at every other market, you have to put a deposit down on a mug.

• 📍Schönhauser Allee, 36 in the Prenzlauer Berg District
• 📆November 27, 2023 to December 22, 2023
• 🕒Monday to Friday from 3 pm to 10 pm, Saturday – Sunday 1 pm – 10 pm
• Free admission

Berlin Christmas Market in Spandau

Visit one of Berlin’s oldest neighbourhoods- Spandau! Spandau is older than Berlin. This historic city, known for its impressive Citadel, was once a city in Germany. But with the expansion of Berlin’s borders, it now falls within the city limits.

Spandau is full of small-town charm, feeling more like a village than the city centre of Berlin.

This is a traditional Christmas market where lining the Altstadt are all the usual vendors- food, drink, sweets and gifts. This is where I bought one of the whimsical villages from a crafter from Lithuania. Although you will find similar houses in other markets, they are handmade by him and his wife.

• 📍Marktstraße in the Spandau District
• 📆November 27, 2023 to December 26, 2023
• 🕒Open daily from 11 am to 9 pm
• Free admission
• Tip: in previous years there has been a Spandau Citadel Christmas Market but it was closed for 2023

Christmas Market Berlin on Alexanderplatz

This will be the most touristy Christmas market you will visit. Set on the famous Alexanderplatz, not far from Rotes Rathaus, this is where you will hear the music pumping through the air, and people grabbing a drink before hopping on the U or S-bahn, and there’s even a pop-up disco tech for the young clubbing crowd. Instead of ice skating, there is a rollerskating rink.

I quickly walked through this one to get a feel for it, as I made my way to the nearby Roten Rathaus. It’s not my favourite, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid it altogether.

• 📍Alexanderplatz in Mitte District
• 📆November 27, 2023 to December 26, 2023
• 🕒Monday to Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
• Free admission

Christmas in Berlin Winter Festivals

The opening of most of the Berlin Christmas markets follows the Advent Calendar. This means counting back four Sundays before Christmas Eve and they start on the Monday.

But, if you find yourself in Berlin like I did before the official launch of the Christmas Markets on November 27, you can still find some holiday fun.

Winter World on Potsdamer Platz

The highlight here is the giant toboggan run. There is a Christmas market from November 27 to December 26 (but it didn’t make my list of recommended markets to go to).

Don’t miss checking out the Christmas lights at Leipziger Platz where all the trees are lit up and cast an eye-catching glow.

• 📍Potsdamer Platz in the Mitte District
• 📆October 28, 2023 to January 1, 2024
• 🕒Monday to Sunday 11 am – 10 pm with these exceptions:
  • Closed November 19, 26
  • December 24 11 am – 2 pm
• Free, toboggan run fee €2.50

Historical Christmas Market Friedrichshain

Transport yourself back in time to a historical medieval Christmas market at the RAW Compound. See the flickering glow of lantern-lit stalls and open firepits to keep your hands warm.

In this enchanting setting, merchants adorned in period costumes offer an array of traditional foods cooked on open fires or artisan goods.

Even the games are from a bygone era with a wooden Ferris wheel and bow and arrow target practice.

This is a small, yet unique market that is fun to kick off your holiday spirit.

• 📍Revaler Straße 99 in the Friedrichshain District
• 📆November 16, 2023 to December 22, 2023 (closed on November 26)
• 🕒Monday to Friday 3 pm – 10 pm, Weekends 12 pm to 10 pm
• Free Monday to Wednesday, Thursday to Sunday €2 (reduced for those that appear in historical costume)

Heissa Wood Market Christmas Market

Berlin is a unique city. Known for its relaxed, laid-back, social vibes. And this Christmas market is the best way to see it. Set on the banks of the Spree River is Holzmarkt, an urban village where artists thrive. Cool art, food stands, artisan studios, live music, clubs and nursery care all in one shared communal space.

Nothing but boho vibes are found here. So if you want a glimpse into this unique area of Berlin without feeling like you fit in, visit the Christmas Market.

This is a family-friendly event, full of young people with or without young kids. Although is not very Christmassy, it’s still a fun one to attend.

• 📍Holzmarktstraße, 25 in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg District
• 📆November 23, 2023 to December 23, 2023
• 🕒Friday from 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm
• Free

Christmas Garden Berlin

Check out the pretty Christmas lights and creative display at the Berlin Botanical Garden.

• 📍Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8
• 📆November 17, 2023 to January 14, 2024
• 🕒Monday to Sunday from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm with these exceptions:
  • Closed November 20, 21, 27, 28
  • Closed December 24, 31
• €16.50

Christmas at the Tierpark

With nearly 30 light displays within a 2 km, stroll through Tierpark Zoo to see the live animals amongst the twinkle lights. Rent skates and glide along the ice rink.

• 📍Entrance at Am Bärenschaufenster
• 📆November 17, 2023 to January 14, 2024
• 🕒Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm, with these exceptions:
  • Closed November 20, 21, 27, 28
  • Closed December 24, 31
• €15.50
• Special note: not dog friendly, no refund due to weather