Best & Worst Berlin Christmas Markets 2025 + Map

Don’t Waste Your Time At These Xmas Markets in Berlin

Every year, thousands of tourists flock to Berlin to experience the charm and magic of Berlin’s Christmas markets. There are over 70 markets (that’s overwhelming)!

If you want advice from a local, you can skip visiting the Christmas Markets at Alexanderplatz or Potsdamer Platz!

Both markets are just loud, busy, and very commercialized. We often don’t have enough time when traveling, so don’t waste any of it at those markets!

Only have a couple of days in Berlin? Read my 2-Day Berlin Christmas Markets Itinerary Guide with a guided Map!

What You Can Expect at the Berlin Christmas Markets

You can expect a few things at every market in Berlin.

1. In some markets, you must pay to get in, and you must have cash (yup still cash in 2025)
2. Select markets are only open on the weekends and not all-day
3. Some markets appear only a couple of times during the month, so be sure to save the date
4. Not all markets have “healthy food options”
5. Most markets make you pay to use the toilet, this will range from 50 cents to 1.50 euros!

When Do The Christmas Markets in Berlin Open?

The Christmas markets in Berlin start popping up at the end of November. The larger markets do stay open till the last day of December.

What Makes German Christmas Markets Worth Visiting?

A good German Christmas Market has a variety of shops, food, and, let’s not forget, glühwein.

Now, not all Christmas markets are created equal! Some markets are for the masses, and others are very eclectic and unique.

You can expect a festive spectacle of Weihnachtsmarkts (Christmas Markets) in every neighborhood in the city.

Personally, I go to these markets for the food and the holiday vibes!

Largest Christmas Market in Berlin

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Of all the German Christmas Markets in Berlin, these are the biggest:

#1. Alexanderplatz Christmas Market

Address: Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin

This market is located in Berlins’ famous Alexanderplatz and it’s my least favorite one. It is so popular because of its location.

Easily reach this market by public transportation and get your fill of gingerbread, glühwein, and bratwurst here.

The Alexanderplatz Christmas Market is not that aesthetically pleasing; it’s the Las Vegas of Christmas Markets, in my opinion.

Even though I don’t find this market to be the most magical Christmas market in Berlin, its popularity has to be mentioned.

If you have visited Berlin during the Christmas season, chances are you have walked through this market.

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#2. Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Roten Rathaus

Address: Spandauer Straße 10178  Berlin

Living just a hop, skip, and jump away from Alexanderplatz, I practically lived at the Christmas market by the Rotes Rathaus during the holiday season!

Talk about a winter wonderland – this place had the biggest and brightest Christmas trees I’ve ever seen.

Right smack in the middle of all the holiday hustle and bustle, there was this super cool ice skating rink, surrounded by twinkling fairy lights.

And oh, let’s not forget the gigantic Ferris Wheel! Riding up high, you could catch killer views of the city all decked out in its festive best and watch the sea of happy faces soaking up the Christmas joy.

This is also the place where you will find Santa and other live-performing artists.

Still located within Alexanderplatz, just on the other side of the TV tower.

Oh, and come hungry! I urge you to find the stand selling amazing homemade garlic potato chips! Just sniff around, you can smell it from a mile away, yum!

Berlin has really great places to eat! Here are some of the best restaurants in Berlin.

The Neptune Fountain can be found here along with the large ice-skating rink and huge Ferris wheel.

#3. Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market

Address: Spandauer Damm 22 14059 Berlin

Berlin is by far one of the best places in Europe to visit at Christmas, as it hosts the most prominent German Christmas markets. It is also the most crowded! My advice would be to get here EARLY, think 4 pm!

I like to drink my gluhwein without the hoards of crowds and kids, but that’s just me.

You won’t find any amusement park rides here, but you will find the most beautiful backdrop of all the markets: the Charlottenburg Palace.

Prettiest Christmas Market Berlin

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#4. Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt (Bebelplatz)

Address: Gendarmenmarkt 2 10117 Berlin *Due to construction, this Christmas market will be held on nearby Bebelplatz from 2022 to 2024. 10 minutes walk from Gendarmenmarkt located at the State Opera House.

NO DOGS are allowed at the Gendarmenmarkt! Something I didn’t see advertised on the office site and was not allowed in this year (2024).

Looking for Christmas magic? It is found here at Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s most beautiful Christmas market.

This market is located in the city center, in Gendarmenmarkt Square, and is easily reached by public transportation. The Berlin Concert Hall really comes to life during the Christmas season.

The Christmas shopping booths are idyllic white tents with starlight toppers.

It is a truly romantic Christmas market with fairytale-like characters walking around spreading sparkle dust.

There is a small admission fee to this market of 2 euros, which is well worth the cost.

The secret of this delightful market is the käse spaetzle and homemade soups that can be purchased at a booth located in the center of the market.

You can also purchase a lovely glass of wine if you have had enough glühwein.

The Gendarmenmarkt is definitely one of the most famous Christmas Markets in Berlin.

If you can only visit a few, I would put this one high on the list!

Most Magical German Christmas Market

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#5. Lucia Christmas Market

Address: Schönhauser Allee 36 10435 Berlin

The Lucia market is my absolute favorite in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood of Berlin!

It is also referred to as the Scandinavian Christmas market. Every Christmas season, I make it a point to visit this market a couple of times.

Located on the grounds of the Kultur Brauerei, an old brewery in Berlin now turned into shopping and entertainment.

The dark wooden market booths and the red brick bldg exterior give this market a wonderful ambiance. It’s the unique vibes and food that keeps me coming back to this market above the others.

My favorite food in this market is the flammkuchen! You can find it at the lively booth located directly under the Lucia sign!

Other Scandinavian food fares can be found here, as well as hot mead!

A little tip…the mead goes down very easily, so pace yourself; it’s VERY STRONG!

Get the Transit App for Berlin & pay 3.20 euros for a single ticket or get the Berlin Welcome Card and get unlimited rides & discounts for 30 euros!

Most Historical Market Berlin

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#6. Historical Christmas Market Friedrichshain

Address: Revaler Straße 99 10245 Berlin

This Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt is on the RAW Cultural Center Grounds in Friedrichshain. It is an extra magical market experience in a medieval setting, complete with jugglers and acrobats.

Stroll around the many crafts stalls, such as wood carvings and blacksmithing. This market has an old hand-operated wooden carousel and a wooden Ferris wheel for children.

The food at this market is also medieval-themed, offering sweet and hearty food, “Glühbier”, (mulled beer), and mulled wine.

Most Unique Christmas Market Berlin

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#7. Heissa Wood Market Christmas Market

Address: Holzmarktstraße 25 10243 Berlin

This market is unlike most of the other markets that are open daily. If you visited Berlin, there is a chance you may have been to the Holz market to take photos. It is a unique place.

When it comes to my favorite German Christmas Markets, it’s a toss-up between the Holz Market and the Lucia Market in Prenzlauer Berg.

Save some of your Christmas shopping so you can buy up some unique handmade gifts here. Enjoy delicious food, a funky atmosphere, and maybe a dance under the disco ball.

There are on-site indoor and outdoor activities, great music, and a cool vibe only found in Berlin. It is a bucket-list-worthy experience for sure!

Most Authentic Christmas Market

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#8. Spandau Christmas Market

Address: Marktstraße 10 13597 Berlin

This is one of the largest and most enchanting Christmas markets in Berlin, Germany.

Located in the historic old town of Spandau, the market is filled with traditional wooden stalls, twinkling Christmas lights, and festive Christmas decorations.

You can explore a wide variety of handcrafted gifts, savor delicious German treats, and enjoy live bands performing, including carol singers and dance groups.

With its unique blend of history, culture, and seasonal charm, the Spandau Christmas Market offers an unforgettable holiday experience for locals and tourists alike!

Best Medieval Xmas Market

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#9. Britz Citadel Christmas Market

Britz Christmas Market is one of the more unique and interesting of the Xmas markets. You can’t always visit since it is only available on weekends.

The only reason is it is not higher on the list due to the fact isn’t open daily.

It might not be the most convenient market to visit depending on how where you are staying in Berlin.

The Britz Citadel Medieval Christmas Market is hosted within the stunning historical fortress of the Spandau Citadel in Berlin, Germany.

Unlike the bustling Christmas market in Berlin’s city center, this market provides a more intimate and magical setting.

It is pretty cool to wander through a selection of artisanal stalls selling handcrafted gifts and seasonal delicacies, all while enjoying the unique backdrop of one of Europe’s best-preserved Renaissance military structures.

The combination of the citadel’s architectural beauty with the warmth and festivity of the Christmas market makes it a must-visit destination during the holiday season.

Newest Christmas Market in Berlin

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#10. Humboldt Forum

Address: Schlossplatz 10178 Berlin

The newest Berlin Christmas market that you should definitely add to your list is the one located at the Humboldt Forum.

What I found most interesting about this particular market was its beautiful backdrop; honestly, there isn’t much else that makes it stand out.

It’s a great spot to enjoy some warm glühwein. It’s also a good choice if you’re traveling with kids, and unlike the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market, they allow dogs.

#11. Potsdamer Platz Christmas Market

Address: Potsdamer Platz 10785 Berlin

The Potsdamer Christmas Market might not be the quaint, storybook market some dream of, but the market holds on to its festive spirit even after December 25th.

The Winter World and Christmas Market at Potsdamer Platz is a great spot to grab mulled wine. Sip while walking along the magic of twinkling lights towards the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Check out the Winter World with its 12-meter-high toboggan run! On weekends there are DJs who are setting the vibe with the holiday music.

Berlin Christmas Markets Open AFTER Christmas Day in 2025

1. WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt (Bebelplatz)
   • Open until December 31, 2025.
2. Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace
   • Open until December 29, 2025.
3. Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Rotes Rathaus
   • Open until December 30, 2025.
4. Winter World at Potsdamer Platz
   • Open until To be announced
5. Christmas Market at Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
   • Open until To be announced

How SAFE are the Berlin Christmas Markets?

Indeed, the world we live in today often brings added concerns, even in places meant for joy and celebration, like Christmas markets. Germany, especially in Berlin, has clearly taken proactive measures to ensure safety by placing barricades around markets and conducting security checks, like inspecting backpacks. These visible steps can provide some reassurance to visitors.

Feeling safe is important, and while no place can ever guarantee absolute security, the efforts made by authorities show a commitment to protecting the spirit of these cherished traditions.

It’s a delicate balance between vigilance and enjoying the festive season, and it’s heartening to see these precautions allowing people to continue celebrating.

Conclusion: Visiting Xmas Markets in Berlin, Germany

As our festive foray through the best Christmas markets in Berlin comes to a close, I hope I’ve helped you narrow down your list of markets to put on your wish list.

I urge you to download the Google Map I provided with all the markets pre-saved for you.

And remember, if you’ve got a question or need a bit of advice for your trip, just ask—I’m here to help!

So grab your map and let the joyful planning begin.

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