Christmas isn't just Christmas, as Berlin proves once again this year. Whether classic, alternative, Nordic, creative, sustainable or queer: the capital has more than 90 Christmas and winter markets to offer in 2025. An overview of all markets is available at visitBerlin.de/en.
Even before the official start on 24 November, several winter markets and fairs have already kicked off the Christmas season: The Winterwelt at Potsdamer Platz with toboggan run, the LGBTQIA* Winterdays and Christmas Avenue at Nollendorfplatz, the Glühwald at Uber Platz in Friedrichshain, the Lichtenberger Winterzeit, the Berliner Wintertraum in Treptow-Köpenick, and the Spandauer Winterland have started the December countdown.
New Christmas markets
Not a premiere, but a special revival: with the WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt, the capital's most famous Christmas market is back at its historic location. Over a thousand sparkling Christmas baubles and lights create a festive atmosphere. Berliners and visitors alike can also look forward to several new features. The Christmas market at the famous department store KaDeWe is opening for the first time on Wittenbergplatz with stylishly decorated huts and exclusive handicrafts. Another new addition is the winter market at the Alte Frachtkantine: on 29 and 30 November, visitors can get into the festive spirit on the grounds of the former Tegel Airport. The Christmas market at the winter quarters is also a new Christmas hotspot. The joint project of the Wendenschloss lido and the Napoleon complex focuses on winter fun with its own ice rink and cultural programme.
There is another premiere at Forest – Winterlights at Dark Matter. The immersive light installation consisting of 600 fir trees in the a former transformer hall is complemented by an ice rink, allowing guests to glide through a forest of light and sound. Ice skating fans of all ages will also get their money's worth at the new ice rink in the Centre at Potsdamer Platz. The 600 sqm covered ice rink in the middle of the city offers winter skating fun until the end of January. The diverse range of restaurants and cafés inviting visitors to warm up and linger.
Special Christmas markets
From urban to nature-inspired, Berlin’s Christmas markets span the full spectrum. The Heissa Holzmarkt Winter Festival brings together alternative culture, art, street food and club vibes for an eclectic winter experience. At Holy Shit Shopping on 29 and 30 November, more than 250 designers and indie brands showcase Berlin’s lifestyle spirit. The pop-up department store has been part of the city’s pre-Christmas season for 20 years. Equally unconventional and design-driven, the Weihnachtsrodeo Design Christmas Market on 13 and 14 December at the Colosseum features a wide range of designers, artisans and small manufacturers offering creative, high-quality products.
The Winterfest at Silent Green transforms the cultural complex in Wedding into a vibrant hub for art, food and live music on 6 and 7 December. A touch of Nordic folklore awaits at the Lucia Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei, a cosy setting where mulled wine comes in all varieties – from Swedish glögg and Finnish glögi to Icelandic jólaglögg. A distinctly British atmosphere takes over the Christmas Market at St. George’s Church on 6 December, complete with carol singers performing traditional English Christmas songs and seasonal treats such as mince pies and Christmas pudding.
On the outskirts of the city, several Christmas markets add to Berlin’s festive landscape. The Domäne Dahlem hosts its traditional Advent market on all four Advent weekends, featuring regional specialities, local crafts and a family-friendly programme. A more nature-oriented experience awaits at the Forest Christmas Market at the Grunewald Forestry Office on 14 December, where the Berlin Forest Service presents its work – complete with impressive draft horses and modern forestry machinery.
Sparkling Christmas worlds
Berlin lights up in multiple places with festive winter illuminations. The traditional Christmas lights along Kurfürstendamm and Tauentzienstraße once again turn the shopping and nightlife district in City West into a shimmering sea of lights. At the Christmas Garden in the Botanic Garden, the landscape is transformed into a sparkling winter trail of installations, projections and soundscapes. Christmas at the Tierpark features a circular route of more than two kilometres with over 30 artistic light installations and illuminated animal figures, creating a magical experience for visitors of all ages.
At the Winter Market at the Humboldt Forum, a laser show transforms the Schlüterhof into a magical world of light every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 pm, with the exterior façade of the Spree Terraces illuminated at 8 pm.
Further tips on Berlin’s Christmas markets can be found here. Relevant images are available here.
New Year’s Eve in Berlin
After Christmas, Berlin shifts into New Year’s mode: under the motto “Yeah 2026”, the city invites residents and visitors to a free New Year’s Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin-based DJs will transform Straße des 17. Juni into a massive open-air dance floor with pop, Afrobeats and electro, before a multi-minute fireworks display spectacularly illuminates the Brandenburg Gate at midnight. The party starts at 10 pm, with entry from 9:30 pm by ticket only. Further information about the event and the release of the 20,000 free tickets is available on the Kulturprojekte Berlin website.
Beyond the celebration at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin offers countless ways to welcome the new year. More inspiration for New Year’s Eve in Berlin can be found on the visitBerlin website.
