Berlin in late November through early January is a perfect mix of cozy tradition and big-city energy: classic wooden chalets and mulled wine (Glühwein) one block, cutting-edge nightlife and design shopping the next. This guide covers the best Christmas markets in Berlin 2025, standout winter experiences that run into January 2026, and practical tips so you can plan your trip end-to-end.
What the season feels like (and what to pack)
Expect short days, crisp air, and a city that leans hard into atmosphere—warm lights on boulevards, pop-up winter venues by the Spree, and markets that become social “living rooms.”
Typical winter essentials
A warm, windproof outer layer (Berlin wind is real)
Waterproof shoes (slush + cobblestones)
Thin gloves you can still use with your phone (and to hold hot cups)
A reusable tote for gifts and snacks
A little cash (not every stall takes cards)
Quick calendar: the most useful dates to know
Earliest winter venues start by late October (Potsdamer Platz winter sports).
Most big markets open from 19–24 November 2025.
Several top experiences run past Christmas and stay open into early January 2026.
New Year’s Eve is huge in Berlin—book dinner, concerts, and hotels early if you want specific options.
The best Christmas markets and winter events in Berlin (2025–26)
Below are the headline events worth building your itinerary around. Times and formats can change last-minute, so treat this as your planning baseline and double-check close to your visit.
WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt (Mitte)
A polished, postcard-perfect market set on one of Berlin’s most beautiful squares—ideal for artisan gifts, gourmet bites, and an elegant evening stroll.
Dates: 24 November – 31 December 2025
Hours: Sun–Thu 12:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–23:00; 24 Dec 12:00–18:00; 31 Dec 12:00–00:00
Address: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin
Admission: €2 (kids up to 12 free; weekday midday free window on some days)
Don’t miss: Handcrafted ornaments, heated food tents, and the square’s dramatic architecture (Konzerthaus + twin domes) glowing at night.
Berliner Weihnachtszeit at Rotes Rathaus (City Hall) + Ice Rink
If you want the “classic Berlin Christmas” vibe with lots happening—this is it. Great for families, groups, and anyone who wants a festive hub with a big ice rink.
Dates: 24 November – 30 December 2025
Hours: Mon–Fri 12:00–22:00; Sat–Sun 11:00–22:00; closed 24 Dec; 25–26 Dec 12:00–21:00; 30 Dec closes earlier
Address: Near Rotes Rathaus (Berlin City Hall), 10178 Berlin (by Alexanderplatz)
Admission: Free (ice skating costs extra)
Ice rink sessions (example schedule): Typically timed slots in the afternoon and evening—plan ahead if you’re going on a weekend.
Don’t miss: A spin under the lights around the Neptune Fountain and warming up with something sweet (candied nuts are basically mandatory).
Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace (West Berlin)
Romantic and regal—this market pairs perfectly with a winter walk in palace surroundings and a classic Berlin “City West” day.
Dates: 24 November – 28 December 2025
Hours: Mon–Thu 13:00–22:00; Fri–Sun 12:00–22:00; closed 24 Dec
Address: Spandauer Damm 20–24, 14059 Berlin
Admission: Free
Don’t miss: The palace backdrop after dark, plus gift stalls that feel a bit more curated than the average market.
Christmas Market on Breitscheidplatz (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church)
One of Berlin’s most famous markets—central, lively, and surrounded by shopping (Ku’damm, KaDeWe area). It’s also one of the best for post-Christmas visits, staying open into January.
Dates: 24 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Hours: Sun–Thu 11:00–21:00; Fri–Sat 11:00–22:00; 24 Dec 11:00–14:00; 25–26 Dec 13:00–21:00; 31 Dec 11:00–20:00; 1 Jan 13:00–21:00
Address: Kurfürstendamm 237 / Breitscheidplatz area, 10789 Berlin
Admission: Free
Special mini-event: Charity mulled wine sale (one-day fundraiser): 5 December 2025, 13:00–19:00
Don’t miss: The dramatic memorial church ruin behind the lights—especially atmospheric at dusk.
Winter World on Potsdamer Platz (winter sports + market)
A high-energy winter playground: think city-centre seasonal fun with food stands and “winter fair” vibes—easy to combine with nearby sights.
Dates: Winter World 31 October – 31 December 2025; Christmas Market portion 24 November – 26 December 2025
Hours: Daily 11:00–22:00 (with earlier closing on 24 Dec)
Address: Potsdamer Platz, 10785 Berlin
Admission: Free
Bonus nearby: If you want a longer-running skate option:
Ice rink at Potsdamer Platz: 28 November 2025 – 31 January 2026
Hours: Mon–Fri & Sun 12:00–20:00; Sat 12:00–22:00
Tip: Tickets are typically digital—plan for that.
Winter Market Schlossplatz at the Humboldt Forum (Berlin Palace / Schlüter Courtyard)
One of the best “between-the-years” picks because it stays open through the first days of January. The setting—courtyard walls, palace stone, and warm light—feels cinematic.
Dates: 19 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Hours: Daily 11:00–22:00 (closed 23 Nov and 24 Dec)
Address: Schlossplatz, 10178 Berlin
Admission: Free
Don’t miss: Pair it with a walk to Museum Island and a look at the nearby Berlin Cathedral area—beautiful in winter light.
Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei (Prenzlauer Berg)
Cozy, slightly alternative, and very local-feeling—set in a courtyard complex with a Nordic-inspired theme and a cultural program vibe.
Dates: 24 November – 22 December 2025
Hours: Mon–Fri 15:00–22:00; Sat–Sun 13:00–22:00
Address: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin
Admission: Free
Don’t miss: The intimate courtyards—perfect when you want atmosphere without “mega-market” crowds.
Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market (Neukölln)
A short, special weekend market with a historic village feel—more handmade goods, more neighborhood charm, less commercial shine.
Dates: 5–7 December 2025
Hours: Fri 17:00–21:00; Sat 14:00–21:00; Sun 14:00–20:00
Address: Richardplatz 28, 12055 Berlin
Admission: Free
Don’t miss: Old Rixdorf’s lanes and courtyards—arrive early for the calmest experience.
Medieval Christmas Market at the RAW Compound (Friedrichshain)
If you want something wildly different: torches, medieval crafts, and a gritty-creative Berlin venue. It’s fun, loud, and surprisingly immersive.
Dates: 13 November – 22 December 2025 (closed 23 Nov)
Hours: Mon–Thu 15:00–22:00; Fri 15:00–23:00; Sat 12:00–23:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Address: RAW-Gelände, Revaler Straße 99, 10245 Berlin
Admission: Varies by day (some free/discount windows)
Don’t miss: Hot mead, fire-lit corners, and the “only-in-Berlin” contrast of medieval vibes in a famously alternative complex.
Heissa Holzmarkt (Spree-side winter festival)
A creative, warm-and-weird Berlin winter zone: bonfire energy, good food, and a laid-back crowd by the river.
Dates: 14 November – 21 December 2025
Hours: Wed–Fri 16:00–22:00; Sat 14:00–22:00; Sun 12:00–20:00 (closed Mon–Tue)
Address: Holzmarktstraße 25, 10243 Berlin
Admission: Free on some days; otherwise a small cultural contribution on busier days
Don’t miss: A slow evening here when you want less shopping and more “hangout.”
Glühwald at Uber Platz (Friedrichshain)
A cozy “mulled wine forest” concept near major venues—great as a pre-show warmup or an easy winter stop.
Dates: 7 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Hours: Wed–Sun from 16:00 (commonly until around 22:00; extended hours on event nights)
Address: Uber Platz, 10243 Berlin
Admission: Free
Note: Some holiday closures may apply (check before you go).
LGBTQIA Winterdays & Christmas Avenue (Schöneberg)
Berlin’s glittery, social, nightlife-adjacent holiday scene under the U-Bahn tracks—fun, friendly, and very Berlin.
Dates: Winterdays 4–22 November 2025; Christmas Avenue 24 November – 23 December 2025
Hours: Mon–Thu 16:00–22:00; Fri–Sun 15:00–22:00
Address: Nollendorfplatz, 10787 Berlin
Admission: Free (entry age policy applies)
Don’t miss: Hot cocktails, music, and the “covered” setup that’s genuinely helpful on cold, wet nights.
Must-book culture: concerts and stage highlights
If you want a more “Berlin winter culture trip,” add at least one performance. These sell out faster than people expect, especially for holiday dates.
Children’s ballet: The Nutcracker (Deutsche Oper Berlin)
A family-friendly, shorter “in the spirit of Christmas” show—ideal if you want Nutcracker vibes without a super-late night.
Dates & times: 6 Dec 2025 11:00; 13 Dec 2025 11:00; 22 Dec 2025 11:00; 27 Dec 2025 11:00 (approx. 60 minutes)
Address: Deutsche Oper Berlin, Bismarckstraße 35, 10627 Berlin
Tip: Great for kids, but also a cozy daytime plan for adults who want a classic seasonal ritual.
New Year’s Eve concert: Konzerthausorchester Berlin (Konzerthaus Berlin)
A stylish alternative to street parties—dress up, make it a ritual, then head out for a late drink afterward.
Date & time: 31 December 2025, 19:30–21:30
Address: Konzerthaus Berlin (Großer Saal), Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin
New Year’s Concert (Neujahrskonzert) at Konzerthaus Berlin
Start the year elegantly—one of the best “January 1st” plans in the city.
Date & time: 1 January 2026, doors 15:00; concert 16:00–approx. 18:00
Address: Konzerthaus Berlin (Großer Saal), Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin
New Year’s Eve in Berlin (how to do it without stress)
New Year’s Eve at Brandenburg Gate (official open-air celebration)
Berlin’s iconic countdown location—massive, central, and free, with controlled entry.
Date & time: 31 December 2025, approx. 22:00–01:00 (admission window typically starts earlier)
Address: Pariser Platz / Platz des 18. März and Straße des 17. Juni, 10557 Berlin
Admission: Free
Smart plan: Arrive early, pack light, keep your phone charged, and know your U-/S-Bahn options for getting home.
A simple 3-day Berlin Christmas itinerary (that actually works)
Day 1: Classic Mitte glow
Afternoon: Humboldt Forum Winter Market (Schlossplatz)
Evening: Gendarmenmarkt WeihnachtsZauber + dinner nearby
Optional: If it’s 31 Dec, swap dinner for the Konzerthaus New Year’s Eve concert
Day 2: West Berlin tradition + shopping
Late afternoon: Charlottenburg Palace market
Evening: Breitscheidplatz (and the Ku’damm lights)
Shopping add-on: KaDeWe / Ku’damm boutiques
Day 3: Alternative Berlin winter night
Afternoon: Kulturbrauerei (Lucia Market) or Alt-Rixdorf (if it’s that weekend)
Evening: RAW medieval market
Nightcap: Glühwald at Uber Platz (easy warm finish)
Local tips that save money and time
Go early on weekdays for the most relaxed market experience.
Eat strategically: Do one “snack dinner” at a market (sausage + potato + sweets), then one proper sit-down dinner elsewhere—Berlin has too many great options to do markets only.
Plan your “late markets”: Breitscheidplatz and Humboldt Forum are excellent after Christmas when other markets close.
Bring a small thermos if you’re market-hopping; it’s a game-changer in cold weather.
Security is normal: Expect bag checks and barriers at bigger markets—don’t let it surprise you.