Last updated September 2022
So we are now well into a new year, and into a new decade at that. It’s a very good time to look back on all we’ve achieved and to look forward to all we hope to do. And of course, included in such retrospection are our travel lists, ideas on where we would like to explore next. Probably going to a Christmas market has been on your list for a while, as it once was on mine. I’ve only been to Christmas markets in Berlin but they were wonderful, I would definitely recommend visiting them. Let me tell you what they are all about in order to help you visit them another year.
First, it is important to know that there are MANY Christmas markets in Berlin! If you’re organised then it is very possible to visit a number of them in one day, even just by walking around.
Second, you should know some of them start around November 25th and continue until January 6th, this means that is easy to visit them before and after the big Christmas rush.
Also, it would be helpful to know that the word for Christmas market in German is Weihnachtsmarkt (plural = Weihnachtsmärkte).
So what exactly are they?
I, like most people, had always heard that the Christmas markets in Europe, especially in Germany, were absolutely worth visiting. I knew that I was supposed to go but I didn’t know why, not exactly. I had heard about Glühwein (mulled wine) and handmade crafts but that was all I knew. So I really enjoyed going in person and experiencing what they are, how many there are, and how each Christmas market is unique – this above all I was really not expecting.
In general, each market takes over a specific area, usually a square or along a street. Each market also has some sort of amusement, at least one, usually more. The markets I went to had some sort of carousel as well as a Ferris Wheel, ice-skating rink etc. There are always amusements such as these at German festivals. Even festivals in smaller towns will always have some sort of carousel or ride. This is not typical in Ireland but it seems to be very typical in Germany.
Right, so in addition to the amusements, each market has huts/stalls where you can buy food, drink or crafts. However, each market’s huts are of different designs. In Potsdam, they were all wooden whereas in Alexanderplatz and Friedrichstraße, the huts had red and white circus tops. Gendarmenmarkt had white tents, no wood at all.
I really liked how each market was unique, each had its own style, its own prices, its own glasses etc.
There is music at each market too, making an even more immersive Christmas atmosphere. There’s a mixture of Christmas songs in both German and English and some instrumental ones too. In the Christmas market at the Red Townhall (Rotes Rathaus), near Alexanderplatz, there was a lot of instrumental music and they played the Bolero which was quite funny as it was while people were ice-skating. I think it created too much expectation!
Each market is beautifully decorated, with lots of lights. Some of them also have a beautiful wooden structure. I don’t know how to describe it properly but you can see for yourself in the below photo. To me, it’s an impressive wooden structure with scenes from the nativity on its different levels and a fan on the top. It looks a little like a windmill and the top does rotate. This is the best way I can describe it. These structures really stood out for me. I was impressed with them but I couldn’t see a sign with the name / information anywhere. I guess that German people know what they are and don’t need any information about them. We don’t have structures like this in Ireland though! Not all the markets have one but all the bigger ones do.
Ok, so back to the huts / stalls. Here you can buy presents, food and drink. A very typical stall that stood out for me was the one selling paper stars with LED lights inside. I think they’re gorgeous and I bought one for myself, of course! You will see star lights all over the city too. Some churches even have stars too! There are also many stalls selling Christmas tree decorations, candle holders and a lot more. It’s fun to just explore the stalls at your leisure and see what stands out for you.
Regarding drink, there are lots of bars with Glühwein (mulled wine), Kinderpunsch (a non-alcoholic version of mulled wine), eggnog, hot chocolate and more. Again, depending on the market – and stall – they might also have flavoured mulled wine, such as with orange or cherry. Personally, I like the traditional Glühwein. Regardless of what beverage you choose, all drinks come in a special glass.
Each market has its own special glass, some are made of glass, some are ceramic, some are small and some are tall but all have a capacity of 200 ml. Each market has their name and a symbol of the area on the glass. E.g. In 2019, Alexanderplatz’s market had a picture of the TV Tower and Ferris Wheel on it, and the year. That makes it a very special and inexpensive souvenir!
NOTE: When buying a drink you will be charged an additional fee for the glass itself. You can keep the glass and forfeit the money or return the glass and save €3 or so. I didn’t know that you could keep the glass but I really liked this idea! The price of mulled wine depends on the market, from what I saw, either €3.50 or €4. Then they add an extra €2 or €3 for the glass – again, this depends on the market as each market has its own prices. If you want to keep the glass then that is the price and your money is gone. If not, then you must bring your glass back to any of the places selling mulled wine. They will then return the money back to you. It’s a very good idea and I ended up keeping 2 of the glasses, they were too nice not to!
Regarding food, there’s a lot of fast food. So it’s not healthy but it’s all part of the experience! There are stalls selling deep-fried sweet food such as churros, or if you want to try something German, quarkbaellchen and sternbaellchen. You can find German food and food from many other countries too. There is a lot of meat too, such as currywurst, and bratwurst in bread. Meat and bread is very typical. You will definitely smell the grills in the air. And of course, you’ll find lots of chips (pommes).
So each market will offer you food, drink, stalls to peruse, Christmas music and some sort of amusement – all in a beautiful setting. Even if you just get one drink and walk around admiring the stalls, lights and decorations, you will have great fun!
Important to also note, there are toilets at each market with a €0.50 fee.
A closer look at some of the markets:
Spandau
Spandau is a neighbourhood in Berlin. It has a lot of very pretty streets and feels old. It is quite historical and has some interesting things go do, such as a visit to its citadel which has its own bats! I’ll hopefully write more on the area in the future but for today, you just need to know that its market is along the main street and square. It’s free to enter.
Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt (at the Red Townhall)
This one is very central and is very big, with lots of stalls. It takes over the whole square and it has its own big Ferris Wheel, which offers great views of the city. It also has an ice-rink. It’s free to enter.
Potsdamer Platz
This one is along the street and square. It’s not as big as some other ones. It’s also free to enter. Make sure you walk into Potsdamer Platz’s Sony Centre while you’re here to see their amazing lights, see above.
Gendarmenmarkt
This one takes over the whole square so it’s nice and contained. It’s made up of lots of white tents as you can see from the photo. It has a €1 entry fee.
Alexanderplatz
This one is really big. It stretches over 2 squares so there are lots of stalls to look around. It also has an ice-rink. It’s free to enter too.
Friedrichstrase
This one is beside Friedrichstrase train station so it’s very easy to get to. It’s small but it was my favourite one as it has everything you would find in the other markets but with much less people. It also has lots of heated areas where you can sit and drink your Glühwein.
Berlin Zoologischer Garten
This one is also free. It’s very big so it offers lots of stalls and lots of lights. It also has many places to sit: in big barrels, on swings and in little wooden huts. The streets around here are very pretty too, they have lots of lights and big Christmas trees.
Ok, so there’s a brief look at the markets in general and at some specific ones. Now here’s some practical information for you.
When do the markets start?
Most start in December and continue until the end of the month. Some start around November 25th. The markets at Potsdamer Platz, the Zoo and at the Red Townhall continue until early January. Some other markets are only open for a weekend.
They usually open from 11:00/12:00 until 22:00. However, Potsdam’s market closed earlier, around 20:00.
TIP: As some of the markets continue into early January, around January 6th, it’s a lovely way to extend your Christmas and capture some of the Christmas spirit in the new year.
You find more information on Berlin’s Christmas markets on their tourism website:
https://www.berlin.de/en/christmas-markets/
Even forgetting about the markets, Berlin has lovely Christmas lights and decorations. It looks very magical and is definitely worth a visit during the Christmas season.
Let me know how Berlin and its markets compares to Christmas in other cities! I would like to visit some Christmas markets this year so I’d welcome any suggestions!
