During Advent, Berlin is transformed into a mosaic of sparkling lights, scents, and very different Christmas scenes. The selection is huge, so we have compiled a list of the most charming markets (in the opinion of the editorial team). For every location that takes place outdoors during the day, there is also a suitable bad weather alternative nearby. This ensures that every visit is a pleasant winter experience.
1. Winter World at Potsdamer Platz
Oh, how beautiful is the Winter World („Winterwelt“) at Potsdamer Platz. Until the end of the year, there is an alpine meeting place here full of lights, music, and the scent of mulled wine. In addition to the large Christmas market, Austrian delicacies huts, rustic alpine huts, and the twelve-meter-high mobile toboggan run attract many visitors as a highlight. On weekends, live music and DJs create a festive atmosphere. The culinary offerings range from Austrian specialties to sweet classics. Admission is free every day.
Bad Weather Alternatives Around Potsdamer Platz
Shopping
- The Playce: Over 90 shops and restaurants, plus the KERB Food Hall with twelve street food stalls.
- Mall of Berlin on Leipziger Platz: A large selection of international brands and food spots under one roof.
Culture and Experiences
- Spy Museum Berlin: Multimedia exhibition on the history of espionage, supplemented by a laser course from July 2025.
- Upside Down Museum: Interactive rooms for creative photos and little adventures, right next to Potsdamer Platz.
Culinary Recommendation
- The Ritz-Carlton Berlin: An elegant retreat for a stylish break with first-class cuisine. Perfect when you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of winter.
2. LGBTQIA at Nollendorfplatz
The LGBTQIA Winterdays at Nollendorfplatz transform the district of Schöneberg into a colorful queer winter festival with lots of heart, music, and community spirit. Under the roof of the elevated railway, a weather-protected meeting place full of glitter, energy, and warm drinks is created. Christmas Avenue is open until December 23. It is considered the city’s most colorful queer Christmas market and focuses on fashion, art, shows, and an open meeting place for queer people and allies. Initiatives and associations present themselves in their own huts, creating an atmosphere of exchange, fun, and visibility.
Bad Weather Alternatives Around Nollendorfplatz
Museums and Culture
- Gay Museum: Internationally renowned for exhibitions on LGBTQIA history, culture, and art. Within walking distance of Nollendorfplatz.
- Haus am Lützowplatz: Presents contemporary art in changing exhibitions, just a few minutes away.
- Galerie Tanja Wagner and other small galleries near Wittenbergplatz: Ideal for art walks in the warmth.
Shopping
- KaDeWe: One of Europe’s largest luxury department stores, just two subway stops away, perfect for relaxed indoor shopping and culinary breaks.
- Bikini Berlin: Concept mall with boutiques, pop-up stores, and restaurants near the Berlin Zoo („Zoologischer Garten“).
3. Glühwald at Uber Platz in Friedrichshain
The Glühwald („glowing forest“) at Uber Platz transforms the district of Friedrichshain into a small winter oasis until January 4. Between fir trees, sparkling lights, and heated huts, a quiet meeting place is created right next to the Uber Arena. The stands open from 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and often stay open longer when there are events in the arena. The centerpiece is the Waldtränke, serving high-quality mulled wine, fruity punch, and cocoa, with a shot of something stronger if you like. The culinary offerings range from Thuringian grilled sausage and kale to potato pancakes, crêpes, and roasted almonds. Fire pits provide warmth and a cozy atmosphere.
Bad Weather Alternatives Around Uber Platz
Entertainment and Shopping
- East Side Mall: Modern mall with many shops, restaurants, and indoor play areas, just a few minutes away.
- UCI Luxe Cinema: Large auditoriums, comfortable seats, and the latest movie program for cozy hours in the warm.
- Bowling World: Fun for groups, families, and anyone who wants to stay active.
Museums and Exhibitions
- The Wall Museum at the East Side Gallery: Multimedia exhibition on the history of the Berlin Wall right on the Spree.
- Illuseum Berlin: Interactive illusions and optical surprises, ideal for creative minds.
- Computer Game Museum: Classics, retro games, VR stations, and exhibits for technology lovers, easily accessible by subway.
4. Lichtenberg Winter Time
Lichtenberg Winter Time („Lichtenberger Winterzeit“) transforms the area at Landsberger Allee 300 into a festive meeting place until December 28. A large Ferris wheel, many rides, and a family day with reduced prices provide variety on cold days. The culinary offerings range from crêpes, churros, almonds, and cotton candy to langos, tarte flambée, pan-fried dishes, and barbecue classics. Mulled wine and punch round off the winter atmosphere. Admission is free.
Bad Weather Alternatives in Lichtenberg
- The Stasi Museum in House 1 is also located in Lichtenberg. The exhibition guides visitors through the original rooms of the former East German secret police and focuses on contemporary history, political structures, and authentic insights into the everyday life of the authority.
5. Berlin Winter Dream in Treptow Köpenick
The Berlin Winter Dream („Berliner Wintertraum“) transforms the area on Schnellerstraße into a lively Christmas fair until December 28. Over 60 attractions provide entertainment, including an 85-meter-high free fall tower and a Ferris wheel with a sweeping view of the grounds. Mulled wine villages, a pop-up restaurant, music, shows, fireworks, and an elf parade create a festive atmosphere for families and friends.
6. Spandauer Winterland
Until December 23, the former post office grounds on Klosterstraße will be transformed into a colorful winter fair for the whole family. Attractions such as the Punk Flasher, the giant Excalibur swing, and the 38-meter-high Nordern Eye Ferris wheel, as well as many children’s carousels, provide plenty of action. Wednesdays are family days. There will also be langos, churros, barbecue classics, sweets, and a mulled wine village with Bosnian barbecue from the Sarajevo Inn. Admission is free.
Bad Weather Alternatives Around the Spandauer Winterland
Shopping and Leisure
- Spandau Arcaden: Large mall directly opposite, with many shops, restaurants, and indoor leisure activities.
Culture
- Spandau Citadel: Historic fortress with interior rooms, exhibitions, and exciting insights into the history of the district.
8. Christmas Magic at Gendarmenmarkt
Over a thousand lights transform Gendarmenmarkt into a festive scene until December 31, making Christmas Magic („WeihnachtsZauber“) one of the most elegant Advent locations in the city. In the heated arts and crafts tent, glassblowers, goldsmiths, and candle makers demonstrate their skills, while gourmet cuisine provides stylish moments in other tents. The international stage program brings music, dance, acrobatics, and fire art to the stage in front of the State Opera every day. The event concludes with a large New Year’s Eve celebration in front of baroque facades.
8. Christmas Market at KaDeWe on Wittenbergplatz
The Christmas market at KaDeWe on Wittenbergplatz invites visitors to enjoy an elegant Advent setting until January 1. White pagoda tents, decorated huts, and selected handicrafts create a stylish atmosphere. Graffiti artists add creative splashes of color that perfectly match City West. Subtle music, gourmet stands, and an open fire where you can roast marshmallows create a wonderful festive atmosphere. Admission is free.
Bad Weather Alternatives Around KaDeWe
Gastronomy and Indulgence
- KaDeWe gourmet floor: The famous gourmet floor invites you to take a relaxing break in the warmth with delicacies from all over the world, gourmet restaurants, wine bars, and an elegant bistro. The selection is enormous and well worth a visit because the variety of food and gifts is impressively large. Anyone who browses here will almost always find something they like.
- Brasserie Colette by Tim Raue: Right next to the department store, modern French-inspired cuisine awaits in a stylish ambience. Ideal for a quiet lunch away from the Christmas hustle and bustle and perfect when it’s rainy or cold outside.
9. Winter Market at the Alte Frachtkantine in the Former Tegel Airport
The Winter Market at the Alte Frachtkantine in the former Tegel Airport will take place on November 29 and 30 and is an atmospheric indoor market, ideal for cold or rainy weather. In the old hall, around 25 to 30 stalls offer food, hot drinks, ceramics, jewelry, crocheted bags, and sustainable gift ideas. Choir performances, live music, and workshops provide creative variety. Admission is free, donations are welcome. The market is open on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
10. Christmas Market in the Winter Quarters of the Strandbad Wendenschloss and the Napoleon Complex
From November 29 to December 31, Winterquartier Berlin transforms the Napoleon Complex in Friedrichshain into a modern Christmas market with an urban atmosphere. Festively decorated huts, tarte flambée, spaetzle, crêpes, and waffles create a winter atmosphere. A cultural program with fire shows, theater, live music, raves, and family activities accompanies the offerings. There is also a large indoor ice rink with an ice disco and a curling rink. Covered areas make the market weatherproof and easily accessible.
11. Winter Market at the Humboldt Forum
The Winter Market at the Humboldt Forum runs daily until January 4 in the Schlüterhof courtyard, creating a festive atmosphere with activities for families, live music, and hot food. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a laser show at 6 p.m. illuminates the courtyard, and at 8 p.m. the Spreeterrassen terraces light up. Architecture and light complement each other to create a special backdrop. Admission is free and it is very easy to get there via the U5 Museumsinsel.
12. Forest Winterlights at Dark Matter
The Forest Winterlights at Dark Matter create a poetic forest of light in the large transformer hall in Rummelsburg until February 15. More than 600 floating fir trees and countless points of light move to the rhythm of an atmospheric soundtrack by Chris Kuijten. A 400-square-meter ice rink invites visitors to glide through this luminous scenery. Skates are available on site, along with mulled wine, punch, and winter snacks. An artistic event for the dark season.
13. Heissa Holzmarkt Winter Festival
The Heissa Holzmarkt at Holzmarkt 25 attracts visitors until December 21 to a creative winter area directly on the Spree. Fire barrels, homemade mulled wine, a retro carousel from 1961, and many hand-picked stalls create a colorful atmosphere. DJs, live music, theater, fairy tales, and activities for children round out the program. There’s also pizza, burgers, raclette, crêpes, and vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Bad Weather Alternatives Around Holzmarkt 25
Right on Site
- Holzmarkt area: Covered and heated bars, restaurants, and lounges such as Bar Freundschaft and weather-protected food areas ensure relaxed breaks in the warmth.
Culture and Events
- EUREF Campus and Tesla Lounge: Modern locations with changing events, exhibitions, and dining in a pleasant indoor atmosphere.
Urban Nightlife
- RAW Gelände: Just a few minutes’ walk away, with many indoor clubs, bars, studios, and small restaurants for creative and weatherproof evenings.
14. Christmas Rodeo Design Christmas Market at the Colosseum
Don’t miss it! On December 13 and 14, the Colosseum on Schönhauser Allee will be transformed into a creative Advent market with urban flair. Over 200 exhibitors will present design, fashion, art, jewelry, and special gift ideas. DJs, live music, street food, workshops, and live paintings create a lively atmosphere. Admission is 5 to 8 Euros, and children under 12 have free access. It is open from 12 noon to 8 p.m. each day. An atmospheric meeting place for anyone looking for modern, creative gifts.
15. Lucia Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei
The Lucia Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei invites visitors to enjoy an atmospheric Nordic winter wonderland until December 22. Red and white wooden huts offer Scandinavian handicrafts, glögg (we have an article on this), moose goulash, reindeer salami, kanelbullar, and Finnish waffles. The historic ensemble creates a warm backdrop. Daily visits from Santa Claus, the walking angel Belluz, the Lucia festival, children’s programs, and cheerful Christmas caroling round out the market. Admission is free.
Bad Weather Alternatives Around the Kulturbrauerei
Right on Site
- Kulturbrauerei interiors: Covered cafés, bars, restaurants, and event rooms provide warm breaks in a cultural setting.
- Cinema in the Kulturbrauerei: Ideal for a weatherproof detour with the latest films.
Culture and Design
- Mauerpark Kulturzentrum: Indoor events, small exhibitions, and cozy cafés nearby.
- Christmas rodeo in the Colosseum: Indoor design market with art, fashion, and street food.
- Winterquartier Berlin: Urban indoor winter market with ice rink and cultural program.
16. Advent Market at Domäne Dahlem
Every weekend during Advent, this historic estate transforms into a cozy, idyllic Christmas market. Handicrafts, regional products, organic mulled wine from local vintners, and kale from the estate’s own fields create a wonderful atmosphere. Children will enjoy hands-on activities, theater, music, tractor rides, a carousel, and carriage rides. Admission also includes the museum. A peaceful, festive outing far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
17. Forest Christmas Market at the Grunewald Forestry Office
Only for one day – and therefore something very special. The Grunewald Forestry Office is celebrating a rustic Advent experience on December 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Logging horses, forestry machines, game meat from Berlin’s forests, firewood, honey, mistletoe, Swedish torches, and regional handicrafts create a nature-loving atmosphere. Children will enjoy games and a visit from Santa Claus. The campfire atmosphere creates an atmospheric third Advent in the middle of the Grunewald forest.
18. Christmas Garden in the Botanical Garden
The Christmas Garden in the Botanical Garden transforms the grounds into a sparkling winter wonderland until January 11. More than 30 installations, projections, and soundscapes with over a million points of light await visitors on a two-kilometer circular trail. The fairy tale book, poetry avenue, rainbow tree, and American lake add special touches, along with impressive illuminations at the tropical house and in the Italian garden. A contemplative experience with time slot tickets and plenty of winter magic.
