In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Most of Berlin’s large Christmas markets open on Monday 23 November 2026: Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace, the Rotes Rathaus, Alexanderplatz, Breitscheidplatz, Lucia and Spandau. The Humboldt Forum market and the Christmas Garden open on Wednesday 18 November. Gendarmenmarkt costs €2, free from Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 14:00. The other large markets are free. Spandau and Lucia close on 22 December, Alexanderplatz on 26, Charlottenburg on 27, Gendarmenmarkt on 31 December, and the Rotes Rathaus, the Humboldt Forum and Breitscheidplatz on 3 January 2027. Or book a guide: the Four Christmas Markets Walking Tourad is from €25 for 2 hours.
⚠️ 24 December. Charlottenburg Palace, the Rotes Rathaus, the Humboldt Forum and the Christmas Garden are closed. Gendarmenmarkt closes at 18:00 and the Potsdamer Platz market at 16:00.
Dates and hours
The markets are listed by opening day.
| Market | Opens | Closes | Entry | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landsberger Allee fair | Sat 31 Oct | 27 Dec | ||
| Potsdamer Platz | Sat 31 Oct | End of Dec | Free | Daily 11:00 to 22:00; 24 Dec to 16:00 |
| LGBTIQA Winterdays, Nollendorfplatz | Wed 4 Nov | 23 Dec | Free, from age 16 | Mon to Thu 16:00 to 22:00; Fri to Sun 15:00 to 22:00; closed 15 and 22 Nov |
| Medieval market, RAW | Thu 12 Nov | 22 Dec | Mon to Thu 15:00 to 22:00; Fri 15:00 to 23:00; Sat 12:00 to 23:00; Sun 12:00 to 22:00; closed 22 Nov | |
| Humboldt Forum | Wed 18 Nov | 3 Jan 2027 | Free | Daily 11:00 to 22:00; closed 22 Nov and 24 Dec |
| Gendarmenmarkt | Mon 23 Nov | 31 Dec | €2 | Sun to Thu 11:00 to 22:00; Fri and Sat 11:00 to 23:00; 24 Dec to 18:00; 31 Dec to midnight |
| Charlottenburg Palace | Mon 23 Nov | 27 Dec | Free | Mon to Thu 13:00 to 22:00; Fri to Sun 12:00 to 22:00; 25 and 26 Dec 12:00 to 22:00; closed 24 Dec |
| Rotes Rathaus | Mon 23 Nov | 3 Jan 2027 | Free | Mon to Fri 12:00 to 22:00; Sat and Sun 11:00 to 22:00; 3 Jan 11:00 to 20:00; closed 24 and 31 Dec |
| Alexanderplatz | Mon 23 Nov | 26 Dec | Free | Daily 11:00 to 22:00 |
| Breitscheidplatz | Mon 23 Nov | 3 Jan 2027 | Free | |
| Lucia, Kulturbrauerei | Mon 23 Nov | 22 Dec | Free | Mon to Fri 15:00 to 22:00; Sat and Sun 13:00 to 22:00 |
| Spandau | Mon 23 Nov | 22 Dec | Free |
The markets, by place
Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Mitte · U6 Stadtmitte, U2 Hausvogteiplatz · 23 November to 31 December
The market stands on the square between the French and German Cathedrals and the Konzerthaus, with craft stalls and restaurant tents. It is the only large market that charges: €2, free for everyone Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00 (not on 24, 25, 26 or 31 December), and free for children under 12 and holders of a severe-disability pass. The organiser says the money pays for the stage programme and for social projects in Mitte. The restaurant tents take cards and not every craft stall does, so carry some cash. Only small day bags are allowed, about 15 litres or A4 size; there is no left-luggage room, and dogs and outside food and drink are not allowed. A separate ticket for the New Year’s Eve party is €9: see Berlin on New Year’s Eve 2026.
The Gendarmenmarkt market at night, with the Konzerthaus behind the entrance arch. Photo: Andreas Trojak, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Charlottenburg Palace
Spandauer Damm 20, 14059 · U2 Sophie-Charlotte-Platz · 23 November to 27 December
Wooden huts and pagoda tents in front of the palace, lit in colour after dark. visitBerlin counts more than 100 exhibitors, two heated restaurant tents, two children’s carousels and a small Ferris wheel, and brass bands walk through the market. It opens at 13:00 on weekdays from Monday to Thursday and at 12:00 from Friday to Sunday. It is closed on 24 December and ends on 27 December, earlier than most of the large markets.
Market huts around the equestrian statue in the forecourt of Charlottenburg Palace. Photo: Leonhard Lenz, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
Rotes Rathaus
Rathausstraße 15, 10178 · U5 Rotes Rathaus, or Alexanderplatz 400 m away · 23 November to 3 January 2027
The Berliner Weihnachtszeit fills the lanes around the Neptune Fountain and St Mary’s Church. Its landmark is a 50 m Ferris wheel with closed gondolas, which the organiser says is the highest in Berlin, and it adds a medieval bakery and tavern by the church, historic carousels and a Santa sleigh that “arrives” at 16:30, 18:30 and 20:30. The ice rink, the Eiswelt, is built round the fountain and is circular, with more than 600 m² of ice. Skating is €5 and skate hire €3, in five sessions a day: 12:00 to 13:30 (11:15 at weekends), 14:00 to 15:30, 16:00 to 17:30, 18:00 to 19:30 and 20:00 to 21:30. The organiser takes no reservations. The market is closed on 24 and 31 December.
The Ferris wheel in front of the Rotes Rathaus tower at dusk. Photo: Arild Vågen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz, around the Fountain of Friendship between Nations and the World Clock · S/U Alexanderplatz · 23 November to 26 December
New for 2026. visitBerlin describes a market dressed in shades of sand, with international stalls as well as German ones, set between the Fountain of Friendship between Nations and the World Clock. It is the shortest-running of the large central markets, ending on 26 December. The TV Tower beside it is closed on Monday 23 November, the day the market opens: see Berlin TV Tower tickets.
Humboldt Forum
Schlossplatz and Schlüterhof, 10178 · U5 Museumsinsel · 18 November to 3 January 2027
The earliest of the central markets, in the courtyard and on the square of the rebuilt palace. berlin.de lists craft stalls, historic rides and video projections on the palace façades. It is free and open daily from 11:00 to 22:00, except 22 November and 24 December. Museum Island is a short walk away: see Museum Island tickets.
Breitscheidplatz
Breitscheidplatz, 10789 · S/U Zoologischer Garten · 23 November to 3 January 2027
The market round the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, on the edge of the Kurfürstendamm. berlin.de counts more than 100 stalls, with carousels and rides for children. GetYourGuide sells a 70-minute classical concert in the church all year: see Tours and concerts below. Charlottenburg is the area to stay in for it.
The Breitscheidplatz market beside the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Photo: Leonhard Lenz, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
Lucia, Kulturbrauerei
Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Prenzlauer Berg · U2 Eberswalder Straße · 23 November to 22 December
A Scandinavian-themed market in the courtyards of a former brewery, with open fires, a children’s carousel and a daily visit from Santa between 17:00 and 18:00. It is free, open from 15:00 on weekdays and from 13:00 at weekends, and it closes earlier than the central markets, on 22 December.
Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz, 10785 · S/U Potsdamer Platz · from 31 October to the end of December
visitBerlin lists a winter-sports market with a 12 m toboggan run built on the square, which works without snow, from 31 October. The market is free; the toboggan is paid. It is open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 and until 16:00 on 24 December.
Spandau
Altstadt Spandau, Marktstraße, 13597 · U7 Altstadt Spandau · 23 November to 22 December
A market through the streets of Spandau’s old town, with a Renaissance-fair section, according to berlin.de.
The medieval market at the RAW compound
Revaler Straße 99, 10245 Friedrichshain · S/U Warschauer Straße · 12 November to 22 December
A medieval-themed market on the former railway-works site in Friedrichshain. It is open from 15:00 on weekdays and from 12:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and it is closed on 22 November. For Friedrichshain’s clubs, see Berlin nightlife and clubs.
LGBTIQA Winterdays and the Christmas Avenue
Nollendorfplatz, 10787 Schöneberg · U1, U2, U3, U4 Nollendorfplatz · 4 November to 23 December
The market of Berlin’s historic gay quarter, open from 16:00 on weekdays and from 15:00 from Friday to Sunday. It is free and admits visitors from age 16. It is closed on 15 and 22 November.
Landsberger Allee fair
Landsberger Allee 300, 13055 Lichtenberg · tram M5, M6, 16 · 31 October to 27 December
A funfair with rides rather than a craft market, and the first of the season.
The Christmas Garden and the other paid attractions
Christmas Garden Berlin
Botanischer Garten, entrances at Königin-Luise-Straße 6-8 and Unter den Eichen 5-10 · S1 Botanischer Garten, buses 101, X83 and M48 · 18 November to 10 January 2027
An illuminated trail through the Botanical Garden, in its tenth edition. Entry is in 20-minute slots printed on the ticket, and you may stay longer than the slot. It is open Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 16:20 to 21:00, with the last entry at 19:20, and on Friday and Saturday from 18 December to 2 January from 16:20 to 22:00, with the last entry at 20:20. It is closed on 23, 24 and 30 November, 7, 24 and 31 December, and 4 and 5 January. The box office at the gates takes cards only. There is no parking near the garden.
| Ticket | Online | Box office |
|---|---|---|
| Adult, 15 and over, timed | €16.90 to €27.90 | €29.90 |
| Adult FlexTicket, any day and time | €32.90 | €34.90 |
| Child, 6 to 14, timed | €12.90 to €23.90 | €25.90 |
| Child FlexTicket | €28.90 | €30.90 |
| Student or senior, Monday to Thursday | €12.90 to €23.90 | €25.90 |
| Family of up to 5 | €45.90 to €80.90 | €82.90 |
| Family day, 18 and 25 Nov, 1 and 8 Dec, 6 Jan | €42.90 | €44.90 |
Children under 6 are free, and the student and senior price applies only from Monday to Thursday and not from 18 December to 2 January. A combined ticket with Christmas at the Tierpark is €49.90 for an adult and €43.90 for a child, and does not apply from 18 December to 2 January. The prices are the organiser’s, at christmas-garden.de. GetYourGuide sells the same ticket at the flexible-date price: Christmas Garden Berlin Entrance Ticketad is from €32.90.
Christmas at the Tierpark
Tierpark Friedrichsfelde · 20 November to 9 January 2027
Weihnachten im Tierpark is the Christmas event at the Tierpark Berlin, the zoo in Friedrichsfelde in the east of the city. Berlin: Entry Ticket to Christmas at Tierparkad is from €31.90.
Smaller markets
Most of these run on the weekends of Advent. The full list of markets on berlin.de has more.
| Market | Where | Dates | Hours and fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finnish Advent bazaar | Passionskirche, Marheinekeplatz, Kreuzberg | 14 and 15 Nov | 12:00 to 18:00; free |
| Swedish Christmas bazaar | Victoria Church, Landhausstraße 26-28, Wilmersdorf | 28 and 29 Nov | Sat 12:00 to 19:00; Sun 12:00 to 18:00; €2, under 12s free |
| Berlin Dog Christmas market | Hüttenweg 90, Zehlendorf | 28 and 29 Nov | 10:00 to 18:00; €2.50 |
| Späth’sche Baumschulen | Späthstraße 80, Treptow | 28 and 29 Nov, 5, 6, 12 and 13 Dec | 11:00 to 20:00; €8, €5 reduced, under 16s free |
| Advent market, Kollwitzplatz | Prenzlauer Berg | Sundays 29 Nov, 6, 13 and 20 Dec | 12:00 to 19:00; free |
| Sustainable Christmas market, Sophienstraße | Mitte, by S Hackescher Markt | 28 and 29 Nov, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 21 Dec | Sat 12:00 to 20:00; Sun 11:00 to 19:00; free |
| Alt-Rixdorf | Richardplatz 28, Neukölln | 4 to 6 Dec | Fri 17:00 to 21:00; Sat 14:00 to 21:00; Sun 14:00 to 20:00 |
| Pankow Advent market, Heynhöfe | Heynstraße 15, Pankow | 5 and 6 Dec | Sat 11:00 to 20:00; Sun 11:00 to 19:00; free |
| Domäne Dahlem | Königin-Luise-Straße 49, Dahlem | 28 and 29 Nov, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 Dec |
Tours and concerts
Four Christmas Markets Walking Tour
From €25 · 2 hours
Berlin: Four Christmas Markets Walking Tourad is a guided walk through four Christmas markets.
Christmas market tour with mulled wine
From €42.50 · 1.5 hours
Berlin Christmas Market Tour: Sightseeing, Christmas Market & Mulled Winead combines a sightseeing stretch with a market and a mulled wine, in 90 minutes.
Nikolaiviertel Christmas walk
From €21.25 · 2 hours
Berlin: Nikolaiviertel Walk Through 750 Years of Christmasad walks the Nikolaiviertel, the reconstructed old quarter beside the Rotes Rathaus.
Christmas lights bus tour
From €32 · 2.5 hours
Berlin: 2-Hour Christmas Lights Bus Tour with Mulled Winead drives past the illuminated sights from a bus, with mulled wine.
Concerts
From €25.20 to €49.50
Berlin: Classical Concert in Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Churchad is 70 minutes in the church beside the Breitscheidplatz market, from €25.20, and runs all year. Berlin: Stars in Concert 2-Hour Christmas Specialad is a two-hour Christmas show from €49.50.
Planning the day
- Shops. Shops are shut on Sundays, with two exceptions: visitBerlin lists 6 December, St Nicholas’ Day, and 20 December 2026 as shopping Sundays, when supermarkets open too. Markets and restaurants are open on Sundays.
- Daylight and weather. The sun sets at about 16:15 on 15 November, 15:52 on 15 December and 15:55 on Christmas Eve. December’s mean daily high at Berlin-Tempelhof is 4.4°C and its mean low -0.1°C, with 41 hours of sunshine in the month (WMO 1991 to 2020 normals). The months are in the best time to visit Berlin.
- Crowds. Weekend evenings are the busiest. Go on a weekday afternoon, and at Gendarmenmarkt before 14:00 on a weekday if you want to enter free.
- Getting there. The markets in Mitte are on the U2, U5 and U6, and Breitscheidplatz is at Zoologischer Garten. Fares are in Berlin public transport.
- Where to sleep. The markets at Gendarmenmarkt, the Rotes Rathaus and the Humboldt Forum are in Mitte, and Breitscheidplatz and Charlottenburg Palace are in the west. Where to stay in Berlin compares the areas, and hotels near the Brandenburg Gate lists the hotels beside the centre.
Where to stay for Gendarmenmarkt
The links go to the hotel on Hotels.com. The distances are straight lines from the square.
Hotel Luc, Autograph Collection
Charlottenstraße 50 · 92 rooms · about 130 m from the square · Hotels.comad
Michelin puts it right on the square and says some of the rooms have balconies overlooking it.
TITANIC Gendarmenmarkt Berlin
Französische Straße 30 · 208 rooms and suites · about 210 m from the square · Hotels.comad
In a building where the State Opera once stored its stage sets, with a 1,000 m² spa that has a Turkish hammam.
Hotel de Rome
Behrenstraße 37 · 146 rooms · about 360 m from the square · Hotels.comad
A 19th-century bank building off the Bebelplatz, where the pool and spa are in the old vault, according to Michelin.
Next
For the evening of 31 December, see Berlin on New Year’s Eve 2026. To fit the markets into a stay, see 3 days in Berlin, and what to book before you go to Berlin lists the tickets that need a slot. The markets in Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Kraków and Dublin have their own guides.
Common questions
When do the Berlin Christmas markets open in 2026?
Most of the large ones open on Monday 23 November: Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace, the Rotes Rathaus, Alexanderplatz, Breitscheidplatz, the Lucia market in the Kulturbrauerei and Spandau. The Humboldt Forum market opens on Wednesday 18 November, the same day as the Christmas Garden. Smaller ones open from 31 October.
Do you pay to enter the Berlin Christmas markets?
Gendarmenmarkt charges €2. Entry is free from Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 14:00, except on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December, and children under 12 go free. Charlottenburg Palace, the Rotes Rathaus, Alexanderplatz, the Humboldt Forum, Breitscheidplatz and Lucia are free. The Christmas Garden is ticketed, from €16.90 for an adult in advance.
Which Berlin Christmas markets are open on 24 December?
Gendarmenmarkt is open from 11:00 to 18:00 and the Potsdamer Platz market to 16:00. Charlottenburg Palace, the Rotes Rathaus, the Humboldt Forum and the Christmas Garden are closed.
How long do the Berlin Christmas markets run?
Spandau and Lucia close on 22 December, Alexanderplatz on 26 December and Charlottenburg Palace on 27 December. Gendarmenmarkt runs to 31 December. The Rotes Rathaus, the Humboldt Forum and Breitscheidplatz run to 3 January 2027, and the Christmas Garden to 10 January.
Can I bring a suitcase to the Gendarmenmarkt market?
No. The organiser allows only small day bags, about 15 litres or A4 size, and has no left-luggage room. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs, and food and drink may not be brought in.
Are shops open on Sundays in Berlin before Christmas?
On two Sundays. Berlin's tourist board lists 6 December and 20 December 2026 as shopping Sundays, with supermarkets open too. On other Sundays shops are shut, but the markets and restaurants are open.
