11 Most Magical & Unique Berlin Christmas Markets (2021)

Christmas markets and Berlin – the two have been creating holiday magic together for close to 500 years. That’s right, the first recorded Christmas market ever in Berlin took place in Alt Berlin in 1530. Is it any wonder then, that the German capital has been home to more than 80 Christmas markets in past years? In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to 11 unique Berlin Christmas Markets that are, once again, open in 2021!

Each venue has its own special character and charm. Some are big and well-known, others are small and more specialized. Some run for weeks, others only for a day or weekend.

Some Berlin Christmas markets have taken place for years, others are newcomers. None were operating last year due to the Corona pandemic, so it is especially important to get out and support the artists, craftspeople and food and beverage sellers during this comeback season.

As the days become colder and darker, there is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by participating in the age-old yuletide tradition of Berlin Christmas Markets.

Savour old and new tastes, find unique gifts for friends and loved ones and catch some musical entertainment! Sip some Glühwein or Eierpunsch, sample Schmalzkuchen or Lebkuchen. Take a carriage ride or don a pair of skates for a spin around one of the market´s ice rinks. The possibilities are virtually limitless!

In a Rush? Save these Berlin Christmas Markets for Later

11 Themed Berlin Christmas Markets in 2021

To get you started and in keeping with Berlin & Around’s theme of photo spots, pretty walks & local tips, many of which are off the beaten path, here are 11 unique Christmas market venues which will soon be open to welcome you.

This year particularly is best to confirm the times and dates of Berlin Christmas markets before you plan to attend. One of the most up-to-date resources is the multilingual website Search, run by Visit Berlin.

Italian Christmas Market

Location: Modersohnstrasse 35-45, Friedrichshain
Dates: December 11 and 12
Times: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm (both days)
Admission cost: 4 €

First on the list because this is the premiere edition, Berlin’s Italian Christmas Market is sure to delight all Italophiles. No doubt you will be rubbing elbows with native Italians coming to enjoy treats from home such as caldarroste, torroni and pandori in addition to more traditional fare.

A plus for this new kid in town is that the market is being held in the covered Napoleon complex, so even if the warm Italian sun doesn’t put in an appearance during the third week of Advent, you won’t get wet strolling amidst the stalls which will be offering one of a kind arts and crafts.

Start practicing your Italian now so that you can say Buon Natale because all roads lead to the Italian Christmas Market on December 11 and 12.

Karlshorst Christmas Market

Location: Trabrennbahn Karlshorst, Treskowallee 159, Karlshorst
Dates: November 27 and 28
Times: Saturday 1:00pm -10:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm -7:00pm.
Admission cost: free

Our second Berlin Christmas market takes place in Karlshorst, the historic Dahlem of the East, according to Wikipedia. Karlshorst may already be familiar to longtime followers of Berlin & Around: many historical events of global significance have occurred in this town since it was established 126 years ago.

The theme for this Weihnachtsmarkt is “The World is at Home in Karlshorst”. While here, you can expect to experience traditions from other cultures, complete with distinctive culinary treats.

There will be a children´s carousel and traditional Christmas music and jazz. Even Father Christmas plans to put in an appearance.

The sponsoring institution is the iKARUS local centre of the SozDia Foundation Berlin whose goal is to support community involvement. The SozDia Stiftung Berlin is committed to working with refugees, families and children.

Berliner Hundeweihnachtsmarkt Sirius

Location: Hüttenweg 90, Grunewald
Dates: November 27-28,
Times: 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Admission cost: 2.50 € admission with 1 € going to the Tiertafel Berlin animal food bank

This may be one of the cutest Berlin Christmas markets of 2021! For many Berliners, the holiday season is to be shared with our beloved dogs and this market is all about canines!

Of course, our four-legged friends are encouraged to join us as we shop for everything for which these dear pets could ever desire, from food to clothing to toys to accessories. While here, be sure to sample culinary treats from Forsthaus Paulsborn.

The organizers of this unique venue have even planned a varied program of canine stage entertainment, including dog dancing.

Advenntiamo Children’s Christmas Market

Location: An der Wuhlheide 197 (FEZ Berlin)
Dates: November 27-28, December 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19
Times: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Admission cost: 3 € or 2.50 € each for families or groups of 3 or more people

This Berlin Christmas market is calling all little elves to make gingerbread houses, sew teddy bears and bake Christmas cookies!

Before or after these creative hands-on activities, children can listen to stories about how Christmas used to be celebrated and learn about yuletide customs in other parts of the world.

Brohan Museum Christmas Market

Location: Schloßstraße 1a, Charlottenburg
Dates: December 4-5
Times: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Admission cost: free

If you are looking for cozy Berlin Christmas markets featuring neighbourhood artists selling handmade goods and arts and crafts, look no further than the courtyard at the Brohan Museum. This market highlights the local community of all generations and is sponsored by the Klausenerplatz Neighbourhood Alliance.

Here you can watch and hear schoolchildren sing, act and dance. Adults can sip mulled wine or honey mead while children drink punch or cocoa. All can feast on fried sausages and homemade bread as well as assorted snacks and sweets.

Lucia Christmas Market

Location: Kulturbrauerei (Innenhof), Schönhauser Allee 36
Dates: November 22 – December 22
Times: Monday – Friday 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Admission cost: free

While many of the Berlin Christmas markets on this list are only open on weekends or for a few days, the Lucia Christmas market runs continuously for a month. On the shortest days of the year, this is indeed the place to be to honour the Scandinavian patron saint and goddess of light, Saint Lucy.

If you are unsure of her origins, Saint Lucy was an early 304 AD Christian martyr who, wearing a crown lit by candles, brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs. Her saint’s day, December 13, marks the beginning of the Christmas holidays in Sweden and the period of shortened days for the Nordics.

Berlin´s Scandinavians are eager to share with you some of their culinary traditions at this Christmas market: reindeer bratwurst, moose goulash, saffron buns, Swedish Glogg and Finnish honey.

There are Swedish fire logs and an open-air coat heater where you can slip on coats warmed by wood. Children can enjoy the bungee trampoline and swing carousel.

The festivities take place in the 1880’s red and yellow bricked brewery now known as Kulturbrauerei. The site also boasts Berlin´s largest indoor New Year´s Eve party. Rounding out the unique architecture are classic wooden chalets and eclectic huts where traditional Scandinavian handicrafts are sold.

Special events are planned for December 13.

Sophienstraße Environmental and Christmas Market

Location: All along Sophienstraße
Dates: November 27-28, December 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19
Times: Saturday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Admission cost: free

Eighty fair trade retailers and start-ups await your visit to a market where there are no rides or excessive neon lights – only energy-saving electricity is used.

Here you´ll see organic and natural products, along with Berlin-made designer goods. You can also take cooking classes and if this makes you hungry, you can snack on bratwurst, crepes, pheasant salami and chai banana bread.

This environmentally-friendly market also boasts of its musical and theatre performances. Sustainability and social commitment are top priorities in this long-time historic city center Christmas market.

Spandau Citadel Christmas Market

Location: Am Juliusturm 64
Dates: November 26 – December 23
Times: Monday – Thursday from 2:00 pm-8:00 pm, Friday 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Admission cost: free admission to the market, 4.50 € for a more in-depth visit of the citadel

For the first time, and in order to make it a safer pandemic location, this Christmas market has moved to the inner courtyard of one of Northern Europe´s best-preserved Renaissance fortresses. Set against the nostalgic backdrop, you’ll be enticed by ice skating, carriage rides and a swing carousel. There’s even a nativity scene with real sheep!

No doubt, the medieval music with actors in appropriate garb and playing historical instruments have helped make this a favoured holiday tradition for many Berliners. Another attraction in the evenings is the open-air winter cinema featuring classic and black and white films. You will have to decide for yourself if the Spandau Citadel Weihnachtsmarkt lives up to its reputation as one of the most romantic Berlin Christmas markets!

Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt – RAW Cultural Centre

Location: Revaler Straße 99, Friedrichshain
Dates: November 18 – December. 22, 2021 (closed Memorial Sunday, Nov. 21)
Times: Monday – Friday from 3:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm
Admission cost: free on Monday – Wednesday, Thursday – Sunday 2 €, reduced to 1 € for children aged 6 – 16 and those in historical costumes, always free for children under 6.

What is RAW, you ask? RAW stands for Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk (Reichsbahn repair station). As the name indicates, some 150 years ago rail vehicles used to be repaired and restored here. Nowadays, people come to party in clubs or to attend art and cultural events taking place on these grounds in Friedrichshain.

The first of the Berlin Christmas markets to open its doors this season, it is not to be missed by those who love everything medieval. You will be easily transported back in time as you ride to the top of a hand-operated wooden Ferris wheel, listen to strolling minstrels and bards, taste medieval fare, and marvel at fire performers, jugglers and acrobats. If that is not enough, try your hand at archery and knife and axe throwing!

What is a medieval market without things to buy, carefully crafted by potters, woodcarvers, blacksmiths and other artisans from a bygone era? Torches and bonfires add to the festive ambience.

Berlin Christmas markets add to the magic of the season.

Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market

Location: Richardplatz 1, Neukölln
Dates: December 3 – 5
Times: Saturday 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Admission cost: free

Another trip back in time, to an 18th-century Bohemian village complete with kerosene lamps, awaits visitors at Alt-Rixdorf where only charitable and non-profit organizations participate. This was once a smithy and consequently, you can see a historical carriage exhibition highlighted by the old art of forging.

To set the holiday tone, a Christmas witch distributes candy to the kids while the three Wisemen (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar) pass by on their camels from the East. A meal here might consist of barbecued meat, pea or potato soup accompanied by mulled wine or mead.

Domäne Dahlem

Location: Domäne Dahlem – Landgut und Museum, Königin-Luise Straße 49
Dates: November 27 – 28, December 4 – 5, 11 – 12 and 18 – 19
Times: 11:00am- 7:00pm
Admission cost: 3 € for adults, 1 € reduced and free for children under 12

Open all four Advent weekends, Domäne Dahlem offers a rural market experience, touting regional organic products. Starting the second week you can even buy your organic Christmas tree here!

Carriage, bullock cart and tractor rides are bound to bring a smile to all who opt for one of these novel experiences. The younger set can even make some of their own personalized presents for their loved ones.

Those interested in educational experiences can watch artisans create in the farm’s workshops and listen to the cultural history of food. Bonfires and brass band music nicely complement the on-site food sampling and perhaps the purchase of homemade nougat, marzipan, hot chestnuts, cheese and meat specialties.

Don’t miss out on breathing some fresh country air at this 450-year-old manor in southern Berlin which is once again all decked out in holiday splendour and ready to share its Christmas cheer!

Which of These Themed Berlin Christmas Markets Inspires You the Most?

As you can see from the varied selections above, Berlin Christmas markets really do offer something magical for everyone. And we’ve only scratched the surface here in an attempt to describe 11 unique venues. We hope that you have found these suggestions inspirational. Feel free to share your own favourite Berlin Christmas markets in the comments below!

P.S. If you’ve enjoyed finding out about these 11 Berlin Christmas markets, you might also like the following posts: