Christmas Markets in Berlin facts for kids

There are over 80 Christmas markets across Berlin. Here, craftspeople show off their skills and sell handmade items, along with many other Christmas gifts and fun fairground rides. The very first Christmas market in Berlin happened way back in 1530 in Alt-Berlin.

History of Berlin's Christmas Markets

Sale of Christmas baubles at the market on Alexanderplatz (1923)

The first records of Christmas markets in Berlin date back to around 1530. These early markets were held in the streets of old Cölln, a part of Berlin. Sellers could offer treats like gingerbread and other sweet pastries. They paid a small fee of two Groschen (an old coin) each day for their stall.

In 1750, the city council decided to move the market. It originally lasted from December 11 to January 6. The market moved to Breite Straße. Later, it grew towards Schlossplatz and stayed in the city center until 1873. After 1872, the selling season ended on December 27.

However, there were often attempts to move the market off the streets. It caused a lot of traffic problems in the city. Store owners on Breite Straße also worried the market would hurt their sales. They felt the market was old-fashioned and didn't fit a big capital city like Berlin anymore.

In 1873, the Lustgarten (Pleasure Garden) became the new spot. But it moved again in 1891 to Arkonastraße. This was due to safety reasons and the building of the Berlin Cathedral. The market was paused during World War I. Between 1937 and 1945, just before World War II ended, the market returned to the Lustgarten. At its busiest, it had up to 2000 sellers.

After World War II, in the first winter of peace in 1945, a Christmas market opened again in the Lustgarten. This was even though the city was full of ruins. Food and drinks were also limited to certain brands.

After 1948, Berlin was divided into two parts with different money. Because of this, new Christmas markets started in West Berlin. These were at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, in Spandau, and at the Town Hall in Wedding.

In East Berlin, the markets stayed at the old location until 1974. In the early 1950s, there was even a small "Liliput railway" for kids. This was near the Lustgarten and the Schlossplatz. Around 1960, the small streets of the Christmas market on Marx-Engels-Platz were heated. Even after the Palace of the Republic was finished in 1974, Marx-Engels-Platz was still used for the market. Other places were added, like a big parking lot at Alexanderplatz. Soon, most districts had their own short-term Christmas markets, often near their Town Halls.

In 1983, a large Christmas market was held in the exhibition halls in West Berlin. This market, under the Funkturm, was more like a Christmas and toy show. It had a children's theater, a hall with nativity scenes from around the world, and another with model trains. This market was later stopped in favor of the one at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Popular Christmas Markets Today

Christmas market in Berlin

Berlin has about 80 Christmas markets. Here are some of the popular ones that stay open for more than a week (as of November 2014).

Permanent Christmas Markets in Different Areas

Berlin Christmas market

Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf

• The Christmas Market at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church has been running since 1983. It features artisans, traders, and fun fair rides. In 2004, about 2 million people visited this market. It is located at Breitscheidplatz.
• At Charlottenburg Palace, you can find items and foods from all over the world. These include treats from South Tyrol and Russia. There are also fun husky sleigh rides and puppet shows for kids. This market is at Luisenplatz.
• Wintertraum Weihnachtsmarkt (Winter Dream Christmas Market) at Wilmersdorfer street: Since 2004, you can find artisans and their goods here. There's also food and drinks, like almonds and other sweets. These are sold from 30 decorated wooden huts.

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

• Christmas Market at the United Nations Square: Since about 1995, this market sells punch, Christmas pastries, and roasted almonds. You can also find handmade goods in wooden huts. There are rides for children too. For this event, the eastern street area is closed to traffic. In 1995, there was an accident with a ride, and some people were injured.
• Since 2006 "Kiez" (neighborhood) Christmas has taken place at the Church of the Samaritans in Friedrichshain.
• Hanukkah-Market: This market offers goods with a Jewish theme. It also has a program with puppet shows and concerts. It is located at the Jewish Museum Berlin, in the Glashof, Lindenstraße 9.

Lichtenberg

• On the first Advent weekend, The Light market at the town hall has been held since 1992. It is known for its music performances.
• Medieval Christmas market in the district of Berlin-Karlshorst. This market is on the Theaterplatz on the second Advent weekend.
• Christmas Market in the environmentally protected area Malchow on the second Advent weekend.
• Wartenberger Starmarket is held in and around Wartenberger farm during the first week of December.

Marzahn-Hellersdorf

• Alt-Kaulsdorfer Christmas market is located around the historical village green at the "Dorfstraße". It has taken place since 1996 on the second Advent weekend.
• Advent market Alt-Marzahn is held around the historical village center of Alt-Marzahn on the first Advent weekend.

Mitte

Christmas market at the Red Town Hall in 2008

Christmas market at the Red Town Hall in 2011

• While there isn't a Christmas market at the Brandenburg Gate, Christmas trees have been placed there every year. From 1989 to 2013, they were given by a town in Norway. Since 2014, people from Berlin and nearby areas have donated the tree.
• Alexanderplatz: Here you'll find artisans, merchants, and street artists. It's located in front of the Alexa Center.
• Christmas time in Berlin at the Red Town Hall: This market is on Rathausstraße, Marienplatz, and around the Neptune Fountain. It has market streets designed to look like old Berlin. There are also historic children's carousels and a Ferris wheel. An ice rink is set up around the Neptune Fountain.
• Christmas magic on the Gendarmenmarkt: This market features artisans, merchants, and street artists in a tent city. There's also a cultural program. It's located at the Gendarmenmarkt, around the theater. After 2 PM, there's a small entrance fee, which helps charity.
• Nostalgic Christmas market: Artisans like broom makers and woodcarvers show their work in small wooden houses and sell their products. There's also a bazaar and street art. Due to construction, this market has moved several times. In 2014, it was on the Schlossplatz. It has fewer stalls but still has some historic carousels.
• Environmental Christmas market: This market offers arts and crafts and eco-friendly products. It's located on Sophienstraße, near the Hackesche Höfe.
• Winter world at Potsdamer Platz and traditional Christmas market: This market has an artificial snow-covered mountain and an ice rink. Visitors can go sledding, tubing, and ice skating. Austrian food is also offered here. It's located around Potsdamer Platz.
• In 2014, a Christmas market was held for the first time on Washingtonplatz. This is in front of the Central Station. The market's theme is Design and Enjoy. Thirty traders show their products in a tent. More wooden huts around it sell food, drinks, and handmade crafts. Berlin choirs also perform here in the evenings.

Pankow

• Advent market on Kollwitzplatz: This is an Eco Christmas market, organized by the Green League Berlin.
• Lucia Christmas market: This market is based on the Swedish festival of Lucia. It is located at the Kulturbrauerei.
• The Blankenburger Christmas market takes place in the district of Blankenburg in Pankow. Its motto is: A village gives itself a Christmas. Since 2009, this celebration has been held on the second Advent Sunday. It's on the grounds of the Protestant church. Volunteers organize this non-commercial festival. They are supported by local groups and businesses. Mostly, homemade and handcrafted items are offered here. An annual Advent singing event also takes place in the Dorfkirche. Around 2,000 to 2,500 visitors came to the market in recent years.

Reinickendorf

• Christmas market in Clou: Here you can find jewelry, crafts, and Christmas cookies. It's located at Kurt-Schumacher-Platz.
• Nordic Christmas market in Tegel: This market has been held since 1973. It's located at Brunnenplatz (but was canceled in 2008).

Spandau

• With 1.8 million visitors in 2004, the Christmas market in Spandau is one of the biggest in Germany. It's also the largest in Berlin. It has been held every year in the Old Town of Spandau since the first Advent Sunday of 1974. In 1977, parts of its cultural program were shown on TV, which made it even more popular. Since 1983, the market opens every Advent weekend. It has over 400 stalls that fill a large part of the Old Town. On weekdays, there are about 200 stalls. A cultural program with daily shows takes place on a stage. There's also a nativity scene with live animals in front of St. Nicholas Church. A bazaar organized by Spandau schools is held in the old post office yard. As part of the market, the Gotische Haus hosts artisans from Berlin and Brandenburg. They show off their skills like basket weaving and glassblowing.
• There is also a Children's Christmas market at the Juliusturm at the Citadel. It offers many fun activities just for kids.