Berlin, October 23rd, 2026 (The Berlin Spectator) – In late summer, months before Christmas, supermarkets in Germany started offering gingerbread and Christstollen, two specialties that are not supposed to be consumed in September, but rather in December, during the Advent weeks. People are purchasing and eating those cookies and cakes anyway.
Another German Christmas tradition is coming up, namely Christmas markets. In Berlin, the official Christmas market season begins on November 23rd. But that doesn’t stop the city from organizing some Christmas events weeks earlier.
As early as next week, October 31st, the usual Christmas fairground will be opening. At the “Lichtenberger Winterzeit 2026”, they will be offering hot wine punch, snacks of many kinds and Christmas-themed fairground rides, including carousels and smaller roller coasters. No, fairgrounds are not really a Christmas tradition, but this one is being sold as one. It is located at Landsberger Allee 300, in Berlin’s northeastern part.
Since 2019, Berlin’s gay community has its own Christmas market at Nollendorfplatz, a square in the Schöneberg borough. It opens on November 4th. At first, this event will be called “LGBTQIA Winterdays” because Christmas markets are not supposed to open before November 23rd, remember? On this very day, this market will be changing its name to Christmas Avenue.
An “alternative Christmas market” can be found at Holzmarktstrasse 25 from November 6th. Here, they will be offering arts and crafts, hot wine punch and Christmas sweets until December 20th. It is called “Heissa Holzmarkt”.
Berliners or tourists who are ready to wait a little longer can visit Berlin’s real Christmas markets. Some of them are rather dull, such as the one at Alexanderplatz. Others are beautiful and provide the right Christmas atmosphere.
Some of the Nicest Christmas Markets in Berlin
>>> The Christmas Market at Red City Hall (November 23rd, 2026 to January 3rd, 2027) is one of the most beautiful ones in Berlin. Vendors offer all Christmas treats available, both sweet and salty. Looking for the ideal Christmas present? Chances are, you will find it here. Peruvian alpaca sweaters, anyone? Framed pictures? It’s all here. This particular Christmas market also has an ice rink around the Neptune Fountain as well as a Ferris wheel.
>>> Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace (November 23rd, 2026 to December 27th, 2026): This is the spot you need to go to if you want the right atmosphere. The palace, countless lights and the greenery combined provide a unique scenery. Delicious treats and potential Christmas presents are being offered at countless stalls. Little choirs sing Christmas songs in front of the palace.
>>> Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt square (November 23rd to December 31st, 2026): They charge an entrance fee of two Euro, but being here is worth every Cent. This might be the most elegant Christmas market in Berlin, in Germany, on the continent, on this planet and in this solar system. Here, elegance and atmosphere team up to give visitors the holiday mood they want. At little cafés, you will be able to enjoy cake, hot wine punch, hot chocolate and all kinds of coffee while purchasing rather expensive Christmas items.
>>> Christmas Market at RAW (Revaler Strasse 99, from November 12th to December 22nd, 2026): If you can’t wait until the start of the Christmas market season and in case a medieval approach is what you are looking for, this is the one. Blacksmiths, woodcarvers, potters and other craftspeople produce their products right in front of your eyes, and you can purchase them once they are done. This is another very special market.
>>> Christmas Market at Sophienstrasse (in the Mitte district, Saturdays and Sundays only, from November 28th to December 21st, 2026): At this market, they are trying to be politically correct. It supposedly has the charm of a small-town market, even though it is taking place in Germany’s largest and most hectic metropolis. Here, they try to save energy by refraining from setting up carousels. The potential Christmas gifts they sell are made of sustainable materials.