Best Christmas markets in Berlin, where they are and when they open

This season, six Berlin Christmas markets have officially announced their dates: WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt, Berliner Weihnachtszeit at the Rotes Rathaus, the Alexanderplatz market, the Charlottenburg Palace market, the Spandau market and the Lucia market at the Kulturbrauerei. If you only pick one, Berliner Weihnachtszeit sits between the Rotes Rathaus and St Mary’s Church at the foot of the TV Tower and has an ice rink. WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt charges entry and only allows guide dogs, while most of the others are free to enter.

Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market, entry and rules

WeihnachtsZauber is the Christmas market held on Gendarmenmarkt, and it charges for entry. You don’t always have to pay, though: there’s a regular window when everyone gets in free, and younger children go free too. Dogs aren’t allowed anywhere on the market except guide dogs, and the recommended underground stop has a lift and tactile paving.

Rotes Rathaus and Alexanderplatz markets

Berliner Weihnachtszeit fills the space between the Rotes Rathaus and St Mary’s Church in Mitte, at the foot of the TV Tower, and it’s free to get in. There’s an ice rink, with skates to hire and walking aids for anyone who feels less steady on the ice. The Alexanderplatz market doesn’t charge for entry either.

For something warm afterwards, Zur letzten Instanz is also in Mitte. Its wood-panelled rooms stand beside a surviving stretch of medieval wall, and it claims to be the oldest restaurant in the city. The kitchen sticks to Berlin classics, so order the Eisbein. Upstairs, ask for a table near the old tiled corner stove.

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Eat· Mitte · €€

Zur letzten Instanz

Hours: Mon–Thu 17:30–23:00 · Fri–Sat 12:00–23:00 · Sun closed

Address: Waisenstraße 14-16, 10179 Berlin, Germany

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Charlottenburg, Spandau and Kulturbrauerei markets

Three more markets have set dates for this season: the one at Charlottenburg Palace, the Spandau market and the Lucia market at the Kulturbrauerei. Spandau and the Lucia market cost nothing to enter. You can also get to Spandau directly on the underground.