Monat: November 2025

Christmas market season in Berlin

Visiting Christmas markets is a long German tradition and one of the best parts during Winter season. The smell and taste of mulled wine, cinnamon and traditional food will definitely get you in the Christmas spirit! Of course, there are several opportunitys in Berlin to experience the vibe of German Christmas markets. Some of them are larger and more eventful, while others are smaller and more cozy. Here´s a brief introduction of some Christmas markets in Berlin.

Weihnachtsmarkt am Schloss Charlottenburg

Illuminated with colorful lights, Charlottenburg Palace towers above numerous festively decorated wooden huts and pagoda tents. The smell of traditional foods such as candied apples, wood-fired bread, and mulled wine fills the air. The Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace invites young and old alike on a romantic journey into the past. Feel like royalty at the Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace!

  • Dates: November 24 – December 28
  • Opening hours: Mon-Thu 1pm-10pm; Fri-Sun 12pm-10pm
  • Admission: free
  • Location: Schloss Charlottenburg, Spandauer Damm 22, 14059 Berlin

Weihnachtsmarkt auf dem Alexanderplatz

Roller skating amid festive lights, brass bands playing from the tower, and fun in the huts with Santa Claus: the winter Christmas market on Alexanderplatz is as diverse as Berlin! Christmas cheer reigns on one of Berlin’s most famous squares when, in December, wooden stalls decorated with lights transform Alexanderplatz into a winter village filled with the scent of chestnuts and punch. During this time, the hustle and bustle of the square gives way to the cozy, winter atmosphere of Berlin’s Christmas market. One of the highlights is the gigantic Christmas pyramid from the Ore Mountains.

  • Dates: November 24 – December 26
  • Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11pm-22pm
  • Admission: free
  • Location: Alexanderplatz, 10178 Berlin

WeihnachtsZauber am Gendarmenmarkt

WeihnachtsZauber is the most luxurious of Berlin’s Christmas markets: artists offer fine handicrafts indoors in the arts and crafts tent, and gourmet food lovers can feast in a festive atmosphere in heated tents. Glassblowers, goldsmiths, candle makers, tailors, and many other exhibitors offer their treasures for sale in the heated arts and crafts tent. The arts and crafts tent also houses the Christmas Magic Bar, where guests can enjoy a sip of champagne or other fine wines.

WeihnachtsZauber also has plenty to offer in terms of cuisine: in addition to traditional Bavarian and Austrian dishes such as Neuburger Rahmbrot (cream bread) and Kaiserschmarren (sweet pancakes), various gourmet restaurants in heated and beautifully decorated tents offer all kinds of delicacies to feast on.

  • Dates: November 24 – December 31
  • Opening hours: Sun-Thu 12pm-10pm; Fri & Sat 12pm-11pm
  • Admission: 2€
  • Location: Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin

Wintermarkt Schlossplatz am Humboldt Forum

In the heart of Berlin, the Schlossplatz around the Humboldt Forum is transformed into an atmospheric winter wonderland. In keeping with the historic backdrop, there is plenty of arts and crafts to admire at the new winter market in Berlin’s Mitte district. Historic rides and carousels entice younger visitors to enjoy some Christmas fun. And for the grown-ups, there are mulled wine specialties and all kinds of sweet and savory Christmas treats. Between the baroque facades of the Schlüterhof, a Christmas market awaits you, masterfully combining tradition, enjoyment, and modern staging. The square unfolds its magic especially in the evening: light projections illuminate the architecture and bathe the area in a festive atmosphere.

  • Dates: November 19 – January 4
  • Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm
  • Admission: free
  • Location: Schloßplatz, 10178

LGBTQIA* Winterdays in Schöneberg

Welcome to Berlin’s queerest Christmas market – a celebration of diversity right on Nollendorfplatz! Here you can look forward to a festive atmosphere and a special selection of mulled wine specialties. In addition to classic mulled wine, we also offer unusual hot cocktails, perfect for cold winter evenings.

Whether you’re celebrating with an entertaining drag show on stage or strolling through the festively decorated stalls, the Christmas market at Nollendorfplatz invites you to enjoy the festive atmosphere. From delicious mulled wine variations to handmade products and delicious food, there is something for everyone.

  • Dates: November 5 – December 23
  • Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm; Fri-Sun 3pm-10pm
  • Admission: free
  • Location: Nollendorfplatz, 10777 Berlin

Heissa Holzmarkt Winterfestival

Walk under the giant Christmas bauble and step into the festive winter wonderland of the Heissa Holzmarkt. In November and December, the Holzmarkt on the banks of the Spree is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland for a few weeks, inviting all Berliners and visitors to the city to the Heissa Holzmarkt from Thursday to Sunday. In addition to stands and exhibitors offering beautiful gift ideas for sale, there is plenty to experience at the Heissa Holzmarkt: for example, you can watch films or listen to fairy tales, marvel at artists, and dance to the beats of various DJs.

  • Dates: November 14 – December 21
  • Opening hours: Wed-Fri 4pm-10pm; Sat 2pm-10pm; Sun 2pm-8pm
  • Admission: 3€
  • Location: Holzmarktstraße 25, 10243 Berlin

We wish you a wonderful Christmas season and hope you enjoy visiting the Christmas markets! ✨🎀🎅❄️🎄

Thanksgiving in Berlin

On the fourth Thursday of November, people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving – probably the biggest national holiday. As an American living abroad, you might be missing the usual holiday festivities around this time. Thankfully, there are a lot of American expats that brought the tradition to Berlin with them. Here are a few places that offer authentic American Thanksgiving food as well as tips on where to find ingredients if you want to cook for yourself!

Enjoying Thanksgiving with the help of a restaurant…

P.S. If you plan on visiting one of these restaurants during thanksgiving, make sure to make a reservation ahead of time – spots can fill up quick!

1. Masha’s Bagels and Delicatessen

Masha’s Bagels hosts a traditional U.S. Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27th. They have seatings from 11 AM to 4 PM, and they offer a special Thanksgiving plate with all the classics: herb-roasted turkey, sourdough stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce and a barely-mushroom knish. For dine-in, the plate (including a dessert) costs 25€/each, and for pre-ordered takeaway, the cost is 30€/each. It´s first come – first serve, so there are no reservations possible!

find out more

2. Hard Rock Café

As an alternative, check out Hard Rock Café, which serves thanksgiving meals from November 24th to November 30th. Enjoy slow-roasted turkey breast, pumpkin pie and the seasonal Autumn Apple Fizz cocktail! One meal is 22.75€/each and you have to make reservations.

reservations here

3. Barcomi’s

Barcomi’s are famous for their American-style cakes and pies which you can order for pick-up or delivery in their online shop. Special Thanksgiving menu items are available!

find out more

Thanksgiving – for all who prefer to cook themselves

The turkey…

Germans eat turkey for Christmas, if at all, so it’s good to organize your bird in advance. Most Fleischereien will be able to sort a bird out if you give them a week’s notice. Plan on 500 grams per person when ordering, more if you’re fond of leftovers.

… and where to get it:

  • Kaufland, several locations across Berlin: In this huge grocery store you can often find frozen turkeys in the meat section. Expect to pay between 8-10 Euros per kg of turkey.
  • Kaufhauf des Westens (KaDeWe), Tauentzienstraße 21, Schöneberg: This famed department store also has a delicatessen, along with plenty of other international food options that make it the perfect place to pick up your thanksgiving essentials. Open: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Tel. 030 21210 (poultry counter)
  • Fleischerei Domke, Warschauer Str. 64, Friedrichshain: They say it’s best to come by in person to place an order, but Domke always has a few turkeys (presumably frozen) on hand. Open: Mon-Fr 6am-9pm, Sat 7am-9pm, Su 9am-9pm, Tel. 030 2917635.

Make your own vegan loaf:

This hearty vegan lentil loaf is packed with healthy ingredients and holiday flavors. It’s even gluten-free too!

recipe here

German guide to the Thanksgiving classics:

The stuffing/dressing

Since you can’t turn to admittedly-terrifying bags of stuffing mix, you’ll want a sturdy white bread that won’t fall to bits nor stay too stodgy. We suggest cubing Soluna’s La Boule or else what’s called französisches Landbrot, which is sold at many organic bakeries. Vacuum-packed chestnuts are easy to find in Berlin grocery stores and often more affordable than in the States, so they’re suited well as an addition to your stuffing.

The mashed potatoes

Look out for potatoes described as mehlig or mehligkochend (i.e. floury potatoes): they’re the best substitute for russets.

The pumpkin pie

You can find canned pumpkin at KaDeWe and Broken English. As a cheaper alternative, fresh pumpkins are available at most general supermarkets at this time of the year.

The sweet potatoes

If you want to make a sweet potato casserole, Süßkartoffel and marshmallows are sold in most grocery stores in the city.

The cranberry sauce

Cranberries can be found at most large grocery stores like Edeka and Kaufland, as well as most organic shops.