Berlin has more than sixty Christmas markets, and the 2026 season opens on Monday 23 November, the day after the Sunday of the Dead (Totensonntag). The busiest are on [Gendarmenmarkt](/fr/attractions/gendarmenmarkt-berlin), in front of [Charlottenburg Palace](/fr/attractions/palais-de-charlottenbourg), around the [Memorial Church](/fr/attractions/eglise-du-souvenir-berlin) and at the foot of the Red Town Hall, near the [TV Tower](/fr/attractions/tour-de-television-berlin). The 2026 dates have been published for the markets below; where 2026 opening hours had not yet been announced in early October 2026, those of the 2025 edition are given, and this is stated. Apart from Gendarmenmarkt, whose organiser publishes its hours, the 2026 hours often come from unofficial sources and may change: check them on the berlin.de Christmas markets page or on each market's website before you go. Only Gendarmenmarkt charges admission; the other markets are free to enter.
Highlights
WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt
Between the Konzerthaus and the two cathedrals, this market brings together craft stalls, a heated tent of about 1,000 m² where artisans work in front of visitors, a stage with choirs, acrobats and musicians, and heated food tents. In 2026, it is open from 23 November to 31 December, 11:00 to 22:00 Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 to 23:00 on Friday and Saturday; on 24 December from 11:00 to 18:00 and on 31 December from 11:00 to midnight. Admission is €2, free for under-12s, and free Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00, except on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December.
The market in front of Charlottenburg Palace
More than 100 stallholders set up in the main courtyard, facing the palace façade lit by light projections. You will find decorations made from natural materials, heated tents for eating, two carousels and a small Ferris wheel for children. In 2026, it is open from 23 November to 27 December, 13:00 to 22:00 Monday to Thursday and 12:00 to 22:00 Friday to Sunday; it is closed on 24 December. Free admission.
The Breitscheidplatz market
Around the Memorial Church, at the start of the [Kurfürstendamm](/fr/attractions/kurfurstendamm), about a hundred stalls sell decorations, wooden toys and glass or bronze artwork, under a 400-metre canopy of lights. The 2026 edition runs from 23 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with free admission. The 2026 opening hours had not yet been published in early October; in 2025, the market was open from 11:00 to 21:00 (22:00 on Friday and Saturday), from 11:00 to 14:00 on 24 December, from 13:00 to 21:00 on 25 and 26 December and on 1 January, and from 11:00 to 20:00 on 31 December.
Berliner Weihnachtszeit at the Red Town Hall
Between the Rotes Rathaus and St Mary's Church, this market combines an ice rink around the Neptune Fountain, a 50-metre panoramic Ferris wheel, vintage rides and an old-style lane with mulled wine, grilled sausages and crafts. In 2026, it is open from 23 November to 3 January 2027, 12:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 11:00 to 22:00 on Saturday and Sunday; it is closed on 24 and 31 December, and closes at 20:00 on 3 January. Free admission.
The Alexanderplatz market
A few minutes' walk away, this market is set around the Fountain of International Friendship, with stalls selling food specialities from around the world. In 2026, it is open from 23 November to 26 December, daily from 11:00 to 22:00, with free admission.
The Lucia market at the Kulturbrauerei
In the red-brick courtyards of this former brewery in [Prenzlauer Berg](/fr/articles/prenzlauer-berg-berlin), the market has a Scandinavian theme: glögg, elk sausage, meatballs and Swedish fire logs. In 2026, it is open from 23 November to 22 December, 15:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 13:00 to 22:00 at weekends, with free admission.
Spandau and Domäne Dahlem
The Spandau old town market stretches from the town hall to St Nicholas' Church, from 23 November to 22 December 2026. The Advent market at Domäne Dahlem, a museum farm in south-west Berlin, opens only on Advent weekends: in 2026, on 28 and 29 November and on 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December, with crafts, organic produce and a brass band. Their 2026 opening hours had not yet been announced in early October.
Infos pratiques
Tips
At most markets, mulled wine (Glühwein) is served in a ceramic mug against a deposit (Pfand), refunded when you return the mug; you can also keep it as a souvenir. In 2025, the Berlin press reported prices of €3 to €6 a mug depending on the market, plus the deposit, for example a €5 deposit at Alexanderplatz. At Gendarmenmarkt, come on a weekday before 14:00 to get in free. Since the 2016 attack on Breitscheidplatz, the large markets have been protected by vehicle barriers. Dates and prices as observed in October 2026.
How to get there
Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin: U6 to Stadtmitte, or U2 to Hausvogteiplatz; buses 147 and 200. Charlottenburg Palace, Spandauer Damm 20, 14059 Berlin: buses M45 and 109, Luisenplatz/Schloss Charlottenburg stop. Breitscheidplatz, 10789 Berlin: S3, S5, S7, S9, U2 and U9 to Zoologischer Garten, or U1 to Kurfürstendamm. Red Town Hall (Spandauer Straße, 10178 Berlin) and Alexanderplatz (10178 Berlin): S3, S5, S7, S9, U2, U5 and U8 to Alexanderplatz. Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin: U2 to Eberswalder Straße. Spandau old town, Marktstraße, 13597 Berlin: U7 to Altstadt Spandau. Domäne Dahlem, Königin-Luise-Straße 49, 14195 Berlin: U3 to Dahlem-Dorf.
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