Berlin
Berlin Christmas markets 2026: Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg and glühwein between the cathedrals
White tents between two cathedrals, a baroque palace lit up in the December dark and a flaming sugar cone over a pot of punch. These are Berlin’s Christmas markets in 2026, with dates, the food to try, a cosy place to eat afterwards and the hotels within walking distance.
On Gendarmenmarkt the white tents stand close together between two near-identical cathedrals, and Christmas music drifts from the stage in front of the concert hall. The air smells of cinnamon, grilled sausage and burnt sugar. Berlin has dozens of Christmas markets every December, and most Berliners have a favourite. These are the ones we would choose.
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Short answer: Berlin’s Christmas markets in 2026
WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt: 23 November to 31 December 2026. The market has charged a small entry fee in previous years.
Wintermarkt at the Humboldt Forum: 18 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, on Schlossplatz and in the courtyard of the Berlin Palace.
Charlottenburg: usually from late November to just after Christmas.
Alexanderplatz and the Rotes Rathaus: the big, lively markets in the east, with a Ferris wheel and ice rink.
Always check the organisers and berlin.de before you travel.
Stay within walking distance of Gendarmenmarkt
Rocco Forte Hotel de Rome: three minutes from the market
A luxury hotel with a spa in a former bank on Bebelplatz, with a roof terrace and a short walk to both Gendarmenmarkt and the Humboldt Forum.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel de Rome
Hotel Adlon Kempinski: by the Brandenburg Gate
The classic hotel by the Brandenburg Gate, a short stroll along Unter den Linden to the markets in the centre.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Adlon Kempinski
Hotel de Rome on Bebelplatz.
Gendarmenmarkt: the elegant market
Many consider WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt the most beautiful market in the city. The stalls stand between the Deutscher Dom, the Französischer Dom and the Konzerthaus, with more craftsmanship and less plastic than many others. There is also a heated dining area, a good place to escape the cold.
The Humboldt Forum and Schlossplatz
By the rebuilt Berlin Palace, now the Humboldt Forum museum, a winter market fills Schlossplatz and the great palace courtyard. Museum Island and the Berliner Dom are a short walk away.
Charlottenburg: a market before the baroque palace
In front of Charlottenburg Palace in the west of the city, the stalls fill the square before the illuminated baroque facade. It is more atmospheric and less hectic than the centre, and worth an evening of its own.
Alexanderplatz and the Rotes Rathaus
Around the red town hall and the Neptune Fountain is one of the city’s biggest markets, with an ice rink, a Ferris wheel and plenty of food stalls. It is more funfair than tradition, but the mood is good, especially with children.
What to try
Glühwein: German mulled wine, often with a dash of rum or amaretto.
Feuerzangenbowle: hot punch with a rum-soaked sugar cone set alight above the pot. A sight in itself.
Bratwurst and currywurst: Berlin street food, straight from the grill.
Stollen and Lebkuchen: German fruit loaf and soft gingerbread.
A cosy place to eat afterwards
After an evening among the stalls, a traditional Berliner Kneipe, a small neighbourhood pub with wood panelling and low light, is just what you need. Order a local beer and a schnitzel, or look for one of the many simple restaurants serving Gänsebraten, roast goose, in December.
More hotels in Berlin
Hotel Zoo Berlin: on the Kurfürstendamm
A design hotel on the famous shopping street in the west, a short hop to Charlottenburg.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Zoo Berlin
Getting to Berlin
There are direct flights to Berlin from several UK airports, and the airport express train takes you to the centre.
Tips for a Christmas trip to Berlin
Combine markets: Gendarmenmarkt and the Humboldt Forum are within walking distance, and Charlottenburg suits an evening of its own.
Carry cash: Many stalls still prefer cash.
Avoid Friday nights: The big central markets are busiest then.
Frequently asked questions about Berlin Christmas markets
When does the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market open in 2026?
WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt runs from 23 November to 31 December 2026.
Which Christmas market in Berlin is best?
Gendarmenmarkt is the most elegant, Charlottenburg the most atmospheric, and Alexanderplatz the largest and most family-friendly.
Are Berlin’s Christmas markets free?
Most are free. Gendarmenmarkt has charged a small entry fee in previous years.
Where should you stay for the markets?
Hotel de Rome is three minutes from Gendarmenmarkt, and Hotel Adlon by the Brandenburg Gate is a short walk from the central markets.