Draped in fairy lights, scented with cinnamon and dusted with snow, Germany’s cool capital sure knows how to celebrate the festive season! With more than 80 Christmas markets to choose from and even more wonderful winter events thrown in the mix, how do you even begin to plan your Berlin Christmas market schedule? Admittedly, it wasn’t easy to shortlist all these spectaculars, but here goes! It’s time to don your woollies, dig out your camera and immerse yourself in the beauty that is Berlin…

The traditional market…

WeihnachtsZauber, Gendarmenmarkt

Fairytales come to life when the festive season falls at the WeihnachtsZauber, Gendarmenmarkt. It kicks off towards the end of November and dazzles right though to 31 December. Why should you visit this Berlin Christmas market? It’s location, for a start. Sandwiched between Französischer Dom (the French Cathedral) and Deutscher Dom (the New Church), the setting couldn’t be dreamier if it tried. Look out for artisan craft stalls selling everything from leatherwares to wood carvings.

The gigantic market!

Spandau Christmas market

Say ‘hallo’ to the biggest Chrimbo market in the whole of Berlin. As well as a huge light-speckled tree and gingerbread-house-style stalls, there’s also a stage with live music! You can easily spend hours weaving in between more than 400 wooden stalls, admiring the nativity scene, strolling through the Garden of Christmas and marvelling at the medieval procession each Wednesday.

The charming market…

Berliner Weihnachtszeit

How does a Ferris wheel and a 600sqm ice rink sound? Yep, we thoughts so. Did we mention it’s free when you bring your own skates? How good is that! Don’t worry, you can hire some. Wrap up in your layers and enjoy an evening at one of Berlin’s oldest Christmas markets. The whole area is decked out in 1900s style, so it really stands out from the crowds. What’s more, it’s handily located behind Alexanderplatz.

The unique experience…

Tierpark Zoo

What could possibly make Christmas in Berlin even more magical? Two words: Tierpark Zoo. On a normal day, 6,500 trunked, toothed and tailed inhabitants call this place their home, but when Chrimbo rolls around, the zoo is transformed. Take the whimsical 2km walk among 30 light sculptures and marvel at the lit-up Friedrichsfelde Palace, which makes the ultimate backdrop.

The wow-factor…

The Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz

Over 100,000 lights twinkle on the ceiling of the Sony Centre in November and December, and it’s a sight to behold. Yikes, we wouldn’t want to be paying their electric bill though! As well as an incredible display, there will also be ballet shows on the hour, every hour. Sounds pretty enchanting to us.

The amazing view

Klunkerkranich Rooftop

A rooftop market? In a rooftop bar? Show us the way! This sweet little setup is so much more than just stalls (although these are pretty fabulous too), but it’s the panoramic city views that really steal the show. If you time it right, you can be up here while the sun is setting… Dreamy.

The shopaholic’s must-do…

Shop at Winter Wonderland

Fancy a spot of retail therapy during your festive fly-by to Berlin? When November arrives, a wand is waved and, as if by magic, the city’s glitzy shopping district, Potsdamer Platz, is transformed into Winter World. Get stuck in to some last-minute Christmas shopping or, better still, stock up on goodies for yourself! Well, it is the season of giving, after all!

One for the music fans…

B-flat Jazz Club

Look out for the stages, performances and even karaoke events that pop up throughout Berlin in November and December. If jazz is your thing, why not take a break from the cold and warm up to the sounds of the sax at B-flat Jazz Club? It’s owned by two musicians and an actor, and hosts both big-name and up-and-coming acts.

So, has all this talk of Christmas left you feeling all festive? Us too! Book in your festive Berlin break today.