Travel Germany: 9 Vegan, Fair and Green Christmas Markets in Berlin

Germany and its Christmas Markets in December belong together like chips and gravy, like salt and pepper, like peaches and cream, like desire and will, like heart and soul … you get it right?

The tradition of Christmas markets goes all the way back to late medieval times when people organised fairs and markets at the beginning of winter as an opportunity to stock up on products. In the 14th century, artisans like toy makers or confectioners, began to build stalls, from where they sold their wares. This was excellent for parents who bought them as Christmas presents for their children. And then there were stalls with roasted chestnuts, nuts and almonds … The people never looked back.

Vegan, Fair and Green Christmas Markets in Berlin

1. Christmas Market at the Centre for Nature Conservancy

At the alternative Christmas market at the Centre for Nature Conservancy near Teufelssee natural products like teas, chutneys and jams, herbal pillows and herbal liqueurs, honey and biscuits, but also spelled pillows, books, jewelry and felt products are on offer. Get creative, and build your own Advent wreaths or make Christmas tree ornaments and paint porcelain angels.

Address: Christmas Market at the Centre for Nature Conservancy (Naturschutzzentrum Ökowerk). Teufelsseechaussee 22, 14193 Berlin.

Dates and Hours: Sunday, 22^nd November 2015. 11am -4pm.

Tickets: free.

2. Christmas Market at the Museum for Art and Cultures

On every of the four last weekends before Christmas they celebrate a different continent at this place. On about 50 stalls you find handicrafts from different regions of the world. Buy African fabrics and tin toys, jewellery from India, felt products from Kazakhstan to support locally run social projects.

Address: Museen Dahlem – Kunst und Kulturen. Dahlem Museums, Lansstraße 8, 1419.

Dates and Hours: 
Europe and the world: 21^st November - 22^nd November 2015. 11am - 7pm. 
Asia: 28^th November - 29^th November 2015. 11am - 7pm. 
America: 5^th December to 6^th December 2015. 11am - 7pm. 
Africa: 12^th December - 13^th December 2015. 11am - 7pm.

Tickets: Free under the age of 18. EUR 8, concessions EUR 4 (this includes the entrance fee to the Museum).

3. Berlin Environmental Christmas Market

The Berlin Environmental Christmas Market is located on Sophienstrasse, that is one of the oldest streets of Berlin directly next to Hackescher Markt. You will find lots of handcrafted and organic fair trade products, made by designers and artists, and of course drinks and food such as crepes, raclette and mulled wine, and for the first time this year also vegan dishes.

Address: Sophienstrasse, 10178 Berlin.

Dates and Hours. 28^th - 29^th November 2015. 5^th December - 6^th December 2015. 12^th December - 13^th December. 19^th December - 20^th December. Saturdays 12pm – 8pm. Sundays 11am – 7pm.

Tickets: Free.

4. Demesne Dahlem Christmas Market

The ‘State Farm’ Dahlem used to be a Knight’s Estate and is now an organic farm and also an open air museum for agricultural and food culture. The Christmas Market takes place in the middle of the historical estate, the stables and barns. Dip your own candles, buy artisan craftwork, and be merry. Sweet Christmas treats such as handmade gingerbread, marzipan, sugared almonds and hot chestnuts and mulled wine are offered but if you don’t have a sweet tooth there are also homemade potato pancakes and jams, chutneys and compotes. Get warm with mulled wine or a punch at the campfire while listening to live Christmas tunes played by a brass band.

Address: Königin-Luise-Straße 49. 14195 Berlin.

Dates and Hours: On all four weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) in the period from 28^th November and 20^th December 2015. 11am - 7pm.

Tickets: EUR 2, concessions EUR 1.

5. Fairy-tale like Christmas Market at the Hunting Lodge Grunewald

The Hunting Lodge Grunewald is the oldest surviving Renaissance palace in Berlin and that makes it the ideal place for the most magical Christmas market. Buy products from local artisans and meet characters such as Old Mother Frost, Hansel and Gretel or Cinderella's stepmother who are there as well.

Dates and Hours: 5^th December - ^6th December 2015. 11am – 7pm.

Address: Jagdschloss Grunewald. Hüttenweg 100, 14193 Berlin.

Tickets: EUR 3 (inclusive a visit of the palace). Children under the age of 6: free.

6. Christmas Market at Späth'sche nursery

Visit this Christmas market in the oldest nursery in Germany, it looks like it comes straight from a picture book. There are more than 100 decorated stalls where designers and artisans offer their wares. There are storytellers and a Christmas crib from South Tyrol, and a historic children’s merry-go-round. After a walk through the fir forest to buy a Christmas tree, eat Christmas delicacies, choose from eight mulled wine varieties and warm up at the bonfire.

Address: Spaethstrasse 80. 12437 Berlin.

Dates and Hours: 5^th December - 6^th December 2015. 11am – 8pm. 12th December - 13th December 2015. 11am – 8pm.

Tickets: EUR 3. Children under the age of 16: free.

7. Nordic Fairy Tale Christmas at Britz Castle

The eighteenth-century Britz palace is the picturesque setting for this market. You can see artisans work with their tools and discover century old traditions. Bargain in the candlelight, drink mulled wine, and watch the travelling artists amidst all the tinsel.

Address: Schloss Britz. Alt-Britz 73, 12359 Berlin.

Dates and Hours: 11^th – 13^th December and 18^th – 20^th December 2015. Friday 2pm – 9pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am – 9pm.

Tickets: EUR 3, concessions EUR 2, children up to the age of 6 free.

8. The Green Christmas Market Berlin – The vegan vegetarian Christmas Market

A Christmas market without animal products on offer? You can find that in Berlin. Vegan and vegetarian products and food plus live music. I will have mulled wine and some gingerbread with that please. This needs to be celebrated.

Address: Neue Heimat. Revaler Straße 99. 10245 Berlin.

Dates and Hours: 12^th – 13^th December. Friday 12pm – 10pm.

Tickets: EUR 2, children free.

9. Nowkoelln Christmas Market

Do you love a truly different Christmas Market? Try Christmas cheer and live music in an electrical substation. Really true. The market takes place in an impressive architectural monument with brick finish. At the Nowkoelln Christmas Flowmarkt you get design, fashion and crafts, second-hand goods, vintage clothing and homemade gifts.

Address: Umspannwerk Kreuzberg. Ohlauer Str. 43, 10999 Berlin.

Dates and Hours: 19^th December, 11am – 8pm. 20^th December. 10am – 7pm.

Tickets: EUR 3.

Which one is your favourite? What did I miss? Looking forward to hear from you.

From Berlin with love