THE TOURISTIN: Travel Germany: 2024 guide to off-the-beaten-path Christmas markets in Berlin

The following Christmas markets are those where you get lots of vegetarian food and locally designed and made goodies. Visit markets in Renaissance palaces, in urban community gardens, in open-air museums, on one of Berlin’s prettiest streets or in a castle.

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 organized fairs and markets at the beginning of winter as an opportunity to stock up on products. In the 14th century, artisans like toymakers 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.

Off-the-beaten-path Christmas Markets in Berlin 2024

Christmas Market Humboldt Forum 2024

You will find this historic winter market on the Schlossplatz and in the Schlüterhof of the Berlin Palace, the Humboldt Forum. Watch artisans create unique handmade art before you devour local winter delicacies. A true highlight is the castle's illuminated baroque facade.

Information Christmas Market Humboldt Forum 2024. 25 November 2024 to 1 January 2025. Hours: 11am to 10pm, closed Christmas Eve. Tickets: free.

Berlin Environmental Christmas Market 2024

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.

Information Environmental Christmas Market Sophienstrasse. Sophienstrasse, 10178 Berlin. Dates: 1st Advent, 30 November to 1 December 2024. 2nd Advent, 7 to 8 December 2024. 3rd Advent, 14 to 15 December 2024. 4th Advent, 20 to 21 December 2024. Hours: Saturday 12pm to 8pm. Sunday 11am to 7pm. Tickets: Free.

Demesne Dahlem Christmas Market 2024

The ‘State Farm’ Dahlem used to be a Knight’s Estate and is now an organic farm and 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.

Fir branches planted in giant terracotta pots and candle holders in front of a white cottage with a green wooden door..

Five rows, each with five grey, turquoise, and dark grey ceramic mugs lying all on their sides in a wicker basket.

Information Demesne Dahlem Christmas Market. Königin-Luise-Straße 49. 14195 Berlin. Dates: 1st Advent, 30 November to 1 December 2024. 2nd Advent, 7 to 8 December 2024. 3rd Advent, 14 to 15 December 2024. 4th Advent, 20 to 21 December 2024. Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am to 7pm. Tickets: EUR 4.50, free up to the age of 12.

Romantic Christmas Market at the Hunting Lodge Grunewald 2024

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 is there as well.

Information Christmas Market Jagdschloss Grunewald. Hüttenweg 100, 14193 Berlin. 7 to 8 December 2024. Hours:11am to 7pm. Tickets: EUR 3.50.

Christmas Market at Späth'sche nursery 2024

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.

Information Christmas Market at Späth'sche nursery. Spaethstrasse 80. 12437 Berlin. Dates: 1st Advent, 30 November to 1 December 2024. 2nd Advent, 7 to 8 December 2024. 3rd Advent, 14 to 15 December 2024. Hours: 11am to 8pm. Tickets: EUR 8, free up to the age of 16.

Nordic Fairy Tale Christmas at Britz Castle 2024

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.

Information Nordic Fairy Tale Christmas at Britz Castle. Schloss Britz. Alt-Britz 73, 12359 Berlin. Dates: 1st Advent, 29 November to 1 December 2024. 2nd Advent, 6 to 8 December 2024. 3rd Advent, 13 to 15 December 2024. 4th Advent, 19 to 21 December 2024. Hours: Friday 2pm to 9pm. Saturday and Sunday 11am to 9pm. Tickets: EUR 5, free up to the age of 6.

Weihnachtsrodeo 2024

This is like a travelling Christmas Market, whereas travelling means they change location every couple of years or once every season. This indoor designer Christmas market takes places on some December weekends in the lead up to Christmas. This year the Christmas Rodeo takes place in the Colosseum. Here you can buy locally made design, like jewellery, jumpers, wall decoration and candles as well as imported goods like bathrobes, shawls or kilims from independent sellers.