Pick almost any Berlin Christmas market for 2026 and it will open in the week of 23 November, the Monday after Totensonntag, which is when most of the city’s big markets start. Berlin has dozens of them, from the white tents of Gendarmenmarkt to the market in front of Charlottenburg Palace and the one on Breitscheidplatz by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
Below are the 2026 dates, how the main markets differ, what to eat, how to get around, and where to leave a suitcase on arrival or departure day.
Berlin Christmas market 2026 dates
| Market | 2026 dates | Location | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gendarmenmarkt | 23 Nov – 31 Dec 2026 | Mitte | €2, free Mon–Fri 11:00–14:00 (except 24–26 and 31 Dec) |
| Rotes Rathaus (Berlin City Hall) | 23 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Mitte, near Alexanderplatz | Free |
| Humboldt Forum | 18 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Mitte, Schlüterhof and palace forecourt | Free |
| Alexanderplatz | 23 Nov – 26 Dec 2026 | Mitte | Free |
| Charlottenburg Palace | 23 Nov – 27 Dec 2026 (closed 24 Dec) | Charlottenburg | Free |
| Breitscheidplatz (Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church) | 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | City West | Free |
Gendarmenmarkt, the classic Berlin Christmas market
Set between the French and German Cathedrals and the Konzerthaus, the WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt runs from 23 November to 31 December 2026. It’s the most polished market in the city, with craft workshops in heated tents, a stage for choirs and brass bands, and some of the best food stalls. Entry costs €2, but it’s free from Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 14:00 (except 24 to 26 and 31 December). It’s open Sunday to Thursday 11:00 to 22:00 and until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, with an 18:00 close on Christmas Eve.
Other markets worth visiting
Rotes Rathaus and Alexanderplatz
The market at the Rotes Rathaus, Berlin’s red-brick City Hall, has a big Ferris wheel, an ice rink around the Neptune Fountain and the TV Tower right behind it. It runs from 23 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. A few minutes away, Alexanderplatz has its own large market with rides. It runs from 23 November to 26 December 2026, daily from 11:00 to 22:00, and closes at 14:00 on Christmas Eve.
Humboldt Forum
The market in front of the rebuilt Berlin Palace and in its Schlüterhof courtyard opens earlier than most, on 18 November 2026, and stays until 3 January 2027. It’s a short walk from Museum Island.
Charlottenburg Palace
In the west of the city, the stalls in front of the Baroque palace are lit up after dark and feel calmer than the markets in Mitte. It runs from 23 November to 27 December 2026 and is closed on Christmas Eve. Hours are 13:00 to 22:00 from Monday to Thursday and 12:00 to 22:00 from Friday to Sunday.
Breitscheidplatz
The market around the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is handy if you’re shopping on the Kurfürstendamm, and it’s the first big market to open, on 13 November 2026. It stays open until 3 January 2027.
Food and drink at a Berlin Christmas market
Glühwein is the default, often served in a mug with a deposit you get back when you return it. Ask for “mit Schuss” if you want a shot of rum or amaretto added. For food, try Currywurst, Bratwurst, Grünkohl (kale) with sausage, Reibekuchen potato pancakes with apple sauce, Flammkuchen, roasted almonds and Stollen. Most markets have vegetarian and vegan stalls. Cards are widely accepted, but bring a bit of cash.
Getting there and getting around
The Mitte markets are close to each other. Gendarmenmarkt is on the U6 (Französische Straße) and U2 (Hausvogteiplatz), the Humboldt Forum is on the U5 (Museumsinsel), and Rotes Rathaus and Alexanderplatz share the Alexanderplatz station with S-Bahn, U2, U5 and U8. For Breitscheidplatz take the S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Zoologischer Garten. For Charlottenburg Palace, take the U7 to Richard-Wagner-Platz or a bus. Berlin Hauptbahnhof is a few S-Bahn stops from Alexanderplatz. The berlin.de listing of markets in Mitte is updated as dates are confirmed.
Luggage storage near the Berlin Christmas market
If you arrive early, check out before an evening train or just want to shop without a backpack, Radical Storage partners with local shops and hotels across Berlin. Every booking includes protection up to €10,000 per bag and free cancellation, and travellers rate the service 4.8/5.
- Luggage storage near Gendarmenmarkt
- Luggage storage near Alexanderplatz and the Rotes Rathaus
- Luggage storage near Berlin Hauptbahnhof
Frequently asked questions
Most big markets open on 23 November 2026. The Breitscheidplatz market opens first, on 13 November, and the Humboldt Forum market follows on 18 November.
Gendarmenmarkt stays open until 31 December 2026, and the Rotes Rathaus and Humboldt Forum markets until 3 January 2027.
Yes, entry costs €2, but it’s free from Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 14:00 (except 24 to 26 and 31 December). Most other Berlin markets are free.
The Rotes Rathaus market has a Ferris wheel and an ice rink, and Alexanderplatz has rides, so both work well with children.
It is mulled wine with a shot of spirit, usually rum or amaretto, added.
Radical Storage has partner locations near Gendarmenmarkt, Alexanderplatz and Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Book online, bags are protected up to €10,000 each and cancellation is free.