Just in time for winter in the city, our Christmas guide for Berlin brings order to the colorful, sometimes chaotic world of pre-Christmas events. Here you’ll find plenty of inspiration for new experiences to brighten up the dark season. Do you love Christmas markets? From classic to unusual and unconventional – we’ve got you covered. Are you a fan of winter sports? Then discover the city’s most beautiful ice rinks with us. And if you’re still looking for a touch of festive coziness, we’ll also reveal the best recipes for your Christmas treats.
Glide through a sparkling fairytale forest
In the newly opened DARK MATTER art gallery, Berlin light artist Christopher Bauder creates a sparkling winter wonderland of 600 floating trees and over 250,000 lights with FOREST – WINTERLIGHTS. A 400 m² ice rink leads through this poetic forest landscape, on which you can glide as if through a movie – accompanied by a spherical soundtrack and atmospheric lighting effects. In 45-minute cycles, you are immersed in light, sound and a wintry atmosphere, while mulled wine, punch and small seasonal treats round off the experience. By far one of the most beautiful pre-Christmas activities in Berlin! If you want to find out more, check out the full article.
Make your own Advent wreaths
Unfortunately, many apartments in Berlin no longer have the space for a traditional Christmas tree. That’s why an Advent wreath is the perfect substitute, standing in for its big brother and conjuring up at least a little Christmas spirit in your home. A self-tied and decorated wreath can spread a lot of atmosphere and is also a pleasant challenge for the creative mind!
Visit an exhibition with 150 works by Goya, Monet, Cézanne, Bonnards
The Scharf Collection – one of the most important German private collections with 150 outstanding works by Goya, Monet, Cézanne, Bonnard, Matisse, Picasso and many other greats – can be seen in its entirety for the first time in the Alte Nationalgalerie. The exhibition takes you from the beginnings of modernism through impressionism and cubism to contemporary painting and shows how the Scharf family of collectors has built up and preserved a unique collection over generations. With highlights such as Bonnard’s “The Large Bathtub”, Monet’s “Waterloo Bridge”, Cézanne’s “House with a Red Roof” and Daumier’s impressive small bronzes, the show offers a rare, art-historically significant experience that will only enrich Berlin until February 15, 2026. You can get your tickets for this unique exhibition here!
Curling on real ice
In the middle of the Tiergarten, you can experience sustainable curling on six covered real ice rinks at Café am Neuen See – real ice, real winter fun, powered entirely by renewable energy. With mulled wine, punch and a round by the fire, the competition quickly turns into a cozy pre-Christmas activity, which you can round off perfectly with a meal in the alpine hut or the rustic barn. Curious to find out more? You can find all the details about this activity here!
Attend a festive Christmas concert
If you would like to spend the festive season with music, Berlin has a large selection of atmospheric holiday concerts – including the classic Christmas concerts by Candlelight! Here you can immerse yourself in the magic of the Advent season in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by thousands of candles while listening to various Christmas classics, including “The Nutcracker” and “Winter Wonderland“, performed live by talented musicians.
Go to the movies in comfort
The classic Christmas goose
For many, goose is as much a part of Christmas as fish is Good Friday! If you don’t want to miss out on this classic dish, here’s a selection of restaurants where you can satisfy your cravings – including a vegan version!
Experience a sea of lights in Europe’s largest zoo
Just a few minutes from Alexanderplatz, Europe’s largest zoo transforms its 160 hectares into a fairytale winter wonderland: a 2 km circular trail leads through colorful light installations, illuminated treetops, water and light shows and past the historic Friedrichsfelde Palace. The Christmas market in the zoo offers ice skating, winter treats and regular family days – an atmospheric experience for young and old that uniquely combines nature, architecture and light art in the run-up to Christmas and will put you in a magical mood until January 10. You can find out all about this somewhat different Christmas market here!
Visit one of the many classic Christmas markets!
Our last tip in the Christmas guide for Berlin is actually obvious – which is why it’s in last place. According to our last count, Berlin offers a selection of 94 Christmas markets of all sizes and themes. But they all have one thing in common: lots of mulled wine and roasted almonds! You can find our selection of the best Christmas markets here.