After a year full of highs and lows, December in Berlin brings us a little deceleration! As temperatures drop and the days get darker, our lives slow down and become much more comfortable. But there are plenty of exciting things to do in Berlin before the turn of the year, and not just at the weekends – here are the highlights for the whole month! We have selected some special experiences for you that will (hopefully) entice you out of your front door despite the darkness and cold.
Off to the Bubble Planet!
Since December 12, Berlin has had a new highlight in the Arena Berlin with “Bubble Planet”. In twelve imaginative rooms, you can experience a colorful world of bubbles, balloons, illusions and light effects. Giant ball pools, glowing underwater worlds, VR experiences and creative selfie spots turn a visit into a playful, immersive adventure for young and old. A colorful break from the Berlin winter – perfect for friends, families or anyone who wants to discover something unusual.
Ice skating through the forest of lights
The newly opened Kunsthalle in Berlin opened on November 7 with the installation “FOREST – WINTERLIGHTS” by Christopher Bauder. On 1,000 square meters, Dark Matter unfolds an impressive light spectacle: a poetic forest landscape with over 600 floating trees and more than 250,000 lights that create a fascinating interplay of color, shine and reflection. You can skate through the forest of light on the 400 square meter ice rink and enjoy the winter atmosphere with mulled wine, non-alcoholic punch and small seasonal specialties.
A magical VR journey to Machu Picchu
This Christmas season will be magical with an unforgettable VR expedition for the whole family. Discover the magic and legend of Machu Picchu, the famous Inca city in Peru. Experience how the legendary world of this UNESCO World Heritage Site comes to life in the Kantgaragen Palace. In “Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City”, you will discover the secrets of an ancient culture, meet iconic characters, experience important rituals and see the Andes through the eyes of the Incas – an adventure that goes far beyond an ordinary trip to Peru. Book your VR trip by December 23 and get a festive 20% discount.
December in Berlin means time for Christmas markets
Sure, this option is probably not a big surprise, but we couldn’t help but include it! There are plenty of winter markets in Berlin in the run-up to Christmas, and we counted just over 90 in total. In addition to the well-known big ones, such as the one at the Rotes Rathaus, there are also smaller markets that open their stalls in all corners of the city. You’ll soon find out here where you can sniff around for presents with mulled wine and roasted almonds!
The Christmas market season doesn’t officially start until November 24. However, some markets open earlier: the first Winterwelt at Potsdamer Platz invites you to go tobogganing on its 70-metre-long winter slide as early as 31 October. The Lichtenberger Winterzeit has also been open since November 1, as have the LGBTQIA* Winterdays, which started on November 7. The historic Christmas market on the RAW grounds opens on November 13. You can find out all about the Christmas markets in Berlin here!
Enjoy the Christmas season with candlelight
The most contemplative month of the year is just around the corner! Now is the perfect time to calm down and get in the mood for Christmas – preferably together with your loved ones. Invite your loved ones to enjoy magical moments at a candlelight concert. Numerous concerts await you during the festive season – from soft Christmas sounds to atmospheric Christmas pop songs. But other genres are not neglected either: pop and hip-hop tributes, rock, international music and much more are on the program. No matter which style of music you choose, the combination of candlelight, classical music and breathtaking locations is sure to enchant you.
Plan your New Year’s Eve
We know from our own experience that New Year’s Eve planning is often put off until the last minute. If, like us, you don’t have any concrete plans yet, now is the time to prepare for an exciting end to the year. Even though the traditional ZDF New Year’s Eve party at the Brandenburg Gate has been canceled this year, something different is still planned in Berlin: A large demonstration has been registered for the turn of the year, which is intended to revive the “spirit of 1989” – in other words, the feeling of reunification when East and West celebrated New Year’s Eve together for the first time. Nevertheless, according to media reports, a Ferris wheel and a stage program are planned. If you need more tips for your New Year’s Eve planning, take a look here.
Documentary film festival at Babylon
The documentary film festival at Babylon is taking place again this year! From December 8 to 11, you can look forward to around 30 short and feature-length films at Doc.Berlin. The films are dedicated to current social issues and draw attention to topics that often remain hidden. Films such as “Tokyo Toy Boy” by Esli Balatova (December 10, 10 pm) or “Yalla, Baba” (December 8, 8 pm) by Angie Obeid open up exciting new perspectives.
Make your own Advent wreaths!
Unfortunately, many apartments in Berlin no longer have the space for a classic Christmas tree. That’s why an Advent wreath is the perfect replacement, 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!
When it’s snowy and cold, Berlin’s most beautiful walking routes are a whole new challenge
According to the latest forecasts, we can look forward to a balancing frosty winter after a rather hot summer. Even snow cannot be ruled out in Berlin this year! It offers the opportunity to get to know Berlin from a completely new perspective, which – from experience – doesn’t last too long. So get into your winter clothes as soon as the first snow flurries appear and experience Berlin’s most beautiful walking routes in a new light – literally! When it’s icy and cold, they become a good deal more difficult, making them an exciting challenge in the elements.
Test your skills on Prison Island
Whether physical challenges or tricky tasks for the mind – Prison Island challenges you on all levels. Show what skills you have and, above all, how well you work together as a team. Because only together can you master the diverse, challenge-rich rooms and free yourselves at the end. And of course there’s the race against time: immerse your pre-Christmas time stress in the Prison Island game mode and have lots of fun!
Imperial Christmas at the New Palace
The Grotto Hall of the New Palace offered a unique sight during the Advent season. The already impressive walls with embedded crystals lit up with unimaginable brilliance in the glow of the chandeliers. This year, a guided tour focuses on the Garden Hall designed by Frederick the Great. Here you can find out what functions the rooms had during Advent, what delicacies were served at Christmas dinner and what gifts the imperial couple and their seven children received. You can find more information here.
Christmas solar-powered boat trip on the Spree
On board the Christmas-decorated solar catamaran “Suncat 46”, you can enjoy the city to the full with a warm glass of mulled wine in your hand. The tour starts at the Oberbaumbrücke and takes you past famous sights such as the East Side Gallery, the Rotes Rathaus, the Nikolai Quarter, Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island and the government district with the Reichstag and the Federal Chancellery. In around two hours, you will experience Berlin in a cozy, heated atmosphere while multilingual audio guides provide you with exciting information. So you can fully enjoy the Christmas magic on the Spree.