Most Christmas markets open Monday, November 23, and not every one works with kids. Advent is a whole season here: Nikolaus fills boots on December 6, and the presents come on Christmas Eve. We picked the markets with carousels, crafts and a Santa, plus the light trails for the big after-dark outing. Here's what we checked, from the palace light show at Charlottenburg to bauble painting at Domäne Dahlem.
Christmas Garden Berlin turns the Botanical Garden in Dahlem into an evening walking trail lit by millions of lights, with light installations set to music. This winter is its 10th season, on a newly redesigned path.
Kids walk the loop at their own pace, with dining options along the way. It suits kids happy to be on their feet outdoors on a winter evening.
A one-way loop of about two kilometers through Tierpark Berlin after dark, lined with light installations set to music. Kids walk through glowing tunnels and past lit-up trees, and there is an ice rink to skate on. Food stands along the route serve mulled wine, hot drinks and snacks. Best for children who can manage a long evening walk in the cold.
A Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace, with craft stalls, food stands and street musicians among fir trees and lit decorations. Once it gets dark, a light-mapping show plays across the palace facade.
Kids ride the carousels and watch the palace light up, while parents browse handmade gifts and grab mulled wine or gingerbread. It suits younger kids who like lights and rides.
A Christmas market in the courtyards of a 19th-century brewery, now the Kulturbrauerei arts complex. Kids ride a small chain carousel, balance on a rope-ladder game and take aim at a miniature knight's castle with crossbows. Santa has his own throne and a mailbox for wish letters. Swedish fires and a coat-heater art piece keep everyone warm.
A white tent city on one of Berlin's most historic squares, lit by thousands of Christmas lights. Kids can wander past glass blowers and candle makers in the heated crafts tent, watch musicians, acrobats and fire performers on the stage, and warm up over Kaiserschmarren, sweet pancake strips. It gets busy, so it suits kids who enjoy a lively evening crowd.
The Advent Market fills the grounds of Domäne Dahlem, a working estate around a 16th-century manor house. Kids paint Christmas tree baubles and make decorations to take home, ride a tractor and watch a small fire show by Pyrofessor Logo Lard. Handmade gifts, organic mulled wine and kale from the estate's own fields fill the stalls, with brass music from midday.
Over 200 nonprofit organizations, associations, and clubs offer handmade items, wooden toys, candles, honey, jams, and crafted gifts across Richardplatz. Food vendors serve mulled wine, waffles, bratwurst, and international vegetarian and vegan specialties. Only charitable organizations participate; commercial vendors are excluded.
A Christmas market running through Spandau's old town, with stalls selling roasted almonds, bratwurst and mulled wine. Kids can meet Santa Claus and pick up cotton candy. Families can try the two ice stock lanes on Reformationsplatz.
Most Christmas markets open Monday, November 23, and not every one works with kids. Advent is a whole season here: Nikolaus fills boots on December 6, and the presents come on Christmas Eve. We picked the markets with carousels, crafts and a Santa, plus the light trails for the big after-dark outing. Here's what we checked, from the palace light show at Charlottenburg to bauble painting at Domäne Dahlem.
Christmas Garden Berlin turns the Botanical Garden in Dahlem into an evening walking trail lit by millions of lights, with light installations set to music. This winter is its 10th season, on a newly redesigned path.
Kids walk the loop at their own pace, with dining options along the way. It suits kids happy to be on their feet outdoors on a winter evening.
A one-way loop of about two kilometers through Tierpark Berlin after dark, lined with light installations set to music. Kids walk through glowing tunnels and past lit-up trees, and there is an ice rink to skate on. Food stands along the route serve mulled wine, hot drinks and snacks. Best for children who can manage a long evening walk in the cold.
A Christmas market in front of Charlottenburg Palace, with craft stalls, food stands and street musicians among fir trees and lit decorations. Once it gets dark, a light-mapping show plays across the palace facade.
Kids ride the carousels and watch the palace light up, while parents browse handmade gifts and grab mulled wine or gingerbread. It suits younger kids who like lights and rides.
A Christmas market in the courtyards of a 19th-century brewery, now the Kulturbrauerei arts complex. Kids ride a small chain carousel, balance on a rope-ladder game and take aim at a miniature knight's castle with crossbows. Santa has his own throne and a mailbox for wish letters. Swedish fires and a coat-heater art piece keep everyone warm.
A white tent city on one of Berlin's most historic squares, lit by thousands of Christmas lights. Kids can wander past glass blowers and candle makers in the heated crafts tent, watch musicians, acrobats and fire performers on the stage, and warm up over Kaiserschmarren, sweet pancake strips. It gets busy, so it suits kids who enjoy a lively evening crowd.
The Advent Market fills the grounds of Domäne Dahlem, a working estate around a 16th-century manor house. Kids paint Christmas tree baubles and make decorations to take home, ride a tractor and watch a small fire show by Pyrofessor Logo Lard. Handmade gifts, organic mulled wine and kale from the estate's own fields fill the stalls, with brass music from midday.
Over 200 nonprofit organizations, associations, and clubs offer handmade items, wooden toys, candles, honey, jams, and crafted gifts across Richardplatz. Food vendors serve mulled wine, waffles, bratwurst, and international vegetarian and vegan specialties. Only charitable organizations participate; commercial vendors are excluded.
A Christmas market running through Spandau's old town, with stalls selling roasted almonds, bratwurst and mulled wine. Kids can meet Santa Claus and pick up cotton candy. Families can try the two ice stock lanes on Reformationsplatz.
