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8 HOLIDAYS
Berlin's many outdoor Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas
markets) bustle with both tourists and locals. There's
music, food, drinks and great gift shopping, as the markets
offer mainly handicrafts and decorations such as the
popular wooden trinkets from the Erzgebirge mountains.
Then there are also huge fruitcakes (Stöllen) and
nutcrackers (Nussknacker), scarves, hats, and gloves
of richly coloured felt. Wrap up warm and stay tanked up
on the Glühwein, hot mulled red wine, sold at all markets
in souvenir mugs.
Berlin has nearly 60 Christmas markets for you to enjoy.
The most picturesque ones are on Gendarmenmarkt (until
31 Dec, open 11:00-22:00, 24 Dec until 18:00, New Years
Eve until 01:00), the Nostalgischer Weihnachtsmarkt
am Opernpalais off Unter den Linden (see below), the
market in Spandau’s old town (until 23 Dec, Sun-Thu
11:00-20:00, Fri 11:00-21:00, Sat 11:00-22:00), and the
Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt in the Kulturbrauerei complex
(see below). There‘s a huge ‘winter world’ at Potsdamer
Platz (until 26 December, open 10:00-22:00, 24 Dec until
16:00, closed 25 November), and the performance-rich yet
traditional market in Alt-Rixdorf (see below).
Germans make Christmas a far less commercial holiday
than some other nationalities, and instead whip themselves
into a frenzy with classical music concerts. This year the
Staatsoper Unter den Linden (www.staatsoper-berlin.
de) presents Puccini's La Bohème and Strauss' Der
Rosenkavalier as their Christmas shows.
Alt-Rixdorf Christmas Market
One of the most beautiful wintertime sights in Berlin and held
on the second weekend of Advent, the Alt-Rixdorf market
is located in the old city center of Rixdorf, which has since
Lucia Christmas Market
A Christmas market with village atmosphere in the Kulturbrauerei
courtyards, with stands selling handicrafts, food and drinks.
There‘s a tall Christmas tree, a merry-go-round and a bungee trampoline,
a daily visit by Santa at 17:00, stilt-walking artists performing
daily at 20:00, and plenty of activities for the children
on the weekends. Admission free.
Kulturbrauerei: Sredzkistr. 1 * Knaackststr. 97 * Schönhauser Allee 36-39
10435 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
U-Bahn: U2 Eberswalder Str or Senefelder Platz
26 Nov until 23 Dec 2012
open Mon-Fri 15:00-22:00; Sat-Sun 13:00-22:00
www.lucia-weihnachtsmarkt.de
Lucia Christmas Market
The cobblestone courtyard
of the Kulturbrauerei,
a beautiful old brewery,
hosts one of Berlin’s cosiest
Christmas markets.
The Scandinavian-themed
Christmas village amidst
the red brick buildings has
food, drinks and handicrafts.
Sip a mulled wine while you warm yourself in
oversized heated coats, or de-freeze your fingers by the
fire. Santa Claus visits daily at 17:00, and stilt walkers
and other artists perform daily from 20:00; there are
also activities for children in the afternoons.
Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer
Berg, U-Bahn Eberswalder Str, www.luciaweihnachtsmarkt.de.
Until 23 Dec; open Mon-Fri
15:00-22:00; Sat-Sun 13:00-22:00.
been engulfed by Berlin's urban expansion. Now technically in
Neukölln, this traditional market lit by oil lamps and featuring
pony rides strives to recapture the small town feel of the Alt-
Rixdorf Stadt. Running for one weekend only and featuring
handmade crafts and other wares sold only by charitable
organizations, this piece of old-world Christmas tradition
is one attraction not to miss. Richardplatz 28, Neukölln,
U-Bahn Karl-Marx-Straße. From 7-9 Dec, Fri 17:00-21:00,
Sat 14:00-21:00, and Sun 14:00-20:00.
New Years' Eve
While Christmas might be a mellow affair in Berlin, the days
preceding New Year’s (Silvester, named after the saint whose
name day falls on January 1) suggest a war-torn city that
hasn’t quite given up its arms yet – that’s what happens when
the corner store sells fireworks to naughty twelve-year-old
boys. The city throws a fantastic 2km-long 'Welcome 2013'
party that stretches from the Brandenburger Tor at Pariser
Platz all the way to the Siegessäule column in the centre of
Tiergarten park. You won't be celebrating alone – up to a
million people show up, making this the world's largest New
Year's Eve party. You’ll see some of the best fireworks around
Nostalgic Christmas Market
The ‘Nostalgischer Weihnachtsmarkt’
next to the
Opernpalais in Berlin‘s
historical centre presents
over 160 stands with gifts,
and artisans at work. Traditional
food and drinks
are available, and children
can enjoy special punch and rides on a century-old
carousel and a 1926 Ferris wheel. Come at 16:00 for
the daily cultural programme of music and acts on the
market stage, and for romantic horse cart rides around
the city centre.
Until 26 December. Opernpalais, Unter den Linden
5, Mitte, www.berliner-weihnacht.de. Open Mon-Fri
12:00-21:30, Fri/Sat 11:00-22:30, Sun 11:00-21:30.
Closed 24 Dec; 25-26 Dec 11:30-21:00.
Berlin In Your Pocket berlin.inyourpocket.com
Koppenplatz Christmas Market
In the middle of Mitte’s gallery and designer district,
the 17th edition of the ‘eco-friendly’ Christmas market
on the beautifully illuminated Koppenplatz square. The
Word Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace are present on the
market to present their nature conservation projects,
while other stands sell all manner of useful, eco-friendly
and unusual Christmas gifts, of German or fair-trade
origin. The market is kept stylish and low-key, and a
limited but fine selection of food stands offers crepes,
organic Bratwurst, raclette and Glühwein.
Weihnachtsmarkt Koppenplatz, Mitte, U-Bahn
Rosenthaler Platz, www.weihnachtsmarktkoppenplatz.de.
Open 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 Dec,
Sat 12:30-20:30, Sun 11:00-19:00.
Golden Else, on top of her victory column. Shake off 2012
and warm up at the same time in one of several the dance
tents or at the various stages. For detailed information see
www.silvester-berlin.de.
Opening times
Many larger stores and malls will open on the Sundays (from
13:00-20:00) leading up to Christmas and remain open
till late at night on weekdays. Museums are largely open
during the holidays. The Hauptbahnhof tourist office is open
daily during the holidays, but may close earlier on the 24th.
Public transport operates as on Sundays on 25 Dec and 1
Jan, and has extra services running throughout the night on
New Years' Eve.
17. Environment and
Christmas Market 2012
Koppenplatz in
Berlin Mitte
A beautiful, breathtaking event set in an enchanting
and festively-lit park in the heart of the gallery district.
Where?
Koppenplatz in
Berlin-Mitte, between
Hackescher Markt and
Rosenthaler Platz.
berlin.inyourpocket.com
When?
On the 4 weekends
of Advent
Sat 12:30 - 20:30
Sun 11:00 - 19:00
More information available at:
www.weihnachtsmarkt-koppenplatz.de
Supported by:
HOLIDAYS
OUTSIDE THE OPERNPALAIS
UNTIL 26 DEC, 2012
One of Berlin‘s loveliest
Christmas fairs. Pure nostalgia.
150 arts & crafts stands, including:
chandlers, soap makers, nativity builders,
gingerbread bakers, confectioners, brush makers,
lantern makers, and many, many others ...
OPENING HOURS
Monday-Thursday: noon - 9:30 pm
Friday/Saturday: 11:00 am - 10:30 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Christmas Eve: closed
Christmas Day/Boxing Day:
11:30 am - 9:00 pm
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
“Hausvogteiplatz” underground station
“Friedrichstraße” rail & urban rail station
Busses 100, 200
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
December 2012 - January 2013
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