Most cities in Europe are beautifully decorated during the holidays. As someone who loves Christmas, I can honestly say that Christmas in Berlin is an amazing experience. Everyone should at least visit Berlin once during the winter holidays. The whole city transforms into something magical and all you want to do is spend your day outside and explore all the Christmas markets around town and walk along the bright streets.
1. Christmas Markets
Even if you don’t plan on visiting any of Berlin’s Christmas markets, there is no chance you will miss them on your walk around the city. But then again, I cannot imagine someone coming to Berlin and not visiting at least 4 of them.
Each area has a Christmas market, with the biggest and most famous being the ones in Gendarmenmarkt, Alexanderplatz, Potsdamer Platz Kurfürstendamm and Rathaus Spandau. Most of the city’s holiday markets have carousels and other activities for your little ones, as well as many food options, such as crepes, kurtoscalacs, caramelised nuts, sausages, langos and many more. And don’t forget about enjoying a warm glühwein, while waiting in the ice skating lines.
2. Christmas Decorations Around The City
During the holidays, Berlin will leave you speechless. Everything, and I mean everything is decorated to perfection. Stores, malls, buildings, streets, even trees. The decorations whether grand or not, are beautiful and catch your eye in an instant.
The Arkaden in Potsdamer Platz is probably the most impressive mall. Golden lights covering all of it, and a Christmas tree with ornaments that depict Berlin’s sights and famous buildings making it very unique. Also, head to Kurfürstendamm for the iconic -”Berlin” lights.
3. Shop Till You Drop
It’s only normal that you will shop a lot during the holidays for clothes, Christmas decorations and presents. What better than combining your shopping with some great sales. It is not a secret that during this time of year, stores in Berlin offer some pretty good sales and offers. Put on your flats and take advantage of them.
Germans love Christmas and love shopping. The sales you may find during this season may be the best you ever will. Clothing departments, beauty stores, electronics and household appliances, will probably be in the lowest prices.
4. Fireworks
We are not talking about just fireworks. Berliners really know how to deal with fireworks. On New Year’s Eve, wherever you are at midnight, you will most likely experience a beautiful firework show. From midnight until the early morning, it is impossible to drive as you have absolutely no visibility. If possible, get somewhere high up to enjoy them and get amazing pictures. One week before New Year’s you might start seeing fireworks around the city at random times. It’s only because Berliners absolutely love fireworks and take advantage of every chance they have to light them up. Plus they are getting ready for New Years’.
5. Botanical Garten
Open from the 15th of November until the 5th of January 2020, from 16:30 to 22:00 daily, you have to visit the Botanical Garden in Berlin. Every holiday season, the garden turns into a magical and breathtaking wonderland with illuminations and 3D decorations. There are various food tents and fireplaces all around. Keep in mind that the Garden is closed on 18, 19, 25 and 26 of November, as well as 02, 03, 24 and 31st of December. The ticket price is 17.00 euros for adults from Monday to Thursday and 19.00 euros for the rest of the weekdays.
6. Fun Activities
If you want to do something other than shopping and drinking, then you have more choices. You can take your children to the Christmas markets and let them enjoy the carousels and Ferris wheels. At Sony Center, there is a fairy that all kids find fascinating, with shows being performed every hour. Another choice is to go to the different events happening around town or go ice-skating in Postdamer Platz, the Botanical Garden or Alexanderplatz.
7. Events
There are events happening in various areas of Berlin every single day. Whether you choose to visit Sony Center for the Enchanting Christmas Season to see the dance show for free or pay for THE Vivid Grand Show, the biggest show in Berlin at the moment, you will have a great time.
Museums also have events, with special exhibitions just for the holiday season. Bars have live shows or parties on specific days of the month. Dancing performances, live music, free tango and dance lessons, concerts and street food festivals are some of the top options.
8. New Year’s Eve
Once in your life, you have to experience a New Year’s Eve outside among thousands of people. Doing so in Berlin, will not disappoint you. From Brandenburg Tor until the Victory Column, live music, performances, and artists wait for you. The show begins at 19:00. You can visit before to see the rehearsals. Once it’s midnight, the sky fills with fireworks and around you people smile, laugh and hug.
9. Nightlife
Take your pick. Bars, restaurants, clubs, street food, live music. Nights in Berlin offer anything you want. Any kind of entertainment for any kind of culture. No matter where you go, all places are filled with people, even during weekdays, something not common in the rest of Germany.
10. Sightseeing
Visiting Berlin during Christmas does not mean you only come for the markets and decorations. Above all, the sights are Berlin’s gem and are worth seeing all year long. From Museum Island to Victoria Park, all museums, parks, and sights must become your choice for a break from all the Christmas craziness.
No matter what you choose to for your Christmas holidays in Berlin, make sure to have some warm Glühwein and enjoy your time. Berlin is truly a magic city during Christmas and everyone has to experience it at least once.
Culturista Life 