A third week of visiting Christmas Markets in Berlin led us to a realization: at this rate we might not make it to all 73 markets. First, since at least half of those were only on one weekend, many had already passed us by. Secondly, it meant more to us to enjoy these markets and all they had to offer rather than bounce around the map of Berlin like a pinball. That being said, this week was a good one.
Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt in der Kulturbrauerei
Taking place in an old brewery turned event space, this Scandinavian-themed marketplace offered all of the usual Christmas Market vibes with an added northern flair (think yurts). Even though it was a bitter cold visit, it quickly became our favorite to date.
Vibe:
Ba humbug|————————⭐️—|HoHoHo
Glühwein:
Sicker|———————⭐️——|Liquor
Size:
Quaint|——————⭐️———|Carnival
Crowd:
Deserted|———————⭐️——|Dense
Weihnachtsmarkt am Schloss Charlottenburg
It was a first for both of us at the Charlottenburg castle, an expansive historical structure situated in the middle of western Berlin. Pulling up to the market, we could hardly believe our eyes at the size of it. It was large and festive, but because the stalls were laid out and spread in an orderly grid it really didn’t feel too crowded at all.
Vibe:
Ba humbug|————————⭐️—|HoHoHo
Glühwein:
Sicker|———————⭐️——|Liquor
Size:
Quaint|————————⭐️—|Carnival
Crowd:
Deserted|———⭐️——————|Dense
Umwelt – und Weihnachtsmarkt in de Sophienstraße
What billed itself as an “environmental” Christmas Market turned out to be a real disappointment. It looked nothing different than your standard small street market with below-average Glühwein.
Vibe:
Ba humbug|—⭐️————————|HoHoHo
Glühwein:
Sicker|———⭐️——————|Liquor
Size:
Quaint|———⭐️——————|Carnival
Crowd:
Deserted|————⭐️—————|Dense
Weihnachtsmarkt am Heissa Holzmarkt
Coming off of the disappointment of the previous market, we arrived at Heissa Holzmarkt, a wonderful market area situated right on the banks of the Spree river. This place was wonderfully different, with fire shooting out of nooks and crannies and hand-made goods, food, and wine.
Vibe:
Ba humbug|——————⭐️———|HoHoHo
Glühwein:
Sicker|——————⭐️———|Liquor
Size:
Quaint|————⭐️—————|Carnival
Crowd:
Deserted|———————⭐️——|Dense
Alt-Rixdorfer Weihnachtsmarkt
The Alt-Rixdorfer Christmas Market is hyped every year as being one of the biggest and best and big it was. It may not have been our favourite but the only thing faulting this market may have been the big crowds. However, situated in a huge open square, it never felt too claustrophobic.
Vibe:
Ba humbug|——————⭐️———|HoHoHo
Glühwein:
Sicker|——————⭐️———|Liquor
Size:
Quaint|———————⭐️——|Carnival
Crowd:
Deserted|————————⭐️—|Dense
For further reading, the other posts of the series:
4 – A Third Week of Christmas Markets
5 – Christmas Markets of the City (and Spandau)