December in Berlin is defined by one thing above all else. The Weihnachtsmärkte, the Christmas markets, take over the city from late November through the end of the month. More than 60 markets set up across neighborhoods from Mitte to Spandau, and they are likely the single strongest reason anyone books a December trip here. The air smells of Glühwein and roasted almonds. Wooden stalls glow under strings of lights. The atmosphere is genuinely festive, not performative. That said, you will pay for it in cold and darkness. Expect highs around 4.7°C (40°F), lows near 0.6°C (33°F), and sunset before 4 p.m. for most of the month.
The short daylight hours tend to surprise first-time winter visitors more than the cold itself. Berlin sits at 52°N latitude, roughly level with Saskatoon, and you might get 7.5 hours of daylight on a December day. Overcast skies are common, so some days feel like an extended dusk. Mind you, this is part of what makes the Christmas market lights so effective. The city leans into the darkness rather than fighting it. Candles appear in apartment windows across Prenzlauer Berg, and the department stores on Tauentzienstraße compete with elaborate window displays.
Berlin's cultural calendar also fills up in December. The Berliner Philharmonie runs its holiday concert series, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden typically programs a major opera for the season, and Museum Island stays open on some evenings with reduced crowds compared to summer. Hotel rates sit above the annual average, particularly around the Christmas week and Silvester (New Year's Eve), but they remain well below what you would pay in June or July. If you can handle the cold and the early darkness, December offers a version of Berlin you simply cannot experience in any other month.
Why visit in December
- Over 60 Weihnachtsmärkte across the city, from the grand market at Gendarmenmarkt to smaller neighborhood ones in Rixdorf and the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg
- Hotel rates run 15-25% below summer peak despite the holiday season, making December more affordable than June through August
- Museums and indoor attractions like the Pergamonmuseum and the Gemäldegalerie have shorter queues than in summer, with some offering extended Thursday evening hours
- Silvester on December 31 is one of Europe's largest open-air New Year's Eve celebrations, centered on the Straße des 17. Juni near the Brandenburg Gate
Worth knowing
- Daylight lasts roughly 7.5 hours, with sunrise after 8 a.m. and sunset before 4 p.m., which limits outdoor sightseeing time
- Temperatures regularly drop below freezing overnight, and wind chill along the Spree can make 2°C feel closer to -4°C
- Many smaller restaurants and independent shops close for 1-2 weeks around Christmas (December 24-26 and sometimes through January 1), and public transit runs reduced schedules on holidays
- Overcast skies persist on roughly 20-22 days of the month, so you may go several days without seeing direct sunlight
Best for
Think twice if
December in Berlin tends to hover between damp and cold. The 89% average humidity makes even moderate cold feel raw, the kind that gets into your joints after 30 minutes outdoors. Snow is possible but not guaranteed. Some years bring a white Christmas, others deliver nothing but gray drizzle. The 57mm of rainfall spreads across roughly 12 days, usually as light, persistent rain rather than heavy downpours. Wind off the North European Plain picks up along the Spree and in open areas like Alexanderplatz. The occasional clear day, when it arrives, reveals a pale winter sun that barely clears the rooftops by noon.
Seasonal caution
- Overnight temperatures regularly drop below 0°C (32°F), and wind chill can push the apparent temperature to -5°C (23°F) or lower along the river and in open plazas
- Ice forms on cobblestone streets and sidewalks after overnight frost, particularly in older neighborhoods like Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg where surfaces drain poorly
- Daylight is limited to approximately 7.5 hours, from around 8:15 a.m. to 3:55 p.m., which can affect mood and energy for visitors unaccustomed to northern European winter
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5 | 0 | 60 |
| Feb | 6 | 0 | 54 |
| Mar | 11 | 1 | 35 |
| Apr | 14 | 5 | 36 |
| May | 19 | 9 | 52 |
| Jun | 25 | 14 | 57 |
| Jul | 25 | 15 | 92 |
| Aug | 25 | 15 | 60 |
| Sep | 21 | 12 | 37 |
| Oct | 15 | 8 | 54 |
| Nov | 8 | 3 | 55 |
| Dec | 5 | 1 | 57 |
Headline events
Weihnachtsmärkte (Berlin Christmas Markets)
Late November through December 23 (most close on December 23, a few reopen December 26-31)
Over 60 Christmas markets operate across Berlin from late November through late December. The major ones at Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace, and Alexanderplatz draw hundreds of thousands of visitors. Each market has a distinct character, from the high-end WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt with its 1 EUR entry fee and live choral concerts to the free, low-key Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt in Prenzlauer Berg with its Scandinavian focus.
Silvester am Brandenburger Tor (New Year's Eve at Brandenburg Gate)
December 31, gates open afternoon, fireworks at midnight
One of Europe's largest open-air New Year's Eve parties stretches along the Straße des 17. Juni from the Brandenburg Gate toward the Siegessäule. The event typically draws over 500,000 people for live music stages, food stalls, and a midnight fireworks display. The party zone has been ticketed in some recent years, though large areas remain free.
Best things to do in December
Walk the Christmas market circuit from Gendarmenmarkt to Alexanderplatz
marketsThe 2.5 km route from the WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt through Unter den Linden to the Alexanderplatz market passes the Staatsoper, Humboldt Forum, and Berliner Dom. Each market has a different feel, from the curated craft stalls at Gendarmenmarkt to the larger, family-oriented Alexanderplatz setup with its Ferris wheel.
Most markets open late November and close December 23. The final week before Christmas is the peak, with extended hours and full programming.Booking tipGendarmenmarkt charges a 1 EUR entry fee. Visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid weekend crowds that can make the narrow lanes difficult to navigate.
Evening visit to the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas market
marketsSchloss Charlottenburg provides the backdrop for one of Berlin's most photogenic markets. The Baroque palace facade is lit in blue and white, and the market stalls extend along the approach avenue. Around 250 vendors sell handcrafted ornaments, candles, and regional food.
The market runs from late November to December 26, with the palace illumination making it specifically a nighttime draw during the early December sunsets.Booking tipTake the U7 to Richard-Wagner-Platz and walk 10 minutes. Arrive after 5 p.m. for the full lighting effect but expect heavier crowds on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Concert at the Berliner Philharmonie
cultureThe Berlin Philharmonic's December calendar typically includes Beethoven and Brahms programs alongside their annual holiday concerts. The Hans Scharoun-designed hall in the Kulturforum near Potsdamer Platz is worth visiting for the architecture alone, with its vineyard-style seating that wraps around the orchestra.
The holiday concert series and special December programming draw top guest conductors. The season is in full swing, unlike the summer break months.Booking tipTickets for popular December performances sell out weeks in advance. Check the Philharmonie website in October. Standing-room tickets sometimes become available 90 minutes before curtain for 10-15 EUR.
Museum Island on a weekday afternoon
cultureThe five museums on Museum Island, including the Pergamonmuseum (partially under renovation), the Neues Museum with its Nefertiti bust, and the Alte Nationalgalerie, see noticeably fewer visitors in December than during the June-September peak. The indoor setting makes them ideal for cold or rainy days.
Summer crowds drop by roughly 40% in December. Weekday afternoons in early December, before school holidays begin around December 20, offer the shortest queues of the year.Booking tipThe 22 EUR Museum Island day pass covers all five museums. Buy online to skip the ticket queue at individual entrances.
Sauna and spa day at Liquidrom or Vabali
wellnessBerlin's spa culture peaks in winter. Liquidrom near Potsdamer Platz features an underwater-music pool in a concrete dome, while Vabali Spa near Hauptbahnhof offers a larger complex with outdoor hot pools, multiple saunas, and a Southeast Asian design. Both are textile-free in the sauna areas, following German tradition.
The contrast between freezing outdoor air and hot saunas is the point. December cold makes the ritual of alternating between hot and cold pools feel necessary rather than indulgent.Booking tipVabali limits capacity and can turn people away on Saturday afternoons. Book a time slot online or arrive before 10 a.m. Bring your own towel and flip-flops, or rent them for 5-10 EUR.
Explore the KaDeWe food hall
foodThe 6th floor of the Kaufhaus des Westens on Tauentzienstraße in Schöneberg is one of Europe's largest food halls. In December, seasonal displays add Stollen, marzipan, and imported cheeses alongside the year-round counters of oysters, sushi, and charcuterie. The champagne bar at the center offers a warm respite from the cold.
December holiday displays and gift packaging transform the already elaborate food hall. The seasonal confectionery section expands significantly.Walk the East Side Gallery and warm up in Friedrichshain bars
sightseeingThe 1.3 km stretch of painted Berlin Wall along Mühlenstraße is less crowded in December than in summer. After the walk, Friedrichshain's Simon-Dach-Straße offers dozens of bars and restaurants within a 5-minute radius. The contrast between the outdoor memorial and the warm, noisy bar interiors captures the December Berlin rhythm well.
Summer crowds at the East Side Gallery can make it difficult to photograph individual murals. In December, you will often have sections to yourself on weekday mornings.Attend a show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast
entertainmentEurope's largest revue theatre in Mitte runs its winter show through December, typically a large-scale production with elaborate costumes and stage effects. The theatre seats over 1,800 and the December performances often sell well due to holiday visitors.
The winter show premiere usually opens in October or November and runs through the holiday season. December audiences include more tourists, and the festive atmosphere in the surrounding Friedrichstraße area adds to the evening.Booking tipBook at least 2 weeks ahead for Friday or Saturday evening performances. Weeknight tickets are easier to find and typically 10-20 EUR cheaper.
What to eat in December
Street food peaks
Kartoffelpuffer
Crisp-edged potato pancakes fried in oil and served with applesauce (Apfelmus) or sour cream. A staple at market stalls across the city, typically 3-4 EUR for a plate of three.
Bratwurst
Grilled pork sausages in a Brötchen (bread roll) with mustard, a universal presence at every market. The Thüringer Bratwurst, longer and spiced with marjoram, tends to dominate Berlin's stalls. Around 3.50-4.50 EUR each.
What to drink
Glühwein
Heated red wine spiced with cinnamon, clove, star anise, and orange peel, sold at every Christmas market from ceramic mugs that carry a 2-3 EUR deposit. The Feuerzangenbowle variation at some markets adds a rum-soaked sugar cone lit on fire over the pot.
Eierpunsch
A thick, warm egg-based punch made with white wine, vanilla, and sugar. Richer and sweeter than Glühwein, it is the drink locals choose when they want something different. The texture sits somewhere between custard and warm eggnog.
Festival food
Stollen
Dense, fruit-studded bread dusted heavily with powdered sugar, traditionally baked for Advent. Dresden claims the original Christstollen, but Berlin bakeries like those along Bergmannstraße in Kreuzberg produce their own regional takes, often with marzipan centers.
Lebkuchen
Soft, spiced gingerbread cookies glazed with chocolate or sugar icing, sold in decorated tins and from market stalls. The Nürnberger style dominates, but Berlin adds its own interpretations with local honey.
Regular events in December
Advent concerts at the Berliner Dom
The Berlin Cathedral on Museum Island hosts a series of Advent concerts throughout December, featuring organ recitals, choir performances, and chamber music in the main nave. The cathedral's interior, with its ornate mosaics and 7,269-pipe Sauer organ, adds considerable acoustic and visual weight to the performances.
Every Sunday in Advent (December 1, 8, 15, 22) plus select weekday eveningsLucia Weihnachtsmarkt in the KulturbrauereiFree
A Scandinavian-themed Christmas market in the old Schultheiss brewery complex in Prenzlauer Berg. The market focuses on Nordic design, crafts, and food. Finnish salmon over open fire, Swedish glögg, and Danish paper ornaments set it apart from the traditional German markets.
Late November through December 22Christmas Garden Berlin at the Botanischer Garten
The Botanical Garden in Dahlem hosts an illuminated evening walk through its grounds, with light installations along a 2 km path through the gardens. The route passes through greenhouses that stay warm even in freezing weather. Tickets are timed-entry.
Mid-November through early January, daily from 4:30 p.m.Singing at the GedächtniskircheFree
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Charlottenburg, with its distinctive broken spire, holds free Advent services and concerts. The modern chapel's blue stained-glass interior designed by Egon Eiermann creates a striking setting for choral music.
Advent Sundays and Christmas Eve, times varyNew Year's concerts and parties across the city
Beyond the Brandenburg Gate celebration, smaller Silvester events run across Berlin. Clubs in Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain host multi-day NYE parties. The Berliner Philharmonie and Konzerthaus hold formal New Year's concerts with champagne receptions.
December 30-January 1Best places this December
Gendarmenmarkt
squareBerlin's most architecturally refined square, flanked by the Französischer Dom, Deutscher Dom, and the Konzerthaus. The WeihnachtsZauber Christmas market fills the square with craft stalls and a stage for live music. Even without the market, the square is worth visiting for the Baroque architecture alone. The 1 EUR entry fee keeps the crowd slightly more manageable than free markets.
MitteSchloss Charlottenburg
palaceThe largest palace in Berlin, built in 1699 for Sophie Charlotte. The palace gardens are spare in December, but the interior rooms, particularly the Golden Gallery and the New Wing, are open year-round. The Christmas market along the palace approach is one of the city's most atmospheric.
CharlottenburgMarkthalle Neun
marketA restored 19th-century market hall in Kreuzberg that hosts a weekly Street Food Thursday from 5-10 p.m. In December, vendors add seasonal dishes alongside the regular international food stalls. The enclosed hall provides warmth and the kind of neighborhood feel that the larger tourist markets lack.
KreuzbergTiergarten near the Siegessäule
parkBerlin's central park is bare-branched and quiet in December, which gives it a different beauty than the lush summer version. The paths around the Siegessäule (Victory Column) are good for a brisk morning walk when frost covers the grass. The Café am Neuen See, if open, serves warm drinks by the frozen lake.
TiergartenHackesche Höfe
courtyard complexA connected series of eight Art Nouveau courtyards in Mitte, home to boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. The courtyards are decorated for the season in December and provide sheltered walking between shops. The Chamäleon Theatre in the first courtyard runs a winter show.
MitteTeufelsberg
viewpointThe Cold War-era listening station on an artificial hill made of WWII rubble in Grunewald. The abandoned NSA spy station offers panoramic views over the Grunewald forest toward central Berlin. In December, the hill sometimes gets a dusting of snow. Guided tours run on weekends, and the graffiti-covered domes photograph well against gray winter skies.
GrunewaldKonzerthaus Berlin
concert hallThe neoclassical concert hall on Gendarmenmarkt, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and rebuilt after WWII. December programming includes the Konzerthausorchester's holiday concerts and visiting ensembles. The grand staircase and main hall interiors are worth seeing even if you attend a shorter afternoon recital.
Mitte
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Insider tips
The Rixdorfer Weihnachtsmarkt in Neukölln, held on a single weekend in early December around the Richardplatz village green, is the market that Berlin locals actually look forward to. It is small, free, and feels like a neighborhood gathering rather than a tourist operation. Arrive before 5 p.m. to find it manageable.
German pharmacies (Apotheken) sell excellent cold-weather skincare. The dry, heated indoor air and cold outdoor temperatures will chap your lips and hands within 2 days. Pick up Bepanthen or a similar repair cream at any Apotheke. They are everywhere and marked with a green cross.
Most Berliners do their Christmas market visits on weekday evenings between 5 and 7 p.m., not on weekends. If you go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, you will share the market with locals rather than tour groups. The food stalls are the same, the Glühwein is the same, and the experience is notably less cramped.
The BVG day ticket (Tageskarte) for zones AB costs around 9 EUR and covers unlimited U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, and bus rides. In December, when walking distances feel longer in the cold, you will use transit more than in summer. Buy the ticket from the yellow machines at any station or through the BVG app.
On December 24 (Heiligabend), the city goes quiet by early afternoon. Restaurants close, shops shut, and transit runs on a Sunday schedule. If you are in Berlin over Christmas Eve, stock up on food and drinks by noon. The Turkish and Vietnamese grocery shops in Kreuzberg and Neukölln are among the few that sometimes stay open later.
Avoid these mistakes
- Visiting only the large, central Christmas markets like Alexanderplatz and Potsdamer Platz while skipping the neighborhood markets. The biggest markets are the most generic. The smaller ones at the Kulturbrauerei, Richardplatz, and along the Spree in Alt-Treptow have more local character and better food-to-crowd ratios.
- Underestimating how early it gets dark. Sunset at 3:55 p.m. means any outdoor sightseeing plan that starts after lunch is racing the clock. Front-load your outdoor activities before noon and save museums, cafes, and indoor attractions for the afternoon.
- Planning a full itinerary for December 24-26 without checking what is open. Christmas Eve shuts down most of Berlin by 2 p.m., and December 25-26 (both public holidays) keep many restaurants and all retail closed. Even some museums close on the 24th and 25th. Check opening hours individually rather than assuming holiday business.
- Standing on the wrong side of the Silvester crowd at the Brandenburg Gate and missing that the ticketed area has the best view of the fireworks and stage. Free viewing spots along the edges of the Tiergarten fill up by 8 p.m. on December 31. If you want a good position, arrive several hours early and dress for standing in sub-zero temperatures.
Practical tips for December
Book accommodation for December 20-31 at least 6 weeks in advance. Hotels in Mitte and Charlottenburg fill up for the Christmas week and Silvester. December 24, 25, and 26 are public holidays when most shops, many restaurants, and some museums close entirely. Confirm restaurant reservations for Christmas Eve dinner by early December, as the few places that stay open fill quickly. Transit runs on reduced holiday schedules from December 24 through January 1, with the notable exception of Silvester night, when the BVG runs U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains continuously from the evening of December 31 through the morning of January 1. Dress in layers for moving between heated interiors and freezing outdoor markets. Indoor spaces in Germany tend to be well heated, so a system of removable layers prevents overheating inside and freezing outside. Tipping in restaurants is typically 5-10% in Berlin, rounded up to a convenient number. Tell the server the total you want to pay rather than leaving cash on the table.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Berlin?
December is a good time if Christmas markets and winter culture are what you are after. The 60-plus Weihnachtsmärkte across the city are the primary draw, and the indoor cultural scene, from the Berliner Philharmonie to Museum Island, runs at full strength. The trade-offs are real, though. Expect highs around 4.7°C (40°F), roughly 7.5 hours of daylight, and frequent overcast skies. If cold and darkness bother you, May through September offers warmer weather and 15-16 hours of daylight.
What is the weather like in Berlin in December?
Cold, damp, and gray. The average high is 4.7°C (40°F), the average low is 0.6°C (33°F), and humidity sits at 89%. Expect about 57mm of rain spread over 12 days, mostly as light drizzle. Snow is possible but inconsistent. Some Decembers bring a few centimeters, others none at all. The wind off the North European Plain makes exposed areas like Alexanderplatz feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Are Berlin's Christmas markets worth visiting in December?
They are the main reason most visitors come in December. Berlin has over 60 markets with genuinely different characters. The WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt is the most polished, with a 1 EUR entry fee and live concerts. The Lucia market at the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg has a Scandinavian theme. The Rixdorfer market in Neukölln feels like a village fair. Most markets close on December 23, so plan your visit before that date.
Is Berlin crowded in December?
The Christmas markets and the Silvester celebration draw significant crowds, so the city is busier than in January or February. That said, it is less crowded than the summer peak from June through August. Museum queues are shorter, restaurant reservations are easier to get on weeknights, and neighborhoods outside Mitte feel noticeably quieter. The busiest periods are weekend evenings at the major markets and December 31 near the Brandenburg Gate.
What is open in Berlin on Christmas Day?
Very little. December 25 and 26 are both public holidays (erster and zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag). Most shops, supermarkets, and many restaurants close. Some museums reopen on December 26, but check individual schedules. Hotel restaurants and a handful of international restaurants in Kreuzberg and Neukölln stay open. The Berliner Dom typically holds Christmas services. Public transit runs on a Sunday schedule both days.
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