Berliner Weihnachtszeit am Roten Rathaus
Berlin's large central Christmas market with a 50-meter Ferris wheel and ice rink
2026
About Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus
Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus — edition 2026
The Berliner Weihnachtszeit will again take place in 2026 at the Rotes Rathaus / Neptunbrunnen. The exact date is usually officially confirmed by the organizer Laubinger Event GmbH in spring/summer — based on the established rhythm, the date is likely from November 24 to December 30, 2026.
Venue: Rotes Rathaus, Rathausstraße 15 / Neptunbrunnen, 10178 Berlin (District and Ortsteil Mitte). Free admission.
Highlights Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus 2026
Programme Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus 2026
At the Market
- Altberliner Marktgasse (Old Berlin Market Lane) with historicizing stalls and showmen
- Market at the Marienkirche with additional offerings of handicrafts and specialties
- Ice World: 600 m² ice rink around the Neptunbrunnen with skate rental
- 50-meter Ferris wheel with heated gondolas
- Classic carousels, children's carousel, swings
Daily Show
- Three times daily, Santa Claus "flies" with his reindeer sleigh over the Neptunbrunnen: 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:30 PM
- Stage program with concerts, choirs, children's entertainment
- Märchengasse (Fairy Tale Lane) at the Marienkirche for the little ones
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 12 PM–10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11 AM–10 PM
- Christmas Eve (Dec 24): shorter hours, usually until 2 PM
- Dec 25 and Dec 26: regular hours
- Market remains open between Christmas and New Year's Eve (until Dec 30)
Food & Drink
- Classic Berlin Christmas Market: Mulled wine (Glühwein), Berliner Weiße (sour beer), Bratwurst (sausage), Currywurst, potato pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer), Reibekuchen, candied almonds (gebrannte Mandeln), gingerbread (Lebkuchen)
- International specialties at individual stalls
Prices Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus 2026
Free admission. Ferris wheel approx. €7–9 per person, skate rental from approx. €6, ice rink admission approx. €5, classic carousel rides €3–5. Mulled wine €4–5 (deposit on cup), Bratwurst €4–5.
Practical information — Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus
Getting There
S+U Alexanderplatz (3 min walk), Tram M4/M5/M6, Bus 100/200. The market is located almost directly at the station — no alternative to public transport, car is almost impossible (access road zone, no parking in sight).
Admission
Completely free. You only pay at the stalls, rides (Ferris wheel approx. €7–9, carousel approx. €3–5), and skate rental (from approx. €6).
Opening Hours
Mon–Fri 12 PM–10 PM, Sat–Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Shorter hours on Christmas Eve (Dec 24, usually until 2 PM) and on some public holidays.
Tip
It gets very crowded in the last few days before Christmas. Weekdays in the morning or between the years are more relaxed. The market remains open between Christmas and New Year's Eve — one of the few Berlin options for a "Christmas market after Christmas".
In the heart of Berlin between Marienkirche and Alexanderplatz
For years, the Berliner Weihnachtszeit has been Berlin's central Christmas market — right where most tourists end up anyway: between the Rotes Rathaus, Marienkirche, and Neptunbrunnen, with a sightline to the TV Tower and Alexanderplatz. Unlike the sometimes curated markets in Charlottenburg or Mitte, this is a classic large folk Christmas market: loud, crowded, colorful, with a Ferris wheel, ice rink, and the full range of mulled wine and snack stalls.
Three Main Attractions
- 50-meter Ferris wheel with heated gondolas — fantastic view of the Brandenburg Gate and the Funkturm, operates even in wind and snow
- 600 m² ice rink around the Neptunbrunnen — ice skating in the middle of Berlin, skate rental on site
- Altberliner Marktgasse (Old Berlin Market Lane) with stalls in a historic style, plus classic showmen, a children's carousel, and a stage
Show Program
Santa Claus "flies" three times a day with his reindeer sleigh over the Neptunbrunnen — at 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM, and 8:30 PM. The daily program on stage features concerts, choirs, dance performances, and children's entertainment. The Märchengasse (Fairy Tale Lane) at the Marienkirche offers small productions for children.
Character and Audience
With its location directly at Alexanderplatz and the Rotes Rathaus, the Berliner Weihnachtszeit attracts a mixed audience — Berlin families from the Mitte district, day-trippers from the surrounding area, and international tourists. This is precisely its character: not a hidden gem, but one of the central Berlin experiences before Christmas, with all that entails. Those looking for a quieter, curated market should go to Grunewald or Charlottenburg Palace; those who want the full Berlin hustle and bustle should come here.
Organizer and Tradition
The organizer is Laubinger Event GmbH, a Berlin-based showman and festival caterer that organizes several large public festivals in the city (including "Tanz in den Mai" in Helle Mitte). The Berliner Weihnachtszeit has existed in its current form for over a decade and is one of Berlin's most frequented Christmas markets.
Where it takes place Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus
Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus at a glance
History of Weihnachtsmarkt Rotes Rathaus
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