Gatow Arts and Crafts Market

Gatow — Berlin's Village Charm

Gatow is a district in the Spandau borough, on the western outskirts of Berlin, nestled between the Havel river and the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough. Unlike most Berlin districts, Gatow has partly retained its village character — a village green with a historic church, old farmhouses, and cobblestone streets. The Gatow village church dates back to the 13th century and is one of Berlin's oldest preserved brick churches. The Arts and Crafts Market is held around this church every year on the 3rd Sunday of Advent.

The Concept: No Mass-Produced Goods

Unlike the large Christmas markets in Berlin's city center, Gatow focuses on what is genuinely handmade. Around 40 exhibitors offer their products — no imported Christmas baubles, no mass-produced wax figures. Instead: jewelry made of forged silver, felted wool slippers, turned wooden figures, hand-painted cards, small sculptures, linen cushion covers, ceramics from Berlin workshops. Most exhibitors come from Berlin and Brandenburg.

Music and Children's Program

Live music is traditionally provided by the Imchen-Kombo, a Berlin swing and blues ensemble that has been playing at the market for years. Their acoustic, jazzy-warm sound fits the market's character. For children, there's a small dance workshop in the late afternoon, plus Advent music as the sun sets.

Peace Light from Bethlehem

A special feature that clearly sets the market apart from commercial ones: the village church has participated in the Peace Light campaign for years. As visitors leave the market, each one is given a candle lit by the Peace Light from Bethlehem — an ecumenical initiative that brings the light from Jesus's birthplace to Central Europe every year during Advent, carried by scouts.

Spandau at Christmas Time

Those who combine the market with a full day in Spandau can subsequently visit the Spandau Old Town, the still-open Christmas market at the Spandau Citadel, or take a walk along the Havel. Spandau is Berlin's westernmost borough and has retained its own regional identity — many Spandau residents emphasize that they come from Spandau, not Berlin.