KiezWeihnacht Samariterkiez

The Samariterkiez – a Friedrichshain Microcosm

The Samariterkiez is a neighbourhood in the Friedrichshain district (Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough), located between Frankfurter Allee, Boxhagener Platz, and Rigaer Straße. At its centre is Samariterplatz with the Samariterkirche – an Evangelical church from the late 19th century, whose brick facade provides the square with its architectural anchor. The neighbourhood is one of Berlin's younger and most community-active quarters; the local business network 'Die Friedrichshainer' has been organising the KiezWeihnacht as a joint Advent event for over ten years.

~60 Stalls – Neighbourhood Instead of Commerce

Around 60 stalls are set up on Samariterplatz and along Samariterstraße. The organisers include local businesses, craftspeople, church community initiatives, and volunteer associations. The range of goods is deliberately typical of the neighbourhood: arts and crafts from Friedrichshain workshops, homemade cookies, knitwear, jewellery, books, children's toys, along with mulled wine, punch, sausages, and crêpes. The market scene is markedly different from the large tourist markets at Gendarmenmarkt or Alexanderplatz – here, the stall density is manageable, and the atmosphere is neighbourly.

Concerts, Readings, Children's Workshop

Within the Samariterkirche itself, a parallel programme runs alongside the market activities: concerts with a focus on church or chamber music, Advent readings, and – a particularly popular feature – a children's craft workshop where hot wax is poured, cards are made, and fir branch decorations are tied. The programme details vary across the four market days.

2nd and 3rd Weekends of Advent

The KiezWeihnacht traditionally runs over two weekends – the 2nd and 3rd weekends of Advent. The opening hours are moderate (Sat/Sun 1 PM–8 PM), which suits the neighbourhood character. Arriving early is recommended, as the market area has regularly been very busy in previous years. Exact dates for 2026 will be announced in autumn via kiezweihnacht.de.

In the Borough and the State of Berlin

Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg is one of the most densely populated boroughs in the state of Berlin – politically, culturally, demographically. The KiezWeihnacht is part of a district life that has shaped the borough since the early 2000s: local initiatives, business networks, and church communities jointly create events that operate without major sponsors. Those who want to get to know Friedrichshain away from the bar strip of Boxhagener Platz / Simon-Dach-Straße will find a quieter, but equally vibrant, counterpoint in the Samariterkiez.