Berlin at Christmas - markets and must dos!

[bingohandjob]

I love Berlin and have been in the Spring, Summer and New Year (so know to prepare for the chill) but not on the run up to Christmas and heading there this weekend for 4 days. Can anyone recommend the best markets to head to and anything else that is distinctly German/Berlin to enjoy/pick up as gifts this time of year. Thank you in advance!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I'm so, so jealous. The Gendarmenmarkt is lovely and the 1E charge seems to ensure it's a bit calmer than some of the others. For gifts, lovely Christmas decorations or chocolate from Fassbender& Rausch. If it's not raining, a walk around a lake - Schlactensee is gorgeous and there's a good place for beers etc half way round. It's a n easy train ride from the centre - about half an hour. The zoo is brilliant in winter too, if it's dry.

[HappySpade]

We were there last year. Second the Potsdamer Platz and the one by the TV Tower.

[Sewingbea]

I'm feeling somewhat envious! Germany at Christmas is wonderful. We were in Berlin this summer, haven't ever been in the city for Christmas but it sounds fantastic. Have fun @bingohandjob

[Ricekrispie22]

Weihnachtszauber market on Gendarmenmarkt is probably the most famous and most popular. There’s even a programme of entertainment each day. We saw jugglers, fire-eaters, jazz musicians and choirs. You do need to pay €1 to go in, but it’s worth it to soak in the atmosphere.
The Potsdamer Platz market Winterwelt is worth checking out. There are the standard stalls and ice rink but there’s also a big toboggan run. Eisstockschießen is another major draw to this market - it’s a game that’s part bowling, part curling, you play it on the ice and it’s SO much fun!
We went to the Charlottenburg Palace market last. The highlight was the light illuminations of the castle and park. The market is a little more classy than the usual Christmas market, you’ll find food stands that are not available in many other markets in the city.
There’s a funfair in Alexanderplatz and just behind Alexa mall.
The Botanical Gardens are lit up in the evening. There are several different light displays and you might find a few fire pits around the garden. Timed tickets are only available during weekends but flex tickets can be used 7 days a week.
If you want to be impressed by lights though, go to Unter den Linden for a walk. It’s lit up all the way from Humboldt University to Brandenburg Gate.
During the winter, Berlin’s breweries tend to come up with some excellent seasonal beers that are unlike any you’ll taste anywhere else in the world.
Look out for the fire tong punch. You’ll probably find it in some of the markets. It’s made by setting a rum soaked sugar cube on fire and letting it drip into mulled wine. Oh, and it has an extremely high alcohol content!