Exploring Berlin’s Quirky Christmas Markets
The past few years have seen more alternative Christmas Markets popping up in Berlin. Being hipster capital of Europe this was bound to happen. Looking for a gift for your geeky brother and thinking a wooden Christmas decoration is not gonna do it, then look no further than this fine selection of quirky Christmas Markets.
1. Weihnachtsrodeo – Christmas Rodeo Design Market
The Weihnachtstrodeo is located, for one weekend only, in a former Railway Post Office in Old East Berlin. Around 150 vendors will set up offering unusual design products and street food. Accompanied by electronic music rather than Christmas Carols. This is literally a stone’s throw from the East Side Gallery, a 1.3km stretch of Berlin Wall, which is definitely a must-see whilst you are in the city.
Address: Postbahnhof (S-Bahn Ostbahnhof)
Date: 5th and 6th of December
Admission: Free
2. Voodoo Market – Christmas Edition
The Voodoo Market is about as alternative as we get. It is in the old East district of Friedrichshain and is the Christmas version of the independent designers market ‘Voodoo’. If you are looking for unique gifts this is your market.
The creative people of ‘Urban Spree’ have been squirreling away all year designing; clothes, accessories, jewelry and works of art. The €1 admission fee in fact benefits the Urban Spree art project and helps fund vendors who don’t have a big budget. Also available is ‘Voodoo Beauty’, basically an area where you can be pampered by tattoo artists, hairstylists and cosmetologists. Great if you need some extra help before your night out.
Address: Urban Spree, Revaler Strasse.99 (S+U Bahn Warschauer Strasse)
Date: 29th November 12:00-19:00
Admission: €1
3. Holy. Shit. Shopping Market
Holy.Shit is a pop up design market, for one weekend only. They also host the same event in Hamburg, Köln and Bremen, meaning this one is a bit more commercial. Designers and DJs come together and get their market on in a former heat and power station. Here you can buy records and comic books alongside your Glühwein.
Address: Kraftwerk, Köpenicker Strasse. 59-73 (U-bahn Heinrich Heine Strasse)
Date: 12th December 12:00-22:00, 13th December 12:00-20:00
Admission: €5
4. Naschmarkt
Berlin’s Sweets Market is not to be missed. Located in Markt Halle Neun, famous for hosting Street Food Thursday, the city’s first foray into street food. For St.Nicholas Day, they invite more than 40 local pastry, chocolate and sweets manufacturers to serve their delectable creations. Think Charlies Chocolate Factory with a German twist. Klaus’s Chocolate Factory. Cakes, pies, marshmallows, honeys, pretty much everything your mum didn’t want you to eat. The organisers ensure that all sweets are produced conscientiously, with no G.M foods allowed. In fact all products are prepared using local ingredients in local kitchens or cafes.
‘Naschmarkt’ actually translate to ‘Nibble Market’, so get yourself down there for some serious nibbling.
Address: Markthalle Neun (Gorlitzer Bahnhof)
Date: 6th December, 12:00-18:00
Admission: €2
