Tips for Visiting the Berlin Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace
The Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace is one of my favorites in Berlin. It’s such a gorgeous and romantic setting, and it has the feel of a true traditional German Christmas market. We usually go a few times each season, so I have lots of tips to share with you for visiting the Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market in Berlin.
Schloss is the German word for palace, but you’ll also sometimes see this one called the Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market. No matter what, this is one of the best Christmas markets in Berlin, and I definitely recommend you check it out.
Charlottenburg Palace hosts one of the best Christmas markets in BerlinTop Hotel for West Berlin Christmas Markets
(Charlottenburg Palace, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church)
25Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin: This modern hotel has “jungle” rooms that look out over Tiergarten Park and the Berlin Zoo, and “city” rooms that have views of the Kaiser Wilhelm Church Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz.
Check out more hotels near Berlin Christmas markets.
About the Charlottenburg Palace Berlin Christmas Market
The Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace began in 2007, and it’s named for the beautiful palace that serves as a backdrop. This is the prettiest castle in Berlin and was built in 1695 in a Baroque style. It was a summer palace for Sophie Charlotte, who was Queen Consort of Prussia at the time, and today it is a museum.
This Christmas market is a little outside the center of the city, but it’s well worth the extra time to get here. Don’t worry, I have the address and directions later on in this article.
Schloss Charlottenburg Christmas Market during the dayThe Charlottenburg Castle Christmas market is a wonderful choice for anyone, with or without kids, and whether you’re looking for traditional food or something a little different. I highly recommend including this one on your Berlin Christmas markets itinerary.
This market was actually supposed to be finished after the 2022 season, but luckily it was announced that another company had taken over and was running it for 2023 and 2024. It was similar to previous years, and I hardly noticed a a change. The one thing I did notice is that they used to have cute boot-shaped mugs, and I didn’t see them this time around unfortunately.
I assume this market will run again in 2025 because it’s so popular, but official dates haven’t been released yet. I will keep checking and update when they are released. For now, the dates shown here are an estimate based on last year.
Activities at the Berlin Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market
The Charlottenburg Palace Christmas market has fun for the whole family. There are Christmas-themed performances and carolers who appear in the market at various times. After dark, the front of the palace is lit up in festive colors.
One of the stands, which sells Hungarian food, is up front right before you get to the palace gate. This little hut has stairs that lead up to a viewing platform, which gives a wonderful view of the palace and the Christmas market from a higher vantage point.
If you’re looking for some kids activities, this Christmas market has a few carousels your children will enjoy.
The view of Charlottenburg Castle Christmas market from aboveChristmas market food at Charlottenburg Palace Berlin Christmas Market
You’ll find a good variety of food at this Christmas market. From traditional German food like sausages and potatoes and Hungarian goulash and langos to other interesting things like Ukrainian food, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy.
There’s also lots of different sweets to enjoy. Candied almonds, candied apples, and all manner of doughy treats covered in cinnamon and sugar are easy to find.
Drinks at the Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market Berlin
Glühwein is standard at all Christmas markets, and the Schloss Charlottenburg market is no exception.
Enjoying a mug of Glühwein in front of the palaceYou’ll have your choice of red or white Glühwein, or you can order hot chocolate or tea, and you can add a shot of liquor to any of them. At this Christmas market, I’ve also seen several stands selling hot cocktails, like mojitos,so that’s something interesting and different to try. There’s lots of non-alcoholic choices too, including Kinderpunsch.
Deposit on mugs
No matter what you order, you will be charged the drink price plus Pfand. Pfand is a deposit, usually a few euros, and you will get your deposit back when you return your mug. Or if you keep ordering, they’ll keep swapping out your dirty mug for a clean one, and you’ll get your deposit back at the end when you’re done drinking.
These mugs can be a nice souvenir, so if you want to keep it, you’re only forfeiting the deposit. The Schloss Charlottenburg market used to have cute boot-shaped mugs, but with the new company running the market this year, I didn’t see any like that.
What to buy at Berlin Schloss Charlottenburg Weihnachtsmarkt
Christmas markets are a great place to buy gifts or souvenirs to remember your trip to Berlin. I’ve seen wooden items, Christmas decorations, hats and scarves, chocolates, and more. There’s also usually several “stores” in tents selling items, such as a big one with lots of local honey.
There are lots of Christmas-y things to buy hereWhat to wear to the Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace
Winter in Berlin is cold, and if you’re visiting for the Christmas markets, you should definitely come prepared. Wear warm clothing and dress in layers. It’s also more likely to rain in December than it is to snow, so make sure your shoes and coats are water resistant. Check out my Berlin winter packing list for more details.
Andy and I dressed in layers for the Christmas markets in BerlinWhere is the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market located?
The Christmas market takes place in front of Charlottenburg Palace. The address is Spandauer Damm 10-22, 14059 Berlin.
How to get to Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market
It’s a little far from the center of Berlin, but it’s still easy to get to Charlottenburg Palace. The closest Sbahn station is S Westend, and the closest Ubahn station is U Richard-Wagner-Platz or U Sophie-Charlotte-Platz. From any of these stations, it’s about a 15 minute walk.
If you don’t want to walk 15 minutes in the cold, I totally understand. You can catch the M45 bus from the S&U Zoologischer Garten station and get out at the Luisenplatz/Schloss Charlottenburg bus stop. The M45 bus also runs from S Westend and U Richard-Wagner-Platz.
Download the BVG Fahrinfo app for routes and tickets for getting around in Berlin. You can easily put in your starting point and destination, and it even accepts street addresses, and then it’ll tell you how to get there.
Berlin Charlottenburg Palace Market at nightCharlottenburg Palace Christmas Market Opening Dates
The Charlottenburg Castle Berlin Christmas market runs from November 24 to December 28 this year (estimated based on last year) and it’s closed on December 24. Hours are noon to 10pm. It’s one of the few Christmas markets open after Christmas and on Christmas Day.
Do you need tickets for the Charlottenburg Palace market?
No, the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas market is free to enter and you don’t need tickets.
Berlin Christmas Market Tours
Taking tour can be a fun way to see some of the best Christmas markets in Berlin with a guide who will give you information and history. It also eliminates any worries about getting lost or missing out on the best things at the markets.
- East Berlin Food Tour: This food tour runs all year round, but during Christmas market season last year, they added a stop at the RAW Medieval Christmas market. The food tour is excellent, and I enjoyed the extra look at the market. I expect them to do it again in 2024.
- Christmas In Berlin: Private Experience With A City Host: This private tour will show you some of Berlin’s best Christmas markets, and it’s customizeable. A free mug of Glühwein is included.
- Berlin Christmas Markets Culinary Tour: On this tour, you’ll get 6 food tastings at local Berlin Christmas markets, plus try a mug of Glühwein and hot chocolate with whiskey.
Berlin Travel Resources
I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to the Charlottenburg Palace Christmas market in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!
- 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
- 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)
- 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
- 29 Fun Day Trips From Berlin
- 75 Things to Know Before Visiting Berlin: Essential Berlin Travel Tips
- What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
- How to Get Around in Berlin: An Easy Guide to Berlin Public Transportation
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Ali Garland is a long term resident of Berlin, and she shares her Berlin expertise and insider advice on Berlin Travel Tips. She’s been living in Germany since 2011, and in 2015, she and her husband moved to Berlin where they now live with their small dog. They even bought an apartment in Berlin in 2021 – Berlin is definitely home now! Ali’s goal is to show you everything you need to know for enjoying a trip to Berlin. Read more Related Posts
