Tips for Visiting the Berlin Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei

The Lucia Christmas Market in Berlin is one of my favorites. It’s one that is loved by locals and not quite as touristy as some of the other markets in the city. Yet it’s still easy to reach and close enough to the center of Berlin to make it a worthwhile Christmas market to visit while you’re in Berlin.

Located in Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg, the Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt has a cozy vibe and a Nordic theme and even has a bit of a medieval feel to it. In this blog post, I’ll you what you can expect at the Lucia Berlin Christmas Market, how to get there, and more.

About the Lucia Christmas Market in Berlin

This Christmas market is Nordic themed, and Lucia is the Bringer of Light, originating from Sweden. So even though you’ll find German traditions here, there are also lots of Nordic traditions too.

The location of the Lucia Market is the courtyard of an old brewery in the Prenzlauer Berg district, and the brick buildings give it a cozy feeling. Whether you’re traveling with kids or it’s an adults only trip, there’s something here for everyone.

Activities at the Lucia Christmas Market

This Christmas market has lots of things to entertain you, and if you have kids, there’s plenty for them too.

Visits from Santa: Every day at 5pm, Santa comes to the Lucia Christmas market and gives out sweets.

Carousel: This market has a nostalgic carousel kids will enjoy.

Castle: The kids will also love the knights’ castle at Lucia Market.

Choir singing: This takes place on Thursdays. There’s also a special set of German and Swedish carols on December 13th, the traditional day Lucia, Bringer of Light, is celebrated.

Keep warm: In one area, there are seats with heated jackets hanging behind them, so you can sit and wear the coat to warm up. It’s quite popular.

Yurt: The yurt is an interesting place to sit for a drink, with its wood-burning stove/fireplace to keep you warm. During popular times there is usually a line to get in, so bring patience.

Christmas Market Food at Lucia Berlin Weihnachtsmarkt

You can find typical German Christmas market food at the Lucia Christmas market. Things like sausages, fries, Flammkuchen, and Kartoffelpuffer are easy to find.

But in keeping with the Nordic theme, you’ll also find specialties from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. Expect to see reindeer and elk used in a variety of dishes. You can certainly make a full meal of the food on offer here.

And of course, there are lots of sweets to enjoy here. You’ll see candied almonds and Lebkuchen, which are gingerbread cookies that usually have frosting or sugar glaze on them. Sometimes they are decorated with designs or phrases and hung on string like a necklace.

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Drinks at the Lucia Markt

In addition to traditional Glühwein, you can try Danish and Swedish Gløgg, Finnish Glögi, Icelandic mulled wine and more. I’ve also seen Glühbier and Glühcider at this market, as well as hot mulled apple wine and Eierlikör, which is similar to eggnog. And if you want something non-alcoholic, there’s always Kinderpunsch, or you can order hot chocolate.

In case you’re unfamiliar, Glühwein is mulled wine. It’s hot and flavored with spices such as cinnamon, anise, orange, and many other things depending on the exact recipe. You can also get a shot (“mit Schuss”) of liquor, usually rum or whiskey, added to your mug for an extra kick.

Deposit on mugs

No matter what drink 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. Just keep in mind that there are often a few non standard mugs floating around, like for the hot mulled cider or beer, that can have a higher deposit on them. They also can only be returned to the stall where you bought that drink.

What to buy at the Berlin Lucia Christmas Market

This Christmas market has lots of stalls where you can buy gifts and Berlin souvenirs. You’ll find Christmas decorations, wooden toys and other items, winter hats, chocolates, and many other interesting things. There’s one stall that sells cute purses, wallets, winter hats, skirts, and more, and I’ve purchased something there several years in a row.

What to wear at the Lucia Christmas Market in Berlin

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 winter packing list for Berlin for more details.

Where is the Lucia Christmas Market located?

The Lucia Christmas market is located in the Prenzlauer Berg district and is easy to reach using public transport.

Address: Schönhauser Allee 36, 10435 Berlin, which is the south end of Kulturbrauerei. You can also get into the courtyard at the north end near Knaackstraße 97, 10435 Berlin.

How to get to the Lucia Christmas Market

The closest Ubahn station to Kulturbrauerei and the Lucia Market is U Eberswalder Str on the U2 line. The U2 is above ground here, so go down the stairs to street level and walk down Danziger Strasse one block until you reach Knaackstr. Turn right onto Knaackstr and you’ll see the entrance to the courtyard.

Or if you’re aiming for the Schönhauser Allee address, from the Ubahn station, walk south on Schönhauser Allee until you reach Sredzkistr.

Another option for getting to the Lucia Christmas market is the M10 tram. Get out at the Eberswalder Str stop and walk to the Christmas market from there. Note that the stop is split between the two sides of the huge intersection, so it’s a different spot depending on which direction you’re coming from. You could also use the Husemannstr stop.

The tram 12 and M1 also have stops at Eberswalder Str, so there are lots of options for getting to the Lucia Market. Download the BVG Fahrinfo app or the VBB Bus & Bahn app for transport routes and tickets.

Do you need tickets for the Christmas market?

Entrance to this Christmas market is free. Some of the kids activities have a charge.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this guide to the Lucia Christmas market in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!