Advent Sundays in Berlin: What the City Does
Berlin marks the four Sundays before Christmas as Advent, and the second of those — the Second Advent, or Zweiter Advent — falls on the Sunday of the second week of Advent. In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday 29 November, so the Second Advent falls on Sunday 6 December 2026. Berlin's Christmas markets are in full swing by then, the city's streets and squares are strung with lights, and the smell of roasted almonds, bratwurst and mulled wine drifts across the market stalls. Wrap up warm, arrive before dusk, and let the city's seasonal rhythm carry you through the day.
Christmas Markets to Wander on the Second Advent
Berlin's Christmas markets are the backbone of the Advent season, and the Second Advent Sunday is one of the busiest days to visit them. Most open in late November and run through the days before Christmas. On the Second Advent itself, expect crowds, choirs and extended opening hours at the larger markets.
- Weihnachtsmarkt am Gendarmenmarkt — in the heart of Mitte, between the Konzerthaus and the German and French cathedrals. A more curated market with craft stalls, a stage for choirs and classical performances, and food tents. It traditionally runs through the Advent season and into the days around Christmas.
- Weihnachtsmarkt am Roten Rathaus — around Berlin's Red Town Hall in Mitte, with a large open square of stalls, a Ferris wheel and a skating rink. A central, easy-to-reach market for a Second Advent stroll.
- Charlottenburg Palace Christmas Market — set against the baroque palace, with stalls, lights and a romantic backdrop. Good for an evening visit on the Second Advent.
- Weihnachtsmarkt an der Gedächtniskirche — on Breitscheidplatz in Charlottenburg, one of the city's long-running markets, with crafts, food and entertainment.
- Spandau Christmas Market — in the old town of Spandau, with a historic setting and a more local feel than the central markets.
- Lucia Christmas Market — in the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg, with a Scandinavian theme, held on the weekend around Lucia (13 December). If the Second Advent falls on the same weekend, you can combine both.
Concerts, Choirs and Seasonal Music
Advent in Berlin is a season of choral and classical music. On the Second Advent Sunday itself, churches across the city hold Advent concerts and services, and many of the larger churches and concert halls programme seasonal music through December.
- Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) — Advent and Christmas concerts in the cathedral, often with choir and organ. Check the cathedral's programme for the Second Advent weekend.
- Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (Gedächtniskirche) — Advent music and services in the church on Breitscheidplatz, a short walk from the Christmas market there.
- Konzerthaus Berlin on Gendarmenmarkt — classical concerts through December, and the market outside makes an evening of it.
- Philharmonie Berlin — the Berlin Philharmonic programmes concerts in December; Advent and Christmas concerts are common in the season.
- St. Hedwig's Cathedral — on Bebelplatz in Mitte, Advent services and music.
Beyond the major venues, many neighbourhood churches hold their own Advent concerts on the Second Advent Sunday, often with local choirs and brass ensembles. Look for notices in church porches and local listings.
Food and Drink of the Advent Season
The Christmas markets are where Berlin's Advent food lives. On the Second Advent, join the crowds at the stalls and eat standing up, with a mug of something hot in your other hand.
- Glühwein — mulled wine, served hot in a mug. At most markets you pay a deposit for the mug and return it, or keep it as a souvenir.
- Kinderpunsch — a non-alcoholic hot punch for children and anyone avoiding alcohol.
- Bratwurst — grilled sausage in a roll, a market staple.
- Reibekuchen — potato fritters, often served with apple sauce, a Rhineland dish that appears at Berlin markets.
- Gebrannte Mandeln — roasted almonds, sold from stalls and eaten warm.
- Lebkuchen and Stollen — gingerbread and the traditional German Christmas cake, sold at market stalls and bakeries across the city.
For a sit-down meal, the areas around the markets — Mitte, Charlottenburg, Prenzlauer Berg — have plenty of restaurants, but on the Second Advent many are busy, so book ahead if you want a table.
Neighbourhoods and Day Trips for the Second Advent
Berlin's Advent is spread across the city, and the Second Advent is a good day to pick a neighbourhood and stay in it.
- Mitte — the densest cluster of markets and lights: Gendarmenmarkt, Roten Rathaus, Bebelplatz and the surrounding streets. Start here if you want the full city-centre Advent experience.
- Charlottenburg — the market at the Gedächtniskirche and the one at Charlottenburg Palace, plus the shops along Kurfürstendamm, which are decorated and busy through December.
- Prenzlauer Berg — the Lucia Christmas Market at the Kulturbrauerei and a quieter, more local Advent feel in the surrounding streets.
- Spandau — the old town market, a short S-Bahn ride from the centre, for a more traditional and less crowded Advent.
If you want a day trip, Potsdam is a short train ride from Berlin and holds its own Christmas market in the old town and around the palace. On the Second Advent, the trains run frequently and the market is a manageable half-day out.
Practicalities for the Second Advent
- Dates — the Second Advent in 2026 falls on Sunday 6 December. Advent begins on Sunday 29 November 2026.
- Weather — early December in Berlin is cold, often around freezing, with short daylight hours. Dress in layers, wear warm boots, and expect dark by late afternoon.
- Getting around — the U-Bahn and S-Bahn run through the night on weekends, and the markets are close to stations. Buy a day ticket if you plan to move between neighbourhoods.
- Opening times — most Christmas markets open in the late morning or early afternoon and close in the evening. On the Second Advent, some stay open later. Check individual market listings for the day.
Start with the market that suits your mood — central and grand at Gendarmenmarkt, or local and quiet in Spandau — and let the Second Advent unfold from there. Book your travel and accommodation early, as December weekends in Berlin fill up, and keep an eye on the city's official Advent listings as the season approaches.