Events for the Weekend of November 19th-21st, and throughout the week (Thanksgiving!)

Before the event information, some clarifications about the Covid regulations (as of the moment I'm writing), for those who still need it. Currently, there's a G2 policy in places like most of the Christmas markets, restaurants, bars, clubs etc. This means: 

• Entry only for the vaccinated and recovering (2G) with relevant certificates

• Unvaccinated / not recovering, can enter if:
• They have a medical certificate that they are not allowed to get vaccinated, or: 
• They are children under the age of 6, or : 
• They people under the age of 18, who come with an up-to-date negative test

Supermarkets, shops, public transport and other essentials - are open to the public. Of course, a mask is needed.

Thanksgiving

Just before the Advent, the US celebrates Thanksgiving, and this year, it's on November 25th (the coming Thursday). 

• This coming Saturday (November 20th), supporters of the Democratic Party in Berlin will hold a Thanksgiving race to collect donations for their activities. You can also just come and cheer. Saturday, Tempelhofer Feld, 11:00 (details)

• Festive meals are available at Hard Rock Cafe (You can also order to take), If you prefer it vegan, there's also a place offering a festive vegan menu.  

Advancing towards the Advent

This Sunday is officially a mourning day (so flea markets will be closed), but there are many activities nevertheless. 

The Advent will officially start on November 28th (and before that weekend, actually, the traditional markets are closed), but in Berlin, we already have numerous markets open for business : 

• The Berlin Botanical Gardens are opening this weekend their "Christmas Gardens", with truly magical atmosphere and light decorations all over the place. The admission is pretty pricey; every afternoon, till January 9th 

• There is a similar events opening this weekend in the Tierpark - "Weihnachten im Tierpark", featuring lights, a skating rink and much more. Again, admission is pretty expensive. Every afternoon, till January 9th 

• For something a bit less expensive, you can visit Karl's in Elstal, featuring the "Schrottis Winterdorf", a trendy "upcycling" themed winter park. Open every day and literally for free. 

• The Historic Market has also started this week, linked to the same people who operate Renaissance Fairs, and if you like the genre, pack your girdles and codpieces and head your trusted steeds (Tram M10, trains to Warschauer Straße) to the RAW-Gelände. Every afternoon, till Dec 22nd

• The Japanese Christmas Market in the Festsaal Kreuzberg promises a mixture of Japanese culture, food and design with special Christmas stuff. Sunday, 12:00 till 8 pm 

• Also in Kreuzberg: The Finnish Cultural Centre is running a small Christmas market at the centre in Kreuzberg (Schleiermacherstraße 24a 10961 Berlin) , on Sat/Sun between 10 am and 6 pm 

• The people behind the light art exhibition, "Dark Matter" offer a Christmas light experience in Rummelsburg, Winterlights in Rummelsburg. Admission is for EUR 5, you get to see "200 luminous Christmas trees with 80.000 LEDs transform the darkness into a dancing glow of lights. The trees, arranged according to size, are combined with atmospheric music to create an overall audio-visual experience that repeats every half hour throughout the evening" 

• There is also a small (one-time) "winter" market in Schöneberg, on Karl-Heinrich-Ulrichs-Str. 10 10787 Berlin, not far from the Pride Market . The market is for charity and organised by the CVJM, which is practically the German version of YMCA, (well, the organisation, not the song). Further info

• In addition, I have already reported the following markets: 

•  Lichtenberg's Winterzauber, with lots of lights, rides and stalls. Daily till December 19th, on Landsberger Allee 364 (near the Ikea, Tram M6 from Alex). 

• The Winterwelt  in Potsdamer Platz is also open every afternoon, with its fake snow slide.  





• The "Pride", LGBTIQ Winterdays takes place till December 23rd near Nollendorfplatz 

• The Vorglüh-Markt in Holzmarkt 25 (Fri-Sun, free admission) 

Hanukkah 

Chanukah, the holiday with the 1000 spelling-options, will start next Sunday (so the 28th), but there are already some Hanukkah related activities for the kiddies out there. 

• Chabad Alexanderplatz will offer a pre-Chanukkah event for kids aged 3 to 12 on Sunday (2 - 4 pm)  

• The Fraenkelufer Synagogue will have Chanukkah activities in their Kids club on Sunday (for kids aged 3-10, in different age groups, details)

• Also sort of Hanukah related: A Peula (activity) of Hashomer Hatzair (where some pre-Chanukah activity will take place, but only as an appetizer to the real party in two weeks' time, info, for kids aged 7(ist) and up (till 15ish, they are not very strict). 

• The people of the Fraenkelufer Synagogue are inviting everybody to their Mitzvah Day get together, which will be, this time, a cleaning activity in the neighbourhood. 

The Rest of the Week

Except for Thanksgiving for our American (and feast-loving) readers, there are several other things happening throughout the week. 

• On Monday, "True Italian" will offer their "True Italian Pasta Week", where you can get a meal and a drink for only EUR 14.  (To the list of restaurants taking part)

• Well next Friday is Black Friday, and we'll probably have some shopping events

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