Christmas markets are here!

In principle, Christmas markets start with the First Advent, i.e. the fourth Sunday before Christmas (this year it is at the weekend of November 26th-28th), but since when is Berlin a traditional city? And so, some Christmas markets sneaked up on us - long, long before the holiday.

Speaking of tradition, please note that this coming Sunday (and also the one that follows) are legally considered days of mourning (Trauertag in German). Again, in Berlin it does not mean much, but in principle flea markets and street parties (and Christmas markets) should not be open. Some obey, some less so.

So what's going on this week, for those who do not have the patience to wait until the first Advent with their Glühwein?

"Winterzauber" - This is the name of the Christmas market located right next to Lichtenberg's IKEA. This is an old market and known for its extravagance - it has existed (in various locations) since the 1920s and today provides the most (ahm...) baseborn experience (to put it mildly) of Christmas markets: lots and lots of facilities, flashing lights of overpriced plastic toys, hustle and bustle and more pleasures of life. Until December 19, at Landsberger Allee 364 (right next to IKEA, as mentioned, tram M6 from Alexanderplatz). Open every day.

The first market to be opened (already two weeks ago), and actually one of the last ones to close (on January 2nd), is the Winterwelt in Potsdamer Platz, with its iconic fake-snow slide. This year, no ice skating rink (the slide is still there), but there are stalls with christmas snacks and gifts. Daily, U+S Potsdamer Platz.

In the Nollendorfplatz area, the "Proud Market" opens on Friday (November 12th), which is divided into two - before the Advent it calls itself "The LGBTIQ* Winterdays" and after the Advent - "The Christmas Avenue" and in both cases, takes place until December 23rd, i.e. almost till the holiday. You can expect a gay atmosphere (sorry, this is not even a dad joke, maybe a great-grandfather's one), and in any case a lot of surprises and an entertainment stage. G2 entrance (vaccinated or recovering with relevant documentation). Open afternoons

The "Vorglüh-Markt" in Holzmarkt 25 lives up to its name with all kinds of drinks, but given it is Holzmarkt 25, it is fun for all. Fri-Sun, afternoon, free admission.

The "Medieval Market" on RAW will also open on Thursday (the 18th), but since I guess most of us are aiming for the current weekend - it will be reported next week.

Lantern Parades

St. Martin's Day is behind us, but you can still find some lantern parades at the weekend, if you haven't had enough of walking in the cold with that lantern.

On Friday afternoon you can join the Work'n'Kid bilingual (German / English) parade in Friedrichshain (details / tickets)

The Museumsdorf Dueppel is offering a traditional parade with a horse, on Sat, 2 pm. According to the website, sold-out, but you can still have a try. Also the parade in the Zoo (Sat, 3:30) is already sold-out, but some of these places hold extra tickets at the entrance.

The Bizim Kiez walk is also a protest against the gentrification of the Kiez, Heinrichplatz, Sat 5pm

More parades will take place on Saturday at 4pm in the Sportsbad Britz and at 4:30 pm in Medaillonplatz in Rummelsburg

On Sunday there is an event including a parade in the Vierfelderhof in Kladow, as well as a parade in Mariendorf, at Mariendorfer Damm 342, 12107 Berlin, organised by the local church (2 pm).

Israeli culture and Judaism

The children opera "Das Tierhäuschen" will start on Sun (at 12:00) in the Jewish Community Centre on Fasanenstr., as part of the "Jewish Cultural Days" festival.

An interesting festival of Jewish and Muslim culture and the connections between them, the MuJew - Muslimisch-Jüdisches Festival 2021, will take place this weekend at the Prachtwerk in Neukoelln. In streaming or on the spot itself, Ganghoferstraße 2, 12043 Berlin (Karl-Marx-Str.). Trailer: