Christmas Markets: Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt

(Photo: Jochen Loch / Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt)

I love Christmas, and I love Christmas Markets. It is difficult to explain why. Perhaps it is the smell of roasting chestnuts or sizzling Bratwurst. Maybe its the first sip of warm glühwein under a clear sky. It could also be the simple fact that Christmas always makes me feel young again. Anyway, the combination of twinkling lights, warming alcohol and a good sausage is enough to put a smile on my face, and thanks to an nice long advents period this year the festivities have already begun, even though December is still a week away.

One of my favourite Christmas Markets is just up the street from the Circus in the Kulturbrauerei. the Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt is celebrating their ten year anniversary in 2010, and with its atmospheric location in the courtyards of the former brewery-turned-cultural centre, it is a great place to get into the Christmas spirit. As well as the typical handicrafts and arts stalls (great for present inspiration) and different types of food and drink, the market also has some other attractions, including:

- a bungee trampoline
- merry-go-round for children and adults
- “Coat-Open-Air-Heater“ and “Swedenfire“ artworks
- Santa visits the market daily between 5 and 6 pm
- cultural program/ show daily at 8 pm, admission free

You can get to the Christmas Market either by a ten-minute walk up the hill from Rosenthaler Platz, or else jump on the Tram M1 to Eberswalder Strasse (3 stops) and walk around the corner. The Christmas Market is open from Mondays-Fridays at 3pm until 10pm, and on the weekend from 1pm until 10pm. I’ll see you at the sausage stand.

Lucia Weihnachtsmarkt website
Google Maps