Berlin in December

Christmas markets; cold; closures on 24–26 December.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatPleasant; May 1 events close streets.
• JuneGreatLong evenings; Carnival of Cultures weekend.
• JulyGreatWarm and busy; sometimes hot.
• AugustGreatWarm; lake swimming; some local businesses close.

• BerlinHighs around 4 °C (39 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 39 °F (4 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 10 days
• Berlin and the east, Germany · Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Brandenburg lakescool

  Continental: cold dry winters (around 0 °C (32 °F)), warm summers with 30 °C (86 °F) spells; lake swimming from June.Continental: cold dry winters (around 32 °F (0 °C)), warm summers with 86 °F (30 °C) spells; lake swimming from June.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas markets

  From late November · Gendarmenmarkt and across the city

  Markets at Gendarmenmarkt and across the city from late November.

• New Year's Eve

  Dec 31

  Large open-air party at the Brandenburg Gate; roads close early.

• Christmas big impact

  24–26 Dec · Germany

  Shops close on the 24th around 14:00 and stay closed until the 27th; many restaurants closed.

Crowds · Germany overall

High

Prices · Germany overall

High

Germany overall: Christmas markets in every town; Nuremberg, Dresden and Cologne weekends are packed. Shops close from 24 December afternoon.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Berlin, side by side.

• A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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