Berlin shines at Christmas time

The German capital admittedly is usually a tough place. But at Christmas time Berlin´s mood becomes more friendly. The city spoils itself and its guests with dolled up streets and squares, such as the Pariser Platz at the Brandenburg Gate.

While the trees on the boulevard Unter den Linden were uniformly decorated with golden chains of lights in the past years, they now glow in changing colors: Green, blue and red. This new concept had previously been the subject of heated discussion: Preservationists did not consider changing colors on the historic mile appropriate. In the end variety won – fitting in a city as colorful as Berlin.

Every year at the end of November, thousands of lights suddenly illuminate the City West: From the famous Kudamm in Wilmersdorf via Tauentzienstraße to Schöneberg, light sculptures shine. Some 4.5 kilometers (2,7 mi) of Berlin's magnificent boulevard is decorated. Approximately 600 trees along the street are decorated with 200 to 300 meters of fairy lights.

A sea of lights awaits visitors at the Christmas market around the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on Kudamm. At the 200 stands you can stock up on gifts such as accessories and handicrafts. For those who want present themselves a Christmas gift, this light installation is the perfect backdrop.

Opposite the Christmas Market at Breitscheidplatz, the Bikini Berlin Shopping Mall welcomes its customers with huge Christmas orbs. The interior of the shopping mall is also lavishly decorated: with white trees and wintry animals and attached to the ceiling is a nine meter (29.5 ft) long wave made of Christmas baubles. 

Always beautiful: the eleven meter high nutcracker in front of the elegant KaDeWe department store is now illuminated for the twelfth year in a row at Christmas time. However, it is uncertain whether it will be here again next year: up to now, the Berlin-based Wall AG financed the Christmas lighting in City West, but that contract is now expiring.

Potsdamer Platz in the Mitte district also displays some impressive Christmas decorations: Under huge blue bells, a fairy tale forest has been created in the Sony Center. Illuminated mythical creatures can be found among decorated Christmas trees – a winged horse, a fire bird and dancing elves. The figures can be seen here until the first of January – plenty of time to take an elf selfie.

Berlin's historic center becomes a Christmas fairground. In addition to sales stalls and a vintage carousel, Europe's largest Ore Mountains pyramid with more than 5,000 lights stands on Alexanderplatz. You can even walk into it. On the ground floor there is mulled wine and bratwurst, further up there is a viewing platform. On weekends, brass bands play among the hustle and bustle on the Alex.

Behind the Berlin television tower is the start of a Christmas market at the Red Town Hall. Besides arts and crafts, vintage merry-go-rounds and lots of food, there is an artificial ice rink. Here you can curl around the Neptune Fountain, illuminated in changing colors. Above all, the 50 meter high Ferris Wheel gleams - by the way the same as at the Munich Oktoberfest.

A more subtle illumination shimmers at the Spree River. Across from Berlin Cathedral, blue stars sparkle in the trees of the riverside promenade - the perfect setting for a romantic evening stroll through a festive Berlin. The Christmas lights can still be seen in the capital until the beginning of January, in most places from 4 p.m. to midnight.