Newbie’s Guide to Berlin Christmas Time

A person in black overalls holds out a neatly wrapped gift with candy cane print and red string, offering it warmly to the viewer. The neutral background puts full focus on the gesture of giving.

Christmas is the time for get togethers! We show you how to quickly meet people and make friends over Christmas as a new Berliner

Have you recently moved to Berlin and are spending Christmas in the capital? Congratulations, you couldn’t be in a better place. In Berlin, you can quickly make friends even during Christmas and experience eventful holidays – especially if you live with us. Just meet some of your THE HOUSE OF CO flatmates and conquer Berlin together. We have gathered a few recommendations for you.

Christmas Markets

Some of Berlin’s Christmas markets are still open during and after the holidays. This means you can sample traditional delicacies on Christmas Eve, be inspired by arts and crafts and gift ideas, or simply take in the festive atmosphere. The Weihnachtsrummel (christmas carnival) on Frankfurter Allee, for example, is open until 26 December and even offers exciting fun rides. The Glühwald at Mercedes Platz offers warm drinks, waffles or potato pancakes until 30 December, and the Winterwelt at Potsdamer Platz even stays open all the way through New Year’s Eve.

Ice Skating

The Winterwelt am Potsdamer Platz offers Christmas market stalls and an ice rink. Not only can you do your pirouettes there, but also test your luck at curling. Such a great way to make new friends! Other public ice rinks can be found at the Erika-Heß-Eisstadion (only a 15-minute walk from THE HOUSE OF CO) or at the Neptunbrunnen.

Christmas Karaoke

Berlin boasts a lot of karaoke bars and some of them will be open during the holidays. Why not grab a group of song-loving flatmates and sing along to all the Christmas classics by Mariah Carey, Wham! and others until the early hours?

Charity

Unfortunately, there are also plenty of people in Berlin who have few other options than spending Christmas alone. Voluntary organisations at least provide some comfort during this time and organise events for disadvantaged people. Support, even if only for a few hours, is always welcome if you want to get involved! To name just two examples: The Kälte Nothilfe Berlin organises a Christmas party for the homeless at YAAM and the Verein Freunde alter Menschen (Friends of the Elderly) arranges visiting partnerships between younger volunteers and elderly people suffering from loneliness. 

Christmas Dinner Together at THE HOUSE OF CO

It’s an all-time favourite: a meal together in the large kitchen at THE HOUSE OF CO. This works every day of the year, but is particularly festive over Christmas. While planning and cooking, you not only get into conversation quickly – since we have people from different countries with us, you also learn how Christmas is celebrated in other cultures.

As you can see, if you are a newly arrival anywhere during Christmas time, it better be in Berlin! You’ll quickly find your place here and have no problem meeting new people. Follow us on Instagram and get regular and up-to-date event tips. 

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