Potsdam
52°24′ N 13°04′ ECityPop. 185,137Berlin and Brandenburg
Potsdam suits a traveller who wants a calmer base beside Berlin, with the Weihnachtszauber along the old-town shopping street and smaller weekend markets in Babelsberg and the Dutch Quarter. Its trade-off is that the weekend markets run on a few dates only, so check each one's days before you go.
Who should base here
Stay in Potsdam for a calmer base next to Berlin, with the Weihnachtszauber running along the old-town shopping street and smaller weekend markets in Babelsberg and the Dutch Quarter.
Potsdam builds its December around one long market and a run of short ones. The Weihnachtszauber stretches from the Luisenplatz to the Bassinplatz with an ice rink and a Ferris wheel. Babelsberg holds its Bohemian market on the first two Advent weekends, and the Polish market shares the second. On the weekend after St Nicholas' Day, Sinterklaas rides into the Dutch Quarter.
Worth knowing
- Time a visit for 4–6 December 2026 to catch the Bohemian and Polish markets on one trip.
Quick answers about Potsdam
What Christmas markets are there in Potsdam in 2026?
Potsdam has the Potsdamer Weihnachtszauber from 23 November to 27 December 2026, the Bohemian Christmas Market in Babelsberg on 27–29 November and 4–6 December, the Polish Christmas Market on 4–6 December and the Sinterklaas Festival in the Dutch Quarter on 12 and 13 December.
Is Potsdam a good place to stay?
Stay in Potsdam for a calmer base next to Berlin, with the Weihnachtszauber running along the old-town shopping street and smaller weekend markets in Babelsberg and the Dutch Quarter.