Since Berlin is a city with a mix of contemporary and traditional culture, it's no surprise the city's main Christmas market has an altogether more contemporary feel than those in the rest of Germany. Over 50 Christmas markets provide a magical winter atmosphere for visitors.

This year marks the second time a Christmas market will be held in front of Charlottenburg Castle. The Christmas Market will feature the Biedermeier period. Historic carriage rides, theme exhibits in the palace itself, and specialized lighting will feature the fascinating era between 1815 and 1848.

WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt is another classic Christmas Market that deserves a mention. The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and is the exquisite setting for one of Berlin's many Christmas markets - the historical Berlin Christmas market - which will whisk you away to a magical Christmas world full of scrumptious treats and fairy lights.

A new Christmas market, in which the nearby embassies of Great Britain, France, and the United States will be featuring their Christmas customs, will be opening again between the two Christmas markets at the Brandenburg Gate.

As well as these markets, head to Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Centre, where there is a Christmas Market on the Sony Centre?s 4,000 square metre event area. ?Boccia on Ice,? in an area protected from the weather, is another new attraction for the adults, while the kids can enjoy themselves in the neighboring Legoland Discovery Centre.

On New Year's Eve, Berlin throws the biggest open-air party in the world.
With more than a million people welcoming the New Year at the Brandenburg Gate, Germany's signature landmark, the Berlin party even tops the New Year festivities of New York and London.

*Christmas Market dates are provided by the Tourist Board, and may be subject to change.