The "Blauer Lichterglanz" Christmas market between Luisenplatz and Bassinplatz in Potsdam.
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Christmas in Potsdam: Several Christmas markets are held in the city during the Advent season.
Potsdam has a lot to offer during the Advent season: There is a Bohemian Christmas market, as well as a Polish one, and the Sinterklaas festival is celebrated in the Dutch Quarter. Not far from Sanssouci Palace is the Christmas village on the Bornstedt Crown Estate. Brandenburger Straße, together with the neighboring Luisenplatz, also becomes a Christmas market.
If you want to stroll around in a Christmassy atmosphere, you will find a large selection of stalls at the Christmas market Blauer Lichterglanz (Blue Sparkling Lights) in Brandenburger Straße. Hand-knitted woollen hats are on sale alongside colorful, large-scale works of art and Christmas tree decorations from Lauscha in Thuringia. There is mulled wine with rum cherries as well as hot caipirinha, plus a fairytale stage and delicacies from Brandenburg cuisine and arts and crafts.
The Bömischer Weihnachtsmarkt (Bohemian Christmas Market) on Weberplatz in Potsdam-Babelsberg takes place on the first two weekends of Advent. Craftsmen, traders, artists and innkeepers bring Bohemian traditions to life between the 18th century weavers' houses. The colony of Bohemian weavers was an initiative of Frederick the Great. Young visitors can look forward to the Bohemian crystal fairy on the first weekend of Advent. Music groups provide a festive and Bohemian atmosphere every day.
The Polish Christmas market, which takes place parallel to the Bohemian Christmas market in Potsdam, is a special feature. Christmas traditions from Poland take center stage at the market in the Kutschstallhof. There are Polish arts and crafts and Polish culinary specialties. German-Polish associations from Berlin and Brandenburg will also be presenting themselves. Music and theater groups present a varied program.
On the third weekend of Advent, the Dutch Santa Claus "Sinterklaas" pays a visit to the Dutch Quarter in Potsdam. On Saturday, he arrives at the Potsdam harbor, where he and his entourage are welcomed by the mayor. He then rides through the city to the Dutch Quarter, followed by a horse-drawn carriage with the guests of honor. The guests are treated to culinary delights such as matjes, Kniepertjes and jenever. People sing in the streets and old tunes are played from the barrel organ. Anyone still looking for Christmas presents: Traders offer handmade items and jewelry, pottery and culinary specialties such as fruit brandies or whisky. And Sinterklaas takes plenty of time to chat with the children.
The Krongut Bornstedt (Bornstedt Crown Estate) invites you to a romantic Christmas village in the historic courtyard of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In festively illuminated wooden huts, various traders offer regional specialties, arts and crafts, Christmas accessories, seasonal fashion, fragrant treats and unusual gift ideas. During the week, a small, contemplative market with unique exhibitors is open every Thursday and Friday around the garden from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.. At the weekends, there is an entertainment program for young and old. Santa Claus comes to visit every Saturday and Sunday. Children can also bake Christmas cookies in the courtyard bakery and look forward to puppet shows and storytellers.
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