750 Years of Christmas in Berlin: Nikolaiviertel Walking Tour

What did Berliners celebrate before Christianity ever arrived? And how did Christmas change as Catholic pageantry gave way to Protestant reflection, before later being reshaped by the Industrial Revolution, Nazi propaganda, and socialist ideology? On this festive walking tour, we trace 750 years of Berlin’s Christmas traditions — from pagan solstice fires to modern celebrations. Our stage is the Nikolaiviertel quarter: at first glance it looks like Berlin’s medieval old town, yet in fact it was only completed in 1987, a curious mix of reconstructions and prefabricated buildings. With its cobbled streets and festive lights, it is the perfect setting for a Christmas tour. Along the way, we encounter figures from Berlin’s past — from Frederick the Great and Lessing to Heinrich Zille and Claire Waldoff — together with colourful tales of folk heroes and ghostly apparitions. To round off the tour, you’ll have the option to warm up with a festive mulled wine (Glühwein) at a traditional Christmas stall.