A Very Stranger Things Christmas Market in Berlin 🎄🧇
To celebrate the new season of Stranger Things, Netflix has opened a Christmas market in Berlin that transports you straight into Hawkins. It feels true to the show, full of 80s nostalgia, and completely unlike the traditional Christmas markets people usually come to Germany for. It is also the only market in the city where you might wait two hours just to take a photo with a monster. If that sounds like your kind of December adventure, keep reading.
Welcome to Hawkins, Berlin Edition
Every winter, Berlin fills with charming Christmas markets that glow under warm lights and smell like cinnamon. The Hawkins Christmas Market is something entirely different. Instead of wooden stalls and hand-carved ornaments, Netflix has dropped a slice of Stranger Things right onto Kurfürstendamm, one of the city’s most iconic boulevards.
Kurfürstendamm, known to locals as “Ku’damm,” is famous for its shops, cafés, theaters, and festive light displays. It is also home to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and one of Berlin’s busiest Christmas markets, making it a popular December destination.
Walking into the Hawkins pop up feels like stepping into a playful alternate universe. Lights flicker the way they do in the show. Synth-heavy music hums from the speakers. A Demogorgon waits at the entrance, posing politely for selfies. Will Byers’ living room is recreated down to the glowing alphabet wall, and there is even a small nod to the Starcourt Mall. Fans will recognize everything instantly.
If you came for handmade ornaments and German crafts, this is not that. If you want an immersive Stranger Things experience in the middle of Berlin, you are in the right place.
A Waiting Game
Let's first talk honestly about the line. It is long. Very long. We waited two and a half hours to get inside, and if my daughter had not recently fallen in love with Stranger Things, I might have been tempted to give up after the first hour. But she was so excited that we stayed, and that made the experience feel worthwhile.
Thankfully, the soundtrack helps. While you wait, 80s hits blast from speakers like you are tuned into WSQK with Robin and Steve. Tiffany, Kate Bush, and even the beloved Dustin and Suzie duet of “Neverending Story” play overhead. It adds a little fun to the long, cold queue.
Pro tip: arrive early. Visitors who showed up around 2:30 pm were inside quickly once the event opened at 3. Everyone else joined the slow-moving line that wrapped around the block.
The long wait has a purpose, though. They strictly limit capacity, and once you step inside, the space is calm, uncrowded, and genuinely enjoyable.
Inside the Experience
Once inside, the experience feels thoughtful and surprisingly detailed. You begin with a Demogorgon photo spot and receive a token for the arcade-style games. It is a fun 80s touch that fits perfectly with the world of the show.
Next comes Will Byers’ living room. The glowing alphabet wall and cozy couch are recreated with impressive accuracy, and visitors can take their time with photos.
Nearby is the cookie-decorating station, where you can make your own Demogorgon cookies while overlooking Kurfürstendamm and a massive Season 5 billboard. We saw plenty of adults having fun here, and the activity is completely free.
One of the final highlights is the WSQK Radio Van, a full replica from Stranger Things Season 5. You can climb inside, sit behind the wheel, and imagine broadcasting music across Hawkins. You then exit past one final Demogorgon photo spot, and you're out! The whole experience takes around thirty minutes once inside.
Is It a Christmas Market? Sort of.
This is not a traditional German Weihnachtsmarkt. It is an immersive pop up with a few holiday touches. There are two lines to be aware of. The first is an incredibly long one to enter the main experience and photo areas. The second, much shorter line, is for drinks and the collectible mugs. Beverage offerings include hot chocolate, and Hawkins Punch (a non-alcoholic apple cider).
Each drink is €3 (about $3.20) plus a €2 pfand (about $2.15). Pfand is a refundable deposit added to cups and bottles in Germany to encourage recycling. Return the mug and get your €2 back... or you can keep it as a souvenir. At essentially €2 for a themed mug, it is a bargain (and we were especially thrilled to bring ours home!).
A small merchandise booth sells Stranger Things goods at reasonable prices, and there is also a waffle stand offering Demogorgon-themed waffles. Admission to the Hawkins photo opp experience is free.
Nearby Christmas Markets to Visit After Hawkins
If you want a traditional German holiday atmosphere after stepping out of Hawkins, good options are close by:
The Christmas Market on Breitscheidplatz: A classic Berlin market beside Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church with lights, mulled wine, and traditional stalls.
The Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace: One of Berlin’s most beautiful markets, set against a Baroque palace glowing with festive lights.
Both offer a perfect contrast to Stranger Things.
Dates: December 4 to December 30, 2025
Closed: December 24, 25, 26; Arcade shop closed December 14 and 28
Hours: 3 pm to 10 pm
Admission: Free
Public transport:
U-Bahn: U1, U9 Kurfürstendamm
S-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S9)
Bus: 100, 109, M19, M29, X10
Should You Go?
Yes, if you love Stranger Things.
Yes, if you enjoy quirky pop-up experiences.
Maybe, if you hate waiting in the cold.
Probably not, if you want handmade ornaments, sausages, and traditional holiday stalls.
Once inside, the experience is charming, well organized, and genuinely fun. The sets look great, and the controlled crowd size makes everything feel relaxed. Outside, the drinks and waffles are affordable, and the Christmas tree topped with a golden Demogorgon is worth seeing on its own. For us, it was ultimately worth it. We had fun, created great memories, and came home with a mug we absolutely love.
FAQ: The Stranger Things Christmas Market Experience in Berlin
Is this a traditional German Christmas market?
No. It is an immersive Stranger Things pop up with light Christmas touches.
How long will I wait in line?
Anywhere from one to three hours. Arrive early for the best chance of a shorter wait.
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes. There are a few spooky elements but nothing too intense.
How much are the drinks?
€3 ($3.20) plus a €2 ($2.15) pfand deposit. Return the mug to get the deposit back or keep it as a souvenir.
How long does the experience take once inside?
About 30 minutes.
Is everything inside free?
Yes. Entry, cookie decorating, photo areas, and arcade tokens are all included.
Is it crowded inside?
No. The long outdoor line is to ensure a pleasant, uncrowded experience indoors.
Can I visit a traditional market afterward?
Yes. Breitscheidplatz and Charlottenburg Palace both offer classic Christmas market atmospheres nearby.
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