#63

It´s December once more! Mulled wine, shining lights, red noses… yes!!! But please don´t leave, if you can´t join in for Christmas cheers! At least a few highlights we´ve got for you on today´s tour, too (but without the exclamation mark this time. Sorry, Grinches.)

The best recommendation of this month, for Christmas freaks as well as the holiday fearing: Orania.Berlin has finally got its very own online shop! From this week on you get everything here that belongs underneath Orania.Fans´ Christmas trees. From the original Orania.Aprons to the plates you all know so well and Orania.Teams´ absolute favourite: our brand-new, very cool Orania.Merchwear! There´s only one thing left for us to say now: come to the duck side… (© photos: pctrbrln)

And off we go for our festive Christmas market hopping. Even if last year they said: “This year will definitely be the very last time for Christmas market at Charlottenburg Palace” – it wasn´t a big surprise to hear that they did find a new host for the popular market. But that doesn´t diminish our excitement. The atmosphere nearby the illuminated castle is simply magical. As long as you don´t visit the event on the weekend. Then it´s rather the crowd of people that seems somehow magical…

For those of you who´ve already experienced all the usual suspects when it comes to Christmas markets, here are some tips for rather unusual December afternoons in the German capital. 

Have you ever heard of Weihnachtsrodeo? Colosseum Berlin, second and third advent weekend. 
Or how about a trip to Nowkoelln Xmas Flowmarkt? Maybachufer, 10 December. 
You would prefer a market with an indoor playground for the kids? Heissa Holzmarkt is your place to be! Holzmarktsraße 19-30, until 13 December.

The hardcore fans among you will already know all of these highlights, as well. That can only mean one thing: off we go to Potsdam! Our little sister-city (don´t tell Potsdam´s people that we said this, please!) also hides loads of festive treasures. For example, Böhmischer Weihnachtsmarkt (eng.: Bohemian Christmas market) at Weberplatz in the district of Babelsberg. As instagrammable as its venue. Takes place this weekend. (© photo: Aktionsgemeinschaft Babelsberg e. V.)

Potsdam´s city centre also has a lot to offer talking about Christmas feelings. Sinterklaas Potsdam takes place in the Dutch quarter this weekend. And you´ve got time until 29 December to discover Blauer Lichterglanz (eng.: blue lights´ shimmer) next to the Brandenburg Gate (yes, in Potsdam – we´ve been there together last summer). This year the stands will be decorated with 50 original DEFA posters – the one who remembers them all after the second Glühwein gets ten points for Gryffindor. Or whatever Hogwarts house you feel related to.

Yes, okay, we got it. Time to do something for the grinches, again. VONEISENREICH in Gutenbergstraße 18 ½ in Potsdam (only a short walk away from the Christmas market Blauer Lichterglanz) is a paradise for all, whose taste is not presented in the mainstream and those who prefer locally manufactured products. Apart from extraordinary decoration objects, shop owner Ulrike Eisenreich – who is not only business woman, but also men´s tailor, architect and set and costume designer for stage and movie productions – also sells her very own fashion collection, created and produced in Potsdam. This beautiful shop is still an insider tip – but who knows for how long? (© photos: VONEISENREICH)

Back to Berlin, we just need to have a cup of coffee at Schaubühne Café. The café inside the famous theatre was redesigned a few months ago and now offers a nice variety of food and beverage options – seven days a week, even on non-performance days, at 9 in the morning or 1 o´clock at nighttime. If you are lucky, you might even sit next to Lars Eidinger, Jenny König or some other star actor or actress of the Schaubühne ensemble. But even without starry visits: this café at the Western Kurfürstendamm is a really special place.

Our last recommendation for today – oh, for this year even! – is one for all of you. The X-mas freaks and those rather seeking distraction from the celebrations. Roncalli Weihnachtscircus Berlin at Tempodrom once again enchants us with a wonderful clownery and acrobatics programme. This surely prevents everyone from getting bored over the holidays. (© photo: Circus-Theater Roncalli) 

And for all of you, who already miss us: that´s not necessary. Duck has always been a festive meal in Germany. You know where to find us.