The ultimate guide to visiting Berlin in November

Shorter days and colder nights mean winter’s on its way, but November in Berlin is anything but quiet. It’s the perfect time to ease into the holiday season, with Christmas markets opening as early as November 1.

If you’d rather stay warm indoors, Berlin Science Week brings fascinating talks to venues across the city, while Zueghausmesse showcases unique functional art from local and international designers. Whether you’re interested in holiday vibes or cultural events, this guide will help you make the most of winter in Berlin this November.

Why go to Berlin in November?

It’s a mini low season

Between Oktoberfest and Christmas, Berlin can get crowded, but November offers a bit of a break. Take advantage of the lull to see Berlin’s top sights and attractions without the usual long lines of busier months. And with several of the city’s top Christmas markets and fairs opening in November, you can experience its seasonal cheer without its seasonal crowds.

Low season means lower prices

What is Berlin like in November? With fewer tourists, there’s less demand for hotels and accommodation. Hotel room prices can drop as much as 50% compared to peak times like Christmas in December. If you’d rather spend your money sampling the best food in Berlin or exploring its top museums, low-season November is the perfect time for budget-friendly travel.

November is a historic time to visit

November 9 marks the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a day the city celebrates its reunification. Depending on the year, celebrations range from huge concerts to art events. In 2024, for example, the city turned a 2.5-mile (4-km) stretch of the old wall into a large-scale stage and art exhibit. Even in quieter years, you’ll find multiple exhibitions and events to honor the occasion.

The date is also linked to other significant historical events, including the anniversary of the Nazi rise to power in Germany before World War II and the day Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated in 1918, as World War I came to an end. For history buffs, November in Berlin is one of the most enriching times to visit.

What’s the weather like in Berlin in November?

Make sure to bundle up if you’re visiting Berlin in November. The month starts out chilly and ends downright cold, as temperatures drop towards freezing by December (around 32 F/0 C). Expect a mix of cloudy, cold days and even colder nights, with occasional showers and fog. While it’s not the wettest time of the year, light rain is common. You’ll also get a few bright, crisp sunny days. Snow is rare but not impossible as temperatures dip toward the freezing point.

• Average day temperature: 45 F (7 C)
• Average night temperature: 36 F (2 C)
• Average days of rain: 15 days
• Average daylight hours: 9 hours per day

Top things to do in Berlin in November

1. Get inspired at Berlin Science Week

Berlin Science Week is a massive festival of science and innovation, usually held during the first 10 days of November. The Natural History Museum and the artsy Holzmarkt quarter serve as main hubs, but hundreds of events pop up at over 100 venues around the city.

Past highlights include an augmented reality experience diving into bacterial cell structures, a “science slam” where contestants tackle advanced topics at lightning speed, and even a presentation on the science of negotiation. Many events are free and offered in English. For program information, head to the Berlin Science Week website.

2. Swing into November with Jazzfest Berlin

Over its 60-year history, Jazzfest Berlin has hosted special performances by legends like Miles Davis, B.B. King, and Charles Mingus at iconic venues such as Berliner Philharmonie and Haus der Kulturen der Welt. While the lavish budgets of the past have since faded, Jazzfest continues to bring world-class musicians to Berlin every November for four days of incredible music.

Today, the festival is mainly held at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, near the Berlin University of the Arts, with renowned jazz clubs like A-Trane and Quasimodo serving as alternate venues. The program for the coming year is usually announced in September. Visit the Jazzfest Berlin website for more details.

3. Make time for the circus

Zeit für Zirkus (“Time for Circus”) is the German incarnation of La Nuit du Cirque, a three-day international festival celebrating contemporary circus arts. It’s usually held in Berlin in mid-November.

Events take place all over the city and showcase a wide range of circus styles. Past highlights include a dance acrobatic show at the old Tempelhof Airport, interactive children’s theater, clowning, and aerial acrobatics. For the full festival program, check the Zeit für Zirkus website.

4. Browse extraordinary usable art

Zeughausmesse is the perfect place to kick off your holiday shopping. Held in Berlin in November, this modern arts and crafts festival brings innovative, “usable art” just in time for the gift-giving season. The four-day fair takes over Kuhlhaus Berlin, a cool seven-floor exhibition space in trendy Kreuzberg (once Europe’s largest cold storage facility). You can shop for everything from unique clothing and jewelry to lighting, glassware, and ceramics.

If you’re looking for special gifts or souvenirs, you’ll likely find something at Zeughausmesse. Past shows have featured ceramic bowls made around pieces of recovered plastic, intricately embroidered maple leaves, and feather-light, mother-of-pearl jewelry, etched with the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke.

Address

Luckenwalder Str. 3, 10963 Berlin

Opening hours

Open daily, noon–6:00 PM

5. Experience Christmas in November

The best things to do in Berlin in November revolve around the upcoming winter holidays, minus the usual crowds. Whizz down the 230-foot (70-meter) toboggan run at Winterwelt on Potsdamer Platz, ride the Ferris Wheel at Lichtenberger Winterzeit, or lose yourself in the immersive Winterlights display at the Dark Matter modern art museum.

Many of Berlin’s most popular winter markets, funfairs, and exhibitions start as early as November 1. And as the month goes on, more Christmas markets and seasonal activities pop up across the city.

Visiting Berlin in November feels a lot like visiting the city for Christmas, just without the peak holiday rush. By late November, the jaw-dropping Christmas Garden at the Berlin Botanic Garden lights up with a dazzling sound and light show. You can explore Glühwald (Glow Forest) at Uber Platz, near the Uber Arena (formerly Mercedes-Benz Arena), a temporary fir tree forest known for its cozy food stalls and mulled wine.