Christmas Market at Späth'sche Baumschulen

The Christmas Market at Späth’sche Baumschulen on Germany’s Oldest Tree Nursery Grounds

Späth’sche Baumschulen are located in Baumschulenweg in the southeast of Berlin, far enough out that the Christmas market is free from high-rise backdrops and traffic noise. The company dates back to a nursery from 1720, making it one of the oldest operating businesses in the city. The tree nursery on Späthstraße has existed since 1863 and gave the entire district its name. The Christmas market at Späth’sche Baumschulen occupies the historic packing house, the old nursery buildings, and the paths in between, surrounded by the quarters and fields of the operation. Right next door, the Humboldt University’s Späth Arboretum grows with around 1,250 woody plant species from all continents. The grounds remain a workplace: while mulled wine is served at the market, the sale of Christmas trees continues in the background. Instead of a cordoned-off marketplace, guests here get an entire area where Advent spreads across courtyards, halls, and rows of trees.

Fir Forest, Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides and Stage Program at the Christmas Market in Baumschulenweg

The core of the market is the fir forest: Cut Nordmann firs, pines, and spruces are lined up like a small forest, from which families can choose and immediately take their tree. The admission ticket serves as a discount voucher for tree purchase. Around 100 stalls sell handicrafts, natural products, and decorations, along with mulled wine, Langos, and Solyanka. On the main stage, concerts from pop to jazz are played, followed by a fire show in the evening. For children, horse-drawn sleighs ride across the decorated grounds, there are fairy tale performances and a heated craft tent, and Santa Claus and angels stroll across the courtyard. Since the market only takes place on a few days, the crowd is accordingly high. Heated tents and open fire pits ensure that the visit is worthwhile even in wet weather, though sturdy footwear is still advisable on the paths between the beds. The Christmas market at Späth’sche Baumschulen thus remains more a half-day family outing than a quick mulled wine stop.