The German capital is decked out in festive Christmas decorations, with large, decorated trees placed at Berlin's landmark, the Brandenburg Gate, and outside parliament, while the aroma of mulled wine from the various Christmas markets wafts through the air.
Colorful light installations fill the city's two main shopping boulevards, Kurfürstendamm and Unter den Linden, one in former West Berlin and the other in former East Berlin.
Berlin boasts more than 100 Christmas markets in this city of 3.9 million inhabitants, according to official figures.
Vendors here typically sell artisanal gifts, grilled sausages, gingerbread hearts, and mulled wine known as Glyhwein.
A special attraction this Christmas season is the experimental light and sound installation “Winter Lights,” which allows visitors to ice skate under 300 twinkling trees illuminated by 100,000 LEDs.
Germans traditionally celebrate Christmas on the evening of December 24, mainly with natural trees decorated for the holiday.
