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Wondering what to do in Berlin on Hanukkah 2025? Let’s break it down: it begins at nightfall on Sunday, December 14, and ends on Monday, December 22 — eight nights when Berlin glows with more than just candles. Between the monumental menorah at the Brandenburg Gate and the grassroots gatherings in Neukölln, the city transforms into a living tableau of visibility, resilience, and quiet joy.
Yet, as with most Berlin holidays, success is 90% logistics. The Jewish Museum Berlin will be partially restricted for guided tours until December 16, which means your best bet for early Hanukkah days (Dec 14–16) is to focus on open-air and community moments before diving into institutional programming later in the week.
Hanukkah celebrates the ancient Maccabean revolt — a story of survival that feels uniquely charged here. In Berlin, pirsumei nisa (the duty to publicize the miracle) isn’t just ritual; it’s cultural reclamation. When a ten-meter menorah stands proudly before the Brandenburg Gate, it’s not just tradition — it’s testimony.
That symbolism deepens further south in Neukölln, where Rabbi Rebecca Blady and Rabbi Jeremy Borovitz of Base Berlin and Hillel Deutschland lead one of the city’s most emotional candlelightings. Locals describe it as part festival, part statement of belonging — a refusal to go back into hiding, and a celebration of staying visible.
If you’re new to Berlin winters and wondering how people stand outside for half an hour in December without turning to ice, read our field-tested guide How To Survive Your First Berlin Winter. The right layers can mean the difference between spiritual transcendence and mild frostbite.
Start strong at Pariser Platz for the Brandenburg Gate menorah lighting, one of Europe’s largest public Hanukkahs. Expect press cameras, choirs, and a lot of smartphones. Arrive at least 30 minutes early — security is thorough, and this isn’t the city for casual lateness. (If you’re the type who tends to “wing it,” Berlin will humble you. We warned you in What Not To Do In Berlin).
With the Jewish Museum Berlin still limiting tours, these early nights are for connection rather than curation. Find smaller gatherings — Neukölln, Kreuzberg, or Schöneberg often host informal candle-lightings, study sessions, or latke nights. The vibe is familial and unpretentious.
The museum’s restrictions lift, opening up access to guided tours and exhibitions. Pair a morning visit with an evening menorah; it’s the perfect “learn by day, glow by night” combination.
Traditionally the Neukölln crescendo — a bigger communal event with song, speeches, and public prayer. It’s one of the most inclusive Jewish moments of the year, where locals, expats, and interfaith allies all show up.
Shabbat merges beautifully into Hanukkah, and Berlin’s Jewish community balances both seamlessly. Friday candles are lit early; Saturday’s come after sundown. Sunday night marks the finale — eight flames, full brightness, the week’s reward.
Neue Synagoge – Centrum Judaicum (Oranienburger Straße) hosts a free “Open City Walk” on Sunday, December 14 at 11:00 — right before the first night. It’s a deep dive into Berlin’s Jewish history from the 17th century to today. Bring gloves and curiosity.
Meanwhile, the Jewish Museum Berlin will resume its full programming midweek. Following December 17, guided group tours will reopen alongside the permanent exhibition, which traces Jewish life across centuries. It’s worth reserving in advance, as December slots fill quickly.
Berlin’s Jewish community is spread across several historic and active synagogues — each offering a distinct atmosphere, history, and rhythm during Hanukkah. Whether you’re lighting candles, attending services, or just absorbing the cultural presence, these are the most significant synagogues to visit or celebrate in 2025:
Address: Oranienburger Straße 28, 10117 Berlin
The symbolic heart of Jewish life in Berlin. Its glittering golden dome is visible from blocks away — a physical statement of resilience. The synagogue no longer functions as a full-time house of worship but hosts cultural programs, memorial services, and exhibitions. During Hanukkah, the forecourt often becomes a gathering point for menorah-lightings and the “Open City Walk” that connects past and present.
Address: Rykestraße 53, 10405 Berlin
Germany’s largest active synagogue, fully restored after reunification. It hosts traditional Hanukkah services, musical programs, and family candle-lightings, drawing a diverse mix of Berlin’s Jewish residents and international visitors. The warm, wood-paneled interior glows beautifully under menorah light — a must-see for those seeking a more spiritual evening.
3. Pestalozzistraße Synagogue (Charlottenburg)
Address: Pestalozzistraße 14, 10625 Berlin
Known for its rich musical tradition, this liberal congregation often pairs Hanukkah services with choir performances. Its proximity to Kurfürstendamm makes it easy to combine an evening service with a stroll past Berlin’s Christmas lights — a striking juxtaposition of faiths coexisting in one neighborhood.
Address: Fraenkelufer 10–12, 10999 Berlin
A historically significant space that was partly destroyed during Kristallnacht but has since been rebuilt as a functioning synagogue and community hub. Fraenkelufer’s courtyard candle-lighting is one of Berlin’s most intimate Hanukkah experiences, often hosted by young families and open to the broader community.
Address: Herbartstraße 26, 14057 Berlin
A smaller but vibrant Reform congregation known for inclusivity and bilingual services. Sukkat Schalom’s Hanukkah gatherings often include music, modern Hebrew readings, and communal meals, ideal for newcomers seeking an accessible introduction to Jewish Berlin.
Tip: Always check each congregation’s website before visiting — some events require prior registration or ID for security reasons.
You can trace the entire Hanukkah story through what’s fried. Latkes (potato pancakes) honor the miracle of oil; sufganiyot (jam-filled doughnuts) are the sweet encore. Across Berlin, you’ll find pop-ups run by student groups and cultural centers that offer both — often alongside live klezmer music or readings.
And for expats juggling this festival with the broader holiday rush, it’s comforting to know Berlin has space for both menorahs and mulled wine. Our seasonal feature, 'Christmas In Berlin 2025,' shows how these parallel worlds intertwine — sometimes literally, as menorah lightings glow beside Christmas markets under the same winter sky.
Hanukkah in Berlin is light with memory. It’s public, proud, and gently defiant — candles flickering in plazas once shadowed by history. If you spend the first half of the week outside and the second half inside learning, you’ll understand the city’s dual rhythm: community first, contemplation after.
When the last flame burns down on December 22, you’ll know this isn’t just a festival of lights — it’s Berlin saying, again and again, we’re still here.
Keep reading Expats Magazine — your insider guide to Berlin’s holidays, culture, and immigrant life all year round. Because Berlin doesn’t just celebrate traditions — it reinvents them.
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