Berlin goes upside down: Stranger Things Christmas market takes over Ku’damm

Berlin's festive season has taken a spooky, retro twist: the Hawkins Christmas Market has opened on the Kurfürstendamm to coincide with the fifth season of Netflix's cult hit Stranger Things.

With flickering lights, a nostalgic fairground feel and a soundtrack straight out of the 80s, visitors and fans can step right into the world of the series.

For a month, fans can wander through a recreation of Hawkins, perch on the Byers' sofa for a photo, cue up 80s tracks on a jukebox or try a Demogorgon-shaped waffle. Entry to the whole promo set-up is free - but you'll be paying with your time.

Since 4 December, the market has been opening daily at 3pm. Anyone thinking of popping by should expect queues: they snake along the street and continue once you’re inside. Staff reckon somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 people visit the Hawkins Christmas Market each day.

If you want to be there for the opening, you’ll need to arrive a few hours early and be prepared to wait for one or two hours. And the queues don’t stop once you’re in - it's a good half-hour wait for most stalls and attractions. The good news: prices are pretty reasonable. If you fancy channelling Eleven, a small "Eggo" waffle will set you back €2.50 - or €3 with chocolate or maple syrup.

The waffles, however, aren't quite what you'll remember from the show. They're shaped like the Demogorgon and they're pretty small - so if you’re properly hungry, you'll need a whole pack of them. Then again, fans will know that Eleven was never one to stop at just a single Eggo.

Drinks won't drain your wallet either. There's no alcohol on offer, but you can still pick up Stranger Things-themed options like the "Hawkins Punch" for three euros. That's actually cheaper than a mulled wine at most Berlin Christmas markets, where prices this year sit at around five to six euros.

Food-wise, the waffles are a steal compared with a typical Christmas market. A bratwurst in a roll can easily cost five euros, making the waffles about half the price. The downside? The menu is very limited, with waffles pretty much the only option.

But the fun isn't just for your stomach. Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of their favourite characters. The POP Ku'Damm building houses an arcade with cult classics like Pac-Man, a chance to pose on the Byers family's iconic sofa, watch 80s TV shows, snap a selfie with a Demogorgon, and even step into the Upside Down on board a bus.

Fans in Berlin can spend almost a month exploring the Upside Down before the series wraps up with its final episode on 31 December 2025.

One of the show's characters who has won over fans' hearts is Steve Harrington, portraied by Joe Keery. Alongside acting, Keery releases music as "DJO". His viral hit "End of Beginning" has been streamed more than 1.8 billion times on Spotify so far.

Earlier this year, he told Euronews Culture that he recorded his latest album, The Crux, while shooting Stranger Things.

For him, his acting and music career are feeding off each other. His characters, however, are not creeping into his music. "I'm not the type of actor who brings my work home. I like to have a little bit of a line in the sand. I'm not a method actor or anything." He concluded: "The POV is really from me."

The Stranger Things Christmas market in Berlin is open at Ku'damm until 30 December 2025, daily from 3 pm to 10 pm. It will be closed from 24 to 26 December. Entry is free.