Today is the first Advent and even snow was predicted for the next few days! It is high time to get into the festive mood – which, due to the current situation, would unfortunately not be as easy this year as we would have liked. Nevertheless, there are a few addresses that give us some Advent magic under strict compliance with the 2G rule.

► The Botanical Garden is finally being transformed again this year into the sparkling Christmas world “Christmas Garden”. With plenty of space to stroll through dream forests and 3-D lighted figures. Over a million points of light are installed on a one and a half kilometer tour!

This year the “moonlight meadow” and the “magical galaxy” seem like from another planet. The highlight, however, remains the “water fairy tale”, which is projected onto a screen made of water mist.

Queen-Luise-Str. 6-8, Dahlem, www.weihnachtsgarten.de/berlin, Tickets from 15.50 euros

► For many, the “Christmas Magic Gendarmenmarkt” is the most beautiful Christmas market in Berlin, if not Germany.

2G controls were installed at all entrances. Fortunately for us again this year: The “Schampus und Spätzle” hut, where freshly grated cheese noodles are served optionally with truffles, the popular “Neuburger cream bread” and the swivel grill!

Gendarmenmarkt, center, admission 1 euro, www.weihnachtsmarkt-berlin.de

► As of this weekend, the “Zenner Wintergarten” including ice rink replaced the beer garden in Treptower Park. On the winterly decorated and reduced ice rink with a view of the Spree, you can do rounds of Berlin, then warm up at the goulash canon or at the stand with homemade mulled wine.

Also possible: Ice stock sport on a total of three lanes!

Alt-Treptow 15, zenner.berlin, Ice skating 5 euros for 1.5 hours

► Those who prefer things small and cozy can come to “Clärchen’s Christmas Market”.

In the front courtyard, which is decorated with fairy lights, there are four sweet stalls selling raclette, waffles and the Clärchens X-Mas drink with gin, apple juice, thyme and Christmas spices (9 euros, photo).

Auguststraße 24/25, Mitte, free admission, claerchensball.haus