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Stadion An Der Alten Försterei

Berlin's largest football-only stadium

A stadium built by fans.

Near the small Wuhle River in Köpenick is the traditional venue of 1. FC Union Berlin , inaugurated with a match against Viktoria 89 in 1920. Because an old woodsman's house once stood next to the stadium, the stadium came to be called the "Stadion An Der Alten Försterei" ("Stadium by the Old Woodsman's House"). Although various anti-aircraft positions were set up around the stadium during World War II, the stadium remained fairly intact. It was expanded several times during the post-war GDR years, but there was a lack of funds to renovate the stadium after reunification. But nostalgia about the stadium eventually led to donations being taken from the public and volunteers putting in 140,000 hours in 2008 to turn the Alte Försterei into a modern stadium. The fans wanted the majority of the 22,000 places in the stadium to be for standing, because they feel it is important to be close to the game.  In mid-July 2013, a new large grandstand was inaugurated in a match against Celtic FC from Glasgow. The approximately 100 metre long grandstand, completely rebuilt from the foundations up, extends over three floors and offers a total of 3,617 seats. In the 2024/2025 season, Union Berlin will move to the Olympiastadion Berlin as the Alte Försterei is being remodelled.

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An der Alten Försterei 263 12555   Berlin

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Stadion An der Alten Försterei

Club: 1. FC Union Berlin | Opening: 1920 | Capacity: 22,012 (18,395 standing)

History and description

Stadion An der Alten Försterei was built in 1920 as FC Olympia, the predecessor of Union, had to move out of their previous home, which had gotten repurposed for residential housing.

Their new stadium, then still called Sportplatz Sadowa, officially opened on 7 August 1920 with a friendly against German champion Nurnberg (1-2), but the club had already played their first match at the stadium five months earlier against Viktoria 89 (1-1).

The stadium could initially hold just over 10,000 spectators, nearly all standing, and FC Olympia regularly moved to higher-capacity grounds for important matches.

It took until 1968 for the stadium to undergo a first major redevelopment, which included the enlargement of the terrace on the long side to a capacity of 15,000 places. In 1978, it was the turn of the stands behind the goal to be enlarged, which raised capacity to 23,500.

However, the stadium quickly fell into disrepair and safety measures cut back capacity. As the club lacked the finances to improve the ground, it took until the start of the new century for the stadium to get a first round of smaller improvements.

Union needed a more long-term solution though, and in the early 2000s the club looked to build an entire new stadium with a capacity of 30,000 places, of which 20,000 seats. However, the club lacked the funding and plans shifted to renovating Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.

In 2008, works started on replacing the terraces with new covered terraces along three sides. Just as during earlier redevelopments, a lot of the works were performed by fan volunteers. In 2012, works started in rebuilding the all-seater main stand, which opened one year later with a friendly against Celtic.

(photos of the present Stadion An der Alten Forsterei below)

How to get to Stadion An der Alten Forsterei

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei is located in the south-east of Berlin on the north bank of the river Spree. It lies about 14 kilometres from the Alexanderplatz in central Berlin and 12 kilometres from the Ostbahnhof, the closest large railway station.

The stadium can be reached with overground metro (S-Bahn) line S3. Station Kopenick lies a 10-minute walk away from the stadium. You can catch line S3 from Ostkreuz station in the east of Berlin. Ostkreuz, in turn, is on multiple other S-Bahn lines that connect the station with central destinations such as Ostbahnhof, Alexanderplatz, Friedrichstraße, Hauptbahnhof, and Zoologischer Garten. The journey takes 35 to 55 minutes depending on where in the centre you’re coming from.

Address: An der Wuhl­hei­de 263, 12555 Ber­lin

Union Berlin Tickets

Tickets for Union Berlin matches can be bought online , at the club shop at the stadium, at the club shop at the Bahnhofstraße 23 in Kopenick near the stadium, or at the Union petrol station near the stadium on the other side of the Spree.

Standing places cost either €11.00, €12.00, or €13.00, while seats on the main stand range in price from €28.00 to €40.00.

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei stadium tours

Union Berlin offer guided stadium tours around Stadion An der Alten Forsterei that include the players’ tunnel, dressing rooms, press room, and VIP areas.

Tours typically run on the weekends at 1:00 pm. Check the Union  website for the current schedule and bookings.

Tickets cost €9.00. Email  [email protected]  for more information.

Photos of Stadion An der Alten Forsterei

Relevant Internet links

Fc-union-berlin.de – Official website of FC Union Berlin. Altefoersterei.berlin – Official website of Stadion An der Alten Forsterei. Visitberlin.de – Official tourism portal for the city of Berlin. Bvg.de – Berlin public transport travel information.

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1. FC Union Berlin

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FC Union Berlin – Matchday Experience with Photos

Union Berlin are one of the top Berlin football teams.  Here are a few reasons to watch a football match in Berlin, in particular to watch FC Union Berlin;

• Experience the Bundesliga
• Equivalent to watching an 80’s football match in England
• Stadium is surrounded by a Beer Garden
• Drinking alcohol is permitted in German stadiums
• Stadium has safe standing areas
• Watch the FC Union Ultras

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei is in East Berlin.  However, the stadium is easily accessible by public transport wherever you choose to stay in Berlin .

The FC Union stadium is in East Berlin.  Southeast Berlin to be exact in what was historically the Soviet sector.  It’s north of the River Spree in the Kopenick district of Berlin.  Did you know Kopenik is the largest district of Berlin?

How to get to Union Berlin Stadium from Central Berlin

To reach the stadium take the S-Bahn, S-3 line to Berlin Kopenick.  It’s a 10 minute walk to the stadium from the S-Bahn station.  Alternatively, check out the tram network which also runs by the stadium.

Stadion An der Alten Forsterei

FC Union Berlin Mascot – Ritter Keule

Ritter Keule is the FC Union Berlin mascot.  You’re guaranteed to see him at the start and finish of the match as well as at half time.  Who is Ritter Keule?  I couldn’t find much out about him other than he’s an iron knight.  Nonetheless, he’s available for private events if you wish to find out more about him!

FC Union Vs Ingolstadt

The game I went to see was against Ingolstadt in Bundesliga 2.  It was a fiery game and Ingolstadt received 2 red cards.  As a result, Union Berlin ran out 2-0 winners and the fans were very happy.

Team Managers and Dugout

Part of the enjoyment of watching the game is seeing the animated managers in the dugout.  As you would imagine, the away team bench were not so happy with receiving 2 red cards.

FC Union Berlin Ultras

Historic Scoreboard

A very historic scoreboard remains in the stadium despite recent redevelopment.  This original scoreboard certainly dates back to the Soviet era of East Berlin.  What’s more, it’s still in use today.  When someone scores, you’ll see a hand pop out of the window and manually update the score.

Media Section

There is a nice media section in the modern seated part of the stadium.  However, the match still needs to be filmed from different angles.  Look up to the roof and you’ll see cameramen braving the elements to capture the action.

Beer Garden

Thank you to the fans.

I mentioned that the fans both donated money as well as worked on renovating the stadium.  For this reason, the players are incredibly thankful to the fans.  As a matter of fact, the players spent a long time waving and bowing to the fans in each stand before they left the pitch.  This is a phenomenon I’ve not experienced at any other live football match.  In particular, at a regular Friday evening game in the second league.

Stadium Safety

When I visited Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow I learnt about the 1971 crush on the Copland Road exit stairway.  To my surprise, to enter the Union Berlin stadium you must climb a narrow staircase.  Furthermore, simply to visit the bathroom you must take this steep narrow staircase.  Add to this the fact that there are lots of drunk people, take care on these stairs!  I was watching from Sektor 4 of the stadium.

Enjoy the Union Berlin Matchday Experience

I have to say, the atmosphere at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei is one of the best I’ve experienced.  As a matter of fact, it’s as intense as somewhere like Fenerbahce .  Enjoy the game and most of all enjoy the excellent German hospitality!

I bought a 12 euro ticket to Sektor 4 at the entry gate.  However, if you wish to buy your ticket in advance, you can do so at the official Union Berlin website .

Things to do in Berlin .

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Stadion An der Alten Försterei - 1. FC Union Berlin Stadium Guide

Home » Germany » Stadion An der Alten Försterei

By Football Tripper Last Updated: September 8, 2021

Table of Contents

Stadium facts.

• 1. FC Union Berlin
• Seating Plan

Stadion An der Alten Försterei or Alte Försterei is a purpose built football stadium located in the German capital of Berlin.

Home to 1.FC Union Berlin who are the smaller club compared to their city rivals Hertha Berlin, the ground has a current capacity of 21,717 and first opened back in 1920.

1. FC Union Berlin Stadium Guide

Stadion an der alten försterei history.

Stadion An Der Alten Försterei has been home to 1.FC Union Berlin since it first opened back in 1920, with the inaugural match played on 17th March against local rivals Viktoria 89 Berlin.

The first competitive match was played in August at the start of the 1920/1921 season against 1.FC Nuremberg who at the time were Champions of Germany.

The Stadium remained relatively unchanged in the first 40 years of its existence until 1996 when Union Berlin were promoted to the DDR-Oberliga which was the top-flight of Football in East Germany at the time.

The ground peaked with a capacity of 22,500 after the Gegengerade terrace was expanded in the late 1970s, however by the 1989 when the reunification of Germany occurred, the stadium was largely run down and in a state of dereliction.

By the late 1990s Union Berlin were only allowed to play at Alte Försterei due to special dispensation from the DFL, who enforced the closure of large sections of the ground which significantly reduced the ground’s capacity.

With large sections of the club’s fanbase regarding Alte Försterei as the club’s spiritual home, relocation to new facilities was never an option, and thus renovation was required. Taking place across two distinct phases, the crumbling stadium was transformed over a five year period into a relatively modern football ground.

The first phase occurred during the 2008/2009 season when roofs were added and refurbishment targeted the oldest sections of the ground, and the second between 2012 and 2013 when the main stand was demolished and completely rebuilt.

Costing around 20 million euros in total, the new Alte Försterei achieved its first sell-out on 31st August 2013 when 21,717 fans attended a match against FC St. Pauli .

During the 2014 World Cup, 1. FC Union Berlin invited fans to bring their own sofas to the ground for the duration of the tournament.

Over 750 sofas sat in front of the giant television, and “World Cup Living Room” was clearly good luck as Germany became World Champions for the fourth time after defeating Argentina 1 nil in extra time at Estádio do Maracanã .

View of Stadion An der Alten Försterei

1. FC Union Berlin Info

Stadion an der alten försterei seating plan.

Below is a seating plan of 1. FC Union Berlin's Stadion An der Alten Försterei:

Stand Photos

Stadion An der Alten Försterei is comprised of four stands: North, East, South and West.

Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand and to read a more detailed description of each part of the Stadium.

Matchday Experience

1. FC Union Berlin Club Shop

How to get to Stadion An der Alten Försterei

Where is stadion an der alten försterei, frequently asked questions, who plays at stadion an der alten försterei.

German side 1. FC Union Berlin play their home matches at Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

What is the capacity of Stadion An der Alten Försterei?

As of 2024 Stadion An der Alten Försterei has an official seating capacity of 22,012 for Football matches.

When was Stadion An der Alten Försterei opened?

Stadion An der Alten Försterei officially opened in 1920 and is home to 1. FC Union Berlin

What is the postcode for Stadion An der Alten Försterei?

The postcode for Stadion An der Alten Försterei is 12555.

Are there any Covid restrictions at the stadium?

Covid Restrictions may be in place when you visit Stadion An der Alten Försterei in 2024. Please visit the official website of 1. FC Union Berlin for full information on changes due to the Coronavirus.

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Union Berlin: From East German also-rans to the UEFA Champions League

From the basement of German football to its very summit: Union Berlin became Bundesliga table toppers for the first time in their history on Matchday 6 in 2022/23 and will play in the UEFA Champions League this season following a remarkable campaign.

The 2022/23 campaign saw Union place first in a top tier since 1970, when they led the DDR-Oberliga - which represented the peak of East Germany's footballing pyramid. And they eventually went on to secure a top-four finish, which will see them compete in Europe's premier club competition for the very first time across the 2023/24 season.

Even back in 1970 it was a surprise to be stationed so high. Union had only ever topped the Oberliga once before, during the 1967/68 campaign.

Their route to the top in the '70s was as arduous as it was to become the country's pacesetters in 2022/23.

Watch: This is Union Berlin

Founded in 1906 when FC Olympia 06 Oberschöneweide merged with three local teams, the club went by Union Oberschöneweide until they decided to go it alone three years later, after a brief partnership with previous German champions BTuFC Union 1892.

During Germany's interwar period, the club reached the German Championship final in 1923, losing 3-0 to Hamburg . They were subsequently left behind by the monetary muscle of Berlin rivals Hertha and Tennis Borussia.

At the end of World War II, the club began to rise again and won the Berlin Cup in 1946/47. As country was divided up, however, Union found themselves plummeting once more. And when the Berlin Wall went up in 1961, the team had dropped to the third tier of East German football.

From there, they watched the likes of Vorwärts Berlin and BFC Dynamo dominate their side of a fractured Germany. By the time they became 1. FC Union Berlin in 1966, though, Die Eisernen - a century-old nickname that stems from their kit resembling the uniforms worn by metalworkers in local factories - had clawed their way back to the top division on their side of the wall.

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They won the East German Cup in 1968, but the following two decades that preceded German reunification in 1989 saw the club settle into a pattern of flitting up and down the country's doldrum divisions.

It was no easy thing to see Hertha emerge as the premier outfit in the capital, but Union's first ever promotion from the Regionalliga Nord to Bundesliga 2 in 2000/01 suggested the promise that the club is now finally fulfilling.

That same season saw third-tier Union contest the DFB Cup final and, although they lost the showpiece to Schalke , it was enough to earn a spot in the UEFA Cup for the first time.

The boom would turn to bust after back-to-back relegations in 2004 and 2005 prior to a return to the second tier in 2009. It was a notable year for football in eastern Germany as it also saw the founding of RB Leipzig a couple of hours down the road.

Union could only watch on as Leipzig stormed up the divisions and beyond them, with Die Roten Bullen earning their Bundesliga bow just seven years into their existence.

However, a third-place finish in the 2018/19 Bundesliga 2 campaign set up Union's own top-flight debut, as they overcame VfB Stuttgart on away goals in the promotion/relegation play-off.

It was a historic moment for a special club. One that represented Stasi opposition in the 1980s and one that was rescued by the literal blood and sweat of its supporters.

With people paid to give blood in Germany, fans queued in their droves to do their bit and donate to help fund the Köpenick-based outfit's registration with the DFB in 2004. They also helped to renovate the stadium, committing over 140,000 hours of free labour in order to help rebuild the Stadion An der Alten Försterei and reopen its doors in 2009.

For those who have poured so much into the club, they are not just seeing the fruits of their labour. They are reaping them.

A seventh-place finish in their second Bundesliga season resulted in a UEFA Europa Conference League campaign, and they bettered that the following year by finishing fifth and booking a spot in the Europa League . They've now gone one better and secured Champions League football for this season after confirming a top-four spot on the final day of 2022/23.

Watch: The Union Berlin fairy tale

They have also ripped the Hertha flag out of the ground in Berlin, claiming five derby wins on the bounce in all competitions to assert their dominance in the capital.

They were soon singing dreamily about being league leaders and lifting the Meisterschale after victory over Cologne moved them into first place after six wonderful weeks of the campaign.

The collective spirit that has been seen for years in the stands has manifested itself on the pitch. Captain Christopher Trimmel epitomises that spirit in the squad while simultaneously setting the standards for his teammates to follow. The skipper is known to rock up at training on his motorbike, perhaps having just finished giving some local resident a tattoo.

Although they are Union Berlin, the team's home is very much the town of Köpenick, situated in the southeast corner of the capital. It's where the overwhelming majority of fans and members live.

It isn't Berlin as you'd normally think of it, but Union aren't a first-division club as you'd normally think of one.

For the people working there, it isn't just a job but a way of life and passion. For players, it was once just considered a cool place to be, a club that attracted those who perhaps felt marginalised in a similar vein to those at St. Pauli , another Kultclub .

Yet the landscape has changed around the Alte Försterei. Yes, the club coffers are much healthier than what they once were on the back of several years in the Bundesliga and now a place at the top table of European football, as well as sound management. However, on-field success - quietly driven by Urs Fischer and his team in five seasons in charge - has now made Union a destination of choice for many.

Although players have to be the right fit for the environment, they no longer have to completely conform to how the club has traditionally been viewed or viewed itself, either. We once saw that with the signing of their former player Max Kruse, who famously turned up to training in his Lamborghini but galvanised the team and helped take them to the next level - a level now proving attractive for more and more players.

That isn’t to say they’ve moved away from their tried and tested method of bringing in some rough diamonds or the occasional unknown. Take the dynamic duo in attack that have played an integral role in the last campaign: Sheraldo Becker and Jordan .

Watch: Deadly Duo Jordan and Becker

Becker picked up the Bundesliga's Player of the Month award for August , and even led the scoring charts after Matchday 7 with six goals and three assists. He has since made that 11 goals and seven assists going into the final round of games. Jordan has at times relished his partnership with Becker this term, scoring four times and providing three assists.

Meanwhile, coach Fischer has been the man who's eked every ounce out of his players and whose humility after moving top sums up the club.

"The fans can celebrate accordingly. I look at the whole thing a bit differently. When I look at the table, I'm particularly happy about the 14 points,” Fischer - who signed a new contract early in the 2022/23 campaign - told media after a crucial game in Cologne last year.

"They help us. There will also certainly be times that don't go so well. When it comes to the table, it's still just a snapshot." The snapshot proved to be not far off the mark in terms of how Union would end up in 2022/23, with the Berliners sealing fourth place on Matchday 34.

Still, Fischer was proved right in his call for calm after the September international break saw 'Iron Union'   suffer their first reverse of the campaign away to Eintracht Frankfurt . A 1-0 win at Stuttgart the following week put them right back at the summit, at that time two points clear of fellow surprise package Freiburg , who Union pipped to the post in the battle for fourth.

Watch: Union celebrate historic Champions League qualification

It has, of course, been Fischer's job to keep everyone's feet firmly on the ground - and for others to speculate about where Union might end up. The supporters, though, are cherishing these moments, and rightly so.

A defeat at lowly Bochum earlier in the campaign reminded those fans that things haven't always gone swimmingly around these parts, although - typical of Union - Danilo Doekhi's dramatic late winner against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 12 kept the club top of the pile and the fairy tale still going.

Although overtaken by usual leaders Bayern Munich after an end-of-year dip, Die Eisernen briefly reclaimed top spot on Matchday 19, with victory over Mainz . They backed it up with a statement victory at Leipzig a week later (their fifth win in a row) and - despite being held to a goalless draw at home to Schalke - were level with Bayern on 43 points ahead of the pair's Matchday 22 meeting, a game which the record champions eventually won 3-0 .

That setback shook the Berliners, but, true to form, they bounced back and now have a Champions League debut to celebrate. Considering Union's recent rise and year-on-year improvement under the meticulous yet understated Fischer, you get the impression that the good times may well be here to last.

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Too cool for their own good? Union Berlin’s fight to retain their identity

Bundesliga’s shock leaders have experienced a popularity boom but this book extract explains it is not to everyone’s taste

It takes about half an hour on the train to get from the centre of Berlin to Köpenick, and the journey is a game of two halves. The second half is a gentle rumble through the industrial, residential and woodland heartlands of Bundesliga club Union Berlin . The first half is a sight-seeing tour of Berlin’s world-famous nightlife.

After Alexanderplatz, the train pulls into Jannowitzbrücke, where a huge power station towers over the bank of the river. Behind it lie Tresor, an elder statesman of the city’s techno scene, and the KitKatClub, famed for its fetish parties and strictly kinky dress code. As the train approaches Warschauer Strasse station, the tracks and river part ways and an imposing grey building looms in the open sky over a low-build retail park. This is Berghain, the most famous of all Berlin clubs and a byword the world over for the city’s taboo-free, 24-hour party culture. Its notoriously scrupulous door policy is an attraction in itself.

All these venues are close to where the Wall once stood and all of them were founded in the decade or so after reunification. They are places which grew out of that unique period in Berlin’s history, when historical trauma and a sluggish economy meant the city was still full of unfilled spaces.

Nowadays, the spaces are disappearing and the clubs are surrounded by building sites, shiny new office blocks and shopping malls. Berlin has changed radically in the last 30 years, but few areas have been transformed quite as much as the central districts of the former East. More than any other, they have been subject to that familiar cycle of gentrification: a depressed area becomes a cultural hotspot, the culture brings cash and development, and slowly but surely people begin to be pushed out.

Union, whose home lies out in the leafy suburbs of the former East Berlin, are a world away from all of this. Yet as they have risen from lower-league obscurity to Europa League over the last decade, they too have come to face the same problems as the city’s other major subcultures.

“If you have too many people who are only here as spectators, then eventually it won’t be that great any more,” says Christian Arbeit, the club’s famous, long-haired stadium announcer and spokesman, when I meet him in September 2021. He is talking about Union, but he could just as well be talking about Berghain.

Arbeit has been the face of Union for more than a decade, and he has seen both his club and his city boom in popularity during that time. He meets me in one of the stadium’s beer gardens, and for the middle part of the interview, we have to shout at each other. It is the day before a match day, and behind us, someone is testing the loudspeakers in the stadium. At one point, they play a well-known advert for a brand of Berlin beer that also happens to sponsor Union. A quickfire series of clips showing ravers, mechanics, dominatrixes and DJs is overlaid with the 2003 song Berlin, Du Bist So Wunderbar . With its slickly synthesised organ notes, hip-hop beat and scratchy vocals, the song is an anthem for Berlin’s 21st-century self-image. It was released in 2003, the same year that then then mayor, Klaus Wowereit, famously described his city as “poor, but sexy”.

When Arbeit first took the microphone, Union were more poor than sexy. They were still in the fourth division and reeling from the financial and footballing woes of the early 2000s. After their fan-led stadium renovation and promotion to the second division in 2009, however, they established themselves as the undisputed second force in Berlin, behind their western rivals Hertha BSC. They, too, became more prosperous, and footballing success quickly began to dovetail with the city’s cultural cool. As the beloved German DJ WestBam put it in an interview with FAZ newspaper in 2016: “Union are more techno than Hertha.”

For a long time, Arbeit was part of that image. A guitar-playing, bearded rabble rouser with shoulder length hair, he was a club spokesman tailor-made for a cult club. But the look has changed in recent years. When his hair was shaved off in the wild promotion celebrations of 2019, he decided not to grow it back. He wears shirts more often now, and seems more wary of over-romanticising Union.

“We don’t do anything specifically to please other people. We can’t help it if people like us,” he says, and admits that it was not always comfortable when Union’s popularity hit new heights in the mid-2010s. “There were plenty of people in the fan scene who saw that with a lot of scepticism.”

By the time Union were promoted to the Bundesliga in 2019, the fans had long since expressed their disquiet. Two years earlier, when Union first challenged for promotion, they raised a banner on the terraces reading: “Shit! We’re going up!”

They were only half joking. Success had never been part of Union’s DNA, and there were genuine fears about whether they could maintain their identity as a fan-led, community club in the top flight. What if too much money and success changed the club? What if they changed it for the worse?

after newsletter promotion

As well as concrete questions over sponsorship deals and ticket prices, that also meant concerns over who was coming to Union. Once you hit the mainstream, after all, being cool is a double-edged sword. As the spaces have filled in the urban landscape around the nightclubs, so too have they filled around the lifelong fans on the terraces at the Alte Försterei. In 2010, Union had 6,500 members. In the decade since, they have grown exponentially to reach almost 40,000.

So, at what point is it no longer the same club; no longer the same city? At what point does “poor but sexy” cease to be a description of reality, and start becoming a nostalgia trip, or even a plain lie? Do Union, like Berlin, risk losing their soul the more successful they become? When I ask Arbeit, he narrows his eyes and chooses his words carefully. “The club will never stop changing,” he says. “But hopefully it does so slowly enough that it can still recognise itself.”

As with the techno scene, that means maintaining a balance between the tourists and the locals. Those for whom the stadium or the club is a bucket-list experience, and those for whom it is a way of life. At Berghain, they employ the world’s most famous bouncer to filter out the voyeurs and maintain the social equilibrium inside. Union may not have quite as strict a door policy, but Arbeit explains that they also do not actively court new fans. Unlike other clubs from Europe’s top leagues, he says, they have not sought to widen their fanbase in the Far East or the USA. “If we focus our energies on things like that, then we will lose our core purpose.”

Whether for Union or for the club scene, that restraint is also an exercise in self-preservation. The more visible you are in Berlin, the more likely you are to be overrun by tourists and thrill-seekers. Ideally, you want to be cool enough to thrive, but well-hidden enough to survive.

“It’s a bit like Sleeping Beauty,” says Arbeit. “To get to her, the prince first has to know where she is, and then he has to cut his way through the thickets. With us, people know where we are, but you still have to walk through the forest before you can kiss us awake.”

Scheisse! We’re Going Up! by Kit Holden is published by Duckworth Books (£14.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com for £13.04. Delivery charges may apply

• Union Berlin
• European club football

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Getting to the stadium

T he Stadion an der alten Försterei (Stadium next to the Old Forester’s Lodge) is located on the southeastern edge of Berlin in the district of Köpenick. Getting there is a doddle, but if coming from the centre of Berlin you should allow the best part of an hour (the scheduled time on the local public transport website , for example, for the journey from Friedrichstrasse in Mitte down to the stadium ranges from 37 to 53 minutes).

The little green footballer icon on the map below (Google don’t offer a red-and-white one!) shows the location of the stadium, while the other markers indicate some of the points en route to the ground mentioned in the directions lower down the page. The map also shows you the location of some historic building or other out to the west of the city – just for orientation purposes, you understand!

By public transport

Coming from central Berlin

Head to Ostkreuz station and on a matchday just follow the hoards of Unioner dressed in red and white.  You can get to Ostkreuz by direct ‘S-Bahn’ metro train easily from numerous S-Bahn stations around Berlin, e.g. via direct connections on the S5 (heading for Strausberg Nord) or the S7 (heading for Ahrensfelde) from stops such as Zoologischer Garten (aka Bahnhof Zoo), Hauptbahnhof (Berlin’s main station), Friedrichstrasse or Alexanderplatz.

The S-Bahn line you’re looking for once you get to Ostkreuz is the S3 (heading for Erkner ). Get off the train at Köpenick . The stadium is a 15-minute walk. There are numerous places to stop off en route and quench your thirst or buy a traditional Wurst .

It’s worth noting that there is no disabled access at Ostkreuz due to building work. If you require disabled access, then we’d advise you arrive at Ostkreuz station from Ostbahnhof, as then you can simply board the Erkner train from the platform that you’ll arrive in on.

Coming from Schönefeld Airport

If you’ve just landed and are heading straight to the game, your best bet is to take a combination of S-Bahn (metro train) and tram.

From the airport S-Bahn station (a 100-yard walk along a covered pathway to your left as you exit the terminal building) take the S9 (heading for Pankow) or the S45 (heading for Westend). Tip: ignore the ticket machines on your left in the underground passage below the platforms – they’re just for mainline trains, as indicated by the ‘DB’ markings. Use the machines on the right a bit further along, marked ‘ VBB ‘. You’ll need a ticket for zones C and B, though if you’re going into town later, it might make more sense to buy a one-day ticket for all 3 zones. Anyway, the instructions on the machine can be displayed in English, so you should be able to work out what works best for you (or you can plan ahead by reading up on Berlin’s public transport system here ).

Travel on the S9 or S45 as far as Schöneweide (do NOT get out at Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide or you’ll find yourself in the middle of nowhere – it’s the next stop that you want!).

From Schöneweide station, take the 63 tram (heading for Köpenick) or the 67 (heading for Krankenhaus Köpenick). Get out at Alte Försterei (though that should be obvious by what everyone else does!). The ticket office is just across the road, the stadium in the woods behind, just beyond the beer and sausage sellers.

Arriving by car

Not recommended: how will you be able to enjoy a couple of pints whilst watching the game? But if you have a designated driver, get there very early to secure a parking space on the roads around the stadium. Alternatively, on a Friday night or Saturday try the multi-storey car park of the Forum Köpenick shopping centre.  This link provides info on the route if you need it.

Visiting on non-matchdays

It’s easy to find your way to the ground on a matchday, simply following the red and white throngs through the forest. If you decide to visit on another day, however, it’s not quite as simple. Don’t make the mistake of taking the road route – through the forest is far quicker and possibly the best approach to a football stadium in the world!

Get off at Köpenick S-Bahn and exit right at the bottom of the stairs. Turn left, cross over and head down the road that runs parallel with the railway track ( Am Bahndamm ). Continue on for five minutes before reaching a crossroads – take a left under the railway bridge onto Hammerlingstrasse. Take a right immediately as you exit the under-passage. Follow the forest path from here direct to the stadium.

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Guys, we are hoping to attend the game v St Pauli in March and I was wondering what the chances are of getting tickets for five tourists from Scotland.

I’m in Berlin for the Union v Hannover game in October, and wonder how difficult it will be to get 2 tickets? Is this a game which will likely sell out?

Great Advert to come and Union Berlin, a very funny and informative Page, I’m In! I’ll be coming from Scotland.

1st Choice Game for 24/25 is:

Union v Werder

2nd Choice is:

Union v ‘The Mighty’ Bochum

Union's Legends on Tour

Benyamina, stuff, quiring and co..

The 1. FC Union Berlin ex-pro's team start their 2023 summer tour on Saturday, 06.05.2023, with a game against Rot-Weiß Viktoria Mitte 08 Berlin. Kick-off is at 13:00.

Viktoria are one of the youngest sports clubs in the city, but are well known for their youth cooperation with Union.

Among others, Christopher Quiring, Karim Benyamina and Christian Stuff will be on the pitch for Union.

After the first team's final game in the Bundesliga against Werder Bremen on the 27.05.2023, the Union legends will head off on a competitive trip to the Iberian Peninsula on Whit Sunday. On the evening of Tuesday, 30.05.2023, finds the return match against Dénia Veteranos F.C., who opened the summer tour in Köpenick just over a year ago. Coach Dr. Detlef Schwarz's team will take a 6-2 victory from the first leg with them.

The following Union players have confirmed their participation in one or more matches this summer: Oskar Kosche, Jan Glinker, Ronny Nikol, Christian Stuff, Björn Brunnemann, Torsten Mattuschka, Shergo Biran, David Bergner, Karim Benyamina, Daniel Göhlert, Ralph and Ulf-Volker Probst, Tom Persich and others.

All dates can be found here:

• Sat | 06.05.2023 | 13:00: SV Rot-Weiß Viktoria Mitte 08 , Sportplatz Behmstr. 29, 13357 Berlin
• Tues | 30.05.2023 | 19:00: Dénia Veteranos F.C. , Sports Ground Dénia, Province Alicante, Spain
• Sat | 10.06.2023 | 16:30: TuS Dabergotz 1929 , Dabergotz Sports Ground, Bahnhofstr. 3, 16818 Dabergotz
• Sat | 24.06.2023 | 15:00: Heinersdorfer SV , Schwedter Landstr. 35 sports ground, 16303 Schwedt / Oder, OT Heinersdorf
• Sun | 25.06.2023 | 12:00 h: SV Angelman e. V. , Ernst-Reuter-Stadion, Onkel-Tom-Str. 52 - 54, 14169 Berlin
• Fri | 30.06.2023 | 18:30: SG Michendorf , Michendorf sports field (Wolkenberg), Straße am Sportplatz, 14552 Michendorf
• Sat | 01/07/2023 | 15:00: Kickers JuS 03 (Stavenhagen) , Waldstadion Stavenhagen, Stadtholz 4, 17153 Stavenhagen
• Fri | 07.07.2023 | 18:30: SG Niederlehme 1912 ( Ü-50 ), sports field, Triftstr. 11, 15713 Königs Wusterhausen, OT Niederlehme
• Sat | 08.07.2023 | 15:00: Ruhlsdorfer BC 1923 , Ruhlsdorf sports field, Am Sportplatz 12, 14947 Nuthe-Urstromtal, OT Ruhlsdorf
• Sat | 22.07.2023 | 17:00: Poeler Sportverein 1923 , sports field Strandstr./Kaltenhöfer Weg, 23999 Insel Poel
• Sat | 29.07.2023 | 15:00: Union Sanitz 03 , Heinz-Ahrens-Sportanlage, Niekrenzer Str., 18190 Groß Lüsewitz
• Sat | 05.08.2023 | 14:30: SG SV Steuden/SV Dornstedt , sports ground in Dornstedt, Steinweg, 06179 Teutschenthal, OT Dornstedt
• Sat | 19.08.2023 or Sat | 26.08.2023 | 15:00 Uhr: FC Insel Usedom , Sportplatz am Fischerweg, Am Fischerweg, 17429 Bansin
• Sa | 02.09.2023 or Sun | 03.09.2023 | 15:00 Uhr: BSV Victoria 90 Friedrichshain , Sportplatz Alt-Stralau 40/41, 10245 Berlin
• Tues | 03.10.2023 | 15:00 Uhr: Friedrichshagener SV 1912 , Paul-Richter-Spielfeld, Fürstenwalder Damm 570, 12587 Berlin

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Explore the stadium with guided tours

Opening hours, guided tours.

For guided tours, we recommend booking beforehand through our online shop. The visitors centre is closed on Hertha BSC home game days and on days with major events.

• Sightseeing

Our opening hours may change at short notice. Please inform yourself again on our website before your visit. Last entry up to 30 minutes before closing time. The visitors centre is closed on Hertha BSC home game days and on days with major events.

Highlight Tour

Presented by VW

A professional guide takes you on a 60-minute tour of the stadium, to areas not otherwise open to the public. Visit the venue of the 2006 FIFA World Cup tm , the 12 th World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009 TM and the 6 th FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 TM , the VIP areas, changing rooms, and the underground warm-up training hall. Enjoy the impressive perspective of a state of the art stadium from the edge of the blue tartan track while your guide tells you all about the history and architecture of the Olympiastadion Berlin.

If wheelchair users would like to take part in the tour, we ask that you register in advance via [email protected] or +49 (0)30 306 88 888. You can find further information for visitors with disabilities here .

Prices Highlight Tour - Presented by VW

e-mail: [email protected] Service hotline: +49 (0)30/ 306 88 888

Reduced Price

There are reductions for pupils, students, trainees, people who are severely disabled, those in military or community service, unemployed and social security recipients; always with valid identification

6 – 14 years

Family Card

Family Card valid for 2 adults and 3 children (children under the age of 14 years, children under the age of 6 years must be accompanied by an adult)

Light Experience Tour

Experience the unique LED lighting system of the Olympiastadion Berlin on a 90-minute tour – including the spectacular light show.

The full-color floodlights, the computer-controlled roof lighting, and finally a spectacular light show: You’ve never experienced the Olympiastadion Berlin like this before. Along the way, you’ll get an exclusive look behind the scenes of the five-star stadium and learn a lot about the technology used. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and is suitable for the whole family (we recommend participating with children at least 6 years old).

Important note: Strobe effects are used on this tour. Certain strobe frequencies may cause epileptic seizures under certain circumstances. The tour is therefore not suitable for epileptics or those at risk of epilepsy.

This tour is also not suitable for wheelchair users.

Prices Light Experience Tour

Premium Tour

In this 120-minute tour you follow the traces of German sports and architectural history and explore the non-public areas of the Olympiastadion Berlin as well as the Olympiapark. Those interested in sports, culture and architecture will learn details about the history of the former Reichssportfeld from the tour guide. It is also possible to look into the dome hall, which is not open to the public. However, this cannot always be guaranteed, as the hall is still used today as a training facility.

Prices Premium Tour

There are reductions for pupils, students, trainees, people who are severely disabled those in military or community service, unemployed, social security recipients; always with valid identification

6 – 14 years

Hertha BSC Tour

This tour is a MUST for all Hertha fans! The Olympiastadion Berlin is Hertha’s home ground and we offer you an exclusive look behind the scenes: for example into the Hertha dressing room, the relaxation pool and the press conference room. Then it goes to the Hertha BSC club grounds, where the ‘Stadion auf dem Wurfplatz’ (Amateur stadium) and the training grounds are visited. The tour then ends at Hanns-Braun-Straße. With a little luck, you can watch the pros training there.

Prices Hertha BSC Tour

Highlight tour (private group).

A professional guide takes you on a 60- to 75-minute tour of the stadium, to areas not otherwise open to the public. Visit the venue of the 2006 FIFA World Cup tm , the 12 th World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009 TM and the 6 th FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 TM , the VIP areas, changing rooms, and the underground warm-up training hall. Enjoy the impressive perspective of a state of the art stadium from the edge of the blue tartan track while your guide tells you all about the history and architecture of the Olympiastadion Berlin.

Prices Highlight Tour (private group) - Presented by VW

We look forward to your inquiry

e-mail: [email protected] phone: +49 (0)30/ 306 88 888

Group (max. 20 people) Adults

Small group (max. 10 people) Adults

School group (max. 20 people) Children & adolescents with teacher

School group (max. 10 people) Children & adolescents with teacher

Thematic Tours (private group)

Embark on a themed tour of the Olympiastadion Berlin. Whether history, sports or architecture, the Olympiastadion Berlin has many stories to tell. You decide on the focus of the tour. Each tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Thematic tour history The history of the Olympiastadion Berlin begins with Germany being chosen to host the Olympic Games in 1936. What ideas did the planners have for the new building at the time? What is the significance of the ‘Marathontor’ (marathon gate), the bell tower and the outdoor areas? How was the stadium used after the competitions? Our tour guides will take you on an exciting journey through time through the history of today’s ultra-modern stadium.

Thematic tour architecture The Olympiastadion Berlin is part of the Olympic Grounds (‘Olympiagelände’; originally: ‘Reichssportfeld’) and was built from 1934 to 1936 for the 1936 Olympic Games. The stadium was designed by the architect Werner March. From 2000 to 2004, the Olympiastadion Berlin was rebuilt and extensively modernized according to the designs of the architect’s office Gerkan, Marg and Partners. Our tour guides will inform you about the architectural features of the five-star stadium.

Thematic tour sports The Olympiastadion Berlin was the scene of the FIFA World Cup 2006 TM , the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics Berlin 2009 TM and the 6th FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 TM . It is the home of Hertha BSC and has been the venue of the ISTAF International Stadium Festival Berlin for many years. You experience the place where it all happened up close. Our tour guides will take you on a journey through these highlights, showing you the players’ and athletes’ cabins, the warm-up hall and the relaxation pool. Places that are otherwise inaccessible to the public.

Prices Thematic Tours (private group)

Group (max. 20 people) adults

Small group (max. 10 people) adults

School group (max. 20 people) children & adolescents with teacher

School group (max. 10 people) children & adolescents with teacher

Birthday Tour

A birthday celebration in the Olympiastadion Berlin. There can hardly be anything better. It starts with an exclusive tour of the stadium, then you visit the most exciting locations in the stadium, for example the players’ changing rooms or the underground warm-up hall, which are otherwise closed to the public. After the tour, you and your friends can play football and show what you can do in a slalom race, long jump or foot races. After your workout, you can expect a delicious refreshment in the stadium restaurant. The birthday child will also receive a surprise gift from us.

Recommmended age: 6 – 12 Years old Duration: 120 Minutes, plus lunch in the stadium restaurant Languages: English or German, French or Spanish for an extra fee

Prices Birthday Tour

max. 10 children and one adult, the price for one additional adult is 25 euros

Technology Tour (private group)

Experience event, media and building technology of the modern and at the same time historic multifunctional arena up close.

On the technology tour of the Olympiastadion Berlin, we provide an insight into how the state-of-the-art multifunctional stadium works technically. On the 90-minute tour, our guides provide a lot of background information on the topics of infrastructure, security, energy management and sustainability at major events. Among other things, you will see the lighting, image and sound systems, the technical control center, stadium control, sports surfaces, skyboxes and the players’ lounge.

  This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Further information for visitors with disabilities can be found here .

Prices Technology Tour (private group)

total price for up to 15 people

reduced price for school groups

Exclusive Technology Tour (private group)

We offer you a unique experience during this exlusive tour. Step onto the intermediate roof of the Olympiastadion Berlin and enjoy the view through the translucent membrane into the stadium with the blue running track and the pitch from a dizzy height. Your guide will give you background information about events, media and building technology as well as the architecture, security, energy management and sustainability of the historic but modern multifunctional stadium.

We reserve the right to adjust the tour according to events currently taking place at stadium rooms and facilities.

Number of people in group: max. 15 Minimum age: 18 Languages: German or English, Spanish for an extra fee

Prices Exclusive Technology Tour (private group)

Current notes.

A large number of events take place every year in the Olympiastadion Berlin and Olympiapark Berlin, which is why there may be restrictions and closures of individual areas or the entire site. Due to the short-term scheduling of some events, we can only give you an overview of the next two to three months. Please also note short-term changes. We therefore ask you to inquire out about possible restrictions shortly before your visit. Thank you for your understanding.

In general, it should be noted that the stadium is closed for visits and guided tours on match/event days. For security reasons and/or in preparation for an event, certain areas (e.g. player areas) or the entire stadium may be closed and cannot be visited in these cases.

After home games of Hertha BSC, the stadium opens at around 11 a.m.

Terms & Conditions and Liability Clauses

§ 1 Scope of application

The following terms and conditions of business and payment apply to all contractual relationships established between Unikat PR GmbH (hereinafter referred to as the supplier) and its customers for the visitor programme and for merchandising articles at the Olympiastadion Berlin.

§ 2 Conclusion of contract

The contractual relationship is concluded between the supplier and the customer. By confirming the order on the website www.tickets.olympiastadion.berlin, the customer submits to the organiser the offer to conclude a contract. The organiser accepts the offer by confirming it by e-mail. The booking is thus binding, and cancellation is only possible in accordance with the following conditions.

In the case of bookings of group tickets, the contract shall be concluded by the booking confirmation of the Provider by e-mail or post. The order can only be placed if the customer confirms and accepts the privacy policy as well as the GTC and accepts the cancellation policy.

§ 3 Prices and payment

The prices of the respective offers can be found in the online shop at tickets.olympiastadion.de or in the current price list.

a) Box office: Payment is due immediately at the box office in the Visitor Centre of the Olympiastadion Berlin and can be made with Girocard, Visa, Mastercard or in cash.

b) Online tickets: For online bookings in the ticket shop, payment is due upon conclusion of the contract. The service provider adyen offers the following payment methods: credit card (Mastercard, Visa), Klarna Pay Now and GiroPay as well as Paypal.

c) Group bookings & tour operators: The payment conditions result from the respective invoice for the accepted offer. As a rule, for group bookings, payments are due ten (10) days prior to the implementation date. For bookings made less than ten (10) days before the implementation date, the full invoice amount is due immediately.

§ 4 Admission tickets

Admission tickets entitle the holder to participate once in the event category and/or service indicated on the ticket. Tickets may not be exchanged or returned. Exchange and return of admission tickets are excluded.

Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Participation is at the child’s own risk, parents are liable for their children.

The purchase price will only be refunded for cancelled events.

The right to participate in a guided tour expires if the customer does not show up at the meeting point five minutes before the specified time for check-in.

Tickets with discounts are only valid in conjunction with the corresponding proofs. These must be shown at the entrance when visiting the stadium.

Resale of tickets to third parties requires the prior consent of Unikat PR GmbH. Otherwise the ticket will lose its validity. Unikat PR GmbH may refuse admission to the Olympiastadion Berlin without compensation or refund.

§ 5 Dispatch

The dispatch of offers, confirmations, invoices, vouchers, tickets (print@home) and digital tickets for admission is at the risk of the customer to the e-mail address provided. The risk of accidental loss shall pass to the customer upon dispatch. No replacement will be provided. The products remain the property of the organiser until full payment has been made.

§ 6 Cancellations

a) Single tickets: Paid tickets will not be refunded or exchanged.

b) Group bookings: Groups are valid for a minimum size of ten (10) persons. Individual tickets are non-refundable. Cancellations of group bookings with guided tours may be cancelled free of charge up to fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the visit.  Cancellations up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the visit will be refunded 50% of the invoice amount paid, cancellations less than seven (7) days will not be refunded.

c) Tour operator: Cancellation of a tour group booking confirmed by the client must be made in text form to Unikat PR GmbH. In this case the following cancellation/cancellation fees are due:

– Cancellation is free of charge up to 72 hours before the date.

– In case of later cancellation, 50 % of the invoice amount will be due for payment.

§ 7 Compensation and reimbursement

Individual areas of the Olympiastadion Berlin may be blocked or closed for organisational or structural reasons. Claims for damages are excluded in these cases.

The organiser is only liable for intent and gross negligence.

The organiser shall in no case be liable for immaterial damage or for loss of profit. The organiser’s liability shall be limited to the typically foreseeable damage, which as a rule shall not exceed the price of the admission ticket.

The organiser has the right to refuse admission or cancel the event in the event of an important reason (force majeure, unforeseeable events, etc.). Likewise, due to changes at short notice (events at the Olympiastadion Berlin), opening hours, viewing days or guided tours may be changed or cancelled. If the organiser exercises this right, the purchase price of the tickets will be refunded. Any consequential costs incurred by the customer (e.g. travel or accommodation expenses) will not be reimbursed.

§8 Liability for defects (warranty)

If the purchased item (merchandising article) is defective, the provisions of the statutory liability for defects shall apply.

§ 9 House rules

The house rules of the Olympiastadion Berlin apply. These can be viewed at the Visitor Centre and online at olympiastadion.berlin.

The house rules regulate, among other things: It is generally forbidden to bring glass containers, cans, pyrotechnic objects, flares and weapons. It is forbidden to enter the stadium in a drunken state or to stay there. Non-compliance will result in expulsion from the premises.

§ 10 It is not permitted to bring animals onto the stadium premises.

§ 11 Audio guides

A deposit in the form of a valid identity document (with photo) must be paid to borrow a multimedia/audio guide device. In case of damage or loss of the device, an amount of 600 Euros will be charged. The audio guide is not part of the admission fee and is offered separately according to the current price list. There is no entitlement to an audio guide.

§ 12 Applicable law

All legal relations between the parties shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany to the exclusion of the laws on the international sale of movable goods. In the case of consumers, this choice of law shall only apply insofar as the protection granted is not withdrawn by mandatory provisions of the law of the state in which the consumer has his habitual residence.

§13 Alternative dispute resolution

The EU Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution on the Internet at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

This platform serves as a contact point for the out-of-court settlement of disputes arising from online purchase or service contracts involving a consumer.

The Seller is neither obliged nor willing to participate in a dispute resolution procedure before a consumer arbitration board.

§14 Final clauses

The organiser reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time and without giving reasons. These changes do not apply to contractual relationships that have already come into existence. Should individual provisions be or become void or ineffective, this shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the contract.

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Discover the Magic of Christmas Carols with Union Berlin in Berlin, Germany

by Original Berlin Tours | Mar 7, 2024 | Original Berlin

Introduction to Christmas Carols

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. And what better way to immerse yourself in the festive spirit than by singing Christmas carols? If you find yourself in Berlin, Germany, during the holiday season, you’re in for a treat. The city comes alive with enchanting melodies and traditional tunes that warm the heart and spread holiday cheer.

Union Berlin: A Unique Christmas Carol Tradition

While many locations offer Christmas carol events, Union Berlin, a popular football club in Berlin, has taken the tradition to a whole new level. The club organizes an annual Christmas carol concert where fans, players, and the local community come together to celebrate the holiday season with music.

The Origin and Significance of Union Berlin’s Christmas Carol Tradition

The tradition of Union Berlin’s Christmas carol event dates back to 2003 when the club faced financial difficulties. To raise funds and bring the community together, a Christmas carol concert was organized. The event was a huge success, creating a lasting connection between the club and the local community. Since then, Union Berlin has made it an annual tradition, and it has become an integral part of the club’s identity.

How the Event Unites Fans and the Community

The Union Berlin Christmas carol concert attracts thousands of fans and members of the local community. It provides a platform for people from all walks of life to come together and celebrate the holiday season in a warm and inclusive environment. The event showcases the power of music in fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

The concert features a diverse range of Christmas carols and songs performed by a local choir, alongside Union Berlin players and staff. The audience joins in singing the familiar tunes, creating a magical atmosphere filled with joy and camaraderie.

Experience the Magic of Christmas Carols

Attending a Christmas carol event in Berlin, especially Union Berlin’s annual concert, is a memorable experience that should not be missed. Here are a few reasons why you should consider joining in on the festivities:

1. Feel the Festive Spirit

Christmas carols have a unique way of evoking emotions and creating a joyful atmosphere. Whether you’re singing or simply listening, the melodies and lyrics of familiar carols bring a sense of warmth and happiness that can truly make your heart sing.

2. Connect with Others

Joining a Christmas carol event allows you to connect with people who share a love for music and the holiday season. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet new friends, strengthen existing relationships, and experience the power of community coming together.

3. Embrace German Traditions

Attending a Christmas carol concert in Berlin provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and embrace German traditions. Through the music and festivities, you can gain a deeper understanding of how the holiday season is celebrated in this part of the world.

4. Create Lasting Memories

The Union Berlin Christmas carol concert offers a unique experience that will leave you with cherished memories. The sight of thousands of people singing in unison and the joyful atmosphere will stay with you long after the event.

If you find yourself in Berlin during the holiday season, make sure to experience the magic of Christmas carols. Union Berlin’s annual concert is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the festive spirit, connect with others, and create lasting memories. The tradition exemplifies the power of music in uniting a community and spreading joy during the most wonderful time of the year.

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Thank you for reading. If you're inspired by the stories of Berlin and want to delve deeper, why not join us on our Free Berlin Walking Tour ? It's a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the city's rich history and vibrant culture. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

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