When it comes to Christmas markets there are heaps of gorgeous spots across Europe, and I recently decided to tick some of the best off the bucket list with a trip to Berlin for some festive fun. I wasn’t disappointed by the abundane of stalls, mulled wine, Christmas music and generally festive atmosphere, but there was one show on the itinerary that I definitely won’t be forgetting for a while.

A new Cirque de Soleil show has taken up a permanent residence at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz. Exclusive to Berlin, Cirque de Soleil ALIZE fuses nerve-wrecking acrobatics with magical effects – and I was lucky enough to see it. If you’re planning a trip to Berlin, whether it be at Christmastime or in the warmer months, Cirque de Soleil ALIZE is most definitely worth watching.

Designed for an international audience in mind, there’s no words to decipher as your attention is engaged because of the mind-bending visuals; the stage production is truly incredible.

In addition to the special effects, which created a sense of awe, there was one act that took my breath away. As a true romantic, I was particularly fond of the beautiful performance between Ariel and Céleste – two lovers who were trying to find each other.

The besotted couple, who had been separated by a tornado, were moving towards each other in an intentionally slow and magnetic choreography of hand-to-hand acrobatics. Leaning on one another for support, showcasing strength and grace, the pair were finally able to reconnect in a tender embrace. 

While there were stand-out moments throughout the entirety of the show, I must admit that the story arc, for me, got a little bit lost. There was, however, enough going on to keep me absorbed in the circus show at every turn. And, actually, even the moments when I saw a performer wobble and fail at perfection, it reminded me that these are real people performing eye-opening stunts; there’s a risk that something could go spectacularly wrong – and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

If I could sum up the experience in one word it would be, wow! And I wasn’t the only one to think that as people leaped to their feet to give a standing ovation. 

The show runs for one hour and 40 minutes, including one interval, and tickets start from €44.90. 

If you want to turn up a little earlier than needs be for the show, there’s a very cute (yet small) Christmas market that is just outside of Theater am Potsdamer Platz. It’s worth getting there about half hour before you planned to so that you can peruse the Christmassy stalls and enjoy a warm tipple.

Once inside the foyer of the Theater am Potsdamer Platz, you can purchase drinks, but these must be finished before the start of the show as you cannot take the drinks into the theatre with you.  

Book the trip 

easyJet holidays offers three nights at the five-star Hilton Berlin on a room-only basis for £236 per person, including flights from Southend Airport on February 6, 2026.

The Hilton Hotel, Berlin, is located next to the Stadmitte U-Bahn (underground), which on the U2 line is just one stop away from Potsdamer Platz station where Cirque de Soleil ALIZE is performed: on Wednesdays, 6.30pm; Thursdays at 7.30pm; Friday and Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 1pm and 5pm. 

Alternatively, you can walk from the Hilton Hotel through the city centre to the Theater am Potsdamer Platz, which is about a 10 to 15-minute walk.