New Year in Berlin: Fireworks, Frosty Nights and Festive Markets

Getting there in style with British Airways

We flew from London City Airport with British Airways, travelling Club World return. Flying from City is always a pleasure: it is compact, easy to navigate and has a calmer feel than the larger London airports.

Club World added that extra layer of comfort and service that makes even a short flight feel special. From priority check in to the more spacious seating and attentive cabin crew, it was a relaxed and enjoyable start and finish to our New Year break.

Our base: Riu Plaza Berlin

We arrived in Berlin on 28 December 2024 for a 4‑night stay at the Riu Plaza Berlin, booked on a bed and breakfast basis in a Deluxe King room.

The hotel proved ideal for a winter city break:

• A modern, comfortable Deluxe King room with plenty of space
• A good central location, perfect for getting around the city and exploring on foot or by public transport
• A generous breakfast buffet each morning, with hot and cold options to set us up for full days out in the cold

One of the best features of our room was the view over the city, which turned out to be particularly special on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve: fireworks from the warmth of our room

Berlin is famous for its New Year’s Eve fireworks and lively celebrations, but this year the weather was truly biting. It was a very cold night, the kind where standing outside for long periods is more of an endurance test than a party.

Luckily, our room at the Riu Plaza gave us a fantastic vantage point. Rather than braving the freezing temperatures, we decided to watch the fireworks from our room. With the city spread out below us and bursts of colour lighting up the sky, it felt wonderfully indulgent to enjoy the show in warmth and comfort.

It might not have been the classic shoulder‑to‑shoulder crowd experience at the Brandenburg Gate, but it was every bit as memorable in its own way.

Christmas markets & winter atmosphere

Although Christmas had officially passed, some of the Christmas markets were still open when we arrived. This added a lovely festive touch to the trip:

• Strolling through stalls with twinkling lights and decorations
• Warming up with hot drinks and seasonal snacks
• Soaking in that cosy, wintry atmosphere that Europe does so well between Christmas and New Year

It meant we could enjoy a little extra festive magic alongside the New Year celebrations.

A relaxed return to a favourite city

This visit to Berlin was less about ticking off major sights and more about enjoying being back:

• Taking winter walks through familiar streets, wrapped up against the cold
• Dropping into cafés and bars without any particular agenda
• Enjoying the city’s architecture and landmarks in their winter light

Returning to a city you already know gives you the freedom to slow down a little. We could simply enjoy Berlin at our own pace, without feeling the pressure to see everything.

Final thoughts

Our New Year in Berlin was exactly what we hoped for:

• Club World flights from London City made the journey smooth and comfortable.
• The Riu Plaza Berlin was a great base for a short winter stay, with a Deluxe King room and lovely city views.
• Watching the New Year’s Eve fireworks from our room turned a freezing night into a cosy, unforgettable experience.
• And the bonus of still‑open Christmas markets added just the right amount of festive sparkle.

Berlin remains one of those cities I am always happy to return to, and it is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a European city that combines history, culture, and a memorable New Year atmosphere.