Guide to German Christmas Markets - Facts & tips for your visit (2024)

Get into Christmas mood - discover the magic of the best German Christmas markets. Whether you visit the big ones, or tiny markets, which are held in nearly every town, you will enjoy them all.
Christmas markets in Germany are unique. Historical town squares form a romantic backdrop to many markets.Streets, pedestrian malls, public buildings and shops are decorated withlights and Christmas trees and add to the beauty of the scenery.

Weihnachtsmarkt in Hanau, Hessen

What you find on this page - Table of Content (Toc)

• What are German Christmas markets like
• List of famous markets in Germany
• How to get around and visit the Christmas Markets?
  

Romantic scenery, an easy-going atmosphere, German Christmas traditionsand the smell of mouth-watering treats are the main attractions of aWeihnachtsmarkt in Germany.

If you don't like the pace of modern,commercialised Weihnachten, a visit to German Christmas markets is justright for you. There is no hectic, everything happens in a lower gear.

Come along and enjoy, join a tour, or discover the magic of Christmas in Germany on your own. You will find ...

Although it seems that all Christkindlesmarkets offer the same range ofgoods to buy, there are many local variations. Additional culturalprograms, local arts & crafts markets, the scenery and surroundingarchitecture make each German Christmas market unique.
Look around and find some unique gifts for your loved ones.

One thing is for sure, you'll never leave a Weihnachtsmarkt hungry. I don't envy you the hard decision which market to visit! :)

Can you smell the delicious Stollen?

There are hundreds of markets and fairs in Germany, largercities even have more than one! They are sure the sign that the festive has begun.
Now where to start? Do you already have aplan, and do you know which markets you want to see?

Below I am going to list a few of the most famous Christkindlmarkets, some in truly scenic towns.
However, when you decide to visit Germany for her Christmas markets, youshould also pay attention to markets in tiny villages. They are alsoworth a visit. Just ask at your destination for unique markets in theirsurroundings.
Weihnachtsmärkte in small villages are often held only on one weekend during the Advent season.

The Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt is held in front of theRenaissance town hall on the Rathausplatz (town hall square). It is oneof the oldest markets dating back to the 15th century. Well-known andmost unique is the "Angel's Play" performed on Fridays, Saturdays andSundays at 6:00 pm. The 24 angels turn the town hall into a giant Advents calendar.

The World Heritage City has the most romantic backdrop for the festive season. The Bamberg Christmas marketis held on Maxplatz in the heart of the Old Town. At the end of thesquare is a large nativity scene showing different scenes during Advent.
Additionally to the main market, smaller fairs are held only on one weekend throughout the historical city.

Bamberg is famous for its nativity trail. Discover more than 400nativity scenes which are spread across 40 stations in Bamberg's oldcity, churches, museums, public buildings and the cathedral. Thenativity scenes tell various biblical stories surrounding Advent. Click here to get general tips for visiting Bamberg.

I will always remember how much I enjoyed the crib as a child. A nativity scene truly belongs to festive season!

Seven Christmas different markets in Cologne attract millions of visitors to the city on the Rhine every year.

The market at the Cologne Cathedral is the biggest, and with themajestic cathedral as a background, it is one of the most impressiveChristmas markets in Germany. Click here to read more.

The Strietzelmarkt in Dresden dates back to 1434. The nameStrietzel comes from the Dresdner Christstollen, that rich Christmascake the city is also famous for. Although the Strietzelmarkt attractsmany visitors, it is a very traditional market with a romantic andfestive charm. Carved wooden items from the Erzgebirge and deliciouslocal food is sold at the stalls. The world's largest Christmas pyramid(14 m high) stands at the heart of the market.

Historic merry-go-round at the Christmas market in Frankfurt

Compared with the big ones, the Weihnachtsmarkt in Hanau has a relaxed and personal atmosphere.
Held on the market square, the wooden stalls offer arts and crafts, candles, toys, Christmas decorations, mulled wine and other hot drinks and delicious food.
The town hall is transformed into an huge advent calendar, every night anew window is lit and the Brothers Grimm watch the christmassyactivities.

Oh, and every now and then we really have snow during Advent!

The Grimm Brothers watch the Christmas market in Hanau

The Weihnachtsmarkt in Jena offers an unique atmosphere in the heart of the historic old town. On the opening day a 4m long Stollen is cut.

The Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt features the world's largest free-standing advent calendar, a fairytale forest and a medieval market.

The famous Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is held on Hauptmarktsquare in the old town. 180 wooden stalls, decorated with red and whitecloths gave the market its name "Little town from Wood and Cloth." TheNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is opened by a real "angel".

Nürnberg is also home of the famous Nürnberger Lebkuchen. You'll find a Lebkuchen Schmidt shop to buy this delicious treat right on the Hauptmarkt.
If you don't have the chance to go to Nuremberg, you'll find a wide range of original Lebkuchen at Amazon.com. The decorative chests they create each year are just beautiful.

Don't want to plan and organise the tour on your own? No problem! What about hiring a personal driver & guide (Click for more info)? This would be the most relaxed way to enjoy your Weihnachtsmarkt experience in Germany.

The romantic market in Hochstadt is held every year on the 2nd Advent weekend