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It’s hard to beat German Christmas markets during the festive season. They’re a long-standing tradition, with many dating back to medieval times. Not just brilliant places to shop for gifts, you’ll also find delicious seasonal treats.
These differ slightly from market to market, but gingerbread, mulled wine (Glühwein in German) and local marzipan are all staples.
You don’t have to stick to big cities to find the best German Christmas markets, either. Smaller towns may not have as many stalls, but you’ll still have the joy of getting to try local goods and traditional local food. Not sure where to go in Germany first? Here’s my guide to the country’s most magical Christmas markets.
The best Christmas markets in Germany
The tradition of Christmas markets in Germany dates back centuries. In fact, many on this list are hundreds of years old. German Christmas markets today still sell the same festive foods, ornaments, and handcrafted goods as their medieval predecessors.
Common features include giant Christmas trees, Christmas pyramids, and multi-tiered carousels that rotate nativity scenes. Want to soak up all the festive spirit? Tick off as many Christmas markets as you can when you explore Germany by train. Here are a few favourites:
1. Aachen Christmas Market
- Address: Münsterplatz 22, 52062 Aachen
- Dates: November 22 to December 23, 2024
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 11. a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Maastricht
Aachen is a city full of history. It was once the Imperial residence of Emperor Charlemagne, who ordered the construction of the cathedral that this German Christmas market centres around. Make sure to try local specialities like Aachen Christmas Liver Sausage and Aachener Printen: a delicious, richly spiced type of gingerbread.
Mulled wine is plentiful and the streets are all lit up to create a gorgeous atmosphere. Regularly considered one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, the Aachen Christmas market is the perfect way to kick off the festive season.
2. Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
- Address: Hans-Sachs-Platz 1, 90403 Nürnberg
- Dates: November 29 to December 24, 2024
- Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Nürnberg
No list of Christmas markets in Germany would be complete without the Nuremberg Christmas Market. It sees over 2 million visitors each year and is one of the oldest German Christmas markets. Usually, it begins each year on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday and ends on the 24th of December.
You’ll find some beautiful and tasty souvenirs here, from delicious gingerbread and cookies to gorgeous clothing made from local wool. Nuremberg is known as ‘the city of wood and cloth’, so it’s perfect for picking up handcrafted goods to take back home.
3. Berlin Lucia Christmas Market
- Address: Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstr. 97. 10435 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg / Pankow
- Dates: November 25 to December 22, 2024
- Opening hours: Monday – Friday 3 p.m – 10 p.m., Saturday – Sunday 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Berlin-Brandenburg
Berlin hosts dozens of Christmas markets but the Lucia Christmas Market is one of the most popular. It’s renowned for its blend of German and Scandinavian traditions. Keep your eyes peeled for unique foods, such as elk bratwurst, alongside locally made artworks, jewellery and clothes.
You’ll find this German Christmas market at the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg from late November to late December. Looking for more to do in the country’s capital during your winter break? Check out the best things to do in Berlin all year round.
4. Leipzig Christmas Market
- Address: Marktplatz, 04109 Leipzig
- Dates: November 26 to December 23, 2024
- Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday 10a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Leipzig / Halle
This Leipzig market first opened in 1458, making it one of the oldest Christmas Markets in the country. You can find it at the Historical Centre, just outside the Old Town Hall. It usually hosts over 250 stalls where you can find beautiful gifts and delicious food. With the sounds of the St. Thomas Boys Choir filling the air and decorations all along the stalls, there’s really no better place to get into the Christmas spirit!
5. Cologne Christmas Markets
- Christmas Market at the Cathedral: Roncalliplatz, 50667 Cologne – November 18 to December 23, 2024
- Harbour Christmas Market: Im Zollhafen 2, 50678 Cologne – November 15 to December 23, 2024
- Heinzels Christmasmärchen: Heumarkt und Alter Markt, 50667 Cologne – Heumarkt: November 25, 2024 to January 5, 2025; Alter Markt: November 25 to December 23, 2024
- Nearest airport: Cologne-Bonn
Like Berlin, Cologne hosts multiple Christmas markets throughout the city. This includes the Heinzels Wintermärchen which hosts over 140 different stalls, plus an ice rink where you can test your skating skills.
Head to the Rhine for the Hafen Weihnachtsmarkt to sample excellent fish specialities and visit the large boat serving mulled wine. The Christmas Market at the Cathedral (Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom) has a massive Christmas tree at its centre, as well as a charmingly festive Christmas village.
6. Erfurt Christmas Market
- Address: Domplatz, 99084 Erfurt
- Dates: November 26 to December 22, 2024
- Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday 10 am until 8 pm, Thursday and opening Day 10 am until 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am until 10 pm
- Nearest airport: Erfurt-Weimar
In Erfurt’s medieval old town district on Cathedral Square, the Erfurt Christmas market is one of the country’s most beautiful and festively atmospheric markets. Against the backdrop of St Mary’s Cathedral and the Church of St Severus, you’ll find a wide range of stalls selling delicious Christmas treats and handcrafted goods.
Other highlights of this German Christmas market include a handcrafted, wooden, life-size nativity scene and an organic bakery. Need a break from the crowds? Get away from the main shopping area and step into the enchanted forest located on the market’s edge.
7. Munich Christkindlmarkt
- Address: Marienplatz 26, 80331 München
- Dates: November 25 to December 24, 2024
- Opening hours: Sunday – Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Munich International
The main Munich Christmas market is hosted on the Marienplatz, with a backdrop of beautiful historic buildings. First held in 1757, this market still sells Bavarian handmade goods and a range of delicious German treats. You’ll find plenty of traditional Christmas items on offer – think stollen, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Want to create your own nativity scene at home? Browse the stalls to discover everything you’ll need, from the classic gifts of the Three Magi to beautiful manger lanterns. This Munich market is truly one of the best German Christmas markets.
8. Frankfurt Christmas Market
- Address: Römerberg, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
- Dates: November 25 to December 22, 2024
- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Frankfurt am Main
Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the largest and oldest German Christmas markets. It’s marked by the tantalising aromas of roasted nuts and freshly baked gingerbread. There are over 200 stalls here each year where you can pick up gifts, ornaments, and original art.
The market is hosted in the historic Old Town district at Romerberg, and the stalls fit right in with the historic buildings adorned with Christmas lights. The area has been a marketplace for merchants and craftspeople for centuries, adding to its magical ambience.
9. Dresden Striezelmarkt
- Address: Altmarkt, 01067 Dresden
- Dates: November 27 to December 24, 2024
- Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Dresden
The Striezelmarkt in Dresden is the oldest recorded Christmas Market in Germany and it sees around 3 million visitors each year. With over 200 stands, this Dresden Christmas market features special events like the Dresden Stollen Festival and the Pyramid and Christmas Arch Festival.
Wooden Ornaments are a major draw, as well as Candle Pyramids and Schwibbogen: arch-shaped candle holders. In addition, the pflaumentoffel prune figurines double as an ornament and an after-Christmas snack. Don’t skip sampling the market’s Pulsnitz gingerbread and mulled wine, either.
10. Flensburg Christmas Market
- Address: Südermarkt, 24937 Flensburg
- Dates: November 25 to December 23, 2024
- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Hamburg
Head to this medieval town on the border of Germany and Denmark for a blend of German and Scandinavian traditions. Locals sell their wares out of Nordic-style huts at this northern market that sits on the edge of a beautiful fjord. Flensburg is one of the less well-known markets amongst international tourists. Looking for a unique, local flavour? There’s no better place to visit.
11. Hamburg’s Bergedorf Christmas Market
- Address: Bergedorfer Schloßstraße 4, 21029 Hamburg
- Dates: 2024 information TBD
- Opening hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Nearest Airport: Hamburg
Found in east Hamburg, on the grounds of Bergedorf Castle, Bergedorf Christmas Market looks like something out of a fairy tale. Kids will love the various craft workshops and live bands playing Christmas music every weekend. Plus, you’ll find delicious sweets and handmade goods perfect for wrapping up and putting under the tree. The castle is only a short walk from the nearest S-Bahn station too, so it’s super easy to get to.
12. Lübeck Christmas Market
- Address: Holstentorplatz 1, 23552 Lübeck
- Dates: November 25 to December 30, 2024
- Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday – Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Lübeck
The city of Lübeck dates back to the 12th century, making its Medieval Old Town a picturesque setting for its yearly Christmas market. Lübeck Marzipan is a must-try here. Not only is Lübeck Marzipan delicious, but it also has EU Protected Geographical Indication status. You’ll find heaps of stalls selling it in the market, too. This festive event has been running since 1648, so make sure you head to this UNESCO World Heritage Site to get a taste of all that history.
13. Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas Market
- Address: Markt 4, 09456 Annaberg-Buchholz
- Dates: November 29 to December 23, 2024
- Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Dresden
You will find this market in the Erzgebirge mountain region, where many traditional German Christmas decorations have their roots. Visit the market on a day trip from Dresden or Leipzig and explore the brightly lit stalls that sit against the backdrop of the town’s 15th-century church. Love Christmas pyramids? You must visit this market as Erzgebirge was the region where they originated. Snowfall is common here, too, making it a particularly picturesque setting for a festive adventure.
14. Rostock Christmas Market
- Address: Neuer Markt. 18055 Rostock
- Dates: November 25 to December 22, 2024
- Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Rostock Airport
At the largest Christmas market in Northern Germany, Rostock goes all out with its stunning Christmas decorations. The centrepiece is the 20-metre-high Christmas pyramid: the biggest in the world. One of the best features of Rostock is the historical Christmas market area where you can discover festive treats that have been enjoyed since the Middle Ages. Staying out ’til sunset? Get ready to watch live entertainers show off their fire juggling, music and singing skills.
15. Baden-Baden Christmas Market
- Address: Kurhaus, Kaiserallee 1, 76530 Baden-Baden
- Dates: November 21, 2024 to January 6, 2025
- Opening hours: daily 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Nearest airport: Karlsruhe / Baden-Baden
Not just a wonderful UNESCO World Heritage site, Baden-Baden also hosts a brilliant Germany Christmas market. The German spa town’s setting on the edge of the Black Forest makes it an enchanting location for a festive break.
A must-see is Baden-Baden’s Christmas market. It’s held at the Kurhaus: a grand local landmark in the heart of the city. Browse artisan stalls selling all kinds of local treats, from handmade gifts to delicious seasonal food. And afterwards? Treat yourself to a post Christmas shopping pamper at one of Baden-Baden’s soothing spas.
German Christmas market FAQs
When do Christmas markets start in Germany?
Most markets run in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, from late November to late December. Some even continue up until New Year. The most common starting date is the Friday before Advent Sunday which, in 2024, is the 25th of November. Typically, most markets close on the 23rd of December.
When is the best time to visit the German Christmas markets?
There’s no bad time to visit the best Christmas markets in Germany. If you want to experience fewer crowds though, avoid going on weekends or in the week leading up to Christmas. Remember also that many markets already close on the 23rd of December as it’s the tradition in Germany to celebrate Christmas on the 24th. If they are still open, look out for reduced opening hours over the Christmas holidays.
Where are the Christmas markets in Berlin?
You’ll find festive wonderlands scattered across the whole of Germany’s capital. Nevertheless, some of the very best Berlin Christmas markets include the enchanting Charlottenburg Christmas Market that’s right outside the Charlottenburg Palace. There is also a duo of markets located within the central Spandau old town.
Is Berlin or Munich better for Christmas markets?
It is almost impossible to choose, and I strongly recommend you take a trip to both cities to decide for yourself. Berlin and Munich, have a myriad of Christmas markets that range from traditional to unusual.
Munich is home to the Tollwood winter festival and Pink Christmas, a queer market, and you can easily get to the Alps to extend your winter in Germany. Berlin offers more than 80 Christmas markets and there are many other beautiful cities like Leipzig and Dresden in easy reach for day trips.
Looking for more festive holiday inspiration? Discover the best Christmas Markets in London. Or check out KAYAK’s guide to Munich’s top Christmas markets.
The post The 15 best Christmas Markets in Germany appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
