15+ Best Christmas Markets in Germany

Last Updated on 9th November 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Warm Glühwein, twinkling lights, and plenty of delicious food: Christmas Markets are a veritable winter wonderland which will delight even the most Grinch of travellers during a festive trip to Germany (and for most of Europe for that matter!) These enchanting spectacles that transform pockets of the city into a festive wonderland all exude warmth and joy while reflecting the local culture and traditions. Here’s your guide to the best Christmas Markets in Germany!

Best Christmas markets in Germany

Aachen Christmas Market

One of the most exciting and interesting cities to visit in Western Germany is Aachen, a historical destination that’s famed for its breathtaking Cathedral and a handful of Roman ruins. Come the festive season the city of Aachen comes to life with a magical Christmas glow and draws people in from all corners of the world.

Aachen Christmas Market is a particularly beautiful market to visit thanks to its backdrop of Aachen Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Read our Aachen Christmas Market Guide here.

Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas Market

Annaberg-Buchholz is a charming town in Saxony, in eastern Germany that sits at the foot of the Ore Mountains. This magical location already sets the perfect scene for a wonderful and warming Weihnachtsmarkt.

Crowned by St Anne’s Church and an oversized Christmas Erzgebirge Pyramid, this small town flourishes in the festive period with almost a hundred different stalls selling delicious traditional German market food, as well as handmade crafts and decorations.

A particular highlight takes place on the day of opening, which is typically December 1st when the enormous wooden pyramid is pushed into the heart of the town. This is followed by the opening of ‘Elf Town’ on the market’s second day.

Berlin Christmas Markets

The German capital is one of the most enchanting and festive places to be come the Christmas period and several markets are scattered across the city to enjoy!

In fact, there are over 80 different markets held in various pockets of Berlin, each with craftspeople selling their treasures and plenty of food stalls with delicious traditional German delights on offer.

Of course, these are just a few suggestions for markets that capture the holiday season, some of the best markets in Berlin to visit include:

• Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace – Located within a majestic setting, here you can find up to 250 different vendors selling Christmas decorations and traditional foods.
• Gendarmenmarkt (Bebelplatz) – Hailed as the ‘most beautiful Christmas market in Berlin‘. Read our Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market 2024 in Berlin guide here.
• Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei – Named after the Nordic goddess of light, you can find and celebrate all things Scandinavian here!
• Medieval Christmas Market (RAW) – Step back in time and go axe throwing at the cosy medieval market that feels a world away from the present thanks to the costumes and decorations down to every detail. Read our Medieval Christmas Market in Berlin guide here.
• Alexanderplatz – Right in the heart of Berlin on its busiest square lies a Weihnachtsmarkt, which hosts a mix of tradition and modern funfair vibes.
• Winter World, Potsdamer Platz – A world of winter sports from ice skating to sledging down small snow hills, this market is best enjoyed for those looking for more of a thrill seeking time.

Braunschweig Christmas Market

Braunschweig, also known as Brunswick, is situated in the heart of Germany, and with a population of over a quarter of a million, it is the second largest city in Lower Saxony after that of Hanover.

From late November, the historical buildings of the city are illuminated by a festive glow and over 130 Christmas-themed stalls decorate the streets. Artisans stand at their rustic wooden boxes, displaying a wealth of  handmade wooden products, unique Advent ornaments and felt and wool decorations.

The history of Braunschweig’s Weihnachtsmarkt is said to date back to 1505, offering an atmosphere of tradition and history which can be felt while exploring.

Cologne Christmas Market

Cologne, or Köln as it’s known in German, is a city in the West of Germany famed for its towering twin Gothic cathedral spires, rich Roman history, Kölsch beer and pastel coloured houses. This fairytale destination is the fourth-largest city in the country and is home to seven distinctive Christmas Markets during the festive season.

Each market is unique, the stalls are small rustic wooden huts filled with treasures of handcrafted goods, from delicate ornaments to intricate wooden toys.

Several food vendors sell delicious German market food like Currywurst, candied almonds and of course, delicious warming mugs of Glühwein (mulled wine). Read our Cologne Christmas Market Guide here.

Dresden Christmas Market

Found in eastern Germany beside the Elbe River is the delightful city of Dresden which is around 2 hours away from Berlin by train. Despite being heavily bombed and damaged during WWII, the old town has been carefully rebuilt and exudes charm, making it a wonderful setting for a Christmas market.

The city’s most famous Christmas market has to be Dresden Striezelmarkt, which was founded as a one-day market back in 1434 and boasts as being one of the first genuine Christmas markets in the world. Striezelmarkt is often voted the most popular Christmas market in all of the German speaking countries.

So, you may be asking what makes this market so unique? One of the biggest draws to Striezelmarkt is its 14.61-metre-high step pyramid decoration which is the tallest of its kind in the world.

Other unusual delights that can be found here include mulled beer and plum potatoes or Zwetschgenknödel in German – (a pillowy treat of potato dough that surrounds a whole purple prune plum).

Düsseldorf Christmas Market

Dusseldorf is a city in western Germany that is known for its vibrant fashion, arts and music, a cultural hub of tradition blended with razor-sharp postmodernity. When it comes to Christmas, much like the rest of Germany, Dusseldorf does not disappoint. The whole city is scattered with festivities and joy, making it a wonderland to explore.

Despite being one of Germany’s larger cities, Dusseldorf is easily walkable and everything feels close by which makes it perfect for those who love market mooching.

There are two Christmas markets found in the Altstadt (Old Town) area, here you can enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel and take in the illuminations from above, or people-watch as the market goers enjoy winter sports activities like curling and ice skating.

Erfurt Christmas Market

Erfurt is the capital and largest city of the Central German state of Thuringia, a charming medieval town rich with history and warm in its welcome. Erfurt is also home to one of Germany’s finest and most beloved Weihnachtsmarkt.

The Ferris wheel twinkles with the grand spires of St Mary’s Cathedral looming in the background; this magical backdrop makes the cosy marketplace below feel all the more special.

Hundreds of stalls are decorated with lights and handcrafted Christmas treasures, the scent of candied almonds is infectious, and the perfect way to enjoy exploring is with a warm mug of Glühwein in hand.

Frankfurt Christmas Market

The city of Frankfurt is one of Germany’s greatest financial hubs, and many people picture the town as being full of stressed bankers and high rise buildings.

However, an entirely different side of the city reveals itself come Christmastime when the whole place is covered in sparkling lights and the streets are filled with wooden chalets.

Frankfurt is home to some of the most wondrous Christmas markets of all time, with evidence that suggests the market dates all the way back to 1393, it also boasts being one of the oldest and most historic Christmas Markets in Europe. Read our Frankfurt Christmas Market Guide here.

Hamburg Christmas Market

Hamburg is a vibrant and modern city with unique architecture, plenty of history, and a surprising amount of water for a city dozens of miles away from the sea. From the end of November each year, the city transforms into a winter wonderland bathed in a glow of twinkling lights and the warming scent of roasted chestnuts.

Like many of the German cities, Hamburg has a vibrant display of Christmas markets scattered throughout, each unique with strong ties to German traditions and culture.

The biggest Christmas market in Hamburg is called the City Hall Market, and it is situated in front of the Rathaus. Here, you can buy a variety of Christmas decorations, delicious gingerbreads and chocolates, as well as other traditional German foods like Bratwurst and Glühwein.

Heidelberg Christmas Market

In southwestern Germany, nestled along the Neckar River sits the small city of Heidelberg, which is best known for its venerable university that was founded in the 14th century. However, what draws most people here has to be its warm and welcoming historical Christmas market.

Heidelberg’s Christmas Market is set across five different squares and there are countless rustic wooden cabins to peer at, enjoying the festive delights for sale.

One of the most magical features of the market has to be its ice rink that sits just below the majestic Heidelberg Castle ruins, which are among some of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. 

Leipzig Christmas Market

Leipzig is the most populous city in Saxony and is renowned as being the birthplace of the beloved German composer Richard Wagner.

Once the festive season arrives, Leipzig goes full force into festivities, where visitors can enjoy live music, festive performances, uncover treasures and delicious foods at the market as well as soak up the charm of this wondrous city.

Leipzig is on the larger side of the German Christmas markets and boasts over 250 twinkling stalls. Another point of interest is that this Weihnachtsmarkt is one of the oldest in the country, rich with history the market dates back to 1458 and has continued many of its traditions for you to enjoy to this very day!

Nuremberg Christmas Market

Nuremberg is a Bavarian city filled with historical medieval walls and rich with history. Back in the day, it was a main trading city where traders came from far and wide to bring spices, nuts and dried fruits. Nuremberg also has a large Jewish population.

The Nuremberg Christmas market is one of the most well-known traditional Advent time markets in Germany and Europe. Held every year on the main market square is a classic Christmas market that captures the essence and joy of festive spirits!

In particular, the Bavarian city’s inner medieval walls create a special ambience, unparalleled by other Christmas markets.

Magdeburg Christmas Market

Magdeburg is a central German city that lies along the River Elbe and, at a time, it was one of the most important transhipment centres for European trade.

Today, Magdeburg boasts beautiful architecture and a wealth of historical sights, but a huge number of people flock to the city annually primarily for its magical Christmas market.

Most of the main market stalls are found around Alten Markt (Old Market) and the Rathaus (City Hall), all of which sell the traditional market goods one expects to find at a Weihnachtsmarkt.

Something rather unique to Magdeburg’s Christmas Market is that you can find a staggering amount of over 50 different types of warming Glühwein, as well as a diverse range of culinary delights to feast on.

Munich Christmas Market 

Found in Bavaria, this German city is home to Oktoberfest and one of the greatest football teams in the world. Munich is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and is often referred to as a village thanks to its lowkey atmosphere.

However, during the festive season, the city comes to life in a maze illuminated by twinkling lights and a wealth of stalls selling everything from candied almonds to deep-fried Reibekuchen (German potato pancakes), and there’s even ice skating!

There are over a dozen Christmas Markets to see in Munich, each with its own unique decor, vibe, and theme. From Medieval time warps to singing animatronics and steaming hot mulled wine infused with rum, there’s a lot to be explored in Millionendorf (the village of one million people). Read our Munich Christmas Market guide here.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market

Ravenna Gorge is found in the depths of the Black Forest in southwest Germany. A narrow, steep-sided valley that’s extremely popular with hikers and those who love escaping into nature.

A little more off the beaten path than most Christmas markets, the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market is in a dreamlike setting that leaves you feeling as though you’ve just stepped off of the Polar Express (a wonderful 2004 Christmas movie).

Encapsulating all things Christmas, this market is a fairly recent addition to the scene when compared with others and was only founded in 2010. Much smaller than the other markets in Germany, with around 40 vendors, here you can expect to enjoy all the traditions and charm in a unique setting and with a quieter feel thanks to its slightly secluded location.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt

As if plucked straight out of a fairytale, Rothenburg ob der Tauber sits in the heart of the Franconia region of Bavaria and is characterised by its half-timbered architecture and splash of pastel colours.

Often hailed as the ‘most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany’, the medieval town transforms into a winter wonderland complete with thousands of glowing fairy lights, decorated Christmas trees and traditional wooden stalls. It’s hard not to feel like you’re in a dream when visiting both this charming town and its delightful Weihnachtsmarkt.

Stuttgart Christmas Market

Stuttgart has earned its nickname as the “cradle of the automobile” thanks to the fact its home to famous automobile museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum, as well as various auto-enthusiast magazines. Another thing it is renowned for is its huge, magical and very old Christmas market.

With a history of over 300 years, Stuttgart Christmas Market (like seemingly all the markets on this list) boasts of being one of Germany’s oldest festive markets. The market stretches from the west and northern edge of Stuttgart’s central square, here visitors can uncover traditional treasures as well as delicious local cuisine.

Trier Christmas Market

Trier is a southwestern German city that was founded by the Romans in the 1st century BC; it is considered to be one of Germany’s oldest cities and it’s for this reason that you can probably assume that its Christmas market is a true spectacle and festive joy to visit.

During the festive season, Trier becomes a different city, filled with illuminations, decorations, delicate ornaments, and tiny wooden stalls, all set against the backdrop of the city’s stunning Roman architecture.

The atmosphere of Trier becomes imbued with a sense of nostalgia and warmth that can be felt while exploring the treasures for sale and the warm scent of candied almonds, spicy Glühwein and currywurst wafting in the air.

Although the market can get super busy, it almost feels as though time slows down, thanks to how dreamy this small, bustling Christmas market is.

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