The 15 most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany

The 15 most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany at a glance

The smell of mulled wine or roasted almonds is the sign: it's starting again. The pre-Christmas season, the Advent season, has begun. And with it, the wonderful Christmas markets in Germany are coming back. Stalls are set up, many fairy lights line the town. Handicrafts, mulled wine, gingerbread and biscuits await visitors.

We have compiled a list of the most important and most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany for you. These are our 5 top favourites that you can't miss:

Advent atmosphere everywhere - the contemplative time with glittering lights

• Nuremberg Christmas Market

• Schwerin Christmas Market

• Dresden Striezel Market

• Koblenz Christmas Market

• Regensburg Thurn and Taxis

• Augsburg Christmas Market

• Old German Christmas Market Bad Wimpfen

• Advent Market Charlottenburg Palace

• Medieval Christmas Market (RAW grounds) Berlin

• Hamburg: Winter Pride in St. Georg

• Market of Angels in Cologne

• Christmas Market in Diesdorf

• Old Saarbrücken Christmas Market

• Flensburg Christmas Market

• Grottenadvent in Saalfeld

1. the Nuremberg Christmas Market Nuremberg is world-famous for its Christkindlesmarkt. But the city is also very worth seeing in summer

It is probably the most famous German Christmas market: the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt in Bavaria. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world in the few weeks before the festivities; in total, there are well over two million visitors in winter.

The Christkindlesmarkt has been held in Nuremberg since 1628. Today, there are around 180 wooden stalls, which are called "little towns of wood and cloth" because of their red and white fabric roofs. The special feature: The Nuremberg Christ Child, a Nuremberg girl between the ages of 16 and 19, delivers his prologue from the gallery of the Frauenkirche at the beginning, officially opening the market.

Among other things, the guests like to take the "Nuremberg Zwetschgenmännle" (Nuremberg Plum Men) as souvenirs, the magical figures made of dried plums. Furthermore, there are of course Nuremberg grilled sausages and Nuremberg gingerbread.

All info:

Address:

Hauptmarkt and surrounding area(Google Maps)

Date:

25 November to 24 December 2022

Opening hours:

Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

By the way, here you can find the top sights in Nuremberg. For us, the city is one of the most beautiful in Germany.

Hotel tip for Nuremberg: Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg*

2. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: the Schwerin Christmas Market The Christmas market in Schwerin is one of the most beautiful in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern © LianeM / Fotolia

Schwerin's Christmas market, the "Star in the North", is one of the longest-opened Christmas markets anywhere. It starts at the end of November and runs until 30 December. It is only closed on Christmas Eve and the first public holiday.

Cultural and musical events and lots of activities for the little ones are what make this Christmas market special. Kids World is located on the Schlachtermarkt and offers handicrafts, baking and painting for the youngsters. If you have any questions, worries or concerns, you can go to Father Christmas, who holds his daily consultation hour for the little ones right next to the house-high Christmas tree.

There is also a petting zoo and a fairytale street, a Ferris wheel and a large Christmas pyramid. Of course, the nativity scene exhibition and the ice skating rink are not missing either. The culinary offerings include regional delicacies and specialities from neighbouring countries. You'll have to eat your way through it, of course.

Hotel tip for Schwerin: Hotel Niederländischer Hof*.

All info:

Address:

Mecklenburgstraße 8, 19055 Schwerin(Google Maps).

Date:

21 November to 30 December 2022

Opening Hours:

Sunday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

3rd Saxony: Dresden Striezelmarkt & Bautzen Wenzelsmarkt

Saxony is predestined for Christmas markets and the choice is not easy. So we mention two here: the Dresden Striezelmarkt, which is considered Germany's oldest authenticated Christmas market.

More than 230 stalls are located in Dresden. Advent was first celebrated here with a market in 1434. Striezel, by the way, are the predecessors of the famous Dresden Stollen. They are on sale everywhere, as are the famous handicrafts from the Erzgebirge.

You have to eat the Dresden Stollen, of course. There is no way around it. The Striezel pyramid is also located at the Striezelmarkt. It is the landmark of the Dresden Christmas Market. The pyramid is almost 15 metres high and has 43 figures.

Hotel tip for Dresden: Hotel Hyperion*.

All info:

Address:

Altmarkt Dresden (Google Maps)

Date:

23 November to 24 December 2022

Opening hours:

daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Bautzen Christmas market is much smaller, but just as fine. Here you will find, among other things, enchanting products made of glass and Plauen lace. Let yourself drift here and enjoy the beautiful little town in Saxony.

Incidentally, the Bautzen Wenzelsmarkt can call itself Germany's oldest Christmas market mentioned in a chronicle.

All info:

Address:

Bautzen Hauptmarkt(Google Maps)

Date:

25 November to 22 December 2022

Opening Hours:

Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday to Sunday until 8 p.m.

4th Rhineland-Palatinate: the Koblenz Christmas Market The Christmas market on Jesuitenplatz in Koblenz is fantastically beautiful © Piel Media

The Koblenz Christmas Market is one of the largest in Rhineland-Palatinate and impresses with the variety of its offerings. People skate in front of the Forum Confluentes cultural centre, which is decorated with lots of glass, and next to it begins the long row of over 100 stalls.

At the town hall, a little door is opened every day in December and Christmas stories sweeten Advent just as much as the many delicacies at the stalls. The romantic inner courtyard of the town hall is also worth a visit.

Furthermore, horse-drawn carriages and guided tours, an arts and crafts market and, above all, the interactive exhibition on the UNESCO World Heritage Site Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which takes place in the Romanticum, attract guests from near and far.

Hotel tip for Koblenz: DIEHLs Hotel Koblenz*.

All info:

Address:

Jesuitenplatz Koblenz(Google Maps).

Date:

18 November 2022 to 08 January 2023

Opening Hours:

Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 9pm, Thursday to Saturday until 10pm, Sunday from 11am to 8pm.

By the way, here you can find the top sights in Koblenz.

5th Thurn and Taxis Regensburg The park and courtyard of Thurn und Taxis Palace are a fantastic setting for the annual romantic Christmas market.

A single trumpet plays Silent Night and the first snowflakes fall from the sky. In the enchanting courtyard of Thurn und Taxis Castle in Regensburg, the atmosphere is always unforgettable. Not for nothing is this romantic Christmas market one of the most beautiful in Bavaria.

There you can see homemade handicrafts from the region, listen to great Advent music, readings and there is a lot of programme for children. The most delicious thing is the medieval delicacies served in the castle courtyard. From flatbreads from the wood-fired oven,huge fried onions with delicious sauces to sweet treats, you'll find everything your heart desires at the Christkindlmarkt.

This Advent market is not only something for the senses, but it also provides the perfect Christmas feeling. Admission prices vary depending on the day of the week or weekend (4.00 to 9.50 euros) and time of day (night owl rate).

Hotel tip for Regensburg: Domresidenz Regensburg*.

All info:

Address:

Schloss Emmeram Thurn und Taxis(Google Maps).

Date:

Open from 18 November to 23 December 2022.

Opening hours:

Monday to Thursday 3pm to 10pm, Friday, Saturday 12pm to 11pm, Sunday 12pm to 10pm.

Admission:

Monday: €4.00, Tuesday-Friday: €7.00, Saturday-Sunday: €9.50, night owl discount every night.

By the way, here you can find the top sights in Regensburg.

6 The Augsburg Christmas Market Augsburg's Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest in Germany.

The Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany. It dates back to the 15th century and attracts up to one million visitors from Germany and abroad every year. The main venue of the pre-Christmas magic is Augsburg's Rathausplatz. Here you will find everything your heart desires at more than 150 stalls.

Another very special tradition is the Angel Festival. Here, 23 angels appear on the façade of Augsburg Town Hall and transform it into a giant Advent calendar. The Engelesspiel takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 pm and is one of the highlights not to be missed. So don't miss the opening ceremony from 6pm, the Christmas shopping magic at the end of November until midnight.

Hotel tip for Augsburg: BIO Hotel Bayerischer Wirt Augsburg*.

All info:

Address:

Rathausplatz Augsburg(Google Maps)

Date:

21 November to 24 December 2022

Opening Hours:

Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

And here we show you the most beautiful Christmas markets in Munich.

Great gift ideas for Christmas

We're sure that you'll find some great gifts at one of the gifts at one of the Christmas markets. However, we have a few nice gift ideas for you that will look great under the Christmas tree.

7 The Old German Christmas Market Bad Wimpfen The beautifully illuminated Christmas market in Bad Wimpfen © Stadt Bad Wimpfen

The Old German Christmas Market in Bad Wimpfen in Baden-Württemberg is also one of the oldest markets in Germany. The first market took place as early as 1487, when it was still called Katharinenmarkt. Today, it takes place from Friday to Sunday during the first three weekends of Advent.

Numerous events surround the market. For example, the Protestant town church opens its doors, St. Nicholas is waiting for visitors in the town hall and there is a wealth of musical performances, including the tower brass band, which sings festive chorales from the town hall. The festive opening with the town captain, guardsmen, Father Christmas and Father Christmas is also very nice. Historical guided tours of the town round off the programme. In 2018, Scandinavia is a guest at the Advent Market and tempts with various delicacies.

All info:

Address:

Marktrain 2, 74206 Bad Wimpfen(Google Maps).

Date:

On the first three Advent weekends (start: 25 November 2022).

Opening hours:

Friday 12 to 9.30 p.m., Saturday 11 to 9.30 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

8th Advent Market Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin

Indisputable: Berlin has many wonderful Christmas markets to offer, such as the Advent Market in front of Charlottenburg Palace. Here you can expect a fairytale splendour of stalls, beautifully staged light atmosphere and treats.

The royal children's Christmas market in the Christmas Winter Forest awaits the kids. They get to ride on a nostalgic carousel, on air swings and in a beautiful Ferris wheel.

Hotel tip for Berlin: Pullman Berlin Schweizerhof

All info:

Address:

Charlottenburg Palace(Google Maps)

Date:

25 November to 23 December

Opening hours:

Mondays to Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays to Sundays from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

9th Medieval Christmas Market (RAW grounds) Berlin

For us, one of the most beautiful and unusual Christmas markets in Germany is the Medieval Christmas Market on the grounds of the former Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk (RAW) in Berlin-Friedrichshain.

On the 150-year-old site, visitors are inevitably transported back to the distant past. Between the old factory halls, craftsmen - such as potters and blacksmiths - sell their products. Jugglers and acrobats perform tricks and entertain the visitors. The mulled wine, hot mead or mulled beer taste even better.

All info:

Address:

RAW Gelände Berlin, Revaler Straße 99, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain(Google Maps).

Date:

21 November to 22 December

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday from 3pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 10pm.

Admission:

Monday to Wednesday free admission, Thursday to Sunday adults 2 euros, children and robed 1 euro.

By the way, here you can find the top sights in Berlin.

10th Hamburg: Winter Pride in St. Georg Winter Pride in Hamburg is a very special Christmas market © AHOI Events

Sure, there are well-known Advent markets like Hamburg's biggest Christmas market at the town hall and the Christmas market at Jungfernstieg - but none is as flashy, colourful and cheerful as the lesbian-gay Christmas market in St. Georg.

The Winter Pride is pink. If you're looking for Christmas music, you're in the wrong place. Instead, DJs play cool beats. A great change in the Christmas hustle and bustle.

Hotel tip for Hamburg: The Westin Hamburg*.

All info:

Address:

Lange Reihe, 20099 Hamburg(Google Maps).

Date:

22 November to 30 December 2022

Opening Hours:

Sunday to Thursday 12 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12 to 0 a.m.

By the way, here you can find the top sights in Hamburg.

11. North Rhine-Westphalia: the Market of Angels in Cologne

A big city like Cologne offers several Christmas markets, we picked out the Markt der Engel. It takes place on the Neumarkt and offers many extras: Father Christmas comes with his black horse Max and gives away coins, to which gifts are raffled later.

The Winter Queen brings a live eagle owl, the Christmas angel his accordion. The stilt queen Stellaxia in her red magic robe is a feast for the eyes and then there are the performances of numerous musicians.

For the little ones, there will be face painting and Punch and Judy. The Angels' Market is considered to be very cosy and traditional in Cologne, and at the same time there are many shopping opportunities in the surrounding area.

Hotel tip for Cologne: Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom*.

All info:

Address:

Neumarkt in Cologne(Google Maps)

Date:

17 November to 23 December 2022

Opening Hours:

Sunday to Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm.

By the way, here you can find the top sights in Cologne.

12th Saxony-Anhalt: Christmas market in Diesdorf

This special Christmas market only takes place on the weekend of the third Advent in the Diesdorf open-air museum. Parents are allowed to make biscuits here with their children and enjoy them as soon as the ovens in the historic houses are fired up.

The more than 20 different houses are lovingly decorated as they once were and are definitely worth a visit. Youngsters can also be enchanted by the puppet theatre, the fairy tale hour in the afternoon and a carousel.

The fairytale ambience becomes reality when Father Christmas or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs drop by. They will, of course, also bring some surprises for the guests.

All info:

Address:

Diesdorf Open-Air Museum(Google Maps).

Date:

Third Advent weekend, 10 and 11 December 2022.

Opening hours:

Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

13th Saarland: the Old Saarbrücken Christmas Market The Old Saarbrücken Christmas Market is a cosy place © Tom Gundelwein

The Old Saarbrücken Christmas Market in Saarland is also worth a visit. It only takes place on the weekend of the first Advent and attracts not only many locals but also visitors from Lorraine and further afield.

With over 200 stalls, it is one of the largest Christmas markets anywhere. There is a lot on offer here at the market and at special parallel events.

Children can go on a tour with a castle ghost through the rooms of the museums at the Schlossplatz, St. Nicholas will be present at the opening of the market and at the crafts market in the VHS you will find beautiful works by regional artists. So the time before Christmas won't be so long.

All info:

Address:

Deutsch-Französischer Garten,
66117 Saarbrücken(Google Maps)

Date:

First Advent weekend, 25 November to 27 November 2022.

Opening hours:

Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

14th Schleswig-Holstein: the Flensburg Christmas Market Flensburg's Christmas market is one of the most beautiful in northern Germany. The old town is also known for its narrow cobbled streets © Tourismus Agentur Flensburger Förde GmbH

In Germany's northernmost city, Flensburg, an atmosphere of regional offerings and a strong Scandinavian influence develops when Advent is upon us, full of atmosphere, perhaps even with snow, at the Flensburg Christmas Market.

A large Christmas pyramid, Christmas sounds and countless delicacies await visitors. The children quickly discover the carousel, the grown-ups enjoy Tallin punch at the world's smallest bar and traditional pea soup at the Bundeswehr stand.

On Sunday afternoons, there will be a number of activities for the youngsters. Christmas city tours, a children's Christmas post box, a Christmas wish tree, a crunchy house for the little ones and numerous musical performances round off the extensive offer.

Hotel tip for Flensburg: Hotel Das James*.

All info:

Address:

Holm, Große Straße & Nordermarkt & Südermarkt

Date:

21 November to 31 December 2022

Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

15th Thuringia: Grottenadvent in Saalfeld

Saalfeld offers a classic Christmas market, but also a small magical Grottenadvent. This Advent market only takes place on the second Advent weekend in December and sweetens the time before Christmas.

The name Grottenadvent is derived from the fact that many musical groups perform in the lower-lying show gro ttos and the above-ground fairy grotto. Face painting for the little ones and a wheel of fortune for the grown-ups. Delicacies from the grill or warm wood-fired bread and potatoes are in great demand, especially when it's really cold.

Then mulled wine is also a must. Ice fairies and grotto gnomes are out and about handing out delicious nibbles. The best thing about this Christmas market is that the proceeds go to charity.