Top Christmas Markets in Germany

You can't go wrong with a German Christmas market. Not only are they fantastic spots for gift shopping, but they also offer a joyful atmosphere and seasonal delights. While these vary from market to market, staples like gingerbread, mulled wine (known as Glühwein in German), and regional marzipan are must-tries.

You don't need to limit yourself to major cities to discover Germany's finest Christmas markets. Smaller towns may have fewer stalls, but you'll still enjoy local specialties and traditional dishes from various regions.

Experience the best Christmas markets in Germany by traveling by train, whether you're solo or with friends and family. Alternatively, consider a winter road trip across Germany. Refer to the map below for a quick overview or to help plan your journey.

The finest Christmas markets in Germany

The heritage of German Christmas markets stretches back for centuries, with many on this list being several hundred years old. Typically situated in town squares, these markets continue to offer the same festive foods, ornaments, and handmade crafts as those sold by their medieval ancestors.

Typical highlights include grand Christmas trees, seasonal treats and beverages, Christmas Pyramids, and multi-level carousels showcasing nativity scenes.

Aachen Christmas Fair

• Location: Münsterpl. 22, 52062 Aachen
• Duration: November 22 to December 23, 2024
• Hours: Monday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Closest airport: Maastricht

Aachen boasts a rich history, once serving as the Imperial seat of Emperor Charlemagne, who commissioned the grand cathedral at the heart of this market. Be sure to savor local delicacies like Aachen Christmas Liver Sausage and Aachener Printen, a delectable spiced gingerbread treat.

With an abundance of mulled wine and beautifully illuminated streets, the atmosphere transforms into a magical wonderland, especially at night. Often hailed as one of Europe's finest Christmas markets, Aachen Christmas market is an ideal way to usher in the festive season, running from late November to late December.

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

• Location: Hauptmarkt Nürnberg, 90403 Nürnberg
• Duration: November 29 to December 24, 2024
• Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Closest airport: Nürnberg

No collection of Christmas markets in Germany would be complete without the Nuremberg Christmas Market, attracting over 2 million visitors annually. As one of the oldest in the country, it ranks among the finest Christmas markets in Europe.

Here, you'll discover some fantastic souvenirs, both delightful and delectable, such as scrumptious gingerbread, cookies, and beautiful clothing crafted from local wool. Nuremberg is celebrated as 'the city of wood and cloth,' making it ideal for finding unique handmade treasures to bring home.

Berlin Lucia Christmas Market

• Location: Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstr. 97, 10435 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg / Pankow
• Duration: November 25 to December 22, 2024
• Hours: Monday – Friday 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday – Sunday 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
• Nearest airport: Berlin-Brandenburg

Berlin boasts numerous Christmas Markets, with over 70 held each year, but the Lucia Christmas Market stands out as one of the most beloved. It features a delightful mix of German and Scandinavian traditions, offering unique treats like elk bratwurst alongside locally crafted art, jewelry, and clothing.

Located at the Kulturbrauerei in Prenzlauer Berg, the market runs from late November to late December. If you're seeking more activities during your winter break, be sure to explore our Guide to Berlin.

Leipzig Christmas Market

• Location: Marktplatz, 04109 Leipzig
• Dates: November 26 to December 23, 2024
• Hours: Sunday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Closest airport: Leipzig/Halle

Established in 1458, the Leipzig Christmas Market is located less than 2 hours from Berlin, making it one of the country's oldest. You can find it in the Historical Centre, right outside the Old Town Hall.

Typically featuring over 250 stalls filled with exquisite gifts and delightful treats, the market is alive with the harmonies of the St. Thomas Boys Choir and beautifully decorated stalls, creating the perfect ambiance to embrace the Christmas spirit.

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 Christmas Market: 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 features several Christmas markets across the city. The Heinzels Wintermärchen boasts over 140 unique stalls, and you can also enjoy skating at their ice rink. For excellent fish dishes and mulled wine, visit the Hafen Weihnachtsmarkt by the Rhine.

The Christmas Market at the Cathedral (Weihnachtsmarkt am Dom) features a grand Christmas tree at its center, surrounded by a charming festive village.

Erfurt Christmas Market

• Address: Domplatz, 99084 Erfurt
• Dates: November 26 to December 22, 2024
• Opening hours: 2024 information TBD
• Nearest airport: Erfurt-Weimar

Set in Erfurt’s medieval old town on Cathedral Square, the Erfurt Christmas Market is one of the most stunning and atmospheric markets in the country. Nestled between St Mary’s Cathedral and the Church of St Severus, it offers a variety of stalls featuring delightful holiday treats and artisanal crafts.

Additional highlights include a handcrafted wooden life-size nativity scene and an interactive organic bakery. Venture beyond the main market area to explore the magical forest at its edge.

Munich Christmas Market

• 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

Munich's Christmas market is located in Marienplatz, offering a stunning backdrop of historic architecture. Explore Bavarian crafts and a variety of delicious German delicacies at this market, which has been held since 1757.

This market features a wealth of traditional Christmas items, including stollen, mulled wine, and roasted chestnuts. You can also find everything you need for a nativity scene, from the Three Magi gifts to exquisite manger lanterns.

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

The Frankfurt Christmas Market is among the largest and oldest in the country, filled with the delightful scents of roasted nuts and freshly baked gingerbread. With over 200 stalls, visitors can find gifts, ornaments, and unique artworks.

This market takes place in the historic Old Town area at Romerberg, where the stalls beautifully complement the charming historic buildings illuminated with Christmas lights. This locale has served as a marketplace for merchants and artisans for centuries.

Dresden Christmas Market

• 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

Dresden's Striezelmarkt is the oldest documented Christmas Market in Germany, attracting about 3 million visitors annually. With over 200 stalls, it hosts special events such as the Dresden Stollen Festival and the Pyramid and Christmas Arch Festival.

Wooden ornaments are a key attraction, along with candle pyramids and Schwibbogen, which are arch-shaped candle holders. The pflaumentoffel prune figurines serve both as decorations and post-Christmas treats, while the Pulsnitz gingerbread and mulled wine are essential tastings.

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

Visit this town, rich in medieval heritage, located on the border between Germany and Denmark, where you can experience a fusion of German and Scandinavian customs.

Vendors display their goods from Nordic-style huts at this northern market, beautifully situated on the edge of a picturesque fjord. Flensburg remains one of the lesser-known markets among international visitors, making it an ideal spot for a distinctive local experience.

Bergedorf Christmas Market

• Address: Bergedorfer Schloßstraße 4, 21029 Hamburg
• Dates: 2024 information TBD
• Opening hours: 2024 information TBD
• Nearest Airport: Hamburg

Located in eastern Hamburg, within the enchanting grounds of Bergedorf Castle, the Bergedorf Christmas Market appears as if it were straight out of a fairy tale. Children will delight in various craft workshops, and live bands perform festive music every weekend.

You’ll also discover delightful sweets and artisanal products, perfect for wrapping and placing under the tree. The castle is just a short stroll from the nearest S-Bahn station, making it easily accessible and definitely worth a visit.

Lübeck Christmas Market

• Address: Town Hall and Breite Straße, 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

Lübeck, a city with origins tracing back to the 12th century, features numerous buildings from the Middle Ages, providing a stunning backdrop for its annual Christmas Market. You simply must try Lübeck Marzipan while you’re here.

Not only is Lübeck Marzipan a delightful treat, but it also holds EU Protected Geographical Indication status, making it a must-try in its place of origin. With a history dating back to 1648, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a perfect destination to savor its rich past.

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

Located in the Erzgebirge mountain region, this market is where many traditional German Christmas decorations originate. It’s an ideal day trip from Dresden or Leipzig, featuring brightly lit stalls set against the backdrop of a 15th-century church.

For enthusiasts of Christmas pyramids, this market is a must-visit, as Erzgebirge is their birthplace. Frequent snowfall creates a picturesque scene, especially enchanting at twilight.

Rostock Christmas Market

• Address: city center, 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

As the largest Christmas market in Northern Germany, Rostock boasts impressive decorations and a stunning centerpiece: a 20-meter-high Christmas pyramid, the tallest in the world.

A standout feature of Rostock is its historic Christmas market area, where you can indulge in festive delicacies from the Middle Ages. At night, live performers dazzle crowds with fire juggling, music, and singing.

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 only is Baden-Baden a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it also hosts an exceptional German Christmas market. This charming spa town at the edge of the Black Forest is perfect for a festive winter getaway in Germany.

A trip to the Baden-Baden Christmas market is essential. Set in the Kurhaus, a prominent spa house in the city center, you can explore stalls featuring local artisans offering everything from unique handmade gifts to tasty seasonal treats.

What comes next? Once you've completed your Christmas shopping, indulge in a luxurious experience at one of Baden-Baden’s famous thermal baths.