15 best European Medieval Christmas markets (mostly in Germany)!

Medieval Christmas markets – a journey back in time to centuries past of Europe!

The bright glow of torches, the characteristic smell of oil lamps and the crackling of glowing coals in fire baskets exert an enormous fascination on many people. These impressions are part of a journey into the Middle Ages with all its nuances. In Europe, medieval markets can be found in almost all regions throughout the year.

During Advent, these medieval markets experience a real boom. At castles and palaces across Europe, jugglers, knights, craftsmen, minstrels and stallholders take over the courtyards and palace squares for a few days. Medieval Christmas markets exert a fascination on young and old alike during the Advent season that is hard to resist. As it gets dark early in winter and the backdrop of a medieval Christmas market is bathed in mythical light, this atmosphere is particularly charming and cosy during the Advent season.

It is therefore not surprising that the proportion of medieval Christmas markets is growing steadily from year to year. And and here are the best markets among them.

Medieval Christmas markets in Germany

1. Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market 

One of the most beautiful and largest medieval Christmas markets. For the little ones, there is Zwergenland (Dwarf Land), which features Germany’s oldest hand-operated Ferris wheel.

• Location: Marktplatz, 73728 Esslingen am Neckar
• Dates: 25.11.2025 – 22.12.2025
• Opening hours: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Closed on Remembrance Sunday

The Esslingen Medieval and Christmas Market is a special highlight in the run-up to Christmas. Set amid the festively decorated old town, the market offers everything your heart desires. The Market with over 100 market stalls, invites visitors to enjoy an atmospheric Advent season like no other Christmas market. Historical craftsmen demonstrate old arts and crafts, while artists fascinate visitors with a variety of attractions.

2. Munich Medieval Christmas Market

Late Gothic market stalls, Celtic longhouse and culinary traditional

• Location: Wittelsbacherplatz, 80333 München
• Dates: 24.11.2025 – 23.12.2025
• Opening hours: 11am – 9pm

Wittelsbacherplatz is home to unique medieval Christmas market in Munich – Advent Spectacle. Late Gothic market stalls, Celtic longhouse and other replicas of historical sales facilities fascinate visitors every year. The culinary offerings are, of course, also traditional. Flamed bread, hot soups, grilled sausages and the popular wild boar on a spit from the Wildbräterey are a must. Hot drinks such as Drachenglut (mulled wine) and Feuerzungenbowle (fire tongue punch) are also available. For children, there is the Zwergentrunk (dwarf drink). Specialities from the Metschänke are also on offer.

3. Medieval Christmas market Berlin

A unique historical Christmas market takes place on the 150-year-old site of the former Reichsbahn repair workshop (RAW)

• Location: RAW-Gelände, Revaler Straße 99, 10245 Berlin 
• Dates: 13.11.2025 – 22.12.2025
• Opening hours: 3pm – 10pm. Closed on Remembrance Sunday

Torches, fire pits and numerous stalls bathe the setting in medieval light, while potters, blacksmiths, woodcarvers and many more present and sell their crafts. Visitors will find many delicious drinks in the taverns, such as hot mead, mulled wine, mulled beer and Feuerzangenbowle, and hearty and sweet dishes to tempt the palate.

See more: Guide to Berlin Christmas markets 

4. Neu-Ulm Medieval Christmas market

Since 2014, this medieval Christmas market on the Danube has been attracting many visitors to the town hall square. In addition to craft stalls and selected market stalls, the market also offers a wide range of cultural activities.

• Location: Johannesplatz, 89231 Neu-Ulm
• Dates: 28.11.2025 – 21.12.2025
• Opening hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm

5. Christmas market at Guteneck Castle

History and romantic

• Location: Schlossberg 10, 92543 Guteneck
• Dates: 20.11.2025 – 21.12.2025
• Opening hours: 4pm – 8pm from Thursday to Sunday. Closed on Remembrance Sunday.

The area around Guteneck Castle is transformed into a winter wonderland and illuminated with energy-saving technology. The inner courtyard becomes a stage and 120 stalls selling old crafts. The jingle of bells, the swing of clubs, fairy-tale magic and nativity plays enchant visitors amid the dreamlike backdrop of Guteneck Castle. Knights demonstrate historical camp life, accompanied by mystical sounds and oriental dancers spinning to the music of lutes, bagpipes and shawms.

6. Nördlingen Christmas market

Christmas magic in medieval town

• Location: Bei den Kornschrannen, 86720 Nördlingen
• Dates: 28.11.2025 – 23.12.2025
• Opening hours: 11am – 7pm

7. Bergedorf Christmas Market

Hamburg’s oldest Christmas market on the city’s only remaining medieval site. The magical world of a Scandinavian Christmas village.

• Location: Bergedorfer Schlossstr. 4, 21029 Hamburg
• Dates: 24.11.2025 – 30.12.2025
• Opening hours: 11am – 9pm. 24 December: 11:00 a.m. – 1 pm. 25 & 26 December: closed

The festival grounds, surrounded by huge old trees and small pine forests, are located in front of Hamburg’s only real castle and present themselves as a Christmas world with purist style elements. Thousands of glittering curtains of lights and cosy Swedish red wooden huts, furnished with lots of birch wood, rustic fir trees and fluffy furs in front of crackling campfires, create an atmosphere reminiscent of Scandinavia in winter.

The culinary offerings reflect the Scandinavian influence, with typical delicacies from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In addition to köttbullar and crispbread, there are also traditional bratwurst made from elk meat. Many traders also offer special and rare gift items from Scandinavian countries, alongside high-quality handicrafts and Christmas items.

8. Historic Christmas market in Lübeck

Take a journey back to medieval times in the churchyard of St. Mary’s

• Location: Kirchhof St. Marien, Marienkirchhof, 23552 Lübeck
• Dates: 24.11.2025 – 23.12.2025
• Opening hours:11am – 9pm

Against the imposing brick backdrop of St. Mary’s Church in Lübeck, copper and silversmiths, pewterers and other craftsmen showcase medieval art at the historic Christmas market. Let yourself be carried away by the hustle and bustle and long-forgotten skills in a medieval atmosphere.

9. Medieval market in Fürth

For over 10 years, it has been transporting visitors back to a bygone era with its historical stalls and special atmosphere. Craftsmen, tailors, bone carvers, woodworkers and a blacksmith produce their wares on site and offer them for sale. Visitors can warm themselves by the fire pits, drink hot mead or take a dip in a hot tub – just like in the Middle Ages.

• Location: Fürther Freiheit, 90762 Fürth
• Dates: 27.11.2025 – 23.12.2025
• Opening hours: 10am – 9pm.

10. Dresden Medieval Christmas market

At this Christmas market, the world is still intact!

• Location: Stallhof
• Dates: 26 November – 23 December 2025.
• It is open daily from 11:00 to 21:30

In the heart of Dresden, next to the Frauenkirche and just a few metres from the Striezelmarkt, at the rear of the world-famous ‘Fürstenzug’. The Stallhof, built in 1591, is part of the palace and is considered one of the few original tournament grounds in the world that has been preserved. Around 50 merchants offer historical goods and craftsmen work with tools and materials from the late Middle Ages.

11. Magdeburg Christmas Market

One of Germany’s longest-running Christmas markets, surrounded by uniquely beautiful medieval buildings

• Location: Alter Markt, 39104 Magdeburg
• Dates: 20.11.2025 – 29.12.2025
• Opening hours: 11am – 10pm. 24th/25th December: closed. 26th–29th December: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

‘More beautiful, more colourful, more magical’ – this is how one could describe the motto of the Christmas market in the state capital of Magdeburg. Against the unique backdrop of the historic town hall with its world-famous ‘Magdeburg Horseman’ statue, the scent of roasted almonds, candyfloss and mulled wine entices visitors and locals alike to take a stroll through one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in central Germany.

More than 125 vendors attract thousands of visitors every year with wooden toys, Christmas tree decorations, glassware, silk painting, pottery, nuts, fruits and other Christmas items. The Magdeburg Festival of Lights is once again one of the most child-friendly Christmas markets in Germany this year. In the historic fairy tale forest, a special attraction of the market, there is live Christmas music every day, a Santa Claus consultation hour and exciting fairy tale performances on the weekends. In a fairy tale alley, children and adults can watch fairy tale scenes with many moving figures.

Medieval Christmas markets in Austria

12. Medieval Christmas Market in Stadtschlaining

For more than 40 years now, on the second Sunday of Advent, the main square, the adjacent alleys and Rochusplatz in front of Friedensburg Castle have been transformed into a medieval market square.

• Location: Stadtschlaining, Burgenland
• Date: 7 Dezember 2025, 2 pm – 7 pm

13. Medieval Advent Market at Neugebäude Castle

Medieval Advent Market, are undoubtedly among the highlights of the events held at the historic palace complex in the Vienna suburbs.

• Location: Otmar-Brix-Gasse 1, 1110 Wien
• Dates: 27. November – Mo, 8. December 
• Opening hours: 2pm – 8pm

Medieval Christmas markets in Switzerland

14. Montreux Christmas World

The magical world of Santa Claus…

• Location: Grand-Rue 24, 1820 Montreux
• Dates: 20.11.2025 – 24.12.2025
• Opening hours: 10am – 8pm

From the shores of Lake Geneva to the surrounding mountain peaks, a unique Christmas fairy tale unfolds, taking you on a fantastic journey of discovery: from medieval hustle and bustle in the valley to a fairy tale festival behind legendary castle walls, up to Santa’s hut with a reindeer park and elf village – not to mention a stop at the Christmas village.

15. Medieval market at Chillon Castle

Tales of knights, counts and legends from times long forgotten. Embark on an unforgettable journey through time and immerse yourself in the history and everyday life of the Middle Ages, brought to life by actors in authentic costumes and robes.

• Location: Avenue de Chillon 21, 1820 Veytaux
• Dates: 29.11.2025 – 14.12.2025
• Opening hours: 10am – 5pm Every Saturday and Sunday. Last admission at 4:00 p.m.

Medieval Christmas markets in France

16. Ribeauvillé Christmas market

Authentic experience that beautifully celebrates Alsatian traditions

• Location: Grand’Rue, 68150 Ribeauvillé
• Dates: Saturday and Sunday, 6 and 7 December and 13 and 14 December
• Opening hours: 10:00 to 19:00.

In the narrow, cobbled streets of Ribeauvillé’s historic old town, the market is brought to life by minstrels, jugglers and festively dressed craftsmen, transporting visitors back to a bygone era of Alsace. The air is filled with the aroma of regional specialities such as gingerbread, tarte flambée and hot mulled wine.

17. Provins Medieval Christmas Market

Live nativity scene, medieval dances, ice rink and even a Christmas steam train.

• Location: Place du Châtel, 77160 Provins
• Dates: 13 and 14 December 2025
• Official website: noel-medieval-provins

The town of Provins in France is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a long history dating back to its eventful past as the former capital of the Counts of Champagne. It is therefore not surprising that there are popular historical events here, these include the medieval Christmas market. Come and meet artisan demonstrators who will bring to life for you an almost forgotten craft.

The highlight of every evening is the unique and magical atmosphere after dark. The market is then bathed in the magical light of hundreds of candles.

Don’t miss out on sampling one of the delicacies from the historic food stalls and rotisseries at the medieval Christmas market of your choice.

Merry Christmas!