The most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany and info

More than 3000 Christmas markets are waiting in Germany with mulled wine and gift stands. But which ones are worth visiting? Du lich tu te shows the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany  for 2022 and when they are open.

Reiterlesmarkt Rothenburg ob der Tauber

• Date: 25 November to 23 December
• Address: Marktplatz 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• Opening: Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m

Where better to show off this tradition than in a town whose landscape of roofs and doors is so special? During Advent, the scent of mulled wine and old Franconian pastries mingles with the cold winter air in the picturesque setting between the church and the town hall. More than 50 stalls are set up. Be sure to try the Rothenburg Snowball, a baked crumbly egg pastry with different fillings.

Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge

• Date: Advent weekends (25 to 27 November, 2 to 4 December, 9 to 11 December, 16 to 18 December).
• Admission: 5 euros if arriving before 4 pm, 6 euros if arriving after 4 pm, children between 6 and 15 years: free, shuttle transfer 2 euros, parking 7 euros – only bookable online.
• Address: Ravennaschlucht, 79874 Breitnau
• Opening: Friday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m

The Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge is truly unique! Picturesquely situated, this Christmas market in the Black Forest offers a very romantic atmosphere. Framed by the steep walls of the gorge and under the 40-meter-high (131 ft) railway viaduct of the Höllental Railway, a village of wooden huts invites you every year to go on a Christmas shopping spree.

Nuremberg Christmas Market

• Date: 25 November to 24 December
• Address: Nuremberg Old Town
• Opening: Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 26 November 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 24 December 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg is not only one of the most beautiful, but also one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. Traditionally, the market is opened with the prologue of the Christ Child (25 November at 5.30 pm).

In the wooden stalls of the made of wood and cloth, the traders offer, among other things, handmade ornaments for the Christmas tree. Along with mulled wine, you can enjoy gingerbread, traditional Zwetschgenmännle made from dried plums or Nuremberg grilled sausages.

Dresden Striezel Market

• Date: 23 November to 24 December
• Address: Old Town of Dresden
• Opening hours: daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 23 December 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Christmas Eve (24 December) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Dresden Striezelmarkt is Germany’s oldest Christmas market. It will open its doors for the 588th time in 2022. The highlight: the highest pyramid in the Erzgebirge (14 metres) is the centrepiece of the market. In the children’s adventure world, Father Christmas opens a little door of the Advent calendar every day. In the Christmas workshops, you and your family can watch the master craftsmen and bakers at work.

Christmas Market in Goslar

• Date: 23 November to 30 December
• Address: Market Square and Shoe Yard, 38640 Goslar
• Opening: Christmas Market: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Christmas Forest: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 25 and 26 December from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., 30 December from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Goslar Christmas Market takes place amidst the nostalgic backdrop of the Goslar World Heritage Site with its narrow streets and slate-clad half-timbered houses. You can stroll past 60 quaint and lovingly decorated wooden huts, which are located on Marktplatz, Marktkirchhof, Marktstraße and Schuhhof. There you will find a special feature, the fairytale Christmas forest. 60 large and romantically lit conifers on a fragrant forest floor surround the market in the historic old town.

Ludwigsburg Christmas Market

• Date: 22 November to 22 December
• Address: Market Square, Ludwigsburg
• Opening hours: daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At Ludwigsburg’s Christmas market you can experience a winter dream during Advent. Large angels with wings made of fairy lights hover above the lovingly decorated huts with glass windows: an absolute eye-catcher. At more than 140 stalls you can buy smoky figures from the Erzgebirge, nativity figures, glass baubles, slippers and much more.

Lubeck Christmas Market

• Date: 21 November to 23 December
• Address: St.-Marien-Kirchhof, Lübeck
• Opening: Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11.30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

From 21 November 2022, the entire city will be living the Christmas spirit. The stalls for the Advent market have stood in front of the historic town hall every year since 1648. In addition to the historic market in St. Mary’s churchyard with craftsmen, Lübeck also has the Christmas Wonderland, the arts and crafts market as well as the arts and crafts market in the Heiligen Geist Hospital and the arts and crafts market Lüb’sche Weihnacht.

Stuttgart Christmas Market

• Date: 23 November to 23 December
• Address: City centre, Stuttgart
• Opening: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Stuttgart Christmas market was first mentioned in a document in 1692, but its roots go back much further. It is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe. Typical souvenirs from Stuttgart’s Christmas market are nutcrackers in all shapes and colours. The prize for the most beautiful stand is awarded every year at Stuttgart’s Christmas market. The lovingly decorated stalls are definitely worth a visit.

Munich Christmas Market

• Date: 21 November to 24 December
• Address: Marienplatz and surrounding area, 80331 Munich
• Opening: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Christmas Eve (24 December) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It’s the city’s most traditional Christmas market: Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz. You’ll find lots of handicrafts at around 160 stalls on an area of 20,000 square metres. The stalls are decorated with fir trees and bright decorations. The highlight is the 30-metre-high Christmas tree in front of the town hall, which is decorated with 2,500 lights and will stand until 6 January 2023.

Leipzig Christmas Market

• Date: 22 November to 23 December
• Address: Markt, 04109 Leipzig
• Opening: Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 10pm, 22 November until 8pm, 23 December (Market Square only) until 8pm.

The most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany is unique: nowhere else in the world is there such a large Advent. It takes up an entire building façade, and every day a new, colourful and illuminated picture is revealed behind a small flap.

The Leipzig is one of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in Germany. It was first mentioned in 1458 and the organisers focus on nostalgia, for example with a historic tiered carousel. In addition, around 300 stalls are set up in the historic old town.

Christmas Market in Cologne: Market of Angels

• Date: 17 November to 23 December
• Address: Cologne Cathedral
• Opening: Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed 22 November, 23 December until 9 p.m.

The most atmospheric and cosy Christmas market in Cologne takes place on Neumarkt: the Market of Angels. The trees around the stalls hang full of glowing stars, and the wooden stalls are also decorated with warm lights.

Here you won’t find mulled wine stall after mulled wine stall, but there are also stalls with wooden carvings and other decorative ideas. And as the name suggests, there are women dressed as angels on the streets handing out goodies.

Coburg Christmas Market

• Date: 25 November to 23 December
• Address: Market Square, 96450 Coburg
• Opening: daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., food and drinks until 9.30 p.m.

Coburg’s romantic market square is transformed into a small Christmas town during Advent. The half-timbered houses between the historic town hall and the old ducal chancellery and the glittering illumination make it one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in Bavarian Franconia.

The entrance to Coburg’s Christmas market is formed by four glowing gates decorated with fir greenery. It gets romantic under the canopy of lights around the Prince Albert monument and at the open fireplace. Craftsmen and women from the region show their skills in the workshop. The 40 or so huts are decorated with lights, Christmas figures and fir greenery. A nostalgic children’s carousel nestles in the ambience.

Frankfurt Christmas Market

• Date: 21 November to 22 December
• Address: Römerberg, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
• Opening: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the banking district: the historic old town in Frankfurt am Main is a romantic setting all year round anyway. When the half-timbered houses around the Römerberg are illuminated for Christmas, it’s the perfect setting for the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany .

Christmas carousels, wooden stalls and local delicacies make the Christmas market in Frankfurt something special. It was first mentioned in 1393. Today, around three million visitors stroll along the approximately 200 stalls on Römerberg and in the alleyways every year.

Essen Christmas Market

• Date: 12 November to 23 December
• Address: Kardinal-Hengsbach-Platz, 45127 Essen
• Opening: Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 14 November from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., closed on 20 November

An international Christmas market is taking place in Essen. At more than 170 stalls you can buy Christmas gifts from 21 different countries. In addition to hand-carved nativity scenes and incense burners, there are, for example, sculptures from Africa, handicrafts from Russia and metal signs for USA fans.

Christmas Magic Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin

• Date: 21 November to 31 December
• Address: Bebelplatz at the Staatsoper, 10117 Berlin
• Admission: one euro; free admission for children under twelve and Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December)

Around 800,000 visitors are attracted to the Christmas Magic Gendarmenmarkt every year. But beware: because the square in Berlin-Mitte will be a construction site for two years, the Christmas market will take place from 2022 to 2024 on the nearby Bebelplatz near the State Opera.

Between the State Opera, the law faculty of Humboldt University and the Hotel de Rome, the stars at the top of the characteristic white-hooded stalls will compete with the large Christmas tree in the centre of the square. And if you can’t wait: The Winter World at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin has been open since 28 October – ice skating and toboggan runs as well as mulled wine and bratwurst tempt you there until 1 January 2023.

Sommerhausen Christmas Market

• Date: all four Advent weekends on Saturdays and Sundays (26 and 27 November, 3 and 4 December, 10 and 11 December, 17 and 18 December).
• Address: Historic old town, 97286 Sommerhausen
• Opening hours: from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day

On all four Advent weekends, the Lower Franconian town of Sommerhausen with its 1700 inhabitants is transformed into a special Christmas market – amidst the backdrop of the old town with its small alleys, towers, half-timbered houses and many artists.

Yards, barns and studios are transformed into stalls selling handicrafts and regional products. A few stalls, surrounded by the well-preserved fortified wall, complete the picture. Concerts in the church and theatre performances put visitors to the village in the right mood for the festive season.

Cranger Christmas Magic

• Date: 17 November to 30 December
• Address: Cranger Kirmesplatz, Herne
• Opening: Monday to Friday from 2pm to 9.45pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 9.45pm, Totensonntag 6pm to 9.45pm, 24 and 25 December closed.

The Cranger Weihnachtszauber in Herne into what the organisers claim is the largest Christmas theme market in Europe. Rides, an ice rink, a Christmas market and a Christmas fairytale forest await visitors on an area of 25,000 square metres. But that’s not enough of a spectacle: In the midst of the hustle and bustle stands the largest mobile Christmas tree in the world – 45 metres high, with two million LED lights and a restaurant inside.

Annaberg Christmas Market

• Date: 25 November to 23 December
• Address: Markt 1, 09456 Annaberg-Buchholz
• Opening: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Embedded in the backdrop of the historic old town of Annaberg-Buchholz with the largest late Gothic hall church in Saxony, a special Christmas market will also be set up in 2022: Pyramids, candle arches and Christmas trees will make the “whole town shine as a Christmas mountain”.

The centre is the Annaberg Christmas market with the market pyramid, the large Christmas tree, the Wichtelstadt with the colourful miniature workshops and the Christmas huts with their traditional offerings. The 80 or so stalls are built in typical Erzgebirge style, creating a special flair.

Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market

• Date: 22 November to 22 December
• Address: Markt 1, 73728 Esslingen Markt 1, 73728 Esslingen
• Opening: Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 9.30 p.m.

Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg as takes a trip back in time to the Middle Ages. At the Esslingen Medieval Market & Christmas Market, jugglers, sutlers, fire-eaters, storytellers and musicians will be out and about. Pewterers, stonemasons, blacksmiths, broom-makers and glassblowers celebrate old crafts from days gone by. The setting of the old town with its medieval half-timbered houses is ideal for this special Christmas market!

Bonus: Rostock Christmas Market

• Date: 21 November to 22 December
• Address: Markt 1, 18055 Rostock
• Opening: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9.30 p.m., Sunday from 11.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

The Christmas pyramid in Rostock is the largest in the world: with a height of 20 metres, three levels and life-size nativity figures, it is in the Guinness Book of Records! Visitors can also experience a lot else at the Christmas market in the Hanseatic city: The 40-metre-high Ferris wheel offers a view of the colourful sea of lights from above. The craftsmen’s corner is a great place for a relaxed stroll, and there’s bound to be a Christmas present or two for your loved ones.