A little Advent atmosphere has to be - and we like to go to crowded Christmas markets, as long as the Glühwein-, Bratwurst- and Gebrannte almond supply is right. But which are the most beautiful among the hundreds in Germany?
photo gallery
29 pictures
Christmas Markets: Tips for every stateWe provide here for each of the 16 federal states respectively
- one of the better known and larger Christmas markets, where you simply can not get past, at the same time it is the ones that attract mainly tourists from home and abroad,
- and one of the smaller markets with a special concept : underground, insular, queer or vegan.
Schleswig-Holstein
D. Jacobs / Grachtenweihnacht
Friedrichstädter Grachtenweihnacht
Lübeck Christmas Market: Anyone traveling in the Hanseatic city in the run-up to Christmas will find it hard to escape the smell of mulled wine. Christmas markets are not only around the town hall and the Marienkirche. Worth seeing are the arts and crafts market in the Holy Spirit Hospital, a Christmas wonderland for children at the European Hanseatic Museum and the Maritime Christmas Market on the Koberg. The latter is to pay tribute to the maritime tradition of the district of St. Jaboki. Incidentally, this year in the town hall courtyard there is a novelty: the home-made market. The focus is on regional and fairly traded products - such as mulled wine made from coffee cherries and marcade, a marzipan jam.
When? Most of the Christmas markets in Lübeck start on 25th November, the complete overview of all dates can be found here.
Christmas markets with Skandi-Mood: Schleswig-Holstein does not only represent a stiff breeze, but also for Nordic cosiness. A few streets in Flensburg will transform in the next few weeks thanks to Scandinavian-inspired huts in a "Christmas Hyggemeile". The Danish Glögg and a Julebasar are on the Friedrichstadt Grachtenweihnacht (29th November to 1st December 2019).
When? 25.11. until 31.12.2019 (Flensburg)
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Schleswig-Holstein.
MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN
Bernd Wüstneck / picture alliance / DPA
Rostock Christmas Market
Rostock Christmas Market: Bigger things are not possible in the state in the north - after all, 250 stalls and rides rotate on the three kilometers between the New Market and Fischer Bastion. The traders come here from Finland, Latvia and Poland. In the Giant Ferris Wheel up to a height of 36 meters you gain an overview of the Advent activities in the Hanseatic city.
When? 25.11. until 22.11.2019
Island hopping with a frying pan air: On the Baltic Sea islands and half islands of Usedom, Rügen and Fischland-Darß-Zingst, the markets are rather tiny and cozy. Their location in front of seaside architecture, the sea and near piers make them special. Those holidaymakers who enjoy the stiff breeze on the beaches can warm their fingers on hot cocoa, mulled wine and coffee beakers.
Here you will find all information about this and other Christmas markets in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
HAMBURG
Daniel Bockwoldt / DPA
Christmas market at the Hamburg Rathausmarkt
Historic Christmas Market at the Rathausmarkt: Where tourists, stockbrokers and Senate politicians stroll along for most of the year, it gets crowded in the weeks before Christmas Eve: at the Hamburg Rathausmarkt. In the lanes of the Christmas village, the office workers of the inner city and the rest of the city moving through the weekend - at a total of around three million per season - are jostling after work. Over the past few years, a sleigh with Santa Claus and reindeer roared over their heads. Only this year, a construction site is preventing the spectacle.
When? 25.11. until 23.12.2019
Winter Pride in St. Georg: Hamburg's only queer Christmas market in St. Georg, close to the main train station, places great emphasis on good music. Instead of "O you happy" and a lot of Klingeling there are in the trendy district of Pop to hit, from indie to electro "great music", as the organizers announce. DJ Sunshine and Pauli hang up on Fridays, Funky Flow on the first Saturday. Groups and associations of the community are available at the taps of the huts and also for talks, including the Aids Help Hamburg, the men's choir Schoola Cantorosa and the JungLesben * center.
When ? 25.11. until 30.12.2019
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Hamburg.
LOWER SAXONY
Emden Marketing & Tourism
Emder Engelkemarkt
Brunswick Christmas Market: Water no longer leads the moat of Dankwarderode Castle. But in the sink are now four so-called rafts anchored, outdoor separés, in which small groups a little off the market can hermachen on the market. But why turn away from the hustle and bustle around the Cathedral of St. Blasii? Here, 150 artisans and showmen offer wooden toys, jewelery, fur products and Advent decorations. At many events, brass and choirs provide atmosphere - and festive organ concerts take place in the cathedral church.
When? 27. 11. until 29.12.2019
Emden Engelkemarkt: Festively lit museum ships and traditional sailing ships are located in the inner harbor of Emden - a maritime destination for anyone visiting the East Frisian town during the Advent season. Krimilesungen take place on board, in addition there is Feuerzangenbowle. Tip: Sinterklaas, the Dutch Nicholas, will arrive at the port gate on November 30 at 2 pm. On a horse he will then ride through the streets and distribute sweets.
When? 25.11. until 23.12. and from 27 to 31.12.2019
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Lower Saxony.
BREMEN
imago images / High Two Stock / Angerer
Schlachte-Zauber am Weserufer
Schlachte-Zauber: In addition to the Christmas market in front of the town hall, to which 2.9 million visitors annually make a pilgrimage, the stalls along the Weser promenade are the most popular in the Hanseatic city (after all, 1.2 million). The slaughtering spell has nothing to do with slaughterhouse: "slagte" refers to the breaking in of piles that secure the shore. In the medieval part, blacksmiths, felters and tanners work in historical robes, and in the dark torches are lit.
When? 25.11. until 23.12.2019
Findorff winter village: The smaller Bremer market really is contrast to a slaughterhouse, now a cultural center, and away from the downtown hustle. Much value is placed in the self-built wooden huts on Fairtrade products and vegan food. The winter village will take place for the second time this year and wants to be "comfortable".
When? Mid-November to early January
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Bremen.
BRANDENBURG
Andreas Frank / picture alliance
Christmas market in the harbor of Lübbenau
Christmas market hopping in Potsdam: One can still go - the Brandenburg capital invites you to a market marathon on the first two Advent weekends. The plans include the Polish Star Market on the New Market Square, the Bohemian Christmas Market in the historic Weaver Quarter in Babelsberg, the Sinterklaas Market and the Advent Garden in the Russian colony of Alexandrovka. Every market has its culinary focus - so come on hungry!
Wan n? All dates can be found here.
Spreewald Christmas: Settling comfortably over the canals of the Spreewald Forest is not just a summer treat. Although it can be cold, foggy and certainly quite dark - but that may make the charm of such a wintry ride, blankets on board and grog after the trip should help against the freezing. What is so special about the Spreewald Christmas: The boats swing back and forth between the Freilandmuseum Lehde and the Great Harbor Lübbenau and thus between two Christmas markets. Anyone who has not heard anything about the culture of the Sorbs will learn more about their language and traditions, for example in the Spintestube or in the Kahnbauwerkstatt.
When? On the 1st and 2nd Advent weekend. Tickets from 7 to 30 euros.
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Brandenburg
BERLIN
Robert Schlesinger / DPA
Christmas magic on the Gendarmenmarkt
Christmas Magic Gendarmenmarkt: It is not Berlin's largest Christmas market - this is the one in Spandau - but its location on the Gendarmenmarkt in Mitte is in Urbilliner: amid the baroque and neoclassical ensemble of German Cathedral, French Cathedral and Schinkel concert hall, which are lit by a thousand lights , More than 600,000 people visit the 150 stands each year - half of them at least capital city dwellers.
When? 25.11. until 31.12.2019
International Advent Markets : As the German capital, Berlin is multicultural - also in terms of Advent markets. What could be more natural than being inspired by international events and taking a little trip to other Christmas traditions? For example, on the 24th of November, the Irish are serving Lamb with Colcannon at Finnegan's Irish Pub in Steglitz for Hot Whiskey. On the first weekend of Advent there are Smørrebrød and Glögg in the yard of the Danish Christianskirken. On the second Advent, the Carol Singers perform at the English Christmas Market at St. George's Church in the Westend. The Norwegian Sjømanskirken community also organizes their own little Julebasar on December 7th and 8th - with reindeer ragout and fish boulettes. All these markets may not be big, they are always a change from the mulled wine and sausage combo.
When? All dates and information about these as well as all around 70 Christmas markets in Berlin here.
SAXONY-ANHALT
Jens Kalaene / DPA
Magdeburg Christmas Market
Magdeburg Christmas Market: 38 meters high is the Ferris wheel, and who sits in one of the gondolas, has the sea of lights well in view: in the state capital of Magdeburg, the largest Christmas market of Saxony-Anhalt takes place. The smell of mulled wine and Rostbratwurst - the Lemsdorfer Lümmel - lies in the Advent season over the city center. Also for children there is a lot of program, such as a fairy tale alley, crafts in the craft house - and the Santa Claus apartment. It is 18 square meters in size and consists of an old GDR container, which was covered with cedar wood and then painted red. Ring - and off to the fireplace!
When? 25.11. until 30.12.2019
Naumburg Christmas Market: Everyone can serve sweet hot wine. But the Naumburgers have a higher claim to the Advent season in their city. They complement their small cozy Christmas market with a few special experiences. On the 30th of November and the 1st of December they organize under the title "Christmas in the yards" an event that revolves around, among other things, the craftsmanship and in which interested people are allowed to work. "We have been inviting for many years to such works that always remind us of the old crafts," says Jessica Buchwald, who is responsible for museum education at the Vereinigte Domstifter. According to organizers are 26 "lovingly decorated courtyards with delicacies, precious and art to marvel at and give away" - from ceramics to paper mache to knitwear and jewelry.
When? 25.11. until 22/12/2019
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Saxony-Anhalt.
NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA
S. Ziese / Blickwinkel / Imago images
Christmas market in front of Aachen Cathedral
Aachen Christmas Market: With 1.5 million visitors per year, it is one of the largest Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its good reputation extends beyond Germany's borders, as shown by the international public: According to NRW tourism, many guests come from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and England. Of course, none of them goes home without having at least a snack in Aachen, the Advent biscuits that taste so delicious honey, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. The location of the Christmas market is particularly beautiful - with a view of the town hall and the Aachen Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When? 11.22. until 23.12.2019
"Anis & Zauber" in Duisburg: They are available from Aschaffenburg to Wuppertal: Christmas markets without animal products. Mostly they take place on one or at most two days. In Duisburg, however, a vegan winter market was opened this week, which runs until the end of December - Germany's probably only several weeks market of this kind. Around the square on the Münzstraße, in the middle of the old town, traders in their huts "artistic and cultural delicacies "offer - everything purely vegetable understands itself. You can buy fig salami instead of bratwurst, vegan beer and honey, honey without bee participation. Also: arts and crafts, body oils and secondhand fashion. Last year, Anis & Zauber celebrated its premiere. The fact that the winter market has a continuation speaks for itself.
When? 11.21. until 30.12. Of 2019.
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in North Rhine-Westphalia.
HESSE
Verena Scholze / imago images
Erbach Castle Christmas
Frankfurt Christmas Market: The Hessians are particularly proud of their stalls in downtown Frankfurt, which are built from the Römerberg to the Main, with the skyscrapers of Mainhattan in the background. Hessen's largest Christmas market is even recreated every year in Birmingham, among other places. It is also impressive when the bells ring 50 bells from ten churches at once - which is the case on 30 November and 24 December.
When? 25.11. until 22/12/2019
Castle Christmas in Erbach: In the South Hessian Odenwald is celebrated grafenlich. In the middle of the county town of Ehrbach there are about 60 stalls between the neo-baroque residential castle, town hall, town church and half-timbered houses. A splendid backdrop for the Lichtengel, for example, who move about the market on stilts. Every Advent weekend is played on the castle grounds: sometimes it is Alphorn, sometimes pan flute and sometimes the Trachtenkapelle. The Ehrbacher Schloss and its festive-traditional market stands for the many castles and palaces in Hesse - also the castles Schwarzenfels, Ronneburg and Ludwingstein and the castles Berlepsch, Bad Homburg or Kronberg are atmospheric holiday destinations before Christmas, but often only for an Advent weekend.
When? On the four Advent weekends.
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Hesse.
THURINGIA
Andreas Weise / factum / Thuringian Tourism
Christmas market in Erfurt
Erfurt Christmas Market: Traditionally, it goes to between Cathedral Square, the fish market and Anger, when the market vendors open their stalls. Visitors can watch a glassblower making Christmas decorations. Or stock up on Erfurter Schittchen, that's the name of the Thuringian Stollen. The smallest ones should also learn to bake here - in the eco-friendly children's bakery. "While the cookies start to smell in the oven, there is something worth knowing about organic farming in Thuringia," they say. "Where does the grain grow and what makes the organic farmer different Why is wholegrain so healthy?" Nutrition education instead of just "jingle bells" and candy canes - a nice idea. (Read tips for a city trip to Erfurt.)
When? 26.11. until 22/12/2019
Bauhaus Christmas Market in Weimar: You love minimalist design and can not do anything with the nutcracker dumplings of traditional Christmas markets? Then an event at the University of Weimar might be right for you. Under the motto "buy yourself a piece of Bauhaus" there will be a design bazaar on the third Sunday of Advent. "Purchase Christmas and gifts that no one else has!", Write the organizers. Last year there were calendars by talented illustrators to buy, as well as puristic fir tree decorations, tealights, cups and plant pots made of ceramics and stoneware. Gingerbread houses were also designed - of course in the Bauhaus style.
The influential school of thought celebrated its centenary in 2019. With exhibitions and numerous events, the anniversary year was celebrated in many cities.
When? 14.12.2019, 10am to 6pm
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Thuringia.
SAXONY
Sebastian Kahnert / DPA
Dresdner Striezelmarkt
Strietzelmarkt in Dresden: Just under three kilometers long is the fairy lights that sparkle on the Christmas tree - equipped with 16,200 LEDs. Dresden lets it crash when on November 27 one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets opens. At the 585th edition, more than 230 booths will compete for customers. Smokers, Schwibbögen, Moravian Advent stars and pyramids from the Erzgebirge want to be brought among the people. Oh yes, there should be studs too.
When? 27.11. until 24.12.2019
Radebeul Christmas Market : Things are a bit more contemplative in Altkötzschenbroda, which is 12 kilometers away. Industrially produced standardized wines are here in vain, the organizers promise. Instead, winemakers from the region prepared white and red mulled wines according to in-house recipes. There's also a cultural program: In the Puppenschaubude there are fairytale jigsaw puzzles, in the tent theater "Rumpelstilzchen" and on the village green "Frau Holle loses control". Nice idea: the light path leading to the nativity scene. An artist introduces celebrations from all over the world in twelve lanterns - "a place of peace and contemplation in the midst of the colorful market," they say. You can "send your thoughts on the move, dream daydreams, enjoy the silence".
When? 29.11. to 1.12., 6. to 8.12. and 13. to 15.12.2019
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Saxony.
Rhineland-Palatinate
Dominik Ketz / Rhineland-Palatinate Tourism
Underground Mosel Wine Night Market
Christmas market in Mainz: Life-size nativity scenes stand in the eleven-meter high Christmas pyramid, and on the roof of a nine meter high music box, 18 hand-carved angel figures make their rounds. On the Christmas market of the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital it pays to stop and have a look. The details can be easily overlooked in the immense program that spreads across the cathedral squares, including gospel concerts, fairy tales, clown theaters and artist workshops.
When? 28.11. until 23.12.2019
Mosel-Wein-Nachts-Markt: Shopping without daylight - this event is on offer in the historical underworld of Traben-Trarbach. This is probably the only underground Christmas market in Germany. Venues are interconnected wine cellars and vaults from the 16th century, in which exhibitors from Mosel, Eifel, Hunsrück and Rhine present their goods. You can buy culinary specialties, jewelery, fashion and, of course, wine.
When? On the weekends between 22.11.2019 and 1.1.2020
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Saarland
Becker & Bredel / imago images
Christmas and medieval market in St. Wendel
Saarbrücken Christkindl market : curling, magic show and a digital advent calendar: There is no shortage of attractions around the St. Johanner market. One of the program highlights of Saarland's biggest Christmas market is Santa Claus, who flies over the market by cable car on his sleigh.
When? 30.11. until 23.12.2019
Christmas market Sankt Wendel: History to touch is the motto of this Christmas market in the north-east of Saarbrücken located Sankt Wendel. According to the organizer, there are medieval appearances "with dragons, buffoons and dancing fire-men" and the wise men from the East come with their camels. Visitors can practice felting, forging, turning and basket weaving, or "prove their skill in rope pulling, javelin throwing and archery". Other highlights include a toboggan run with real alpine snow, a dwarf forest and the large nativity scene exhibition.
When? 7 to 15.12.2019
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in the Saarland.
BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG
picture alliance / imageBROKER
Christmas market in the Ravenna gorge
Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt: The title of one of the oldest, largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, the Stuttgart declare for themselves: About 280 stalls line the streets in the center. Since last year, the "highlights" are flashing: up to six meters high light installations symbolizing the sights of the city. A glowing giant elephant, for example, draws attention to the Wilhelma Zoo.
When? 27. 11. to 23. 12.2019
Christmas market in the Ravenna gorge: In the middle of the Black Forest, the spectacular railway viaduct of the Höllentalbahn spans the Ravenna gorge. During Advent, only about 40 wooden huts crowd under the brightly lit 40-meter-high bridge. Alone the scenery is worth the visit and - if the winter should spend a sunny day - also a three-kilometer hike from Hinterzarten. You can buy wood like Zwitscherkäschtli (Schnapshäuschen) and Wichtel, Wollenes and Punschiges.
When? On the four Advent weekends. Admission: from 3 to 4.50 euros.
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Baden-Württemberg.
BAVARIA
Matthias Schrader / DPA
Christmas market on the Fraueninsel in the Chiemsee
Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Especially for Asian tourists, the city is considered to be the German Christmas city par excellence - even in the summer Käthe Wohlfahrt invites you to buy tree decorations and roast angels. Before Christmas Eve, one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany - after all over 500 years old - rides up again, and the medieval backdrop of the old town once more exudes its charm. The figure of the rider opens the event.
When? 30.11. until 23.12.2019
Christkindlmarkt on the Fraueninsel: The visit of the Christmas market wants to be well planned, only with the ship you can reach the island in the Chiemsee and about 90 adventurous stalls. Even the alpacas, which submit to their fate in the petting zoo, must have made a journey across the Bavarian Sea. Whether animal or mulled wine glass holder - on the car-free island nobody is harassed in front of the monastery Frauenwörth street noise. Children can listen to stories at the fairy tale fire, and concerts are held in Inselmünster.
When? 1st and 2nd Advent weekend
Here you will find even more Christmas markets in Bavaria.