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Perhaps there may be a market near you, if not, start planning to visit one of these exquisite German Christmas Markets next year
Nuremberg Christmas Market
Germany’s most famous and largest Christmas markets are sometimes also the oldest.
Traditionally, the ‘Christkind’ (in English Christ Child) opens the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt with a prologue from the gallery of the Frauenkirche. If you miss the Christ Child at the opening, you can also meet him on the other days at the market and chat with him or take a selfie.
There is also a lot on offer culturally and culinary-wise, such as Franconian arts and crafts, the famous Nuremberg gingerbread and the Nuremberg Rostbratwurst. There is a children’s play area with a traditional tiered carousel and lots of hands-on activities where children can bake biscuits or make candles. The Christmas market stalls run through the old town of Nuremberg and are within easy walking distance of the train station.
Opening hours of the Nuremberg Christmas Market:
29.11.2024 – 24.12.2024
Daily from 10 am – 9 pm
Striezel Christmas Market in Dresden
Since 1434, Striezel Christmas Market in Dresden is recognised as the oldest Christmas market in Germany.
This is where lovers of traditional Christmas decorations get their money’s worth. Wooden art from the Erzgebirge, blueprint and pottery from Lusatia, gingerbread from Pulsnitz and the famous original Dresden Christstollen are just some of the specialities that one can expect at this Christmas market.
The highlight of this market is the world’s largest Erzgebirge step pyramid at 14.62 meters high. Dresden also considers their young visitors. There is a huge fairytale castle in the shape of an Advent calendar with over 100 figures and a children’s adventure world with themed houses. There are also several Christmas concerts in the Church of the Cross, and Church of Our Lady, as well as many other small Christmas markets in picturesque places in the Old Town and around Dresden.
Opening hours of the Striezel Christmas Market:
27.11.2024 – 24.12.2024
Daily from 10 a.m. — 9 p.m
Leipzig Christmas Market
The Christmas market in Leipzig is considered the second oldest Christmas market in Germany. This market first opened in 1458 and to this day, it blends harmoniously into the beautiful historic setting of Leipzig’s Old Town. The traditional part of the Christmas market is located on the square opposite the old town hall. There is a 20-metre-high Christmas tree and market stage with the Christmas programme.
This market houses the world’s largest free-standing Advent calendar of 857 square meters. Here you can find many traditional wooden Christmas decorations, the famous incense smokers from the Erzgebirge and other handicrafts. There is also a lot to do for children in this market.
The fairytale forest, the Ferris wheel, the multi-storey carousel, a consultation hour with Father Christmas, and the arrival of Father Christmas with the steam locomotive at the main station are unforgettable experiences for the little ones. This market also caters foodies with over 100 Christmas delicacies.
Opening hours of the Leipzig Christmas Market:
26.11.2024 – 23.12.2024
Sunday – Thursday 10 am – 9 pm
Friday and Saturday 10 am – 10 pm
Lindau Harbour Christmas
Lindau’s Christmas market is romantically situated, right on the shores of Lake Constance. With the Swiss Alps in the background, Lindauer Hafenweihnacht is one of Germany’s most beautiful Christmas markets. The beautifully decorated wooden stalls wind along the lakeside promenade and offer handicrafts, traditional Christmas decorations and many delicacies from the region. Every year, a fairytale forest is set up for children, where fairytale hours shorten the time until the festivities. In addition, the festively decorated Christmas ship travels between Lindau and Bregenz with a nativity scene exhibition on board. It connects the Lindau Harbour Christmas with the Christmas markets in Bregrenz.
Opening hours of the Lindau Christmas Market
28.11.2024 – 22.12.2024
Thursday – Sunday from 11 am – 9 pm
Frankfurt Christmas Market
Frankfurt’s Christmas market is beautifully situated in front of the picturesque half-timbered houses of the Römerberg and the Paulskirche right up to the banks of the Main. Germany’s largest Christmas tree, festively decorated, is an eye-catcher at the Christmas market. Traditional and modern handicrafts made of every imaginable material are on offer here. High-quality earthenware is particularly popular.
Culinary specialities here include the plum and nut sausage, the Frankfurt wreath liqueur, the Christmas market coffee with speculoos aroma, and not forgetting the warm apple wine.
Opening hours of Frankfurt Christmas Market
25.11.2024 – 22.12.2024
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday 11 – 21 h
Romantic Christmas Market at Kronburg Castle
A dream castle in Christmas splendour, that’s how Kronburg Castle presents itself as early as mid-November. Traditionally, this Christmas market is one of the first to be held and is the perfect way to get in the mood for the Advent season.
In the castle courtyard, various artisans present their products; you can even look over the shoulders of some of them as they work. Some exhibitions are located in the castle’s vaulted cellars. There is also a special nativity scene exhibition in the baroque chapel.
Opening hours of the Kronburg Castle Christmas Market
15. – 17. November & 22. – 24. November
Fridays from 15:00–17:00
Saturdays from 11:00–20:00
Sundays from 11:00–20:00
Admission:
Adults 4,50 Euro
Children under 14 years have free admission
Romantic Advent Market in Füssen
The Christmas market in Füssen takes place annually in the courtyard of the former Benedictine monastery of St. Mang. Decorated with sleighs, Christmas trees and market huts, the courtyard is transformed into a Christmas land of lights. Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of the medieval old town with its baroque facades.
The Harmoniemusik Füssen and other regional musicians, a large trombone choir and various choirs perform on Saturdays at the Advent market to put you in the Christmas spirit.
A basket weaver and a wood carver allow you to look on as they work. For children, a knee puppeteer performs little plays and Christmas baking. St. Nicholas visits the children at the market on the 4th of December.
On the 11th of December at 18.00, it is the traditional highlight of the Christmas market with the Christmas tree auction.
Opening hours of the Füssen Christmas Market
6.12.2024 – 8.12.2024
Friday 17 – 20 h
Saturday and Sunday, 11 am – 8 pm
13.12.2023 -15.12.2023
Friday 2 pm – 8 pm
Saturday 11 am — 8 pm.
Sunday 11 am – 7 pm
Related articles from other travel bloggers:
If you would also like to read other travel bloggers’ views on German Christmas markets, we suggest you check out Krista’s travel page called Kristatheexplorer. She wrote an interesting blog article titled “What to eat at the Christmas markets in Frankfurt and Mainz”
We hope we have been able to give you a little insight into the world of the countless German Christmas markets.
Please leave a comment about your favourite German Christmas market below.
We wish you all a wonderful Christmas season.
Your Travel Buddies
Bernie and Petra xx
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Your travel buddies, Bernie and Petra
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[…] you are going to one of the beautiful Christmas markets there or want to see the country when it’s not so crowded, I’ve got […]