Christmas Markets in Germany 2026: Dates by City

Cathedral Market, Neumarkt and the Harbour

Our experience: We saw the cathedral market by day and again at night, and the night visit is the one that counts, even though some stalls had long queues. On Neumarkt we ate salmon cooked in front of an open flame.Watch in the video · 19:15 

Official page: koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com 

Striezelmarkt, Neumarkt and Augustusmarkt

Our experience: We came from Prague by FlixBus for the day and spent 5 to 6 hours on that one square. We rode the Ferris wheel and tried a wood-fired trdelník and Mandelstollen. It took first place in our best Christmas markets in Europe  ranking.Watch in the video · 6:09 

Official page: striezelmarkt.dresden.de 

Altstadt, Burgplatz and Königsallee

Our experience: This was our base for four nights. We started at Marktplatz before dark, then walked Burgplatz and the river on the way to Königsallee. Artificial snow was falling over Königsallee, and that is where we bought a chimney cake.Watch in the video · 19:28 

Official page: visitduesseldorf.de 

Rathausplatz and the Old Town

Our experience: We flew into Basel in December and saw Freiburg in a single day. The streets were full of lights, and small stalls sold handmade ornaments, wooden toys and wool scarves.

Official page: weihnachtsmarkt.freiburg.de 

the Giant Christmas Tree on Hansaplatz

Our experience: We came by train from Düsseldorf for the day and arrived in daylight, so the tree was dark. We tried a chimney cake, Schneeballen and flame-grilled salmon.Watch in the video · 10:18 

Official page: weihnachtsstadt-do.de 

Kennedyplatz and the Giant Crown of Lights

Our experience: Small markets began as soon as we left the station, and the big one on the main square made us very happy. Under the crown of lights we ate potato fritters with apple sauce.Watch in the video · 4:51 

Official page: visitessen.de 

Nuremberg's Hauptmarkt turns into the Christkindlesmarkt on 27 November and keeps its stalls until 24 December. Expect handmade ornaments and gingerbread in the wooden booths; the opening ceremony starts at 5.30pm.

Official page: christkindlesmarkt.de 

The market on Marienplatz is regarded as Munich's oldest, with records going back to the 1600s. Its season starts on 20 November, pauses on 22 November and closes early on 24 December.

Official page: christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de 

Six locations share this market: Römerberg, Paulsplatz, Mainkai, Hauptwache, Roßmarkt and Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz. It opens on 23 November at the Römerberg stage and ends on 22 December.

Official page: visitfrankfurt.travel 

On Gendarmenmarkt the WeihnachtsZauber starts on 23 November and lasts through New Year's Eve. The gate charges 2 euros, with free entry on weekdays from 11am to 2pm outside the holidays and for children under 12.

Official page: weihnachtsmarkt-berlin.de 

Rothenburg's Reiterlesmarkt fills the walled old town between the town hall and St. Jakob church, with 22 November as its one day off. The town's official page calls it one of Germany's most attractive Christmas markets.

Official page: rothenburg.de 

Heidelberg's stalls stretch from Bismarckplatz through the Anatomiegarten and Universitätsplatz in the old town. Dates are 23 November to 22 December, with the ice rink staying until 6 January 2027.

Official page: heidelberg-marketing.de 

First recorded in 1692, this market opens with a ceremony in the Altes Schloss courtyard at 6pm on 25 November. Its site lists it among Europe's oldest, and the last day is 23 December.

Official page: stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de 

For more than 20 years the historic market on Hamburg's Rathausmarkt has brought old crafts and themed lanes to the city centre. Stalls open daily 11am to 9pm from 23 November to 23 December.

Official page: hamburger-weihnachtsmarkt.com 

For more than 50 years the old town around the cathedral and town hall has turned into a Christmas village. Open daily 11am to 9pm from 20 November to 23 December; on 22 November only 6pm to 9pm, and until 8pm on the last day.

Official page: aachenweihnachtsmarkt.de 

The city's Christkindlmarkt fills Neupfarrplatz from 23 November to 23 December, according to the city's own page. That page lists no opening hours yet, so check it again before you plan an evening.

Official page: regensburg.de 

The region's tourism site counts about 300 stalls across the inner city from 24 November to 23 December. Opening day starts at 2pm, and the ceremony is at 5pm on Marktplatz.

Official page: leipzig.travel