Germany's best Christmas Markets

The Christkindlesmarkt of Nuremberg dates back to 1628 and was first mentioned in writing as "Kindles-Marck". It is one of Germany’s oldest and also most famous Christmas markets. The market is held in the city’s largest square (Hauptmarkt) and offers handcrafted goods and various culinary treats such as the famous Nürnberger Rostbratwurst (extra small sausage) or the Nürnberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread).

Good to know: Only one hour drive from Nuremberg, you’ll find the two immaculately-preserved medieval Bavarian towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl. Both towns are magical all year round with their imposing town walls, steep-roofed gable houses and cobbled streets. They become even more magical during Christmas time. What are you waiting for?

The Frankfurt Christmas market dates back to 1393 and is spread across the Römerberg square, which is surrounded by traditional half-timbered houses. In the past, the Christkindchesmarkt was open only to Frankfurt residents. The best down-to-earth handicrafts were offered, along with toys, sweets and Christmas gifts. Toys were mainly simple wooden balls, cloth dolls and wooden stick and rocking horses. Up until 1880, it was common for Frankfurt parents to buy toys for their children exclusively at the Christmas market.

Now the market is especially famous for its local culinary treats such as hot apple wine and Bethmännchen (traditional marzipan and almond biscuits). Over 200 festively decorated stalls sell handcrafted products and holiday gifts. A giant Christmas tree and choirs singing heavenly carols add to the atmosphere of the festive season and of course, the big Christmas tree will be in front of the Römer again this year.

Surely there is not a city in Germany with such a variety of Christmas Markets as Hamburg. You can visit the historic Christmas market located in front of Hamburg’s stunning town hall with artful handicrafts and culinary specialties. Did you know that there are many great Christmas markets in Hamburg to choose from? The Wandsbeker Winterzauber (starting already from 4th November) for example and many more in Eimsbüttel, St. Petri, Eppendorf, HafenCity, Jungfernstieg and Bergedorf.

However if you are looking for more of an unconventional holiday market experience, why don’t you pay a visit to Santa Pauli, located on Hamburg’s famous Reeperbahn, or Winter Pride, the LGBTQ community’s Christmas market? The Winter Pride in Hamburg-St.Georg is unbiased and is the largest gay and lesbian Christmas market in Northern Germany.

Martin Luther himself once said that Erfurt is "in the ideal location… the perfect place for a city". About two hours by train from Frankfurt, all of Erfurt’s well-preserved medieval city center turns into a Christmas wonder land, attracting two million visitors yearly. The entire city center is aglow with lights and Christmas melodies and the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread fills the air.

Did you know that the Christmas market in Erfurt was voted one of the top 5 most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe in 2019? In Germany the market is even in first place! More than 200 vendors offer their holiday goods and delicious treats throughout the old town. Stroll over cobble stone streets and enjoy local favorites such as the Thuringian Bratwurst or the Erfurt Schnittchen (a Stollen like cake). Discover glass ornaments and other handcrafted products from vendors all over Germany at this beautiful traditional Christmas market.

We believe you will have a great experience in the Christmas city of Dresden - from the old town to the festively decorated winery and centuries-old craft traditions which delight people everywhere in Dresden and the Elbland.

If you are a big fan of traditional Stollen cake (rich dried fruit and marzipan enhanced cake), then the Dresden Striezelmarkt is the right place to be. Millions of guests come here every year. The holiday market of this wonderfully rebuilt city dates back to 1434, making it one of the oldest in existence. It boasts the world’s tallest Nutcracker and the tallest Christmas pyramid.

The highlight is the Stollen Festival on the second Saturday in Advent. A giant Stollen will be paraded through the streets, cut and distributed among the crowd for a small token (the proceeds will go to charity).

A true Christmas experience awaits you in Cologne. A huge Christmas tree is set up in the middle of the Roncalli square which is more than 25 meters high. Next to it, the illuminated tents glow with over 70,000 LEDs. The “Am Dom” Christmas market has the most stunning backdrop of all German Christmas markets, since it is located directly in front of the Cologne Cathedral.

Is that all? Of course not. Cologne offers so many unique Christmas markets to discover so be enchanted by: the Market of the Heinzel in the Old Town on the town hall square with its ice skating rink and ferris wheel, the Market of Angels on Neumarkt, the Harbour Christmas Market, the Christmas Market on Rudolfplatz with the Santa Claus Village with very cozy half-timbered houses next to buildings from the middle ages, the trendy Christmas Market in Stadtgarten, the Advent Market on Chlodwigplatz, Glühwein im Veedel, the smallest Christmas Market in the city, and the Heavenue Gay Christmas Market. Here is the chance to add one more holiday market to your list of favourite Christmas markets.