German Christmas Markets
2025

Here you will find some interesting facts about German Christmas markets. Traditionally, these family-friendly markets are held from the end of November until Christmas Eve.

In 2025, the festive season with Germany’s highly popular Christmas markets has already begun! Stores are fully stocked with Christmas gifts, decorations and delicacies.

Read on to learn how families enjoy the festive season at the various Christmas markets in Germany, and discover some interesting insights into this beloved Christmas tradition in Germany.

Christmas Markets in Germany

German Christmas markets are a long-standing tradition and a highlight of the country’s festive calendar. People from all around the world dream of experiencing these magical festive markets in Europe.

These festive markets in Germany offer a wonderful way to embrace the Christmas spirit, mix and mingle with the locals and indulge in typical German Christmas treats. U will also enjoy browsing for unique little gifts for friends and family, as well as taking part in the many fun family activities that accompany the markets.

German Christmas market stall and mother with two children

German Christmas Markets offer many wonderful treats

There are free carol concerts and meet-ups with Santa and musical performances are held during the weeks of the Christmas markets in many towns and cities across the country.

Many families love visiting their local festive markets in the afternoons and evenings, and some even venture to nearby towns to experience the unique and wonderful Christmas atmosphere that each market offers.

Festive Christmas atmosphere in Hamburg

At typical Christmas markets, you will find dozens of stalls selling traditional handmade arts and crafts such as glass baubles, carved nativity scenes, jewellery, wooden toys, knitwear, pottery, and ceramics. There are also plenty of food stalls offering traditional German Christmas treats such as Lebkuchen (gingerbread), roasted sweet almonds and Maroni (roasted chestnuts), as well as hearty favourites such as Bratwurst (sausage), Flammkuchen (flatbread) and, of course, hot tea or Glühwein (mulled wine or spiced red wine, usually non-alcoholic versions are available too!).

Family with two children holding maroni chestnuts at christmas market - image by shutterstock

Hot "Maroni" (Chestnuts) at a German Christmas Markets

German Christmas markets are usually held throughout the month of December and last until 23 December, the day before Christmas Eve. Some Christmas fairs extend their activities into early January, while others open their stalls as early as the week before the first Sunday of Advent.

And just so you know: German Christmas markets are usually referred to as Weihnachtsmarkt or Christkindlmarkt in German.

10 Wonderful Festive Markets in Germany

German Christmas Markets:
Hamburg

1. Hamburg: During the month leading up to Christmas, the northern German city of Hamburg hosts around thirty Christmas markets. The largest market takes places around the City Hall, at the Rathausmarkt Square. There is even a flying Santa who appears at this main Christmas market!

Hamburg is also known for its festive Christmas parades. Every Saturday afternoon during the festive season, these parades take place and alight the festive spirit in the city. They take place in 2025 on these dates: 29 November, 6 and 13 and 20 December 2025. Then dancing angels and cheerful Santas, magical elves and playful reindeer spread Christmas cheer amongst the visitors.

Christmas Parade in Hamburg

In Hamburg, you should also make time to visit the largest model train set in the world, located in the Speicherstadt district, where there is also a charming Christmas market. And don’t miss the chance to admire Hamburg's splendid Alster River setting from the viewing platform of the city’s landmark, St. Michael’s Church. This Hamburg landmark is also known as the "Michel." From the 132 m/ 433 ft high viewing platform, you can enjoy sweeping views of the bustling city harbour, and the twinkling Christmas lights create a truly magical atmosphere.

More info on the Hamburg Christmas parades here.

German Christmas Markets in Berlin

2. Berlin: The capital city of Germany is famous for the Weihnachtsmarkt in the historic city centre around the capital's opera house. Most of the Christmas markets in Berlin take place from 24 November until 23 December - and some of the city markets are even trading until 31 December 2025.

Christmas market in Berlin

In Berlin, you will have the tough choice of over 70 festive markets held throughout Germany’s largest city during the festive season. There is even a Japanese Christmas market and a Scandinavian Christmas market!

Some of the most popular markets are the Historic Market at the Gendarmenmarkt, the Advent Eco Market at Kollwitzplatz or the Medieval Market at the Rotes Rathaus. This market previously featured a 50 m/ 154 ft high Ferris wheel and is usually open until early January.

Berlin Christmas fair and ferris wheel - image by visitBerlin/DagmarSchwelle

Ferris Wheel at the Berlin Christmas fair

Find out which Christmas market in Berlin will best suit your interest - click here!

German Christmas Markets
Munich | München

3. Munich/ München: The Munich Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) in front of the neo-Gothic City Hall at Marienplatz is a firm family favourite. It is the oldest Christmas market in the city and dates back to the 14th century!

The Munich Christmas market takes place from 24 November to 24 December in 2025.

München Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz with old town hall

Every afternoon, you can listen to Bavarian folk music, singers and wind players performing Christmas tunes. St. Nicholas, who is always quickly surrounded by children, attends the market in the afternoons as well.

From Marienplatz, it is only a short two-minute walk to nearby Saint Peter’s Church and Rindermarkt - just follow the little stars along the pathway. In the city palace, "Residenz" there is a Christmas Village, and at Rindermarkt, you can admire Germany's largest biggest historic nativity market.

Christmas pyramid at Rindermarkt

Some market stalls are entirely dedicated to nativity figurines, stalls and mangers of all sizes and materials. On 14 December 2025, a special attraction takes place: around 20 truly scary-looking creatures take centre stage at the annual Krampuslauf (Krampus run) of the Christmas market. Krampus is the scary-looking and frightening companion of Saint Nicholas.

There is also a delightful ice arena event called Eiszauber at Munich’s Karlsplatz, also referred to as "Am Stachus." This open-air ice rink is open from 21 November 2025 until 11 January 2026. Many other fascinating festive markets can be found throughout the city as well.

Don’t miss the "Market of Ideas" at the Tollwood Winter Festival 2025, running from 25 November to 23 December 2025, followed by a big New Year’s Eve party on 31 December 2025. More info can be found here.

Read here how Christmas is celebrated in German families.

Christmas Market in Frankfurt

4. Frankfurt: One of the largest Christmas markets in Germany takes place along the main tourist route of the city: Römerberg, Hauptwache and the promenade along the Main River.

Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt - image by Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt Christmas Market at the Römer

The Römer is the old town hall of Frankfurt. The first market held on the site, called Römerberg, dates back to 1393 and according to historic documents, this market included a church mystery play.

At this festive market, you must try the 'Bethmännchen', marzipan-filled biscuits that were already a favourite of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany’s most famous poet, who was born in Frankfurt and lived in the city as a child.

Bethmännchen - Christmas cookies

The Frankfurt Christmas Market runs from 24 November 2025 until 22 December 2025. On 6 December, children can expect a visit by Santa and his helpers. This event will take place at the Römer around 17h00. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening until 21 December, choirs will perform traditional German Christmas carols at 17h10 spreading festive cheer to all visitors.

On 29 November 2025 at 16h30 and on 24 December 2025 at 17h00, ten churches in the city and surrounding areas will ring their 50 bells for half an hour in celebration of Christmas. A truly special sound experience not to be missed.

German Christmas Market
Nuremberg | Nürnberg

5. Nuremberg/ Nürnberg: The Bavarian city of Nuremberg is not only home to one of Germany’s oldest festive markets but is also world-renowned for its Christkind (Holy Child).

Every second year, a young woman from the city is chosen to represent the Christkind. Dressed in a white gown, she officially opens the festive season and takes centre stage at many celebrations.

Nürnberger Christkind - image Christkindlesmarkt

Christkind at Nuremberg Christmas Market

In Germany, the tradition of the Christkind (literally translated as "Christ Child") delivering gifts has its roots in the teachings of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483–1546).

Before Luther’s time, children in the region received presents from Saint Nicholas on 6 December. Luther broke with this tradition and introduced a new custom. Today, in this predominantly Protestant city, the Christkindlesmarkt keeps this Luther's tradition alive, enchanting visitors with the magic of the season and the spirit of giving.

nuremberg christmas market ed SteffenOliverRiese

Christkindlesmarkt Nuremberg - image by Steffen Oliver Riese

Nuremberg is also famous as the hometown of the renowned Nürnberger Bratwurst (sausages) and the special Nürnberger Lebkuchen (gingerbread). The city even has a wonderful Christmas market for young children at Hans-Sachs-Platz, featuring a merry-go-round and a steam train to delight the little ones. The popular Nuremberg Christmas Market will be open from 28 November 2025 to 24 December 2025.

More info on the Nuremberg market here.

Christmas Market in Cologne | Köln

6. Cologne/ Köln: At the foot of Cologne Cathedral, this festive market features about 150 market stalls and more than 100 events. The scenic market which attracts visitors from around the world takes place this year from 17 November 2025 until 23 December 2025. Please note: The Christmas market will be closed on Sunday 23 November 2025, in observance of "Totensonntag" (Sunday of the Dead), a Protestant religious holiday.

At the Köln Christmas Market, you will find almost everything imaginable - from the traditional homemade wooden gifts and Stollen (Christmas cake), Flammkuchen and Glühwein to the typical Kölner Spekulatius-biscuits and Heinzelmännchen-biscuits or up-cycled gifts made from old basketballs. These unique items are sure to delight both children and adults alike.

Cologne Christmas Market

This Christmas market is unique because several stalls are provided by the city free of charge to charities such as Greenpeace or Kindernothilfe (NGO Children in Need). The donations raised during the festive market and at various events are given every year to a variety of charitable project in and around Cologne. More info here.

German Christmas Tradition | Krippenweg in Oberammergau

7. Oberammergau: In Oberammergau, a small and picturesque town in the Bavarian Alps, it is a tradition to display intricately designed nativity scenes made by local wood carvers during the festive season. The 1.5 km ( almost one mile) long 'Krippenweg' trail passes 25 nativity scenes that are exhibited in the storefront windows throughout the town centre until early January. Visitors can stroll through the town centre and admire the creative work of the local wood carvers.

Krippe (Nativity scene) at the Oberammergau Museum

The trail ends at the Oberammergau Museum which exhibits a huge church nativity scene that was created by local carvers over 100 years.

The Oberammergauer Christkindlsmarkt takes place on the first Sunday of Advent, in 2025 this was on 29 November. More info here.

Christmas Markets in Weimar

8. Weimar: It was in Weimar that the first Christmas tree was erected for the public, in 1851. A librarian wanted to share his wealth with all the children and residents of his city and set up a festively decorated tree in the market square.

Weimarer Weihnachtsmarkt - image by Mikhail Markovskiy / Shutterstock.com

Weimar Christmas Market - image by Mikhail Markovskiy

The town hall is decorated like a huge Advent Calendar, with a door to be opened by Santa Claus each day leading up to Christmas. Every day, Santa distributes small presents to young children. The eastern German town has several market sites attracting visitors from near and far to the picturesque hometown of Germany's foremost poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

The Weimar Christmas market is open from 25 November 2025 until 4 January 2026. More info here.

Ulm Christmas Market

9. Ulm: More than one million visitors come to marvel at the Minster Square market’s unique living nativity scene every year. In 2025, the Ulm Christmas Market will take place from 24 November until 22 December 2025. This nativity scene is complete with real animals: little lambs, some sheep and a donkey gather around the manger!

Living nativity scene at Ulm Christmas Market

Every evening, a choir and a band perform at the market delighting the visitors with Christmas carols and festive music. More than 18,000 twinkling lights illuminate the tall Christmas tree in front of the Ulm Münster. More than 120 stalls spread the festive atmosphere at this fabulous Weihnachtsmarkt.

Ulm Münster and Weihnachtsmarkt

The Ulm Münster has the highest church spire in the world. The spire is 161 m/ 528 ft tall. When you climb up the 768 steps of the tower, you are rewarded with fantastic views over the town and when the weather is clear, you might even catch a glimpse of the snow-covered mountains in the Alps! More info here.

German Christmas Markets
Würzburg

10. Würzburg: This Christmas market has one of the most romantic settings in Germany as the market is located in front of the Gothic chapel of St Mary. The tradition of holding festive markets in this city dates back to 1800.

Würzburg Weihnachtsmarkt - image by Rainer Maiores

Christmas Market in Würzburg

Today, 120 stalls invite visitors to buy handmade gifts such as artfully knitted woolen socks or handcrafted paper.

Do not miss to visit the fabulous fresco-staircase in the nearby palace, the Würzburg Residence, which is one of the fascinating UNESCO world heritage sites in Germany.

Würzburg Castle high above the Main river - image by Juan Carles Juarez

The 2025 Würzburg Christmas Market will take place from 28 November until 23 December 2025. More info here.

Do you know how we say 'Merry Christmas' in German?

Fröhliche Weihnachten! or: Frohe Weihnachten!

and: Frohes Fest! which means Happy Holidays!

'Fröhliche Weihnachten' means 'Merry Christmas'

We hope you enjoyed our information about these ten fabulous German Christmas markets. Let us know if you experienced a German Christmas market and want to share your insights about favourite market and special Christmas market treats. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Find out how to wish Merry Christmas in other languages

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Resources

Berlin Official Travel Website. "Christmas Markets in Berlin." VisitBerlin. Last accessed 11 December 2025
Munich Official Travel. "Markets in München." SimplyMunich. Last accessed 11 December 2025
Munich Travel. "Tollwood Winter Festival." Simply Munich. Last accessed 11 December 2025
Frankfurt Official Tourism. "Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt." VisitFrankfurt. accessed 11 December 2025

Image sources for German Christmas Markets page: 1. visitBerlin/DagmarSchwelle, 2. weihnachtsparade-hamburg.de, 3. muenchner-christkindlmarkt.de, 4. Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main, 6. koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com, 7. oberammergaumuseum.de, 8. Mikhail Markovskiy / Shutterstock.com, 9. Rainer Maiores, 10. Ulm Messe GmbH as well as own images and intro images by shutterstock.com

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