The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
Germany invented the Christmas market, and nowhere else does it with so much atmosphere. From late November, town squares fill with wooden huts, the smell of mulled wine and grilled sausages, and the glow of thousands of lights. Some markets date back to the Middle Ages, others sit in the shadow of Gothic cathedrals or half-timbered houses.
Here are the best Christmas markets in Germany, with their 2026 dates and what makes each one special.
1 Nuremberg — The Christkindlesmarkt
📍 Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg
📅 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is Germany’s most famous Christmas market. Around 180 red-and-white stalls fill the Hauptmarkt, and the market is opened each year by the Christkind, who recites a prologue from the balcony of the Frauenkirche.
Try the small Nuremberg sausages, served “Drei im Weggla” (three in a bun), and the city’s famous Lebkuchen gingerbread. 2026 dates: 27 November – 24 December. Discover more in our Nuremberg guide.
2 Dresden — The Striezelmarkt
📍 Altmarkt, Dresden
📅 25 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
First mentioned in 1434, the Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. It takes its name from the Striezel, the old word for Dresden’s famous Stollen, a fruit bread dusted with icing sugar.
Look for the giant Christmas pyramid and the wooden crafts from the nearby Ore Mountains. 2026 dates: 25 November – 24 December. See our Dresden guide.
3 Cologne — The Market at the Cathedral
📍 Roncalliplatz, Cologne
📅 16 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 (provisional)
Cologne has several Christmas markets, but the most spectacular sits right below the twin spires of the cathedral, on Roncalliplatz. A giant Christmas tree and a canopy of lights cover the stalls, and the Gothic facade makes a breathtaking backdrop.
Walk on to the markets of the Old Town and Neumarkt for more stalls and treats. 2026 dates (provisional): 16 November – 23 December, closed on 22 November. More in our Cologne guide.
4 Munich — The Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz
📍 Marienplatz, Munich
📅 20 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
Munich’s main Christmas market spreads across Marienplatz, in front of the neo-Gothic New Town Hall, and into the surrounding streets. Its roots go back to the 14th century.
Don’t miss the Kripperlmarkt, a market dedicated to nativity figures, and the brass bands that play from the town hall balcony. 2026 dates: 20 November – 24 December. Read our Munich guide.
5 Leipzig — One of the Largest
📍 Markt, Leipzig
📅 24 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
Held since 1458, Leipzig’s Christmas market is one of the largest in Germany, with around 300 stalls spread across the historic Markt square, the old town streets and Augustusplatz.
Its size means more space to stroll, and a great variety of food from all over Saxony. 2026 dates: 24 November – 23 December. See our Leipzig guide.
6 Rothenburg ob der Tauber — The Reiterlesmarkt
📍 Marktplatz, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
📅 20 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
With its ramparts and half-timbered houses, Rothenburg looks like a Christmas card all year round. In winter, the Reiterlesmarkt takes over the Marktplatz and the medieval lanes around it.
Try a Schneeball (“snowball”), the local fried pastry, and step into the town’s famous year-round Christmas shops. 2026 dates: 20 November – 23 December. More in our Rothenburg guide.
7 Heidelberg — Christmas in the Old Town
📍 Old Town, Heidelberg
📅 23 Nov – 22 Dec 2026
In Heidelberg, the Christmas market is spread over several squares of the Old Town, between the river Neckar and the castle. The ice rink on Karlsplatz, with the illuminated castle above, is one of the most romantic spots in Germany in December.
2026 dates: 23 November – 22 December. Discover our Heidelberg guide.
Tips for Enjoying German Christmas Markets
German Christmas markets are about more than shopping: locals meet there after work for a mug of Glühwein and a bite to eat. These tips will help you enjoy them like a local.
Glühwein and Market Drinks
Glühwein (mulled wine) is served in a ceramic mug, and you pay a small deposit (Pfand) for it. Return the mug to get your money back, or keep it as a souvenir: each market has its own design. Non-alcoholic Kinderpunsch is available everywhere.
Food to Try
Grilled Bratwurst, Lebkuchen gingerbread, Dresden Stollen, potato pancakes (Reibekuchen) and roasted almonds (gebrannte Mandeln) are the classics. Go hungry and share several small dishes.
Shopping and Souvenirs
Look for handmade wooden decorations from the Ore Mountains: nutcrackers, incense smokers, candle arches and Christmas pyramids. Glass baubles and beeswax candles also make lovely gifts.
Christmas Market Dates 2026 at a Glance
Tap a number to see the market, its dates and directions.
Most German Christmas markets open in the second half of November and close just before Christmas. Weekday afternoons are the quietest time to visit; evenings and weekends are the most atmospheric, but also the busiest.
Here are the 2026 dates for the markets in this guide.
📍Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg
📅 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
📍Altmarkt, Dresden
📅 25 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
📍Roncalliplatz, Cologne
📅 16 Nov – 23 Dec 2026 (provisional)
📍Marienplatz, Munich
📅 20 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
📍Markt & Augustusplatz, Leipzig
📅 24 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
📍Marktplatz, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
📅 20 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
FAQ: Christmas Markets in Germany
When do Christmas markets open in Germany in 2026?
Most open between 16 and 27 November 2026 and run until 22, 23 or 24 December. Nuremberg opens on 27 November, Dresden on 25 November and Munich on 20 November.
What is the most famous Christmas market in Germany?
The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is the best known, while Dresden's Striezelmarkt, first mentioned in 1434, is one of the oldest.
Are German Christmas markets open on Christmas Day?
No. Most close on 23 December or at lunchtime on 24 December, so plan your visit before Christmas Eve.
Why do I pay a deposit for my Glühwein?
The mug comes with a deposit (Pfand). Return it to the stall to get your money back, or keep it as a souvenir.
Can I visit several Christmas markets in one trip?
Yes. Dresden and Leipzig are about an hour apart by train, and Rothenburg is an easy day trip from Nuremberg. Cologne also has several markets within walking distance.
When is the best time to visit?
Weekday afternoons are the quietest. Come back after dark for the lights, but expect crowds on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Planning a winter trip? Explore our guide to Germany, then treat yourself in Central Europe with the best desserts in Prague.
