Christmas markets in Germany 2026: dates, map and routes

A mug of mulled wine in your hand, fairy lights above the lanes and a cathedral as the backdrop: for many people, Advent is the most beautiful time to travel in Germany. To help you plan with confidence, we've checked the 2026 dates directly with cities and organisers – and re-checked them in October 2026. Where an official date is still missing or contradictory, we tell you so. In this guide: a map of all markets, a comparison table, four regional routes, practical advice for international visitors and detailed city guides for Cologne, Nuremberg, Dresden, Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Aachen, plus 20 more cities from Augsburg to Lübeck.

The map shows every market in this guide. Click a pin for its 2026 dates and a link to our city guide – or, where we have none, to the official website or the sight itself.

Good to know before you go

• Totensonntag falls on 22 November 2026. This quiet Protestant day of remembrance closes some markets or limits them to the evening – Cologne's cathedral market is closed, Aachen opens 6–9pm. Avoid planning around that Sunday.
• The first Sunday of Advent is 29 November. From then on, weekends get busy everywhere.
• Cologne and Hamburg start early: the cathedral market opens on 16 November, the Stadtgarten and harbour markets on 13 November – and Hamburg's Santa Pauli as early as 9 November.
• Weekday mornings are far more relaxed at almost every market.
• Most big markets are free to enter. The exception is Berlin's WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt (€2 according to visitBerlin).
• Hours can change at short notice. Check the organiser's website the day before you travel.

Germany's big Christmas markets 2026 compared

City	Dates 2026	Opening hours	Highlight
Nuremberg	27 Nov–24 Dec	daily 10am–9pm, 24 Dec 10am–2pm	the Christkind's prologue; children's market until 30 Dec
Dresden	25 Nov–24 Dec	opening day 4–9pm, then 10am–9pm, 24 Dec 10am–2pm	592nd Striezelmarkt, giant pyramid, Stollen
Leipzig	24 Nov–23 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm; 22/23 Dec until 8pm	around 300 stalls across the Old Town
Cologne	16 Nov–23 Dec (cathedral)	Sun–Wed 11am–9pm, Thu–Fri 11am–10pm, Sat 10am–10pm	six markets, ice rink until 10 Jan 2027
Aachen	20 Nov–23 Dec	daily 11am–9pm (exceptions)	cathedral and Town Hall, Printen, EECMA seal
Rothenburg ob der Tauber	20 Nov–23 Dec	not clearly stated	half-timbered setting, Christmas museum
Erfurt	24 Nov–22 Dec	not yet published	cathedral steps, Merchants' Bridge
Stuttgart	25 Nov–23 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm	decorated stall roofs, since 1692
Munich	20 Nov–24 Dec	Mon–Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–8pm, 24 Dec 10am–2pm	earlier start for the first time, Krampus run
Frankfurt	23 Nov–22 Dec	Mon–Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 11am–9pm	Römerberg, Bethmännchen, hot apple wine
Hamburg	23 Nov–23 Dec (Rathausmarkt)	2026 not yet updated (2025: 11am–9pm)	flying Santa
Berlin	23 Nov–31 Dec (Gendarmenmarkt)	Sun–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm	€2 entry, open until New Year's Eve
Augsburg	23 Nov–24 Dec	Sun–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–9:30pm, 24 Dec 10am–2pm	angel show at the town hall
Bamberg	24 Nov–23 Dec	Mon–Thu 9:30am–8pm, Fri–Sat 9:30am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm	city of nativity scenes, smoked beer
Bremen	23 Nov–23 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9:30pm	Marktplatz plus the Schlachte-Zauber on the Weser
Dortmund	19 Nov–30 Dec	Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 12–9pm	45-metre Christmas tree, open until 30 Dec
Düsseldorf	19 Nov–30 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm	themed markets from the Old Town to the Kö, Ferris wheel
Essen	13 Nov–23 Dec	Sun–Thu 12–9pm, Fri–Sat 12–10pm	very early start, Essen Festival of Lights
Esslingen	24 Nov–22 Dec	daily 11am–8:30pm, Fri–Sat until 9:30pm	medieval market and Christmas market in one
Freiburg	19 Nov–23 Dec	Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm, Sun 11:30am–7:30pm	nine spots across the Old Town
Goslar	25 Nov–30 Dec	daily 11am–8pm, Christmas forest until 10pm	Christmas forest on the Schuhhof
Hanover	23 Nov–22 Dec	daily 11am–9pm	Finnish village, wishing-well forest
Heidelberg	23 Nov–22 Dec	Sun–Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 11am–10pm	six squares, ice rink until 10 Jan 2027
Ludwigsburg	24 Nov–22 Dec	Marktplatz daily 11am–9pm	Baroque Christmas Market with illuminated angels
Lübeck	23 Nov–30 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm	eleven Christmas worlds on the Old Town island
Mainz	26 Nov–23 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm	historic market by the cathedral, pyramid with local characters
Münster	23 Nov–23 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm	six markets in the Old Town
Potsdam	23 Nov–27 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm	around 250 stalls, ice rink and Ferris wheel
Quedlinburg	25 Nov–22 Dec	Sun–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri 11am–10pm, Sat 10am–10pm	Advent in the Courtyards on three weekends
Regensburg	23 Nov–23 Dec (Neupfarrplatz)	Sun–Wed 10am–8pm, Thu–Sat 10am–9pm	four markets, Thurn und Taxis Palace

Click a city name for our detailed guide with a map, all other markets in that city, tips and FAQs.

Nuremberg: Christkindlesmarkt

The classic. The Christkindlesmarkt fills the Hauptmarkt in front of the Frauenkirche with red-and-white wooden stalls, gingerbread and gold-foil angels. It opens on 27 November at 5.30pm with the Christkind's prologue from the church gallery.

• Dates 2026: Friday 27 November to Thursday 24 December
• Opening hours: daily 10am–9pm, Christmas Eve 10am–2pm
• Extra: children's market on Hans-Sachs-Platz until 30 December

Combine it with Nuremberg Castle, ten minutes uphill. Full guide: Nuremberg Christmas Market 2026.

Dresden: Striezelmarkt

According to the city of Dresden, the Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt is Germany's oldest Christmas market; 2026 is its 592nd edition. Look out for Dresden Christstollen, the 14.61-metre Erzgebirge step pyramid and traditional wooden folk art.

• Dates 2026: Wednesday 25 November to Thursday 24 December
• Opening hours: opening day 4–9pm, then daily 10am–9pm, 24 December 10am–2pm
• After Christmas: Advent on the Neumarkt and the Augustusmarkt run until 3 January 2027

The Frauenkirche and Zwinger are minutes away. Full guide: Dresden Christmas Market 2026.

Leipzig: Christmas market across the Old Town

Leipzig spreads its market across the whole Old Town, from the Old Town Hall via Nikolaikirchhof to Augustusplatz with its 38-metre Ferris wheel and Finnish village – so crowds disperse better than on a single square.

• Dates 2026: Tuesday 24 November to Wednesday 23 December
• Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 11am–9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am–10pm; 22 and 23 December until 8pm

Full guide: Leipzig Christmas Market 2026.

Cologne: six markets between cathedral and harbour

The best-known market sits on Roncalliplatz right below the spires of Cologne Cathedral. Add Heinzels Wintermärchen on Alter Markt and Heumarkt with its ice rink, the Angels' Market on Neumarkt, the Stadtgarten and the harbour market by the Chocolate Museum.

• Dates 2026 (cathedral): Monday 16 November to Wednesday 23 December; closed on 22 November
• Opening hours (cathedral): Sunday–Wednesday 11am–9pm, Thursday–Friday 11am–10pm, Saturday 10am–10pm
• Old Town: Alter Markt 23 Nov–23 Dec; Heumarkt with ice rink 23 Nov 2026–10 Jan 2027 (closed 24/25 Dec)
• Harbour: 13 Nov 2026–3 Jan 2027

Full guide: Cologne Christmas Market 2026.

Aachen: around the cathedral and Town Hall

Stalls stretch from Münsterplatz across the Katschhof to the Markt, framed by Aachen Cathedral and the Town Hall. In April 2026 the market received the "Excellent European Christmas Market" seal.

• Dates 2026: Friday 20 November to Wednesday 23 December
• Opening hours: daily 11am–9pm; 22 November 6–9pm only, 12 December until 10pm, 23 December until 8pm

Full guide: Aachen Christmas Market 2026.

Gift idea: want to give someone a memory of the trip? Design a personalised poster of your favourite city.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Reiterlesmarkt

Half-timbering, town walls and towers: in Rothenburg's Old Town the Reiterlesmarkt looks like a picture book. The German Christmas Museum on Herrngasse is festive all year.

• Dates 2026: Friday 20 November to Wednesday 23 December
• Opening hours: contradictory on Rothenburg Tourism's website – the 2026 calendar shows 11am–8pm daily, the text still the previous year's hours (Sun–Thu 11am–7pm, Fri–Sat 11am–8pm), and 22 November is missing from the calendar. Please check shortly before you go.

Tip: stay inside the walls. In the evening, when the day-trippers have left, the lit-up lanes are almost yours alone. Full guide: Rothenburg Christmas Market 2026.

Erfurt: Christmas market on Domplatz

The steps up to Erfurt Cathedral and St Severus are brightly lit in Advent; below lies what the organiser calls Thuringia's largest Christmas market, with more than 200 stalls. Don't miss the Merchants' Bridge with its little shops.

• Dates 2026: Tuesday 24 November to Tuesday 22 December
• Opening hours: not yet published for 2026.

Full guide: Erfurt Christmas Market 2026.

Stuttgart: Christmas market in the city centre

Stuttgart's market spreads across four squares near the Schlossplatz. According to the organiser it was first documented in 1692; it's famous for its lavishly decorated stall roofs.

• Dates 2026: Wednesday 25 November to Wednesday 23 December
• Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 11am–9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am–10pm; from 5pm on opening day

Full guide: Stuttgart Christmas Market 2026. Just 12 to 15 minutes away by S-Bahn or regional train: Esslingen with its medieval market and the Baroque Christmas Market in Ludwigsburg.

Munich: Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz

The traditional Christkindlmarkt stands in front of the New Town Hall on Marienplatz. New from 2026, says the city: it starts on the Friday before Totensonntag. The Krampus run on 13 December is a highlight.

• Dates 2026: Friday 20 November to Thursday 24 December
• Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10am–9pm, Sunday 10am–8pm, 24 December 10am–2pm

Full guide: Munich Christmas Market 2026.

Frankfurt: Christmas market on Römerberg

More than 230 stalls stretch from Roßmarkt to the river Main, with the Römerberg and its 26-metre tree at the heart. Next door, wander through the New Frankfurt Old Town.

• Dates 2026: Monday 23 November to Tuesday 22 December
• Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10am–9pm, Sunday 11am–9pm

Full guide: Frankfurt Christmas Market 2026.

Hamburg: Historic Christmas Market at City Hall

In front of Hamburg City Hall, Santa flies over the stalls daily at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. According to hamburg.de the market runs from 23 November to 23 December 2026; the hours on the same page still refer to last year (daily 11am–9pm), so please check before you go. On a rainy day, Miniatur Wunderland is the best escape. Full guide: Hamburg Christmas Market 2026.

Berlin: Gendarmenmarkt and more

Between the Konzerthaus and the two cathedrals on Gendarmenmarkt, the WeihnachtsZauber runs from 23 November to 31 December 2026, Sunday–Thursday 11am–10pm, Friday–Saturday 11am–11pm, Christmas Eve 12–6pm. Entry is €2; under-12s are free, and it's free for everyone on weekdays 11am–2pm (except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December). Dogs aren't allowed. The Berliner Weihnachtszeit at the Red Town Hall stays open even longer, until 3 January 2027. Full guide: Berlin Christmas Market 2026. Next door, Potsdam's Christmas market runs from 23 November to 27 December.

Smaller markets with charm

These three markets are smaller than the big names, but they're well worth a trip.

• Goslar: the market fills the squares of the Old Town, with an illuminated "Christmas forest" of tall spruces on the Schuhhof. Dates 2026: 25 November to 30 December, daily 11am–8pm, the Christmas forest until 10pm; 24 December 11am–2pm, 25 and 26 December 12–7pm, 30 December 11am–6pm.
• Quedlinburg: half-timbered houses as far as the eye can see – worth an overnight stay in the Old Town. The Christmas market runs from 25 November to 22 December 2026; Advent in the Courtyards opens on 28/29 November, 5/6 December and 12/13 December, 11am–7pm.
• Bamberg: pair the market in the Old Town with a smoked beer (Rauchbier) in a tavern. Dates 2026: 24 November to 23 December, Mon–Thu 9:30am–8pm, Fri–Sat 9:30am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm.

Four routes for an Advent weekend

All routes work well by train. City-centre parking is scarce and expensive in Advent. Regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket; for faster ICE connections, book saver fares early.

Rhine: Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, Aachen

• Day 1 – Cologne: cathedral market (from 16 Nov), Old Town with ice rink (from 23 Nov) and harbour.
• Day 2 – Bonn or Düsseldorf: Bonn's market runs 18 November–23 December 2026 around the Minster (closed 22 Nov); Düsseldorf's 19 November–30 December in the Old Town, Sunday–Thursday 11am–8pm, Friday–Saturday 11am–9pm, closed 22 November and 25 December.
• Day 3 – Aachen: about an hour from Cologne by regional express; market 20 November–23 December.

Best time: 23 November–23 December, when all four are open.

Saxony: Dresden and Leipzig (plus Erfurt)

• Day 1 – Leipzig: from 24 November.
• Day 2 – Dresden: just over an hour by train; Striezelmarkt from 25 November, plus Neumarkt, Stallhof and Augustusmarkt.
• Extension – Erfurt: about 45 minutes from Leipzig by ICE; market 24 November–22 December.

Best time: 25 November–22 December.

Bavaria and Franconia: Munich, Nuremberg, Rothenburg

• Day 1 – Munich: Christkindlmarkt from 20 November, nativity and medieval markets, Tollwood in the evening (from 24 November).
• Day 2 – Nuremberg: just over an hour by ICE; Christkindlesmarkt from 27 November.
• Day 3 – Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Reiterlesmarkt 20 November–23 December; regional train with one change, best with an overnight stay.

Best time: from Nuremberg's opening weekend (27 November) to 23 December.

The North: Hamburg, Lübeck, Bremen

• Day 1 – Hamburg: Rathausmarkt from 23 November with the flying Santa, plus Gänsemarkt, St. Petri and Santa Pauli.
• Day 2 – Lübeck: about 45 minutes by regional express; the "Christmas City of the North" celebrates 23 November–30 December 2026 around the Town Hall and Holstentor.
• Day 3 – Bremen: the Schlachte-Zauber on the Weser runs, like the Christmas market on the Marktplatz, 23 November–23 December 2026, Sunday–Thursday 11am–8.30pm, Friday–Saturday 11am–9.30pm, close to the Town Hall and Roland and the Schnoor quarter.

Best time: 23 November–23 December; Lübeck is worth it between Christmas and New Year too.

Which markets are open after Christmas?

City	What's open
Cologne	Heinzels Wintermärchen on Heumarkt (ice rink) until 10 Jan 2027, closed 24/25 Dec; harbour market until 3 Jan 2027
Dresden	Advent on the Neumarkt and Augustusmarkt until 3 Jan 2027 (closed 24–26 Dec and 1 Jan); Stallhof 'Rauhnächte' 27–30 Dec and 2–6 Jan
Berlin	Gendarmenmarkt until 31 Dec; Red Town Hall until 3 Jan 2027 (closed 24 and 31 Dec)
Nuremberg	children's market on Hans-Sachs-Platz until 30 Dec
Düsseldorf	until 30 Dec (26 Dec from 2pm, closed 25 Dec)
Lübeck	until 30 Dec
Dortmund	until 30 Dec (closed 25 Dec; 26/27 Dec 12–9pm)
Goslar	until 30 Dec (25/26 Dec 12–7pm, 30 Dec until 6pm)
Hanover	Christmas village at the main station until 30 Dec (closed 25 Dec)
Potsdam	until 27 Dec (closed 24 Dec, 25/26 Dec 11am–6pm)
Heidelberg	ice rink on Karlsplatz until 10 Jan 2027

Practical tips for international visitors

Cash or card?

Card and contactless payment are spreading fast, but many smaller stalls still prefer cash. Carry some euros in coins and small notes – it's quicker, and you'll need change for mug deposits.

How the mug deposit (Pfand) works

Hot drinks almost always come in a ceramic mug with a deposit added to the price. Return the mug to a stall on the same market to get the deposit back, or keep it as a souvenir – many markets design a new mug every year. In Leipzig, for example, the city says the deposit for the children's mug is €5. Mugs from one market aren't usually accepted at another.

Getting around

Almost every big market is within walking distance of a main station, and organisers in Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Dresden explicitly recommend public transport or park-and-ride. Germany's ICE network links all the cities in this guide; regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket monthly pass.

Opening days and holidays

Most markets close on 23 December; Nuremberg, Dresden and Munich stay open until 2pm on Christmas Eve, Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt until 6pm. On 25 and 26 December (both public holidays in Germany) only a handful of markets open – see the table above.

Dogs, accessibility and crowds

Dogs are banned at Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt; elsewhere they're usually not explicitly banned but rarely enjoy the crowds. With a wheelchair or pushchair, weekday mornings are by far the easiest time. Old Towns often have cobblestones.

Prices

None of the major organisers had published 2026 mulled wine prices by the time we checked, so we don't quote estimates.

FAQ

When do German Christmas markets open in 2026?

Most big markets open between 16 November (Cologne cathedral) and 27 November (Nuremberg). Many start on Monday 23 November, the day after Totensonntag – for example Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg.

Which market opens earliest in 2026?

Among the markets in this guide, Cologne's Stadtgarten and harbour markets and the International Christmas Market in Essen open on 13 November and the cathedral market on 16 November. Hamburg's Santa Pauli starts on 9 November.

Which markets charge admission?

Of the big ones, only Berlin's WeihnachtsZauber at Gendarmenmarkt (€2, under-12s free) and Dresden's Medieval Christmas in the Stallhof at Advent weekends.

Are markets open on Christmas Eve?

Nuremberg, Dresden, Munich, Augsburg and Goslar until 2pm; Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt 12–6pm. Most others end on 22 or 23 December.

What is the best route for a first visit?

For a classic first trip, combine Munich and Nuremberg, or Cologne and Aachen. Both pairs are an hour or so apart by train and have very different atmospheres.

How much does mulled wine cost in 2026?

Organisers haven't published prices yet. Budget for a mug deposit on top.

Read more

Our detailed 2026 city guides: Cologne, Nuremberg, Dresden, Munich, Berlin, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Aachen, Augsburg, Bamberg, Bremen, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Essen, Esslingen, Freiburg, Goslar, Hanover, Heidelberg, Lübeck, Ludwigsburg, Mainz, Münster, Potsdam, Quedlinburg, Regensburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

When your Advent tour is over, turn the journey into a route poster – a gift for everyone who came along.

Last checked: 16 October 2026. We will re-check everything before the season opens and update this guide.

Sources

• https://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/
• https://striezelmarkt.dresden.de/de/
• https://www.leipzig.de/kultur-und-freizeit/einkaufen-und-ausgehen/maerkte/leipziger-weihnachtsmarkt
• https://www.koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com/de/
• https://www.heinzels-wintermaerchen.de/
• https://aachenweihnachtsmarkt.de/
• https://www.rothenburg-tourismus.de/reiterlesmarkt
• https://erfurt-weihnachtsmarkt.de/
• https://www.stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de/de/home/
• https://www.christkindlmarkt-muenchen.de/
• https://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/muenchner-christkindlmarkt-marienplatz
• https://www.visitfrankfurt.travel/erleben/feste-und-veranstaltungen/frankfurter-weihnachtsmarkt
• https://www.hamburg.de/tourismus/weihnachten-hamburg/weihnachtsmarkt-hamburg/weihnachtsmarkt-rathausmarkt-301092
• https://www.visitberlin.de/de/weihnachtsmarkt-weihnachtszauber-gendarmenmarkt-berlin
• https://www.berlinerweihnachtszeit.de/oeffnungszeiten/
• https://www.visitduesseldorf.de/erleben/veranstaltungen/weihnachten-in-duesseldorf
• https://bonnerweihnachtsmarkt.de/
• https://www.luebeck-tourismus.de/kultur/weihnachtsstadt-des-nordens
• https://www.marktwelt-bremen.de/markt/schlachte-zauber/
• https://www.schokoladenmuseum.de/news/hafenweihnachtsmarkt-am-schokoladenmuseum/
• https://www.weihnachtsmarkt-dresden-neumarkt.de/advent-auf-dem-neumarkt

Image credits

• Photo: Robert von Oliva (naruciakk), Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (cover)
• Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
• Photo: Frank Vincentz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
• Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Photo: Nima j72, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Photo: Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Photo: Eremeev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
• Photo: Julian Herzog (Website), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
• Photo: Guido Radig, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
• Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
• Photo: Daniel Åhs Karlsson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
• Photo: Anil Öztas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Photo: Martin Kraft, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0