The Best Christmas Markets in Germany in 2024

The best Christmas Markets in Germany in 2024, including Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Nuremberg and Frankfurt, but also surprises like Heidelberg, Karlsruhe.

The end of the year is approaching, the trees are starting to turn yellow and the cold is getting stronger, but we can only think of one thing: our planning to visit Germany’s Christmas markets.

In addition to decorating traditions and redeeming that family recipe to keep warm on dark and icy days, the Christmas Markets have already become our Christmas routine in the land of Glühwein and Bratwürste.

We have already visited some of these parties and we can say that anyone who wants to be cold at the end of the year here will not regret it.

We have publications detailing Christmas markets in other countries and cities. Be sure to check:

• Christmas Market 2024 in Colmar, Alsace region in France – Travel Guide
• Best Christmas Markets in 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland
• Christmas 2024 at Disneyland Paris – Tips, hotel, itinerary, attractions, costs and meal plan
• Portugal Christmas Market in 2024 including Lisbon, Porto and other cities
• Christmas Markets 2024 in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria – Tips and Guide

Best Christmas Markets in Germany in 2024

We have already visited the Christmas Markets listed below and recommend it for your travel planning in Germany.

Next to the name of the Christmas market, I have included the main location in the city and the updated date for 2024.

Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

• Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Altstadt from 11/29/2024 to 12/23/2024)
  • Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which, as it is completely walled, is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and the most famous on Germany’s Romantic Route. When the smell of mulled wine and old Franconian sweets mixes with the cold December air at the Christmas Reiterlesmarkt during Advent, the illusion of a peaceful city is perfect.
  • Nestled in the picturesque setting between the town hall and the church, the Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most attractive Christmas markets in the country. And as one of the few, it has a centuries-old tradition, as its name suggests. Taken from the Germanic world of legends, the “Reiterle” – like Santa Claus – is a lucky figure who delights everyone with his visit.
  • The Reiterlesmarkt will take place from November 29 to December 23, 2024, from Monday to Thursday from 11am to 7pm and from Friday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm. Embedded in the picturesque setting between the town hall and the church, the Reiterlesmarkt is one of the most attractive Christmas markets in the country.

Sternlesmarkt in Ettlingen

• Sternlesmarkt in Ettlingen (Marktplatz from 11/28/2043 to 12/29/2024)
  • Ettlingen Christmas Market, the Sternlesmarkt, small but very charming, in the state of Baden-Württenberg in Germany.
  • The Ettlinger Sternlesmarkt is open daily from November 28th to December 29th, 2024 from 11am to 9pm and on December 24th from 11am to 2pm on Marktplatz, the market square in front of Ettlingen City Hall.

Christkindlesmarkt in Karlsruhe

• Christkindlesmarkt in Karlsruhe (Friedrichsplatz from 11/25/2024 to 12/23/2024)
  • Karlsruhe Christmas Market, also called Christkindlesmarkt, in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
  • There are several smaller Christmas markets spread across the city, but Karlsruhe’s main Christmas Market is the Christkindlesmarkt. Karlsruhe’s Christmas party, in addition to typical food and craft stalls, also focuses on Christmas decorations in the city center, especially the Kaiserstraße and surrounding areas. It opens daily from November 25, 2024 to December 23, 2024 from 11am to 9pm at Marktplatz und Friedrichsplatz.
  • Another market that we really like is Kinderland St. Stephan, which has a little train for children to ride and also an enchanting fairytale world with storytellers, talking trees and a children’s ice rink comes true for little guests . It opens daily from November 25, 2024 to December 23, 2024 from 11am to 9pm in the square of St. Stephan’s Church (Kirchplatz St. Stephan).

Weihnachtsmarkt in Frankfurt

• Weihnachtsmarkt in Frankfurt (Am Römer, Paulsplatz und Mainkai from 11/25/2024 to 12/22/2024)
  • Frankfurt is not only the city of Germany’s busiest international airport. Due to the number of visitors and size, the Christmas market in Frankfurt is one of the most important Christmas markets in Germany. Elaborate and creative stand decorations, the backdrop of Römerberg and Paulsplatz and the huge Christmas tree make the Frankfurt Christmas market one of the most beautiful Christmas markets.
  • The Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt will take place from November 25, 2024 to December 22, 2024 in various locations around the city (Römerberg, Paulsplatz, Mainkai, Hauptwache, Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz) with its giant Christmas tree, fun, shopping, Glühwein and other goodies.

Weihnachtsmarkt und Mittelaltermarkt in Esslingen

• Weihnachtsmarkt und Mittelaltermarkt in Esslingen(Marktplatz from 11/26/2024 to 12/22/2024)
  • The Esslinger Mittelaltermarkt & Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas party is one of the most famous Christmas Fairs and Medieval Markets in Germany. More than 100 market stalls appear over four weeks and guarantee an atmospheric Advent season. Finally, you can stroll through beautifully decorated stands to indulge yourself, marvel at the glittering Christmas decorations, and buy gifts or souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Christmas may come!
  • There are wonderful things to discover at one of Germany’s busiest Christmas markets. Where visitors can experience the Middle Ages live.
  • The Esslinger Mittelaltermarkt & Weihnachtsmarkt is open from November 26, 2024 until December 22, 2024. Open Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 8:30pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9:30pm at Marktplatz 73728 Esslingen am Neckar .
  • Another Christmas market in Esslingen is the Adventsmarkt Esslingen which takes place from November 26, 2024 until December 22, 2024. Open from Sunday to Thursday, from 11 am to 8:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday, from 11 am to 9:30 pm, in Fischbrunnenplatz Ritterstr. 73728 Esslingen am Neckar.

Goldener Weihnachtsmarkt in Pforzheim

• Goldener Weihnachtsmarkt in Pforzheim (Innenstadt from 11/25/2024 to 12/30/2024)
  • The Christmas Market and Medieval Market in the city of Pforzheim in the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany are a great way to discover the new and old of the country.
  • The Mittelaltermarkt in Pforzheim, the medieval market in Pforzheim, is open daily from November 25, 2024 until December 30, 2024 from 11:30am to 9pm at Blumenhof and Barfussergasse. You can see and buy ancient crafts, minstrels, a fire show and much more.
  • The Goldener Pforzheimer Weihnachtsmarkt is open from November 25, 2024 until December 22, 2024 on weekdays from 10:30am to 8pm and on Sundays from 11am to 8pm located at Fußgängerzone & Marktplatz 75175 Pforzheim.

Weihnachtsmarkt in Oberursel

• Weihnachtsmarkt in Oberursel (Stadthalle Oberursel from 11/28/2024 to 01/12/2025)
  • The Oberursel Christmas market, Weihnachtsmarkt Oberursel, traditionally starts at the beginning of Advent in the heart of the city! The Christmas Fair takes place on the first weekend of Advent, from November 25, 2024 until January 1st, 2025, at Innenstadt bis Marktplatz 61440 Oberursel. Its opening hours are: Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm, Fridays from 2pm to 10pm, Saturdays from 12pm to 10pm and Sundays from 12pm to 9pm.
  • The market stretches from the market square via Strackgasse to Rathausplatz and from there via Kumeliusstraße to Epinayplatz. The medieval market takes place in the historic market square. Clubs meet in the town hall square or you can stay in the cozy atmosphere of the Christmas village. Epinay square is a very special highlight for families, children and the elderly. Children’s activities such as steam trains and carousel rides are offered there. There is also a colorful stage program on the Kursana Christmas stage. Other highlights are the craft market and cute toy repairs at city hall.

Weihnachtsmarkt in Stuttgart

• Weihnachtsmarkt in Stuttgart (Innenstadt from 11/27/2024 to 12/23/2024)
  • The city of Stuttgart is not just about Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, check out the details of our trip to Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt, Stuttgart’s Christmas Market. The festively lit city center – shaped by the old castle, the towers of the collegiate church and the grand baroque complex of the new castle – forms the dream setting of Stuttgart’s Christmas market. Stuttgart’s Christmas market also has a lot to offer beyond the hustle and bustle: a large children’s and fairytale land, great evening concerts and the huge Advent calendar in the town hall bring Christmas magic to the city.
  • There are several Christmas markets in Stuttgart, but the main one is the Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt which opens daily from November 27, 2024 until December 23, 2024 from 10am to 9pm on Marktplatz, Stuttgart’s market square (other squares that also have markets are: Schloss-, Schiller- & Karlsplatz)

Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg

• Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg (Nuremberg and Hauptmarkt from 11/29/2024 to 12/24/2024)
  • Nuremberg Christmas Market, in the State of Bavaria, one of the largest and most traditional in Germany. At Nuremberg’s main Christmas market in the heart of the city, Germany’s most famous Christmas market, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, delights visitors of all ages.
  • Many guests from all over the world are expected again until Christmas Eve. In previous years, the Christkindlesmarkt attracted around 2.3 million visitors – proof of the uninterrupted attractiveness of the travel destination. Also for the people of Nuremberg, a tour of their stalls is part of the Advent experience, especially on weekday evenings and Christmas Eve mornings.
  • The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg’s Christmas market, will take place from November 29, 2024 until December 24, 2024 from 10am to 9pm on the Hauptmarkt, the city’s main square.

Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt

• Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt (Universitätsplatz, Marktplatz und Karlsplatz im Heidelberg from 25/11/2024 to 22/12/2024)
  • Christmas market in Heidelberg, Germany with a view of the city’s beautiful castle, which can be admired with lots of Glühwein and Christmas food. In the old part of the city, the Christmas market is divided into six individual spaces.
  • In the historic center, the Christmas market is spread over six squares and extends from the Bismarckplatz traffic intersection to the small but beautiful Anatomiegarten, the largest Christmas market with around 70 stalls on Universitätsplatz, the market characterized by the involvement of clubs and the Christmas pyramid over the Heidelberg Winterwäldchen on Kornmarkt to Karlsplatz.
  • The Heidelberg Christmas Market, Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt, opens daily from November 25, 2024 until December 22, 2024, from 11am to 9pm, with over 140 stalls in six different locations in Heidelberg (Anatomiegarten, Marktplatz, Karlsplatz & Universitätsplatz 69117 Heidelberg) .

Weihnachtsmarkt in Koblenz

• Weihnachtsmarkt in Koblenz (Jesuitenplatz from 11/22/2024 to 01/05/2025)
  • One city – seven squares – hundreds of highlights: Koblenz Christmas market is one of the largest and most diverse in Rhineland-Palatinate. Rustic wooden stalls smell like gingerbread, evening choir concerts spread a pre-Christmas atmosphere, the craft market invites you to browse unique handmade gifts and items. The children’s cinema, ice skating and Christmas trees decorated by the children of Koblenz ensure that the eyes of younger guests also shine.
  • Koblenz’s Christmas market, the Weihnachtsmarkt & Eisspektakel Koblenz, opens from November 22, 2024 until January 5, 2025 at Münzplatz, Am Plan, Jesuitenplatz, Willi-Hörter-Platz, in the courtyard of the Liebfrauenkirche, the central square and Josef-Görres-Platz (Sternenmarkt: Market of the Stars).
  • One city – seven squares – hundreds of highlights: Koblenz Christmas market is one of the largest and most diverse in Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate).

Baden-Badener Christkindelsmarkt

• Baden-Badener Christkindelsmarkt (Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg, Alexanderplatz and other places from 11/21/2024 until 01/05/2025)
  • Baden-Baden Christmas Market with numerous atmospheric attractions until the Christmas holidays. Framed by the Black Forest mountains, Baden-Baden takes visitors to the traditional Christmas market with countless new atmospheric attractions in a special kind of winter fairy tale.
  • The smell of mulled wine and gingerbread accompanies visitors as they stroll past almost 100 stalls decorated for Christmas at the start of the famous Lichtentaler Allee. The Christkindelsmarkt, which is open until the Christmas holidays, elegant boutiques and shops invite you for a stress-free shopping spree in the historic city center, decorated for Christmas.
  • The Baden-Baden Christmas markets, the Baden-Badener Christkindelsmarkt, take place from November 21, 2024 until January 5, 2025, daily from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. And also on December 24th and 31st from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and January 1st from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Christmas parties take place in Kurpark vor dem Kurhaus Kaiserallee 76530 Baden-Baden.

Berliner Weihnachtsmärkte

• Berliner Weihnachtsmärkte (Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg, Alexanderplatz and other places from 11/22/2024 to 01/12/2025)
  • The city of Berlin, mainly because it is the main city and capital of the country, has a special program for Christmas markets, with several options, for all types of visitors. There are dozens of Christmas market options in Berlin with different starting and closing dates, as well as rules, ticket prices and opening times for each of them.
• Some of the best Christmas markets in Berlin with their updated dates for 2024:
  • The city already has some markets starting on October and has festivals until January. Some of them:
    • Breitscheidplatz: 24.11.2024 – 05.01.2025
    • Alexanderplatz: 25.11.2024 – 26.12.2024
    • Rotes Rathaus: 25.11.2024 – 30.12.2024
    • Potsdamer Platz: 01.11.2024 – 01.01.2025
    • Friedrichshain (Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt): 14.11.2024 – 22.12.2024
    • Gendarmenmarkt: 25.11.2024 – 31.12.2024
    • Schloss Charlottenburg: 25.11.2024 – 29.12.2024
    • Prenzlauer Berg (Lucia Christmas Market): 25.11.2024 – 22.12.2024
    • Spandau: 25.11.2024 – 22.12.2024
    • Sophienstraße: 2nd and 3rd, 9th and 10th, 16th and 17th December 2024
    • Tierpark (Zoo): 22.11. 2024 – 12.01.2025

Tips for visiting the Christmas Markets in Germany

Winter in Germany is very harsh, so a good planning is important for your travel. The best tips to help:

• It’s better, faster, often cheaper and quite comfortable to travel by train. You avoid driving in the snow, which can appear at any time. The best site to search and buy train tickets is DBahn.
• The days in the German winter are very short, at four in the afternoon it is very dark. If you want to catch the 2 moments of the markets (without and with lights on) and dusk, arrive around 3pm. Good for traveling with children, as you can enjoy it without being too cold.
• If you are traveling with a child, be aware of them as the markets are very crowded, with a lot of people together taking their Glühwein or eating a Bratwürste. All to avoid problems, right?
• Another concern is regarding clothing. The months of November and December are very cold, so protect your neck, lap, hands and feet well. If you don’t have or want to buy warmer boots, look for fur insoles. They are sold in various places like Primark and DM and they are not expensive, it is easy to find them for up to 3 Euros. It makes a lot of difference to have warm feet.

We filmed Santa’s arrival, the Weihnachtsmann, at Karlsruhe Christmas Market:

Attractions and guided tours of Christmas Markets in Germany

In addition to visiting German Christmas markets alone, it is also possible to take some guided tours or even enjoy different related attractions.

Some tips.

Hotel and hostels accommodation deals in Germany

Find the best hotel, hostel and Bed & Breakfast deals in Germany:

Booking.com

Tours and tourist attractions deals in Germany

Tours and tourist attractions deals in Germany:

Are you traveling to Germany?

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• Tips and steps for your arrival in Frankfurt Airport in Germany

For planning a trip to Germany, we have some publications that can help a lot:

• Berlin, Germany – Top 20 sights and things to do and visit
• The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
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