Definitely go: These are the 10 most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany

The Christmas market in Baden-Baden is a true winter fairy tale. Against the backdrop of the Black Forest mountains, the light-flooded market surrounds the brightly lit Christmas tree on the Kurpark meadow. The drinking hall is also beautifully and decorated for Christmas.

At the Christmas market you will be impressed by the quality and selection of the mulled wines. But it's not just the drinks that taste particularly good here, the food is also simply delicious. Here you will find a diverse selection.

The shooting star market in Wiesbaden, which is usually very lively, is known for its glittering lilies that float above the Christmas market. A varied music program on the stage in front of the town hall accompanies the atmospheric hustle and bustle in the search for Christmas presents.

Between the scents of cinnamon and roasted almonds you will also find other wonderful delicacies here. Traditionally, handicrafts receive the most space at the shooting star market. With around 80 decorated stalls, art lovers definitely shouldn't miss the great Christmas market in Wiesbaden.

The little visitors will also find plenty of things to do at the Christmas market and even a children's bakery.

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The Striezelmarkt in Dresden is one of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in Germany. The Christmas market opened its doors for the first time in 1434. However, back then the fun only lasted a whole day. Guests at the Striezelmarkt can now enjoy all the hustle and bustle for much longer and convince themselves of delicious food, great mulled wine and a variety of stalls.

Colorful lights create a very special Christmas atmosphere. If you visit the great Christmas market in Dresden, you should also try the typical Christmas pastry - the Striezel.

At the Christmas market in Mainz you will encounter tradition. In front of St. Martin's Cathedral, the market square is transformed into a Christmas sea of ​​lights. Here you can look forward to cozy gatherings with your friends and mulled wine in your hand.

In front of fascinating old buildings, the historic Christmas market on Cathedral Square gives you a very special Christmas atmosphere and allows you to easily forget the stressful everyday life. The eleven-meter-high Christmas pyramid and hand-carved, life-size nativity figures are particularly great to look at. Normally you will also enjoy a festive stage program, which unfortunately has to be canceled due to Corona.

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The Lindau harbor Christmas is truly beautiful. The Christmas market stretches along the harbor promenade and the ships on the water are also festively lit. Around the ancient Mang Tower there are festive songs, delicious food stalls and heavenly delicious mulled wine at the numerous stalls.

The view of Lake Constance with a mountain panorama on the horizon is particularly beautiful to look at. Once you arrive at the Lindau Christmas market, you immediately feel like you are immersed in a true fairy tale. The good thing is that the Lindau harbor Christmas is really manageable and therefore not so overcrowded.

The Christmas market “Heinzel’s Winter Fairy Tale” in Cologne’s old town really gets you in the mood for Christmas. If you don't get in the mood here, you won't be able to help. Because children's eyes will start to shine at the sight of the great ice skating rink in the middle of the market, which offers great attractions such as curling or ice dancing.

But there is also an incredible amount to discover for adults here and you will be watched everywhere by the hard-working little brownies. The traditional house spirits originate from a Cologne legend. They are said to have done people's housework that had been left behind during the night. In Cologne they return during the Christmas season as a winter fairy tale and provide fantastic food, delicious mulled wine and a great atmosphere.

You can find Heinzel's winter fairy tales at the Alter Markt and the Heumarkt. While the Christmas market on the Alter Markt closes after Christmas Eve, you can enjoy the atmosphere at the Heumarkt even into January.

Old market:25. NovemberbisDecember 23rd
Hay market:25. November 2024bis5 January 2025

Opening hours:

daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m
from December 26th: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m

The Christkindlesmarkt in Karlsruhe is located on Friedrichsplatz and offers a beautiful Christmas backdrop. Although Karlsruhe is considered a Christmas city and therefore actually benefits from several Christmas markets, the Christkindlesmarkt is definitely the most popular.

No wonder, because it attracts visitors with many great attractions. Normally, the “Flying Santa Claus” by the Traber artist family is one of the highlights, but unfortunately this will not take place this year as the organizers want to avoid large gatherings of people due to the program. Unfortunately, the children's area will also be canceled this year.

Nevertheless, you can get into the wonderful Christmas spirit here with great treats and delicious mulled wine.

The “Weißerzauber” Christmas market is located directly on Jungfernstieg in the heart of Hamburg. Colorful lights create a Christmas atmosphere. Every year on December 6th, Santa Claus comes to visit and makes children's hearts beat faster. You can also register here for the Ice Princess 2022 casting and possibly become the new Ice Princess.

In addition to great attractions, you will not only be enchanted by mulled wine, Feuerzangenbowle or hot chocolate with rum, but the hot Caipirinha, which is particularly popular with visitors, is unique here.

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The Lübeck Christmas market is one of the most famous in northern Germany and is expected to take place on the market at the town hall, the Koberg, in the pedestrian zone and on the Schrangen. Wonderful scents and magical lighting lure guests into the beautiful Christmas world.

You can also visit great craft markets in Heiligen-Geist-Kapital, St.Petri, Hogehus and Shed 6 and hunt for great Christmas presents for your loved ones. There's simply no better way to start the Christmas season.

The traditional Munich Christkindlmarkt is the oldest Christmas market in the city and is located around Marienplatz. Colorful lights wrap the square in a beautiful atmosphere during the Christmas season, inviting you to linger and socialize with friends.

A highlight is the huge Christmas tree in front of the town hall, which is decorated with around 3,000 lights. The Kripperlmarkt at Alten Peter is also one of the largest nativity scene markets in Germany. Even the smallest visitors will have a lot of fun in the sky workshop and can make their own Christmas presents in the Old Town Hall.

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