10 Best German Christmas Markets in 2024

Planning to Visit Germany During Christmas? Visit the Christmas Markets to Make Your Trip Unique

Christmas is an awesome festival for the kids and the whole family, and many of you are planning to have an excellent vacation then. Have you planned already? If not, then consider Germany for now. Now, there are lots of reasons for visiting Germany throughout the year. So, what is so special about visiting this country during Christmas?

It is the festive vibe, the gorgeous streets, the glowing fairy lights, and the decorated stalls that attract visitors from around the world. But, those are not the only reasons why people from different parts of the world make Germany crowded during Christmas.

The main reason is the Christmas Market. Yes, there are lots of amazing Christmas markets around the world, but what you find in Germany Christmas Markets is not available elsewhere.

The concept of Christmas Market is quite traditional in Germany, and there are several best German Christmas Markets which have still maintained that tradition from the early time. As soon as Christmas approaches, these markets get decorated with lots of items.

If you want to buy those and also enjoy the festive season in Germany, plan early and make your bookings early. Today, you will get to know about different Christmas markets in Germany. But, before that, let’s have a look at the tradition of the Christmas market.

History of Christmas Market

In Germany, Christmas Market is traditionally known as Christkindlmarkte or Weihnachtsmarkte. In the early days, nearly the late Middle Ages, the marketers used to arrange winter markets in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

Soon this market took the shape of the Christmas market and became hugely popular. The first Christmas market of the world was organized in Dresden, and it is popular in the name of Striezelmarkt. It was started in 1434.

Since then, the tradition of the German Christmas market is coming down generation after generation, and today, it has become one of the most popular ways to spend Christmas in Germany. Today, people meet their friends and family at these markets during Christmas, gift each other lots of handcrafted things and baked goods, and spend a day full of fun and excitement.

Christmas Market is the synonyms of mulled wine and gingerbread cookies that you will find in any German Christmas market. Apart from those, each market is unique in its way. Here, you will get to know about the fantastic Christmas market in Germany. Read on to know more.

#1. Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg

While talking about the best Christmas markets in Germany, This market will be on the top of the list due to the history and tales related to it and also because of its age-old tradition. Still now, the origin of this market is not clear enough, but according to many historians, this market was started from the 17th Century.

The beginning of this market is done with a parade with the ‘Christkind’ (Christ Child), who give gifts to everyone. The show starts from Hauptmarkt, the central square of Nuremberg. Usually, this market begins from the Advent and continues up to Christmas Eve.

• How to reach: Reach Central Bus Station by city bus;
• What to buy: Woolen clothes, fruit jam, brandies, etc.;
• Timing: Every day (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 27th November to 24th December.

#2. Weihnachtsmarkt Am Kolner Dom, Cologne

It is the most popular and the biggest Christmas market in Germany, which is arranged near the gothic Cologne Cathedral and under the largest Christmas tree in the Rhine. The glittering fairy lights, emblazing streets, and the throbbing market with life and laughter are always your priority to visit while you are in Germany during Christmas.

The streets are full of singing and dancing performers, and you can also join them while you are here. This Christmas market is for everyone, so your little one can enjoy it too. There is a traditional merry-go-round where kids can have fun, and you can also relive your childhood again! Besides this, this particular Christmas market is also the best place for the foodies.

• How to reach: Travel by train and go to Cologne Central Station;
• What to buy: Handicrafts items, mulled wine, cashews, bratwursts, almonds, pretzels, etc.;
• Timing: Sunday to Wednesday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Thursday to Saturday (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 25th November to 23rd December.

#3. Striezelmarkt, Dresden

Christmas markets in Germany are traditional places to enjoy your Christmas. To roam around the streets of history during the Christmas Striezelmarkt or the Dresden Christmas Market is the best place to visit.

With a history of 600 years, this is the biggest Christmas fair in Germany. Once you are here, you can visit the fantastic events, like the Pyramid Festival, the Stollen Festival, etc.

Spending a few hours can take you to ancient times as it was in the b. The twinkling fairy-lights can set the backdrop correctly while you can also get viable options to celebrate your taste buds with Saxon cuisine.

• How to reach: Travel by train and get to the main station of Dresden;
• What to buy: Handicrafts items, candles, handmade toys, pottery, wooden ornaments, etc.;
• Timing: Every day (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 27th November to 24th December.

#4. Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin

If you are in Berlin during Christmas, you will be confused with so many options as there are more than 70 Christmas markets that are there to enjoy your vacation. But, if you want to visit the best one, you can spend an hour at Gendarmenmarkt, and you will know why it is the best.

With the great background of French and German Churches, this Christmas market is paradise to the shoppers. There are lots of entertainers, like jugglers, fire-eaters, choirs, jazz performers, etc. who are ever ready to entertain you. Also, you will find lots of stalls and shops to buy unique things from this Christmas market.

• How to reach: Travel by train and reach U Hausvogteiplatz (4-minute walk);
• What to buy: Spicy mulled wine, origami art objects, winter wear, Christmas-special foods, etc.;
• Timing: Every day (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
• The time required to visit: 1 hour.
• Duration: 25th November to 30th December.

#5. Lucia Christmas Market, Berlin

Let’s not move from Berlin and find another excellent Christmas market that will leave no chance to woo its visitors. This Christmas market is unique, exactly like the culture of the city itself as here, you can find multiculturalism that you will experience in the fair also.

Berlin indeed hosts a superb Christmas market, like Gendarmenmarkt, but if you visit Lucia Christmas Market, you will know why it is unique. This Christmas fair is the perfect amalgamation of German and Scandinavian cultures, and as proof, you can see

Nordic flags, waving from the stalls. You can also find traditional Nordic dishes to taste here, like elk bratwurst.

• How to reach: Take Subway U2 and reach Eberswalder Str;
• What to buy: Gingerbread, Swedish saffron buns, Swedish mulled wine, etc.;
• Timing: Monday to Friday (3 p.m. to 10 p.m.), Saturday and Sunday (1 p.m. – 10 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 25th November to 22nd December.

#6. Annaberg-Buchholz Christmas Market, Erzgebirge

It is not only the characters of the Christmas market but also the towns that set the mood of Christmas in the right way. If you want that Christmas festive tuning, you can visit this best Christmas town of Erzgebirge, where you can spend a few days in a festive mood.

The Christmas market is absolutely like the fairy-tale type where you can purchase varieties of Christmas goodies for you and your family and friends. Usually, you can find several Christmas gift items that are common elsewhere also.

But, the unique thing you can from this cozy Christmas market is the special handicraft items like Erzgebirge figurines, handmade laces from Paulen, and also the local toys. The Christmas market culminates with the remarkable Grand Mountain Parade.

• How to reach: Take a public bus;
• What to buy: Ornaments, home decoration, local foods, etc.;
• Timing: Monday to Thursday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Friday to Sunday (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 29th November to 22nd December.

#7. Aachen Christmas Market, Aachen

If you have visited Aachen before, you won’t recognize the town during Christmas. The streets and squares are decorated with twinkling Christmas lights, and there are numerous stalls of different types of items, including food stalls.

The bars offer open services on the streets so that visitors can roam around the fair with their favorite drink at their hands.

This Christmas market is lit brightly around the town hall and the church. Once you are here, you should not miss strolling around at different food stalls where you will be welcomed with hot waffles, pancakes, grilled sausages, cakes, potato cakes, and so on.

If you ever visit this beautiful Christmas market, you want to come back again during this time in Aachen.

• How to reach: Travel by train and then take a car;
• What to buy: Wooden toys, Christmas decoration, handicraft items, etc.;
• Timing: Every day (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 22nd November to 23rd December.

#8. Marienplatz Christian Market, Munich

Marienplatz is one of the most famous squares in Munich, which is surrounded by historical buildings, like Old and New Town Halls. The Neo-Gothic style of architecture already makes you amazed while the Christmas market here can set the right festive mood of the occasion.

The streets are decorated with Christmas decorative ornaments, lights, garlands, etc. to woo the visitors instantly. The 100-foot Christmas tree is the center of attraction, which is decorated with 2,500 lights. You can also enjoy live music and other performances here.

• How to reach: Travel by public transport, like tram;
• What to buy: Hand-painted glass ornaments, mulled wine, beautiful crystals, wood carvings, etc.;
• Timing: Monday to Friday (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 10.45 p.m.), Sunday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 27th November to 24th December.

#9. Dusseldorf Christmas Market, Dusseldorf

This Christmas market in Dusseldorf is another Christmas fair that can mesmerize the visitors with its grandeur. There are numerous shops which are decorated in their best way to attract visitors.

You will feel nostalgic at this place if you ever visited the Christmas market earlier here. They have maintained the tradition with a touch of modernism. The picturesque beauty of the streets, gleaming with lights will remind you about your childhood days of Christmas.

• How to reach: Travel by public transport, like tram;
• What to buy: Hand-painted glass ornaments, mulled wine, beautiful crystals, wood carvings, etc.;
• Timing: Monday to Friday (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. to 10.45 p.m.), Sunday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 27th November to 24th December.

#10. Marktplatz, Stuttgart

While you are in Germany during Christmas, you will find several Christmas markets; each of those is spectacular with their features. Some of those are quite modern and contemporary, while you can find several fairs have still maintained the tradition with which those began their journey.

Marktplatz in Stuttgart is one of those Christmas markets which are based on the traditional systems, and that makes the visitors feel great to visit it. Grab a handful of chestnuts and roam around the market and shop at your heart’s content.

• How to reach: Travel by train at the nearest station, Rathaus (4-minute walk);
• What to buy: Christmas decorations, mulled wine, gingerbread houses handicraft items, wood carvings, etc.;
• Timing: Monday to Thursday (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Friday and Saturday (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.), Sunday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.);
• The time required to visit: 1 hour;
• Duration: 27th November to 23rd December.

Hopefully, you get enough information about the Christmas market in Germany; it is the right time to book hotels and flight tickets for the country and plan a great trip full of excitement.