The 8 Best Christmas Markets in Germany

Whether you want medieval-themed festivities or a traditional holiday experience, Germany is filled with unique and vibrant Christmas markets that celebrate the season with unique events, delicious seasonal food, and handcrafted gifts. If you’re planning a holiday vacation, here are the best Christmas markets in Germany to make the most of the winter season.

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg

Nuremberg is one of the best cities for Christmas markets. It offers numerous markets, but the best is the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, a traditional and historic market that celebrates the season with trumpet players, golden lights, and stalls selling handcrafted goods. You could find unique gifts for every interest, ranging from Drei im Weggla and gingerbread to handmade angel figurines and Christmas tokens. The market also has Christkind, a crowned figure and traditional symbol. You can also take a stagecoach tour through the area to see the decorations and listen to Christmas music.

Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Guteneck, Guteneck

Located in the Schloss castle grounds, the Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Guteneck is a must-see event with medieval influences, illuminated trees, and cozy fires. The market is the ideal event for all ages and features clowns, minstrels, and jugglers performing in the streets, a petting zoo with adorable animals, falconry demonstrations, camel rides, fire dancers, and more, all in celebration of the traditional Advent calendar. Throughout the event, you’ll hear unique music from baroque flautists and brass bands, and you can sample delicious foods like fried doughnuts, roasted nuts, and mulled wine.

Münchner Christkindlmarkt, Munich

Munich has an array of Christmas and holiday markets, making it one of the best cities for Christmas bazaars. Its main traditional marketplace is Münchner Christkindlmarkt, a fantastic market in Marienplatz that travels through the nearby shopping streets. This Bavarian-themed event features all types of traditional elements, such as a towering Christmas tree with decorations, warm candle decorations, music, and mulled wine. You can also attend the Krampus run, hear live music from musicians, singers, and choirs, or sample seasonal delicacies like Beerenglühwein.

Lucia Christmas Market, Berlin

Berlin is one of the best cities for Christmas markets. It boasts many diverse markets that celebrate everything from traditional seasonal events to environmental sustainability and the multicultural traditions that influenced the city. One of the best events is the Lucia Christmas Market, which celebrates Germanic traditions with Scandinavian influences through song and dance and traditional holiday foods like elk bratwurst. Named for the Nordic goddess of light, the market takes place in a historic brewery that’s filled with festively decorated stalls.

Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt, Leipzig

The Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt is a vibrant, historic market that’s set in Marketplatz. The market features hundreds of stalls with vendors selling traditional handicrafts and artisan foods, and there are lights, music, and parades throughout the square. You can also find Finnish products and Swiss cheese in the nearby Augustusplatz. Some of the highlights of the Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt are the giant Advent calendar, the enchanted fairy-tale forest, and a towering Ferris wheel that provides views of the lights and decorations in the streets.

Striezelmarkt, Dresden

The Striezelmarkt is not only the oldest Christmas market in all of Germany, but it’s also known for its excellent mulled wine, seasonal music, and festive carousels. You can find plenty of fun Christmas goods from artisans in the market’s stalls, such as handcrafted nutcrackers, miniature sculptures, fruit loaves, and the Dresden Plfaumentoffel, a chimney sweep composed of dates. You can see a parade and giant fruit bread sweep for Dresdner Stollenfest, as well as baking stands to try traditional recipes.

Hamburger Weihnachtsmarkt, Hamburg

The historic Hamburger Weihnachtsmarkt is located in the massive town square and features an array of traditional foods and unique gifts. You’ll find over 80 vendors, showmen, artisans, and market clerks offering all manner of unusual foods, gifts, and entertainment. The enchanting square is also filled with Christmas trees decorated with gilded apples and elegant angel figurines, festive garland, and live trumpet music. If you’re bringing the kids, the historic carousel, model railway, and Santa on his sleigh are musts for unforgettable family memories.

Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt, Aachen

If you’re looking for an enchanted feel for Christmas, the Aachener Wiehnachtsmarkt in Aachen is a delightful Christmas market. The area surrounding the Aachen Cathedral and Town Hall is turned into an enchanting Christmas village of wooden chalets and illumination. Throughout the town, you’ll find gingerbread, traditional and handmade gifts, mulled wine from Rheinhessen, authentic local foods, and a local fair with games and events. The Printen gingerbread man, a delightful mascot addition, is sure to impress the kids.

Plan your Christmas trip

With some of the best cities for Christmas markets, Germany is the ideal place for a holiday vacation. Visit Expedia to check out Berlin vacations, Munich vacations, or other destinations for Germany vacations to plan your fun-filled trip.