So Many Christmas Markets, So Little Time

How we love the sights and sounds of Christmas Markets! We can’t get enough. Luckily there are hundreds of Christmas markets you can visit in Germany. Read on to find out City Starling’s top picks!

Town squares come alive with X-mas cheer this time of year.
Brightly lit wooden stalls welcome you to some amazing sweets and beautifully handcrafted items.
What about that particular aroma filling the air?
Mulled wine brewing with a hint of cinnamon & cloves; easy with the dose.
Accompany with gingerbread cookies or fruit cake with powdered sugar on top.
Still not warm enough… hop, hop and sing festive carols late into the night.

With so many Christmas Markets to visit and so little time, we hope to help narrow it down for you by listing our favorites! The season usually runs the 1st day of Advent (November 27 in 2017) – December 24th. Not all Christmas markets run on those same dates, so please check websites for dates and times.

Traditional Christmas Markets in and around Munich:

click on links for detailed location, times and info

Munich Christkindlmarkt at Marienplatz
Christmas Village at the Munich Residenz
The Romantic Christmas Market at Sendlinger Tor
The Medieval Christmas Market at Wittelsbacher Platz, near Odeonsplatz
Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower Englischer Garten
Schwabing Christmas Market at Münchner Freiheit
Pink Christmas in Glockenbachviertel
Winter Market at the Munich Airport
Haidhauser Christmas Market  at Weißenburger Platz
Tollwood Winter Festival at Theresienwiese

Munich Specialty Christmas Markets

Schloss Blutenburg– Blutenburger Weihnacht takes place in the inner courtyard of Schloss Blutenburg. The Christmas market offers contemplative stalls as well as imaginative exhibitions, music, and excursions in Christmas customs and traditions.  Also on Friday, the 8th starting at 5 PM, there will be a light house festival.

When: 7th – 10th of December 2017
Thursday & Friday: 1 PM – 8 PM, Saturday &, Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM

Mercado Navideño – the beautiful Villa Flora celebrates the first German-Latin American Christmas Festival combining traditions from both cultures. A diverse program of live music, food trucks, kids programs and artisan products for sale will be available throughout the weekend.

When: Saturday, December 2 – Sunday, December 3, 2017. Open daily: 12 PM – 10 PM

The Munich Fire Bowl (Feuerzangenbowle) Market at Isartor – You can smell the Glühwein (mulled wine) brewing in the imposing kettle right in the center of the Christmas market. Meet with friends and warm up with the special brew. No worries, with 9000 liters, there’s enough for all of you.

When: December 01, 2017 – January 06, 2018
Open daily: 11 AM – 10 PM;
December 24: 11 AM – 2 PM;
December 31: 11 AM – 3 PM

Christmas Markets in Bavaria (Bayern)

Christmas Market on Frauenchiemsee – a beautiful and romantic Christmas Market, located on an island in the Lake Chiemsee, surrounded by alpine views.

When: 1st – 3rd December & 8th – 10th December 2017
Friday 2 PM – 7 PM
Saturday/Sunday 12 PM – 7 PM

Waldwipfelweg – no you haven´t had too much Glühwein to drink, the upside down house is there to astonish and challenge our perception. There is so much to stimulate your senses: visit the cave of illusions, walk above the treetops and so much more.

When: (Fri 3 PM – 8 PM / Sat and Sun 12 PM – 8 PM )
24 – 26 November 2017
01 – 03 December 2017
08 – 10 December 2017
15 – 17 December 2017
22 – 23 December 2017
Winter Market: 27 – 30 December 2017 (12 PM – 6 PM)

Bad Feilnbach Wald Advent – When night falls, it becomes clear why the Bad Feilnbach market is so special. Hundreds of lights, torches, and campfires illuminate the entire park. Definitely, a must see!

When: December 16 – 17, 2017
Saturday 1 PM – 9 PM
Sunday 11 AM – 9 PM

Regensburg Market  – it´s not called the Romantic Market for nothing! The festivities are held in the courtyard of the Thurn and Taxis Castle and it truly is a charming setting worth experiencing. Note: Prices do apply.

When: November 29 – December 23, 2017
Sunday – Wednesday 12 PM – 10 PM
Thursday – Saturday 12 PM – 11 PM

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt – one of the prettiest medieval towns in Bavaria, this is one market we have not visited as of yet but is at the top of the list this year.

When: December 1 – 23, 2017; Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 7 PM
Friday – Sunday: 11 AM – 8PM

Nuremberg Christmas Market – takes place on the main square. First mentioned in 1628, this is one of the country’s oldest Christmas markets.

When: December 1 – 24, 2017
Dec 1st 10 AM – 9 PM (Opening Ceremony: 5:30PM)
Daily: 10 AM – 9 PM
Christmas Eve: 10 AM – 2 PM

Christmas Markets in Germany

Dresden Christmas Market – the oldest Christmas Market, the Dresdner Striezelmarkt dates back to 1434 and is also famous for having the world’s biggest nutcracker, a massive Christmas pyramid and the largest Stollen (traditional German fruitcake).

When: The 583rd Dresden Striezelmarkt will open from 29th November to 24th December 2017 at Dresden Altmarkt square. The booths open from 10 AM to 9 PM.

Erfurt – the capital of Thuringia, dates back more than 1,270 years! This historical medieval town boasts a Christmas market with regional favorites such as Thuringian bratwurst, Erfurt schittchen, and stollen so good it’s a registered trademark.

When:  Nov 28th – Dec 22, 2017
Sunday to Wednesday 10 AM – 8 PM
Thursday & opening Day 10 AM – 9 PM
Friday and Saturday 10 AM – 10 PM

Weimar – If you are in the Thuringia area and have time, head on over to the UNESCO world heritage town of Weimar, only a 30 min drive away. This is another beautiful Christmas market, in a town rich with history!

When: November 28, 2017 to January 5, 2018
Sunday to Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Friday and Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM
closed on December 24 & 25 and New Year

Altdeutscher Weihnachtsmarkt in Badwimpfen  – one of the oldest and most beautiful traditional Christmas markets in Germany, hence the name Old German Christmas Market in Badwimpfen.  It is so easy to imagine you are in a fairytale land, as you stroll through this medieval walled city.  Located in the Baden-Württemberg region of southern Germany, we recommend an overnight trip and a stay in the castle Burg Hornberg, just a 22 min drive away!

When: 1st December – 3rd December 2017
08th December – 10th December 2017
15th December – 17th December 2017

Christmas Markets Neighboring Germany

Montreux Switzerland Christmas Market – located along the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, one can discover the new elf village alongside festive stalls. Or plan a visit to the real Santa Claus at his house on top of Rochers-de-Naye!

When: Nov 23rd – Dec 24th
Artisans & Merchants
Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 8 PM
Friday 11 AM – 10 PM   Saturday 10 AM – 10 PM  Sunday 10 AM – 8 PM
Food & Beverage
Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 10 PM
Friday 11 AM – 11 PM  Saturday 10 AM – 11 PM.  Sunday 10 AM – 10 PM

Salzburg Austria Christmas Market – known as the advent city of Mozart, this lovely Austrian city hosts several little markets.  Click on the website link above for more details.

When: Nov 23rd – Dec 24th

*Dates and times of all the Markets within Salzburg differ so please see website for more details.

Strasbourg France Christmas Market – AKA “Capitale de Noël” is one of the oldest Christmas Markets in Europe and the oldest in France, dating as far back as 1570.  Beautiful and magical, explore Christmas traditions deeply rooted in Alsatian culture.

When: 24 November and 30 December 2017
On 24 November (the opening day), stalls are open from 2 pm to 9 pm.
25-30 December*: 11 am – 8 pm daily.
Late opening on Fridays (until 9 pm) and Saturdays (until 10 pm).
24 December: 11 am – 6 pm.
Closed on 25 December.

* Only part of the markets will be open between 26 December and 30 December: explore an intimate, magical world at Place de la Cathédrale, Place du Vieux-Marché-aux-Poissons, Rue de la Grande Boucherie, Rue de Rohan and the Palais Rohan terrace.

Let us know what your favorite Christmas Markets are in Munich, Germany and beyond!

Related Post: Innsbruck – Embraced by the Alps