12 Best German Christmas Markets — Including the Oldest in the World

These German Christmas markets are straight out of a storybook.

Fröhliche Weihnachten! Nothing beats being home with your family for the holidays, but hopping around European Christmas markets (or even European-style Christmas markets in the U.S.) is pretty close. When it comes to traditional holiday markets, Germany leads the way in decorations, baked goods, and grand festivities that range from live concerts and ice skating rinks to the crowning of the Christmas angel. Of course, the shopping is half the fun, so plan to fill your suitcase with handcrafted ornaments and other special gifts to delight your loved ones on the big day.

It's not just a big city affair — you can find a Christmas market in many small towns around the country — but these markets are some of the most legendary. Here are a dozen destinations worth traveling for in the weeks before Christmas, brimming with holiday cheer and overflowing with sweet glühwein.

Dresdner Striezelmarkt

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt is considered the first genuine Christmas market in the world, dating all the way back to its first iteration in 1434, when it was held for just one day. Today, it's a massive multiday event where over 200 stalls can be found selling sweet treats, Christmas tchotchkes, and more. Ride the Ferris wheel to get the best view of the market lights. The 589th Dresdner Striezelmarkt will take place at Altmarkt from November 29 to December 24, 2023. For those seeking something a bit more intimate, Dresden hosts a variety of Christmas markets of all sizes, so after checking out the Striezelmarkt, you can mosey over to the Neumarkt or the Neustadt, where there's more Christmas fun to be had.

Leipzig Christmas Market

Open from November 22 to December 23, 2023, the Leipzig Christmas market is one of Germany’s oldest and largest. With more than 250 stalls tucked in the historic Marktplatz, punctuated by a massive, marvelous Saxon spruce Christmas tree, the Leipzig Christmas market has been delighting merrymakers since its humble 1458 roots. Other highlights are, of course, the culinary treats, traditional medieval market, and variety of performances on the market square stage.

Trier Christmas Market

Open every day from November 24 to December 22, 2023 (except November 26), the Trier Christmas market has been a beloved German holiday tradition for more than 40 years. It's located in the town of Trier, only eight miles from the Luxembourg border. The romantic medieval setting, surrounded by the Trier Cathedral and Main Market, sports nearly 100 booths and a family-friendly program that changes daily. Event highlights include historical puppet theater performances, regular Christmas concerts, and a poetry slam.

Berlin Christmas Markets

If you want to visit a new Christmas market on every day of your trip, Germany's capital is a great bet — there are more than 100 Berlin Christmas markets to choose from. Head to the Kurfürstendamm on the west end of town and get your shopping done at the Breitscheidplatz Christmas market. Or, ride the Ferris wheel, skate the ice rink, and peruse the Old Berlin-style market alleys at the Berlin City Hall Christmas market to tap into the city's holiday fun. Most of the markets open in November and some even stay open past Christmas, through the end of the year.

Cologne Christmas Markets

Cologne is another city dotted with Yuletide markets during November and December. Don’t miss Nikolausdorf, or Nicholas Village, on Rudolfplatz near the trendy Belgian Quarter, where you’ll encounter cozy village lanes, charming half-timbered houses, and hot drinks served in cups shaped like Santa’s boots. The dazzlingly illuminated Christmas market at Cologne Cathedral, with its huge decorated Christmas tree, is another must-see from November 23 to December 23, 2023.

Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt

Offering a traditional German Christmas market experience, the Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt is one of the country’s most romantic and transportive, thanks in part to the 17th-century riverside town setting and nighttime backdrop of the glowing Heidelberg Castle. Spread across five different squares, the Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt embodies the warm, fuzzy feeling of Christmas. Don’t miss the ice rink at Karlsplatz and the illuminated fir trees at Kornmarkt. This year’s market dates are November 27 to December 22, 2023.

Düsseldorf Christmas Market

The Düsseldorf Christmas market is not one but seven markets, each themed around the varied wares on offer, from edible delights to dazzling decor schemes, plus an ice skating area. Taking place from November 23 to December 30, 2023, the event will offer more than 200 elaborately decorated Christmas huts to wander at various locations throughout the city center. Take a spin on the giant Ferris wheel between bouts of shopping and sipping hot mulled wine. In the past, themed areas have included dedicated artisan markets where you can buy gifts direct from glassblowers and painters.

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

One of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, or “the little city of wood and cloth,” is held each year on Nuremberg’s Main Market Square. Officially opened by the Christkind, a young local woman in angelic garb and a golden crown, the market is famous for its Rauschgold angels, wooden nutcrackers, nativity scenes, and colorful stars, as well as culinary highlights such as gingerbread-like lebkuchen, mulled wine, and bratwurst. Those with little ones won’t want to miss the Christmas-themed city for children on Hans-Sachs-Platz, which has special entertainment for kids and booths with hands-on activities. This year, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt will take place from December 1 to December 24, 2023.

Stuttgart Christmas Market

Over 300 years old, the Stuttgart Christmas market is another German holiday favorite with some of the best decorations. A prize is awarded each year for the most beautiful stall (chosen by a jury), so all 300 booths here are ornately adorned. Enjoy the festive sights and sounds of Stuttgart at Christmas as you stroll and the soul-warming scent of cinnamon, vanilla, glühwein, and roasting bratwurst in the air. The Stuttgart Christmas market will be open from November 29 to December 23, 2023.

Braunschweig Christmas Market

Dating back to 1505, the Braunschweig Christmas market has been beloved for more than five centuries. From November 29 to December 29, 2023, the old quarter around Braunschweig’s St. Blasii Cathedral will transform into a magical Christmas wonderland, with 150 vendors offering a range of goodies, from typical wooden toys to leather goods, jewelry, illuminated Christmas stars, and, of course, delicious food.

At the Braunschweig Christmas market, the glühwein is tailored to the setting, served with a shot of local Braunschweiger Mumme, a thick malt extract. If you love it, you can also try Mumme beer and baked rolls at the Mumme stand. Plus, you won't want to miss the Christmas concerts at St. Blasii Cathedral, the life-size nativity scene, and the ice rink at Kohlmarkt.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt

It doesn’t get much more picture-perfect than the medieval walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, but go around Christmastime and you’ll be swept into a half-timbered holiday fairy tale. Taking place from December 1 to December 23, 2023, the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt is an Advent experience. Don’t leave without sampling schneeballen (snowballs), a local treat made from shortcrust pastry dough that’s rolled into a ball, fried, and coated with confectioners' sugar and other toppings of choice.

Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations

For something a bit different from the classic German Christmas market, head to Rüdesheim for the annual Christmas Market of Nations, now in its 29th year. Here in the wintry Rhine Valley, more than 17 countries (representing six of the seven continents) gather to offer their unique goods and specialties. The market takes place from November 20 to December 23, 2023, but the traditional St. Thomas Night parade on December 20 is a highlight.

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