Germany is home to some of the best-known Christmas markets in Europe, and in 2026 the first big ones open on 16 November. Most of them close on 23 or 24 December. This guide covers 12 of the best Christmas markets in Germany with their official 2026 dates and opening hours, four easy routes you can do by train, and practical tips and answers to common questions.
Every date below comes from the market's own website or the city's official site, checked on 5 November 2026. Dates and hours can still change, so check the official link before you book. Planning a bigger trip with Vienna, Prague or Strasbourg too? See our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Plan it faster: pick a route below, then let Travo, the AI trip planner, turn your cities and dates into a day-by-day itinerary.
2026 dates at a glance
| City | Main market | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne | Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom | 16 Nov - 23 Dec |
| Munich | Christkindlmarkt am Marienplatz | 20 Nov - 24 Dec |
| Rothenburg ob der Tauber | Reiterlesmarkt | 20 Nov - 23 Dec |
| Aachen | Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt | 20 Nov - 23 Dec |
| Frankfurt | Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt | 23 Nov - 22 Dec |
| Heidelberg | Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt | 23 Nov - 22 Dec |
| Berlin | WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt | 23 Nov - 31 Dec |
| Hamburg | Weihnachtsmarkt am Rathausmarkt | 23 Nov - 23 Dec |
| Leipzig | Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt | 24 Nov - 23 Dec |
| Dresden | Striezelmarkt | 25 Nov - 24 Dec |
| Stuttgart | Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt | 25 Nov - 23 Dec |
| Nuremberg | Christkindlesmarkt | 27 Nov - 24 Dec |
All 12 are open at the same time from 27 November to 22 December 2026. That is the best window if you want to visit several German markets in one trip.
The 12 best Christmas markets in Germany
1. Nuremberg
The Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt on the Hauptmarkt is, in the words of its official site, one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world. Its roots go back to 1530, and it was first named in writing in 1678. The Christkind opens the market with its famous prologue on 27 November 2026 at 17:30. The market then runs until 24 December, daily from 10:00 to 21:00 (until 22:00 on opening day, and 10:00 to 14:00 on 24 December). Families should head to the children's Christmas market on Hans-Sachs-Platz, which has run since 1999. There is also a market of Nuremberg's partner cities.
2. Dresden
The Dresdner Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt calls itself the oldest Christmas market in Germany. The first one, in 1434, lasted a single day. 2026 is its 592nd edition, running from 25 November to 24 December with more than 200 traders and a lot of folk art from the Erzgebirge mountains. Hours are 10:00 to 21:00 daily (from 16:00 on opening day, and until 14:00 on 24 December). Each Advent weekend has a theme day, including the Dresden Stollen Festival on 5 December, the gingerbread festival on 6 December and the pyramid festival on 12 December. This year's tree is a 23 m Nordmann fir.
3. Cologne
The Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom sits on Roncalliplatz, right in front of Cologne Cathedral, with more than 120 stalls and over 100 free events on its central stage. It opens first of the markets in this guide: 16 November to 23 December 2026. Hours are 11:00 to 21:00 Sunday to Wednesday, 11:00 to 22:00 on Thursday and Friday, and 10:00 to 22:00 on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday 22 November.
More to see in the city: things to do in Cologne.
4. Munich
The Münchner Christkindlmarkt fills Marienplatz and the old town streets around it with 138 stalls, from 20 November to 24 December 2026. It opens 10:00 to 21:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 20:00 on Sunday, and closes at 14:00 on 24 December. It is closed on Sunday 22 November. The 22 m Christmas tree carries more than 3,000 LED lights, and the nativity market in front of Alter Peter church sells nativity figures. From Sunday to Thursday you can hear Advent music from the balcony of the New Town Hall at 17:15, and on Sunday 13 December the Krampus run passes through the market from 15:00 to 17:00.
5. Frankfurt
The Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt has more than 230 decorated stalls spread over Römerberg, Paulsplatz, Mainkai, Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, Hauptwache and Roßmarkt. It runs from 23 November to 22 December 2026, 10:00 to 21:00 Monday to Saturday and 11:00 to 21:00 on Sunday. The tree on the Römerberg is a 27 m spruce from Austria. Try the local treats: Bethmännchen (marzipan cookies) and hot apple wine. Families will find a children's market on the Mainkai.
6. Stuttgart
The Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt was first recorded in 1692, and its official site calls it one of the oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. In 2026 it runs from 25 November to 23 December, 11:00 to 21:00 Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 to 22:00 on Friday and Saturday. The opening ceremony is on 25 November at 18:00 in the courtyard of the Old Castle. There is a Ferris wheel on Schlossplatz and a fairy-tale area for children.
7. Leipzig
The Leipziger Weihnachtsmarkt has about 300 stalls in the city centre around the Markt and the Old Town Hall. Its tradition goes back to the 15th century, and the city calls it one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany. It runs from 24 November to 23 December 2026, 11:00 to 21:00 Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 to 22:00 on Friday and Saturday. The tree is lit at about 17:00 on opening day. On 22 and 23 December the market closes at 20:00.
8. Berlin
Berlin has many Christmas markets. The best known is the WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt, held for more than 20 years and visited by over 600,000 people a year. In 2026 it runs from 23 November to 31 December: 11:00 to 22:00 Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 to 23:00 on Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 to 18:00 on 24 December. It has heated tents, daily shows on the stage in front of the Konzerthaus, and it ends with a New Year's Eve party and fireworks. Entry costs €2. Children under 12 go free, and entry is free for everyone Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00 (except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December).
More to see in the city: things to do in Berlin.
9. Hamburg
Hamburg's Weihnachtsmarkt am Rathausmarkt, run by Roncalli, sits in front of City Hall with about 80 stalls and gets almost three million visitors a year. It runs from 23 November to 23 December 2026, daily from 11:00 to 21:00. Look up at 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00: that is when Santa flies over the market in his sleigh. On the Advent Saturdays a Christmas parade moves along Mönckebergstraße at 14:00 and 17:00.
10. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Reiterlesmarkt fills the Marktplatz, Grüner Markt and Kirchplatz of this small walled town, plus the courtyard of the town hall. Entry is free. In 2026 it runs from 20 November to 23 December, 11:00 to 19:00 Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 to 20:00 on Friday and Saturday. It is closed on Sunday 22 November. On Friday 27 November at 17:00, the Reiterle rides into the Marktplatz on horseback to greet visitors, and the Christmas tree is lit. From 1 to 23 December, a new Advent window opens on the town hall every day at 17:00.
11. Aachen
The Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt spreads through the old town around the cathedral and the town hall. It runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026, daily from 11:00 to 21:00. Note the special days: on Sunday 22 November it opens only from 18:00 to 21:00, on Saturday 12 December it stays open until 22:00, and on 23 December it closes at 20:00. Aachen sits right next to the Belgian and Dutch borders, so it is easy to add to a trip in the Netherlands or Belgium.
12. Heidelberg
The Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt is spread over six squares in the old town, from Bismarckplatz to Karlsplatz. Look for the carousel on Universitätsplatz, which is more than 100 years old. The market runs from 23 November to 22 December 2026, with the official opening on 23 November at 18:00. It is open until 21:00 most days and until 22:00 on Saturday. Two parts stay open after Christmas: the Winter Woodland on Kornmarkt until 1 January 2027, and the ice rink on Karlsplatz, with a view of Heidelberg Castle, until 6 January 2027.
4 Christmas market routes in Germany by train
These routes group cities that sit close together, so you spend your time at the markets instead of in transit. All four work by train, so you do not need a car. Check train times and fares on Deutsche Bahn for your own dates before you book.
Route 1: Munich, Nuremberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber (5 to 6 days)
The Bavarian classic. Spend 2 nights in Munich and 2 in Nuremberg, and give Rothenburg a day or a night. Go between 27 November and 23 December, when all three are open. Rothenburg closes at 19:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and it is a small town, so check the train connection if you plan it as a day trip.
Route 2: Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden (6 to 7 days)
Start in Berlin, then head south to Leipzig and Dresden. Go between 25 November and 23 December. Plan your Dresden days around 5 December if you want to see the Stollen Festival. Want to travel after Christmas? Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt stays open until 31 December, so end your trip there. You can also add Hamburg before Berlin for a longer trip.
Route 3: Cologne and Aachen (3 to 4 days)
The Rhineland route. Base yourself in Cologne and take a day trip to Aachen, or split your nights between the two. Both are open from 20 November to 23 December, but avoid Sunday 22 November, when Cologne is closed and Aachen opens only in the evening.
Route 4: Frankfurt, Heidelberg and Stuttgart (4 to 5 days)
Southwest Germany in one trip: Frankfurt's Römerberg, Heidelberg's old town under the castle, and Stuttgart, one of the oldest markets in Europe. Go between 25 November and 22 December, because Frankfurt and Heidelberg both close on 22 December.
Want to mix two routes, or start from a different city? Add your cities and dates to Travo and it builds the day-by-day plan for you. For more on linking several cities, read our multi-city trip planner guide.
Practical tips for a Christmas market trip in Germany
- Watch Sunday 22 November. It is Totensonntag, a day of remembrance in Germany. Cologne, Munich and Rothenburg are closed, and Aachen opens only from 18:00.
- Watch the last days. Frankfurt and Heidelberg close on 22 December, and most others on 23 December. Nuremberg, Dresden and Munich are open on 24 December, but only until 14:00.
- Travelling after Christmas? Berlin's WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt runs until 31 December, and Heidelberg's Winter Woodland and ice rink stay open into January.
- Plan around the special days. Nuremberg's opening prologue (27 November), the Dresden Stollen Festival (5 December) and the Munich Krampus run (13 December) are worth building a trip around.
- Small towns close earlier. Rothenburg closes at 19:00 most days, so arrive in the afternoon.
- Go in the evening at least once. The lights are the main show, and most big-city markets in this guide stay open until 21:00 or later.
- Visit on weekdays if you can. If crowds bother you, plan the big squares for weekday afternoons.
- Book stays early. Book your hotels as soon as your dates are set, especially near the main squares.
- Dress for the cold. You will stand outside for hours, so wear warm layers and comfortable shoes.
Plan your Christmas market trip in Travo
Travo is an AI trip planner for iOS and Android. Tell it your cities, dates and interests, and it builds a day-by-day itinerary you can change as you go. You can see each day's route on a map and keep all your trip details in one place on your phone. Add the market evenings you care about most, then let Travo fill in the sights around them.
The free plan includes 2 trips and 2 AI itineraries, which is enough for one Christmas market trip. Premium costs $2.99 a month or $24.99 a year in the US (€3.09 or €25.99 in the eurozone) and adds unlimited trips and full offline access.
Get Travo: Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play. Prefer a bigger screen? Start planning in your browser.
FAQ
When do Christmas markets in Germany open in 2026?
Most open between 20 and 27 November 2026. In this guide, Cologne opens first on 16 November, and Nuremberg opens last on 27 November. Most close on 23 or 24 December.
What is the best time to visit Christmas markets in Germany?
Between 27 November and 22 December 2026, when all 12 markets in this guide are open. Avoid Sunday 22 November, and aim for weekdays if you want calmer visits.
What is the oldest Christmas market in Germany?
Dresden's Striezelmarkt calls itself the oldest Christmas market in Germany, first held in 1434. Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt has roots going back to 1530, Leipzig's tradition goes back to the 15th century, and Stuttgart's market was first recorded in 1692.
Which is the best Christmas market in Germany?
There is no official ranking. For history, pick Nuremberg or Dresden. For a dramatic setting, Cologne's market sits in front of the cathedral. Munich, Frankfurt and Leipzig are big city markets with lots of stalls, and Rothenburg is a small walled town. The best choice is the group of markets you can link easily on one trip.
Are German Christmas markets open on Christmas Day?
Most are not. The markets in this guide close on 22, 23 or 24 December. Berlin's WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt runs until 31 December, and in Heidelberg the Winter Woodland and the ice rink stay open after Christmas. Holiday hours are often shorter, so check each official site.
Do you have to pay to enter German Christmas markets?
Most are free to walk into, and you only pay for what you eat, drink or buy. One exception in this guide is Berlin's WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt, which charges €2 (free for children under 12, and free for everyone Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00 except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December).
How many days do you need for a Christmas market trip in Germany?
Plan 1 to 2 days per big city and half a day to a day for small towns like Rothenburg. A two-city trip like Cologne and Aachen fits into 3 to 4 days, and a three-city trip like Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden fits into about a week.