Skip to main content

Deck the stalls: Exploring Germany’s most magical Christmas markets

Grab some GlĂĽhwein and head to one of these markets.

Christmas market
chriswanders / Pixabay

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, there’s nothing quite like a German Christmas market. With Oktoberfest in the rearview mirror, it’s time to get into the Christmas spirit and think about the best places to visit in November and December. Imagine strolling through charming stalls, sipping on a steaming mug of Glühwein (that’s German mulled wine!), and taking in the twinkling lights, festive tunes, and delicious smells of spiced treats in the air.

From handmade ornaments to artisan gifts, German Christmas markets are a one-stop wonderland for holiday shopping. And with plenty of rides and activities for kids, they’re perfect for a family outing, too. So, grab a cozy scarf, warm up with some Glühwein or hot cocoa, and let’s dive into the best German Christmas markets you don’t want to miss this season.

Recommended Videos

Essen International Christmas Market

Essen Christmas Market
Visit Essen
  • Location: Essen city center
  • Dates: November 15 to December 23

The Essen International Christmas Market is about an hour north of Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia. This festive spot is perfect for a family outing, with a grand Ferris wheel and a carousel that kids will love. And don’t forget to grab your market mug here – it’s part of the Christmas market charm! When you buy a drink at most German Christmas markets, it’ll come in a uniquely designed mug. You can return it for a deposit refund or keep it as a souvenir of your time.

Düsseldorf Christmas Market

Düsseldorf Christmas Market
Visit Düsseldorf
  • Location: Several locations around the Düsseldorf city center
  • Dates: November 21 to December 30

Once mid-November hits, Düsseldorf goes all out for Christmas. After the St. Martins parade, the city transforms into a festive wonderland with over 200 twinkling huts scattered across the bustling city center. The Christmas market isn’t just in one spot – it’s spread across six main areas, including two in the charming Altstadt (Old Town) with its grand Ferris wheel. You can also head to the Ko district for ice skating, curling, and a cozy holiday vibe.

Dresdner Striezelmarkt

Dresden Christmas Market
sontung57 / Pixabay
  • Location: Dresden
  • Dates: November 27 to December 24

The Dresdner Striezelmarkt is a must-see, especially since it’s known as the world’s oldest Christmas market, first held back in 1434. Now celebrating its 590th year, it’s grown into a sprawling event with 240 festive stalls offering everything from sweet treats to unique Christmas treasures. Highlights include the world’s tallest step pyramid, a massive candle arch, and a historic double-decker carousel. With around 3 million visitors each year, this market is packed with holiday events like the Gingerbread Festival and Pyramid Festival.

Trier Christmas Market

Trier
Trier
  • Location: In front of the Trier Cathedral
  • Dates: November 22 to December 24

Now in its 44th year, the Trier Christmas Market is a German Christmas market with a romantic twist. Set against the beautiful medieval Main Market and the grand Trier Cathedral, it’s no surprise this market was crowned the “most romantic Christmas market in the world” by European Best Destinations. There’s fun for everyone: learn traditional carols, make Christmas crafts, and catch the Rhineland Puppet Theatre. Plus, for the first time, you can join guided adventure tours to dive into the market’s history.

Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt

Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt
Heidelberg
  • Location: Several locations around Heidelberg
  • Dates: November 25 to December 22

The Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt brings all the cozy Christmas vibes spread across six charming squares in the city. Check out the ice rink at Karlsplatz for some winter fun, and don’t miss the beautiful lit-up fir trees at Kornmarkt. Universitätsplatz is home to the beloved 100-year-old jumping horse carousel. For an extra dose of holiday magic, head over to Market Square to visit Santa Claus’s House.

Leipzig Christmas Market

Leipzig Christmas Market
Visit Saxony
  • Location: Multiple locations across Leipzig
  • Dates: November 26 to December 23

Leipzig Christmas Market is one of Germany’s largest and most beautiful markets, with around 300 stalls spread throughout the historic old town. The main action happens at Market Square (Marktplatz) by the Old Town Hall, complete with a towering Christmas tree. Stroll along Grimmaische Strasse to reach Augustusplatz, where you’ll find a carousel, a Ferris wheel, and even a charming Finnish market.

Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt

Nuremberg Christmas Market
garten-gg / Pixabay
  • Location: Nuremberg’s Main Market Square
  • Dates: November 29 to December 24

The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets, brings a unique charm to the heart of Nuremberg’s Main Market Square. Known as the “little city of wood and cloth,” this market is a festive paradise! The whole city joins in with concerts, holiday music, church services, and Christmas exhibitions, creating an unforgettable pre-Christmas atmosphere.

Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations

rüdesheim
Rüdesheim Tourist Board
  • Location: Rüdesheim am Rhein
  • Dates: November 21 to December 23

For a unique holiday experience, the Rüdesheim Christmas Market of Nations is a must. Celebrating its 30th year, this festive market brings together traditions from over 20 nations across four continents. Located in Rüdesheim am Rhein, it’s a cultural celebration of Advent with global treats, crafts, and customs that add an international flair to the season.

Berlin Christmas Markets

Berlin Christmas Market
Tourism.de / Sergey Borisov
  • Location: Multiple locations
  • Dates: Multiple dates

With over 60 options, it’s hard to choose just one German Christmas market in Berlin. For a festive stop in the city’s western center, try the Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz, right by the famous shopping street Kurfürstendamm. Or, head to the Spandau Christmas Market, where the charming old town transforms into a Christmas wonderland filled with market stalls and even a Renaissance fair.

Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
It’s official: These are the most dangerous national parks in the United States
Be careful when visiting these parks
Lake Mead

America’s national parks may be stunning, but they can also be deadly. Every year, millions of visitors flock to these protected landscapes for adventure, but hidden dangers lurk beneath the beauty – from treacherous cliffs to unpredictable waters and wildlife encounters.

To shed light on the risks, Malloy Law Offices analyzed data from the National Park Service (NPS), reviewing fatal incidents from 2014 to 2023. Their findings reveal which national parks pose the greatest dangers and why.

Read more
This country was just named the most relaxing destination on Earth
Australia took the top spot
aerial view of a beach in australia

If you’re searching for the ultimate escape from stress, look no further – Australia has just been crowned the most relaxing destination on Earth. According to Book Retreats’ Holiday Relaxation Report, which analyzed 76 destinations based on factors like safety, solitude, nature, and wellness, Australia topped the list with a Global Relaxation Index score of 73.8 out of 100.

What makes Australia so serene? Unlike overcrowded European hotspots, it offers wide open spaces, beautiful nature, and low crowd density. With 50 million fewer annual visitors than Italy and a population spread across a landmass 25 times larger, Australia delivers the peace and quiet that many travelers crave. According to the study, Australia has just 3.4 people per square kilometer, compared to 198.3 in Italy and 626 in Mauritius, the most crowded destination in the report.
Other key findings

Read more
Explore Norway’s fjords, food, and traditions on this epic 10-day group trip
Norway like you've never seen it before
Norway House

Up Norway, a leader in curating sustainable luxury travel experiences across Scandinavia, has once again partnered with Norway House, a renowned hub for Norwegian arts, business, and culture in the U.S., for an extraordinary travel adventure: Northern Horizons: A Norway House & Up Norway Experience. 

Building on the success of their inaugural 2024 trip, this 10-day journey promises an immersive experience into Norway’s Arctic magic, combining luxury boutique accommodations, farm- and sea-to-table dining, and opportunities to connect with local artisans. Travelers will get rare, insider insights into Norwegian life, diving deeper than tourists have ever been before.
Explore Norway like never before
Kvitnes GĂĄrd, Photo by: Eivind H. Natvig/INSTITUTE Norway House / Norway House

Read more