Germany's Christmas markets: 9 cities and dates for 2026

German Christmas markets open as early as mid-November. Choosing the right city matters more than it seems. In one place you will end up in a dense stream of tourists, in another you will find a quiet market with the same mulled wine.

Germany's oldest market, Dresden's Striezelmarkt, runs from November 25 to December 24 in 2026 (as of 09/2026, striezelmarkt.dresden.de).

Below are nine cities with 2026 dates and what to try. You will see where to find the oldest market, which city has markets scattered throughout the entire center, and where to go for glass Christmas tree ornaments.

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What to know about Germany's markets

💡 In short:

• Markets open from mid-November and run through all of Advent.
• Mulled wine is served in ceramic mugs with a deposit.

Every city holds its market in the center, by the main square. The format is the same: wooden stalls, string lights, mulled wine, and a stage with a choir. The difference is in the details, and those details decide where you should go.

© Dr. Thomas Liptak · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The dates below are compiled from the markets' official websites. Of the markets in the table, Nuremberg and Dresden close the latest, on December 24.

1. Nuremberg: Christkindlesmarkt on Hauptmarkt

Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt is called one of the oldest and the most famous in the world. It occupies Hauptmarkt in the old town. The stalls here are built from wood and fabric, like a small town within the city.

© DALIBRI · CC BY-SAPhoto: DALIBRI, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Dates: 27.11-24.12.2026 (as of: 09/2026, market website)
• What to try: Nuremberg Lebkuchen gingerbread with almonds, honey, and spices.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Nuremberg on Trip.com
• The catch: the market is famous worldwide, so it gets crowded on December weekends.

Advent in Nuremberg opens with the Christkind appearing on the balcony of the Frauenkirche. The ceremony takes place once, on the market's opening day. You can watch it for free from Hauptmarkt.

2. Dresden: Striezelmarkt on Altmarkt

Striezelmarkt is considered the oldest Christmas market in Germany. The name comes from stollen, which in Saxony was called Striezel. The market fills the entire Altmarkt square in the city center.

© LH DD/Dittrich · CC BY-SAPhoto: LH DD/Dittrich, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Dates: 25.11-24.12.2026 (as of: 09/2026, Striezelmarkt website)
• What to try: Dresdner Christstollen, Pflaumentoffel prune figures, and gingerbread from Pulsnitz.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Dresden on Trip.com
• The catch: Altmarkt gets packed on Advent weekends, so arrive when the market opens.

Striezelmarkt has stood next to Altmarkt for centuries. You'll recognize its carved wooden stalls from a distance.

3. Stuttgart: Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt

The Stuttgart market dates back to the late 17th century. It spreads across five squares: Schlossplatz, Schillerplatz, Marktplatz, Karlsplatz, and the courtyard of the Altes Schloss. In 2025, the market drew around 3.5 million visitors (as of: 09/2026, stuttgarter-weihnachtsmarkt.de).

© WolfHD · CC BY-SAPhoto: WolfHD, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

• Dates: 25.11-23.12.2026
• What to try: fruit brandy.
• What to buy: felted slippers and knitted hats, which sell out the fastest.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Stuttgart on Trip.com
• The catch: the market is split across five squares, so you'll walk between them.

A Ferris wheel is set up above the market. From the top, you can see the entire center of Stuttgart lit up.

4. Cologne: markets by the cathedral and on Neumarkt

Cologne has several Christmas markets, and you can easily combine them in one evening. The main one stands by Kölner Dom. Markt der Engel runs at Neumarkt, and Nikolausdorf is set up at Rudolfplatz. The city portal koeln.de puts them all in one list.

© Superbass · CC BY-SAPhoto: Superbass, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Dates: the markets open in mid-November and run through all of Advent.
• What to buy: handmade candles, wooden toys, and lace.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Cologne on Trip.com
• The catch: the markets are scattered around the center, so you will walk several blocks in one evening.

There is an ice rink at Rudolfplatz. Skate rental is available right on site, so you do not need your own skates.

5. Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Reiterlesmarkt

The market in Rothenburg takes over Marktplatz, Grüner Markt, and Kirchplatz. There are about 61 stalls here (as of 09/2026, rothenburg.de). The town is surrounded by a medieval wall, and you will see the market in that same setting.

© Rosty · CC BY-SAPhoto: Rosty, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Dates: 11/20-12/23/2026
• What to buy: wooden figurines and local artisanal glass.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Rothenburg on Trip.com
• The catch: the market is closed on 11/22/2026 (Totensonntag, as of 09/2026, Reiterlesmarkt page).

The market tradition dates back to the 15th century, and it is opened by a character called Reiterle. Figurines of this rider are sold at every other stall.

6. Berlin: markets all over the city

In Berlin, the markets are spread from the center to residential neighborhoods. The format varies: some have carousels and shooting galleries, others have an ice rink and a stage with performances. Most Berlin markets open in late November and run until the end of the year, so you can fill all of December here.

• Dates: from late November to the end of the year
• What to try: fried sausages in a bun and spiced muffins.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Berlin on Trip.com

The city is large, and you will easily find a market within walking distance of any hotel in the center.

7. Hamburg: markets by the city hall and on the Reeperbahn

Hamburg's main market stands on Rathausmarkt, by the city hall. A second one stretches along Jungfernstieg, the city's main shopping street. And in the St. Pauli district, on the Reeperbahn, Santa Pauli runs as a fair in the red-light quarter.

© This image is a work by Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons user C.Suthorn. When reusing, credit me as described in the Lice · CC BY-SAPhoto: This image is a work by Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons user C.Suthorn. When reusing, credit me as described in the Lice, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Dates: all of Advent
• What to try: smoked ribs with braised cabbage.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Hamburg on Trip.com

The market by the town hall runs longer than the others and does not close on Mondays. You can fit it in even on a short trip.

8. Worms: a compact market with an ice rink

Worms keeps a small market in the city center. There are a few dozen stalls strung with lights, a children's petting corner, and a musical ice rink. Everything is compact, and you can walk through the market in under an hour.

• Dates: Advent
• What to try: mulled wine and roasted almonds.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Worms on Trip.com

Worms is convenient for a day trip: you can walk from the train station to the market square.

9. Lauscha: home of glass ornaments

Lauscha in Thuringia is known for handmade glass. Local workshops blow Christmas ornaments and figurines by hand. At the Advent fair you buy them directly from the artisans, not from a souvenir shop.

© Krebs Glas Lauscha · CC BYPhoto: Krebs Glas Lauscha, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Dates: Advent weekends
• What to buy: handmade glass Christmas ornaments.
• Hotels nearby: hotels in Lauscha on Trip.com

The town is small, and the market here is quiet. It suits a calm evening better than the fairs in big cities.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which Christmas markets in Germany are the most famous?

The country's most famous market takes place in Nuremberg: it is the Christkindlesmarkt on Hauptmarkt. Germany's oldest market operates in Dresden: it is the Striezelmarkt on Altmarkt. Both markets run until December 24. In Stuttgart, the market has been running since the late 17th century and spans five squares in the city center.

How much does it cost to enter a Christmas market?

Entry to all German markets is free. You only pay for food, drinks, and attractions such as an ice rink or carousel. Mulled wine is served in ceramic mugs with a deposit, and that amount is refunded when you return the mug. You can keep the mug, in which case the seller keeps the deposit.

When do the markets open in 2026?

Most markets start in mid-November. Among the markets with confirmed dates, the Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg opens earliest, on November 20. Nuremberg and Dresden run until December 24. The Stuttgart market and the Reiterlesmarkt close on December 23. Berlin's markets stay open through the end of the year.

What should I try at a German market?

Start with mulled wine and grilled sausages in a bun. In Nuremberg, get Lebkuchen gingerbread; in Dresden, stollen and Pflaumentoffel prune figures. Add roasted chestnuts, cinnamon waffles, and spiced muffins. Portions are large, so two stops at the stalls will be enough.

Where should I stay during the market?

Book a hotel within walking distance of the square with the market. In December, this saves you time in the morning and taxi money in the evening. December weekends in Dresden, Nuremberg, and Cologne get booked months in advance. Hotel links are in each section above.

In short: what to book

If you want the most atmospheric market: go to Nuremberg or Dresden, both run until December 24. If you want it quieter and with fewer tourists: choose the Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg or the market in Lauscha. If you want a big city and a market at the same time: look at Cologne, Berlin, or Hamburg. Book a hotel within walking distance of the market. hotels in Germany on Trip.com and Christmas market tours on GetYourGuide.