Christmas Markets, 2022 in Germany
Last Updated: 9 March 2023
When do Christmas Markets Start in 2023?
In the bigger towns and cities you will find Christmas markets cover the entire Advent period. They usually start in the last week of November and continue up until a day or two before Christmas day. The first Sunday of Advent in 2023 is 3 December. Many of the bigger Christmas markets start the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent – that is, on Friday 1 December in 2023. Some towns and cities open their markets as early as the Monday before the first Advent Sunday, that is 27 November 2022. Smaller towns and villages also have their Christmas market traditions, where local shops and artisans come out in force to celebrate Advent. Although smaller fairs, they are still fun nonetheless – these are usually held over a single weekend during the run up to Christmas.
One of my best experiences was a weekend I chose to visit Nuremberg. Besides hosting one of Germany’s top Christmas markets, Nuremberg has so much to see and do – making it a perfect destination for history seekers. For this reason I decided to stay for more than a few days, and rented a room in Wendelstein, a small town on the edge of Nuremberg. Quite by chance my visit coincided with the town’s Christmas market. I got to experience a much more intimate market as well as one of Germany’s biggest and finest.
What Are German Christmas Markets Called?
The regular German word for a Christmas market is Weihnachtsmarkt, plural Weihnachtsmärkte. Lübecker Weihnachtsmarkt then is the Lübeck Christmas Market. In the south of Germany (as well as Switzerland and Austria) the word is Christkindlmarkt, or a variation thereof, such as Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, or Christkindlimarkt. A well known example being the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. Literally the word translates as ‘Christ child market’. Traditionally christkind was the boy Jesus, but nowadays it refers to an angelic girl.
Some towns and cities have adopted their own individual names for the annual Christmas market. The most well known, and the oldest dated, being Dresden’s Striezelmarkt. Striezel comes from Strüzel or Stroczel, a historic term for what the Dresden Christmas market is now world famous for, stollen. A stollen in German is a tunnel. And the shape of the stollen loaf is said to represent a mine tunnel, reflecting the area’s long history of tin and silver mining.
Another unique name for a Christmas market is the Neubrandenburger Weberglockenmarkt. This name refers to a local legend in which a weaver who found his way to Neubrandenburg during a snow storm on Christmas Eve following the sound of a bell ringing in St Mary’s church.
Where Are the Best Christmas Markets in Germany?
There are over 150 towns and cities throughout Germany with established traditions of Christmas markets. Many places have more than one market; Berlin has around 70. While I can not pretend to have been to all of them, I have been to a few – and am planning of visiting many more. As much as I love visiting Christmas markets there has to be more to the destination to attract my attention. This is not difficult with many towns and cities in Germany having a rich history.
These then are the Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany I recommend. They are places that are rich in history: the capital city of the Hanseatic League or the present-day capital of Germany. Besides highlighting what there is to see and do in each destination, I also provide travel tips and information on how to get there, where to stay, what to see and what not to miss!
Aachen24 November - 23 December 2023
The city of Aachen has its origins in a Roman settlement before becoming the chosen Imperial residence of Emperor Charlemagne in the 8th century. It was Charlemagne who ordered the construction of the cathedral, making this one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe. A more historic setting for a Christmas market would be hard to come by. The cathedral is surrounded by a number of fascinating museums exploring the history of this medieval city. At the end of the year, the very same streets become filled with the typical, festively decorated stalls for the Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt. Local specialities include Aachener Printen (a kind of gingerbread), Aachen Christmas liver sausage and reisfladen or rice pancake.
Annaberg-Buchholz1 December - 23 December 2023
Many of the decorations we see on sale in Christmas markets throughout Germany have their origins in traditions in the Erzgebirge. Or the Ore Mountains. The mountain town of Annaberg-Buchholz is the setting for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the area. At night the 15th century St Anne’s Church appears to hang above the town square. During advent the square has the usual features, an enormous tree, a Christmas pyramid (originating in the area) and over 80 brightly coloured stalls selling all sorts of culinary treats and traditional crafts. The perfect place to buy yourself a schwibbögen, another decoration now popular with Germans that has its origins in the Ore Mountains.
Berlin Christmas Markets27 November - 31 December 2023
With over 70 markets, Berlin is undoubtedly the Christmas market capital of Germany. Why not take a Walking Tour of the Christmas Markets. Some markets start at the end of November, while other more local markets only take place over a single weekend during advent. Get the chance to see the largest palace in Berlin and the most romantic Christmas market at Charlottenburg Castle, or the more modest 16th century Jagdschloss at Grunewald provides a perfectly historic backdrop for a traditional Christmas market. Don’t miss the Christmas lights on Kurfurstendamm or the Christmas Botanical Garden show. There is so much more to see and do in Berlin; including some of the world’s finest museums.
Erfut Christmas Market27 November - 24 December 2023
With St Mary’s Cathedral and St Severus’ Church as a backdrop, it is hardly surprising that Erfurt’s Weihnachtsmarkte is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Europe. The city is especially proud of its locally created, 12 metre high Christmas pyramid. Although obviously in the style of the Erzgebirge tradition, the figures represent historical people of Erfut (including Saint Martin of Tours, Martin Luther) and other notable features. One of these being Gloriosa – the cathedral bell cast in 1497, which is the world’s largest free-swinging medieval bell. Beneath the huge Christmas tree is a traditional Nativity scene, made up of 14 life size figures from Oberammergau.
Flensburg Christmas Market
27 November - 31 December 2023
Frankfurt Christmas Market
27 November - 31 December 2023
Contemporary skyscrapers of Frankfurt’s financial district tower over the picturesque medieval façades that surround the Römerberg. A public square in front of the three-gabled timber framed Römer, which has been the seat of the city’s administration since the 15th century. At the heart of Frankfurt’s old town, the Römerberg has been a market place for merchants from all over Europe for centuries. And the same is true today each year during Advent when the square hosts the Frankfurt Christmas Market. With the earliest record from 1393, this is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. With numerous museums in the city, Frankfurt is the perfect cultural city break.
Hamburg Christmas Market
27 November - 31 December 2023
Hamburg is Europe’s second largest port city, with an extraordinary maritime heritage to match. Christmas lights reflect off the waters of historic canals, while historic streets and buildings provide a magical setting for over 30 Christmas markets. The city’s largest Christmas market is on Rathausmarkt, where the 19th century town hall provides a spectacular backdrop for craftsman from around Germany. Popular with children is Spielzeuggasse, where merchants from around the world sell their handcrafted toys. Fleetinsel combines Hanseatic tradition with the city’s contemporary urban vibe.
Lübeck, Christmas City of the North
24 November - 30 December 2023
Founded in the 12th century, Lübeck was the capital of the Hanseatic League. And despite some damage during World War Two, the Old Town has retained much of its Medieval character. With over one thousand buildings, courtyards and alleys from the Middle Ages, Lübeck is understandably a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it is the Medieval Old Town that provides the perfect setting for the Lübecker Christmas market. Here local artisans have been selling their decorations and confectioneries since 1648. Do not pass up the chance to try some Lübeck Marzipan, a local speciality with EU Protected Geographical Indication status.
Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt 1 - 24 December 2023
