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Christmas Markets in Germany 2026

Across Germany · 11 markets

A German Christmas market at dusk with striped stalls, a lit Christmas tree, half-timbered houses and a Gothic church
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Christmas Markets in Germany 2026

The best German Christmas markets for 2026 on one map: dates, opening hours and where each market is, from Nuremberg and Dresden to Cologne and Berlin.

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The 11 markets

Looking for the best Christmas markets in Germany? This map shows 11 German Christmas markets for 2026 in 9 cities, with confirmed dates, opening hours, exact locations and directions to each one.

When do the Christmas markets in Germany start in 2026? Cologne opens first, on 16 November. Munich, Rothenburg and Aachen follow on 20 November, Berlin and Frankfurt on 23 November, Dresden and Stuttgart on 25 November, and Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt on 27 November.

When do they close? Most German Christmas markets end on 23 or 24 December. Frankfurt closes earliest, on 22 December. Nuremberg, Munich and Dresden stay open until 14:00 on Christmas Eve. If you're travelling after Christmas, go to Berlin: the Charlottenburg Palace market runs until 27 December and Gendarmenmarkt until New Year's Eve.

Which is the best Christmas market in Germany? Nuremberg is the most famous and Dresden's Striezelmarkt one of the oldest, from 1434. Cologne has several big markets a short walk apart, Rothenburg is the most fairytale-like and Stuttgart one of the largest. All dates below come from the organisers' 2026 announcements.

All 11 markets: dates, details & directions

  1. Event · Christmas market · Nuremberg

    27 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 · Daily 10:00-21:00, 24 Dec 10:00-14:00

    Germany's most famous Christmas market, on the Hauptmarkt below the Frauenkirche. Rows of red-and-white striped stalls sell Nuremberg Lebkuchen gingerbread, small Rostbratwurst sausages (three in a bun), prune figures and glass ornaments. The Christkind opens it from the Frauenkirche balcony.

    Tip: The Christkind opens the market at 17:30 on 27 November, but the stalls are already open from 10:00.

    Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nürnberg
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  2. Event · Christmas market · Cologne

    16 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 · Sun-Wed 11:00-21:00, Thu-Fri 11:00-22:00, Sat 10:00-22:00, closed 22 Nov

    Cologne's best-known market, on Roncalliplatz right below the cathedral's twin spires. The stalls sit under a canopy of fairy lights, and the central stage has more than 100 free events over the season.

    Roncalliplatz, 50667 Köln
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  3. Event · Christmas market · Cologne

    16 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 · Sun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00, closed 22 Nov

    The Angels' Market on Neumarkt, a 10 minute walk from the cathedral, with white stalls under strings of star lights and angels walking through the crowd in the evening. Quieter than the cathedral market and good for crafts.

    Tip: The mulled wine stalls stay open an hour after the shops close (not on 23 December).

    Neumarkt, 50667 Köln
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  4. Event · Christmas market · Munich

    20 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 · Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-20:00, 24 Dec 10:00-14:00, closed 22 Nov

    Munich's main Christmas market, on Marienplatz in front of the neo-Gothic New Town Hall, with a giant Christmas tree and stalls running into the side streets. Look for Bavarian nativity figures, roasted almonds and mulled wine.

    Tip: The Krampus run through the market is on 13 December, 15:00-17:00.

    Marienplatz, 80331 München
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  5. Event · Christmas market · Dresden

    25 Nov to 24 Dec 2026 · Daily 10:00-21:00 (opening day from 16:00), 24 Dec 10:00-14:00

    One of Germany's oldest Christmas markets, first held in 1434 and named after Striezel, the old word for Dresden Stollen. It fills the Altmarkt, with a giant Christmas pyramid, wooden crafts from the Ore Mountains and workshops where you can watch Stollen being made.

    Tip: The Stollen festival, with a giant Stollen paraded through the old town, is on 5 December.

    Altmarkt, 01067 Dresden
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  6. Event · Christmas market · Rothenburg ob der Tauber

    20 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 · Sun-Thu 11:00-19:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-20:00, closed 22 Nov

    A small market around the Marktplatz and town hall of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval towns. Try a Schneeball pastry and walk on the town walls before the stalls light up.

    Tip: Every evening a new Advent calendar window opens on the town hall.

    Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber
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  7. Event · Christmas market · Berlin

    23 Nov to 31 Dec 2026 · Sun-Thu 11:00-22:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00, 24 Dec 11:00-18:00

    Berlin's most elegant Christmas market, on Gendarmenmarkt between the French and German churches and the Konzerthaus. Artisans work in heated tents, and there are shows on the stage every evening. Entry is €2; under-12s go free.

    Tip: Entry is free on weekdays 11:00-14:00, except 24, 25, 26 and 31 December.

    Gendarmenmarkt, 10117 Berlin
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  8. Event · Christmas market · Berlin

    23 Nov to 27 Dec 2026 · Mon-Thu 13:00-22:00, Fri-Sun 12:00-22:00, closed 24 Dec

    Stalls in front of the baroque Charlottenburg Palace, which is lit up in colour at night. Free to enter and more spacious than the markets in Mitte, with crafts, food and mulled wine.

    Spandauer Damm 20-24, 14059 Berlin
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  9. Event · Christmas market · Stuttgart

    25 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 · Sun-Thu 11:00-21:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00

    One of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe, spread over Schlossplatz, Marktplatz and Schillerplatz in the city centre. It's known for the decorated rooftops of its stalls, each trying to outdo the next.

    Schlossplatz, 70173 Stuttgart
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  10. Event · Christmas market · Frankfurt

    23 Nov to 22 Dec 2026 · Mon-Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-21:00

    On the Römerberg in front of the old town hall and its half-timbered houses, with stalls reaching Paulsplatz and the river Main. Try Bethmännchen marzipan pastries and hot apple wine instead of the usual mulled wine.

    Römerberg, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
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  11. Event · Christmas market · Aachen

    20 Nov to 23 Dec 2026 · Daily 11:00-21:00 (22 Nov from 18:00, 23 Dec until 20:00)

    Stalls around Aachen Cathedral and the town hall, close to the Belgian and Dutch borders. Buy Aachener Printen, the city's spiced gingerbread, and see Charlemagne's cathedral while you're there.

    Tip: Park and ride: a €5 return bus ticket covers up to five people.

    Markt and Katschhof, 52062 Aachen
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Recommended hotels

Where to stay in Across Germany

SORAT Hotel Saxx Nuremberg

Nuremberg, Hauptmarkt

€€

Best for: Christmas market base

Modern hotel right on the Hauptmarkt, about a minute from the Christkindlesmarkt stalls.

Check prices Google Maps

Hotel Victoria Nürnberg

Nuremberg, old town

€€€

Best for: Arriving by train

Independent hotel by the Handwerkerhof and the station, about 15 minutes' walk through the old town to the Hauptmarkt.

Check prices Google Maps

Excelsior Hotel Ernst

Cologne, cathedral

€€€€

Best for: Splurge

Historic five-star hotel opposite Cologne Cathedral, a few minutes from the cathedral Christmas market.

Check prices Google Maps

Hotel Bayerischer Hof

Munich, old town

€€€€

Best for: Luxury

Munich's landmark grand hotel with a rooftop spa, about 10 minutes' walk from the Marienplatz market.

Check prices Google Maps

Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden

Dresden, old town

€€€€

Best for: Historic stay

Baroque palace hotel next to Dresden Castle and the Zwinger, about 7 minutes' walk from the Striezelmarkt.

Check prices Google Maps

Hotel Eisenhut

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, old town

€€€

Best for: Medieval town

Traditional hotel in old townhouses on Herrngasse, a minute or two from the Reiterlesmarkt.

Check prices Google Maps

Hotel de Rome

Berlin, Mitte

€€€€

Best for: Berlin centre

Rocco Forte hotel in a former bank on Bebelplatz, about 5 minutes' walk from the Gendarmenmarkt market.

Check prices Google Maps

Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin, Stuttgart

Stuttgart, main station

€€€

Best for: Arriving by train

Upscale hotel opposite the main station, about 10 minutes' walk down Königstraße to Schlossplatz.

Check prices Google Maps

Motel One Frankfurt-Römer

Frankfurt, old town

€€

Best for: Good value

Good-value design hotel about 5 minutes' walk from the stalls on the Römerberg.

Check prices Google Maps

Aquis Grana Cityhotel

Aachen, old town

€€

Best for: Good value

Comfortable central hotel about 3 minutes' walk from the market around the town hall and cathedral.

Check prices Google Maps

See all 10 best hotels in Germany on one map

Recommended activities

Things to do in Across Germany

2 hours

Nuremberg Christmas market tour

A local guide takes you through the Christkindlesmarkt and the old town, with Lebkuchen and mulled wine tastings.

Book

2 hours

Cologne Christmas markets walking tour

Visit several of Cologne's markets in one evening, from the cathedral to the old town.

Book

Full day

Rothenburg day trip from Munich or Frankfurt

A guided day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber with free time at the Reiterlesmarkt.

Book

Before you go

Good to know

Most markets close on 23 or 24 December
Cologne, Rothenburg, Stuttgart and Aachen close on 23 December and Frankfurt on 22 December. Nuremberg, Munich and Dresden close at 14:00 on 24 December. Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt stays open until New Year's Eve, and Charlottenburg Palace until 27 December.
Closed on 22 November
22 November 2026 is Totensonntag, a quiet Sunday for remembering the dead. The Cologne, Munich and Rothenburg markets are closed that day, and Aachen only opens at 18:00.
Keep or return your mug
Mulled wine is served in a mug with a deposit (Pfand). Return it to any stall for your money back, or keep it as a souvenir.
Bring some cash
Many stalls take cards now, but small stalls and toilets often want cash. Keep a few euros in coins.
Combine cities by train
Cologne and Aachen are about 35 minutes apart by ICE, and Nuremberg to Munich is just over an hour. Rothenburg is a small town best reached by regional train or car.
Amit Kerenspotz.guide

This guide was written by Amit Keren

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