Germany hosts around three thousand Christmas Markets spread across the country. The hardest part is choosing between medieval fairs, traditional markets, and modern concepts offering vegan delicacies or DJ performances. So, we suggest three destinations just a direct flight away, plus a journey to Thuringia, the birthplace of several Christmas traditions.
Munich, the Favourite Among the Portuguese
The German city most frequently visited by Portuguese travellers once again dresses up for the festive season. The beautiful Marienplatz hosts the main Christmas Market, filled with traditional ornaments and regional treats served with mulled wine. Those wishing to dive deeper into local Christmas history and customs can even join a guided tour (in English), which ends with a warm drink and roasted almonds. Another major attraction is the medieval market, where artisans and musicians dressed in historical costumes present traditional dishes such as wood-fired tarte flambée, sausages grilled over beechwood flames, and beverages based on ancient recipes.
But Munich has much more to offer at this time of year, including the artisanal treasures of the vibrant Schwabing district and the creative energy of Werksviertel, a new neighbourhood east of the city where Christmas includes performances, ice skating, and curling. New Year’s Eve will be celebrated with Munich’s biggest outdoor party, featuring a light and laser show, interactive art installations, and live music stages near the Siegestor.
Berlin Has… 80 Christmas Markets!
Although the official start date for Christmas Markets is 24 November, some of Berlin’s winter markets have been open since late October. Many more will open soon, as the German capital boasts around 80 in total! This means there is something for every taste, always with the season’s typical delicacies and mulled wine: markets for all audiences, design fairs, medieval-style markets, sustainable concepts, cosy neighbourhood events, and others that draw thousands of visitors.
This year’s highlight is the return of one of the most beautiful markets, WeihnachtsZauber, to the newly renovated Gendarmenmarkt square. After nearly two years of works—including the refurbishment of the pavement—it retains all its splendour, enhanced by the French and German cathedrals and the Konzerthaus. It is expected to welcome more than 600,000 visitors this festive season. A craft tent, traditional and gourmet food, and daily performances by national and international artists are part of the programme.
Frankfurt and Two More Festive Getaways
Frankfurt’s Christmas Market is one of the oldest in Germany, documented since 1393. It is also one of the most popular, attracting around 2.3 million visitors each year. Set against the backdrop of the historic Römerberg square and St. Paul’s Church and stretching down to the banks of the Main River, it features 230 stalls selling marzipan sweets, hot apfelwein (cider), and plenty of handicrafts. The market opens on 24 November with the lighting of the 28-metre Christmas tree, following a concert by the Frankfurt Opera. From then on, the events multiply: daily performances, a visit from St. Nicholas, and a “concert” featuring 50 bells from ten different churches.
A new addition this year is a children’s Christmas Market, where little ones can let their creativity run free decorating gingerbread cookies, crafting Christmas ornaments, or making personalised holiday cards. The inclusive “Pink Christmas” will also return to Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, offering vegetarian and vegan dishes and Feuerzangenbowle, a traditional mulled wine topped with a rum-soaked sugar cone set alight. And on 25 November, the 103rd edition of the Artists’ Christmas Market opens, showcasing painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, objects, jewellery, and artisanal crafts. It is worth taking the opportunity to visit two nearby cities—each only 30 minutes away by train—along with their Christmas Markets: Wiesbaden, known for its thermal baths and historic casino; and Mainz, the city of Gutenberg, “the father of modern printing,” and famed for its excellent wines.
Thuringia, the Birthplace of Christmas Traditions
Located in the heart of Germany, this federal state brings together numerous attractions and is the origin of several Christmas traditions, making it an ideal region to explore during the festive season. It was in Lauscha, a small town in the Thuringian Forest, that Christmas baubles were first created. Legend has it that local glassblowers could not afford the nuts and apples traditionally used to decorate Christmas trees, so one of them made glass replicas of the fruits. These decorations were first documented in 1847, and today the town displays the world’s largest glass ornament—one metre long and adorned with oversized baubles measuring between 12 and 18 centimetres—on a tree that stands year-round.
Germany’s first public Christmas tree also appeared here, in the market square of the beautiful city of Weimar. It was brought from the home of the generous bookseller Johann Wilhelm Hoffmann to delight all children—rich or poor—and the custom quickly spread.
Christmas Markets flourish throughout the region, particularly those in Erfurt, the state capital, which preserves its charming medieval centre, and in Weimar, home to Goethe and Schiller and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also listed by UNESCO, the market at the famous Wartburg Castle transports visitors back in time. Here, one can watch artisans at work—soap makers, glassblowers, and pewter casters—while wandering entertainers and musicians recreate an authentic medieval atmosphere.
By Carla Branco
INFO: www.germany.travel