Something different than Nuremberg, Leipzig or Münster: For your trip during Advent, we show you nine rather unknown, very beautiful Christmas markets in Germany. Which of our tips is your favourite?
Now you’re really getting into the Christmas spirit: We’ll give you our insider tips for your Christmas market trip. You don’t feel like going to the huge, overcrowded markets in the big cities that are full of crowds every year? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll show you Christmas markets that aren’t yet known throughout Germany but are still stunningly beautiful.
What they all have in common is that they take place in particularly beautiful or unusual locations and spread a festive, cozy and all-round Christmas atmosphere. Are you ready for mulled wine, roasted almonds and the like? Then come with us on our Christmas market tour.
1. In the middle of the forest: Waldweihnacht Halsbach in Upper Bavaria
In the middle of the forest near Altötting in Upper Bavaria you can visit a particularly atmospheric and unusual Christmas market: Every year, the Forest Christmas on the forest stage in Halsbach invites you to take a stroll through an Advent village with rustic wooden huts. You stroll along branching paths past the stalls selling mulled wine, delicacies and decorations. The market attracts visitors not only because of its magical, contemplative atmosphere, but also because of its international focus: you can try dishes from different parts of the world there. But regional delicacies are not missing at the Forest Christmas either.
Highlights among the 100 or so stands include a large tea hut, a mistletoe house and a Mongolian yurt where you can warm up. Music, light illuminations and ice sculptures give the forest Christmas its special magic. Despite all the mysticism, the needs of modern visitors are not forgotten: Even in the middle of nature, they are well connected thanks to the forest WiFi and can post their favorite pictures from the fairytale world directly. The Halsbach forest Christmas takes place daily from the end of November to mid-December.
2. On a moated castle: Romantic Christmas market Merode near Aachen
Are you looking for a particularly contemplative, traditional Christmas experience? Then the Romantic Christmas Market in Merode could be just the thing for you. It takes place around the Christmas-lit Merode moated castle in Langerwehe-Merode near Düren, around 30 minutes by car from Aachen. From the end of November until just before Christmas Eve you can enjoy the wonderful atmosphere there. The ambience is unique, as is what is on offer: the open fireplaces give the Christmas market a rustic, contemplative flair. Merode also stands out from many other markets thanks to the diverse traditional craft stalls.
Even though it can be busy on some days, the market around the moated castle at Christmastime exudes a calm atmosphere. It only gets loud when the romantic lighting is accompanied by fireworks: During the Christmas market period, fireworks are displayed at Merode Castle – a special highlight during Advent. You have to pay an entrance fee for the Merode Christmas market, which is lower during the week than at the weekend.
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3. Insider tip in Lower Saxony: Christmas market in Wolfenbüttel
Have you ever been to Wolfenbüttel? If not, you can plan your trip to the Lower Saxony district town during Advent. That’s when the beautiful Wolfenbüttel Christmas market takes place. Traditionally, the stalls are set up in the old town in front of the historic half-timbered houses. Another typical feature of this cozy market is that illuminated Christmas figures are spread throughout the old town – a nutcracker, a Santa Claus, a grazing deer and other figures that are suitable for selfies and group photos.
The Wolfenbüttel Christmas market has been around since 1585. Wolfenbüttel is also a “Christmas town” in other ways: the famous Christmas carol “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” is said to have originated there: Michael Praetorius, who arranged the song, was the conductor at the court in Wolfenbüttel. The Wolfenbüttel Christmas market begins at the end of November and lasts until the day before Christmas Eve. In some years it takes place in the old town in front of the castle in Wolfenbüttel.
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4. At the foot of a viaduct: Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge
Spectacularly located, but still relatively unknown compared to the large Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Leipzig and the like: The Christmas market in the Ravenna Gorge in the Black Forest should not be left out of this list. It takes place on several weekends in November and December below the Höllentalbahn railway viaduct near Breitnau. The setting is unique for a Christmas market: at the foot of the huge pillars of the 40-meter-high viaduct, the small, Christmas-lit hut village comes to life during Advent. While people stroll from stall to stall below, a train occasionally roars over the bridge through the gorge above.
The market in the Ravenna Gorge sells local handicrafts and Black Forest specialties. If you are looking for a special Christmas experience, you can join one of the guided tours to the Christmas market – among other things, a lantern and torchlight hike is offered there. There is also a Christmas post office, a nativity trail and a children’s program. There is an admission charge to visit the Christmas market.
5. Nuremberg in miniature: Christmas market in Wiedenbrück
You can also find a small but very beautiful Christmas market in Rheda-Wiedenbrück in East Westphalia. With its cute stalls, the nostalgic children’s carousel and the large Christmas pyramid, the Christmas market is a magnet for everyone who is in the Christmas spirit or wants to come from the end of November until just before Christmas Eve. A special highlight of the market is its historical setting: the total of over 40 stalls are set up on the church square in the old town of Wiedenbrück, surrounded by old half-timbered houses.
Wiedenbrück is part of the town of Rheda-Wiedenbrück, which has a total of just over 50,000 inhabitants. The historic district is definitely worth a visit – whether during Advent or at other times of the year. If you are looking for pretty Christmas presents, the small, fine Christmas market is a good place to go. You can also browse Wiedenbrück’s cute shops and find the odd present. A highlight during the Christmas market season is a visit from the Nuremberg Christ Child.
6. Scandinavian touch: Lucia Christmas market in Berlin
If you are in the capital during Advent, the first thing you will probably do is wander around the famous Christmas markets in Berlin-Mitte. An alternative to this is the Lucia Christmas market in the Kulturbrauerei in Berlin-Pankow. It is still an insider tip, at least for travelers. This somewhat different Christmas market is dedicated to the Queen of Lights Lucia, who is worshipped as a saint, especially in Scandinavia. The Lucia market also has a very Scandinavian feel: there are Swedish cinnamon rolls, Finnish and Icelandic punch. A bit hygge here – and super beautiful, also because the Kulturbrauerei offers a great backdrop.
The highlight of the Lucia Christmas market is the Lucia festival. Then Santa Lucia walks through the Kulturbrauerei in her white robe and a wreath of candles on her head, with her star children in tow. Everyone sings Scandinavian Christmas carols together. The Lucia market has other attractions for children, such as a nostalgic swing carousel and a knight’s castle where they can try their hand at crossbow shooting.
7. Insider tip far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city: Christmas market in Coburg
The Christmas market in Coburg, Bavaria, is also beautiful and atmospheric. The town, with just around 40,000 inhabitants, invites you to take a Christmas stroll through the market square from the first Advent until December 23rd. Surrounded by historic houses, the small, idyllic market exudes a particularly festive atmosphere. If you are looking for a cozy Christmas experience far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, you have come to the right place. Many locals, but also visitors, are drawn to the market square, especially in the evenings.
In addition to mulled wine and roasted almonds, you will find Christmas tree decorations, small gifts and sheepskin products at the Coburg Christmas market – in other words, many of the things that are typically offered at a Christmas market. Even independently of the Christmas market, Coburg is worth a visit as a former residential city: the number one attraction is the medieval Veste Coburg castle, which towers high above the city.
8. Beautiful setting: Liebenberg Castle in Brandenburg
You can visit a Christmas market in a historic setting at Liebenberg Castle and Estate in Brandenburg, about an hour’s drive from Berlin. From the end of November until just before Christmas Eve, you can stroll from stall to stall on the weekends and immerse yourself in the Christmas hustle and bustle. In addition to fairy lights, fire pits and decorated fir trees, this insider tip attracts visitors with local handicrafts. The Liebenberg Christmas market also has a lot of regional food to offer, whether you’re looking for sweet or savory delicacies.
Liebenberg Castle is now home to the DKB Foundation, a hotel and one of the largest inclusive businesses in Brandenburg. There, people with and without disabilities collaborate. The products made in the inclusive business, such as game products, are also sold at the Christmas market. The Liebenberg Christmas market charges admission, but children under 15 and people with disabilities have free admission.
9. A million lights: Forest Christmas in Velen
Finally, another forest Christmas market: During Advent, the Krumme estate in Velen in Münsterland is ablaze with lights. On weekends, around 150 stalls open with mulled wine, delicacies and a wide range of handicrafts. The Krumme family has been holding the Christmas magic on their estate every year since 1999. The market is romantic and unusual at the same time. The combination of the idyllic setting and the many different products makes it a great destination for a Christmas outing.
The highlights of the market are, in the truest sense of the word, the one million lights that shine there and the 1,600 fir trees that are put up during Advent. If you want to have a special experience with your family or friends, you can take a covered wagon ride to the Velen Forest Christmas Market and “warm up” on the way. There is an entrance fee to the market, but children up to and including 14 years of age and people with severe disabilities have free entry.
Looking for more inspiration? You can find tips for all the top travel destinations at blog Forbes.