Guide

Christmas markets in Germany

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

Germany's Christmas markets open in Advent in towns across the country. According to the German National Tourist Board, Dresden's Striezelmarkt is Germany's oldest, running since 1434 with more than 200 stalls; Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt draws over two million visitors a year to around 180 stalls; and Berlin has more than sixty markets.

The famous ones

The German National Tourist Board highlights:

Nuremberg — Christkindlesmarkt: opens at the end of November when the Christkind delivers its prologue from the balcony of the Frauenkirche. Over two million visitors a year, around 180 red-and-white stalls, gingerbread and bratwurst, and a children's Christmas area with nostalgic carousels.
Dresden — Striezelmarkt: Germany's oldest Christmas market, held on the Altmarkt since 1434, with more than 200 stalls, a giant candle arch, a walk-in Christmas pyramid, Erzgebirge crafts and Dresden Stollen.
Berlin: more than sixty Christmas markets in Advent, from the Gendarmenmarkt to Schloss Charlottenburg.
Aachen: between the cathedral and the town hall, famous for its Printen gingerbread.

Source: German National Tourist Board (Germany Travel) — Christmas markets, read 9 October 2026.

What you'll find

Across the markets the Tourist Board describes, the pattern is familiar and wonderful: mulled wine (Glühwein), gingerbread, roasted treats, handicrafts and regional specialities, with music and lights in the old-town squares. Many markets add children's programmes, and some have their own famous foods — Stollen in Dresden, Printen in Aachen.

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Making the most of Advent

For anyone living in Germany, the Christmas markets are one of the highlights of the year — and with the Deutschlandticket, a day trip to another city's market is easy.

Check each market's own website for this year's dates before you travel, and enjoy the season.

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Common questions

What is the oldest Christmas market in Germany?

Dresden's Striezelmarkt, held since 1434, according to the German National Tourist Board.

How many people visit the Nuremberg Christmas market?

Over two million visitors a year, according to the German National Tourist Board, with around 180 stalls.

How many Christmas markets are in Berlin?

More than sixty in Advent, according to the German National Tourist Board.

When do German Christmas markets open?

In the Advent season; Nuremberg's opens at the end of November. Check each market's website for this year's dates.