Top 20 Christmas markets in Germany

The Top 20, in order

• No. 1: Dresdner Striezelmarkt — Dresden, Germany · 25 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
  Founded in 1434 (Germany's oldest documented market); 14m Erzgebirge wood pyramid; traditional Dresdner Christstollen.
• No. 2: Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt — Nürnberg, Germany · 27 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
  Red-and-white canvas timber stalls; traditional Christkind opening ceremony; genuine Nürnberger Rostbratwurst and Elisenlebkuchen.
• No. 3: Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom — Köln, Germany · 16 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
  Set directly beneath the spires of the UNESCO Cologne Cathedral; massive illuminated Christmas tree and tent-of-lights.
• No. 4: Alt-Rothenburger Reiterlesmarkt — Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany · 20 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
  Medieval walled fairytale backdrop; arrival of the mythical horseman “Reiterle”; Schneeballen (snowball pastries).
• No. 5: Esslinger Mittelaltermarkt & Weihnachtsmarkt — Esslingen am Neckar, Germany · 24 Nov – 22 Dec 2026
  Authentic medieval reenactment market; glassblowers, blacksmiths, fire-eaters, and hot spiced mead in clay cups.
• No. 6: Münchner Christkindlmarkt — München, Germany · 20 Nov – 24 Dec 2026
  Bavarian capital's flagship market beneath the neo-Gothic New Town Hall; nearby Kripperlmarkt (crib market).
• No. 7: Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt — Stuttgart, Germany · 25 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
  Spans several central plazas with nearly 300 stalls; famous for heavily decorated, competitive stall rooftops.
• No. 8: Weihnachtsmarkt in der Ravennaschlucht — Breitnau, Germany · 26 Nov – 20 Dec 2026
  Built beneath the 40-meter stone viaduct of the Höllentalbahn railway in a snowy gorge; ticketed entry.
• No. 9: Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt — Aachen, Germany · 20 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
  Framed by the Charlemagne-era Aachen Cathedral and Town Hall; spiced herbal Aachener Printen gingerbread.
• No. 10: Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt — Erfurt, Germany · 24 Nov – 22 Dec 2026
  Massive Domplatz setting with St. Mary's Cathedral backdrop; 12-meter pyramid and Thuringian bratwurst.
• No. 11: WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt — Berlin, Germany · 23 Nov – 31 Dec 2026
  Sophisticated heated artisan craft tents, international culinary pavilions, and daily stage performances.
• No. 12: Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt — Frankfurt am Main, Germany · 23 Nov – 22 Dec 2026
  Historic Römerberg timber-framed square; hot Apfelglühwein (spiced apple wine) and Bethmännchen marzipan treats.
• No. 13: Lübecker Weihnachtsmarkt — Lübeck, Germany · 23 Nov – 30 Dec 2026
  Brick Gothic UNESCO Hanseatic Old Town setting; birthplace of Niederegger Lübeck Marzipan.
• No. 15: Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt — Heidelberg, Germany · 23 Nov – 22 Dec 2026
  Spread across romantic old town squares; panoramic vistas of the illuminated Heidelberg Castle ruins above.
• No. 16: Romantischer Weihnachtsmarkt — Regensburg, Germany · 20 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
  Aristocratic private palace courtyard; open fire pits, artisan craft carvers, and wild game specialities (ticketed).
• No. 17: Trierer Weihnachtsmarkt — Trier, Germany · 20 Nov – 22 Dec 2026
  Hauptmarkt and Cathedral square location; German mulled wine made with regional Moselle Valley Riesling.
• No. 19: Weihnachtsmarkt & Weihnachtswald Goslar — Goslar, Germany · 25 Nov – 30 Dec 2026
  Traditional Harz mountain village featuring an actual miniature pine forest planted right on the cobbled square.
• No. 20: Annaberger Weihnachtsmarkt — Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany · 27 Nov – 17 Dec 2026
  Erzgebirge woodcarving heartland; famous Grand Miners' Parade (Bergparade) and traditional wooden toys.